52 #25

October 26, 2006

Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Liminal Times

Halloween in the One Year Gap!

Writers: Geoff Johns, Grant Morrison, Greg Rucka, Mark Waid
Layouts: Keith Giffen
Pencils: Joe Bennett, Dale Eaglesham, Phil Jimenez, Patrick Oliffe, George Perez
Inks: Ruy Jose, Art Thibert, Andy Lanning, Drew Geraci
Colors: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Phil Balsman
Editor: Steven Wacker
Cover Art: J.G. Jones
Publisher: DC Comics

Like every issue of 52 thus far, there’s a ton of stuff going on, and it’s all to the good. In Gotham City, Bruno “Ugly” Mannheim is cementing Intergang’s hold on the city with a crime summit. The demonic Sabbac attacks Boston, sending both Marvel families into action, Ralph Dibney encounters an old Justice League foe in a very unforgiving environment, the new Infinity, Inc. heads out against some veteran villains, Alan Scott makes Mr. Terrific an intriguing offer (GASP) and on Oolong Island, Will Magnus learns more about why he’s been brought there.

This is an issue where the “realtime” gimmick of 52 really works to the book’s advantage – showing the Marvels’ first meeting with their “Black Marvel” counterparts in the middle of a crowded riot of trick-or-treaters was a nice touch. The Ralph Dibney scenes, however, really stole the book. With a dash of DC history (and some beautiful artwork), Ralph descends into the depths of Hell.

What really amazes me about this title is how it’s possible, week to week, to keep track of all the various storylines. It’s clear that 52 now features far more than the originally-advertised six stories, but even with the half-dozen intersecting plots here, there’s no trouble telling who’s doing what, where, and with whom. You don’t need a scorecard for this. Maybe it would be hard if I was waiting month to month for each chapter, but for a one-month gap, there’s no trouble at all.

The artwork is a bit more troublesome to me. It took 25 chapters, but we finally hit something of a “jam” issue, with multiple art teams handling different aspects of the story. For this issue, it worked pretty well – Jimenez on the Ralph scenes, Oliffe on Infinity, Inc. and Mr. Terrific… each segment had its own distinct flavor, and I was okay with that. I don’t know if I’d like every issue to be that way, however. Although I suppose ultimately, once the series is read as a whole, it will have that feeling regardless.

For this week’s origin story, Mark Waid tackles Nightwing, with art by George Perez. Like all the origin stories, it’s a nice, two-page capsule of the character. Unlike most other origin stories, though, we also get something of a glimpse into the future of the regular series. Not the far future, but we do see a little further than the most recent issue of Nightwing brought us, and that’s quite interesting.

All in all, Halloween in the one-year gap turned out pretty well.

Rating: 8/10

Justice League of America (2005 Series) #48

September 13, 2010

Title: The Dark Things Part Five (A Brightest Day crossover)
Writer: James Robinson
Pencils: Mark Bagley
Inks: Rob Hunter, Norm Rapmund, Don Ho, Derek Fridolfs & Rich Perrotta
Colorist: Ulises Arreola & Zarathus
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover: Mark Bagley, Jesus Merino & Nei Ruffino
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Publisher: DC Comics

The Justice League and Justice Society (along with Kyle Rayner and Mr. Miracle) face off against a hyped-up Alan Scott. Jade and Obsidian have merged into a new being, and Mr. Terrific’s plan to save the universe will hinge on a couple of girls named Kara.

This really is a fine conclusion to this story arc, bringing everything you were excited about to a boil in the finale. Dr. Mid-Nite’s rescue of Starman is well done, and the cavalry storming in works really nicely. There are some great bits in here with lasting changes for Alan, Jade and Obsidian, clearly establishing their roles in the DC Universe in general and their respective teams in particular. In fact, the Justice League we’re presented with by the end of this issue is an interesting group. I think Robinson has put together a nice core team to build his tenure on this title around.

Mark Bagley’s artwork works, but as I’ve often pointed out, it works better on the young heroes than the Justice Society. It’ll be nice next issue when they return to their own stomping grounds and he’s left with a pretty young team to depict throughout the book. The color team deserves some special recognition here though, I think, really turning out some eye-popping pages.

Then there’s the backup story…

Title: Cogs Part Three
Writer: James Robinson
Pencils: Pow Rodrix
Inks: Ruy Jose
Colorist: Zarathus
Letterer: Rob Leigh

While the Starheart was making all the elementals on Earth go crazy, Cyborg had just finished upgrading Red Tornado’s systems in a way that makes him virtually indestructible. Great idea, until the Starheart pits him against his friend. This issue is mostly an extended battle scene, with Cyborg doing whatever he can to stay alive long enough to – temporarily – put Red Tornado down. It’s an okay sequence, but doesn’t really add much to either character, save for building up the friendship between the two of them. It’s nice, but as neither of them promise to be part of the regular cast of the title, it feels sort of inconsequential.

Rating: 7/10

Justice Society of America (2007 Series) #42

September 6, 2010

Title: The Dark Things Part Four

Writer: James Robinson
Pencils: Mark Bagley
Inks: Norm Rapmund
Colorist: Allen Passalaqua
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover: Mark Bagley
Editor: Mike Carlin
Publisher: DC Comics

As the Brightest Day crossover continues, the Guardians of the Universe have sent Kyle Rayner to Earth to take out Alan Scott by any means necessary – even killing him. Not that this will be all that easy, mind you. Alan has been possessed by the power of the Starheart, a power that’s spread out to encompass not only his children Jade and Obsidian, but nearly every magic or elemental powered metahuman on the planet.

James Robinson continues to bring in nice, quick moments for dozens of heroes in this series. Dr. Mid-Nite’s rescue of Starman is a great bit, as is the battle Alan Scott has against Power Girl and Supergirl at the same time (which should go to show you just how powerful the Starheart actually is.) This is the penultimate issue, where everything is building up for a big finale, and the buildup really works well.

Bagley’s art is still kind of back-and-forth for me. As I’ve mentioned before, I find he does a very good job depicting the younger heroes (he was a magnificent Spider-Man and New Warriors artist for many years, after all), but his elder heroes don’t look quite as good. On the plus side, he’s got a good technique for bringing in lots (and lots) of characters on to a single page, making for fight scenes that are exciting and really give the sense that the heroes are getting overwhelmed.

I’m kind of surprised by this book, it feels like Jade’s personal Brightest Day storyline is coming to a close sooner than expected. But then again, back in 52 we saw characters’ stories ending at different times as well. Ultimately, as long as the end is satisfying, that’s what’s important.

Rating: 7/10

Justice League of America (2005 Series) #47

August 7, 2010

Title: Dark Things Part Three
Writer: James Robinson
Penciler: Mark Bagley
Inker: Rob Hunter
Colorist: Ulises Arreola & Zaratus
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover: Mark Bagley, Jesus Merino & Nei Rufino
Editor: Mike Carlin
Publisher: DC Comics

With about half the members of the combined Justice League and Justice Society either overcome by the Starheart’s power or in danger of becoming so, the remaining heroes recruit Mr. Miracle to help them break into the possessed Alan Scott’s lunar fortress. The world’s greatest escape artist may be the man to get them in, but can even this assemblage of heroes stand up to Alan, Obsidian, and Dr. Fate?

This story has been getting better with each issue. The addition of Mr. Miracle, who has been largely unseen since his Seven Soldiers miniseries, is a very nice touch. Bagley’s rendition of the hero is very good, and the colorists do a nice job making the lining on his uniform pop out and set him apart. He looks like a character that walked off the set of Tron – and I mean that as a compliment. The focus on Jade continues to be entertaining too. We’ve recently (like in Brightest Day #7) found out what her purpose was in being brought back from the dead, and it seems like she very well may fulfill (or fail to fulfill) that destiny before this storyline is over. Robinson has also done good work giving each of the characters at least one moment of coolness (maybe not in this issue, but somewhere in the story) to show off just what makes them worthy of being in the Big Leagues of the DC Universe. Excuse the pun.

We’ve also got a back-up feature, so let’s look at that one…

Title: Cogs Part Two
Writer: James Robinson
Penciler: Pow Rodrix
Inker: Ruy Jose
Colorist: Zaratus
Letterer: Rob Leigh

In part two of “Cogs,” we see just how Cyborg and Dr. Light were able to repair the shattered Red Tornado in a way that may prevent him from ever having his robot body destroyed again. Which is all kinds of awesome. Until the power of the Starheart began corrupting superheroes with powers related to the elements. As the Red Tornado is, in fact, a wind elemental inside an android body, he’s gone haywire. And thanks to his own invention, there may be no way for Cyborg to take him down.

The good in this issue – it’s really great to see Cyborg used in this fashion, showing him off as a techno guy, someone capable of creating instead of just a walking weapon. The problem is that most of this issue is flashback, and the scenes that take place in the present don’t really advance the story. At the end of this installment, we know why Red Tornado is such a problem, but we’re virtually in the same spot as we were at the end of part one. This is one of the dangers of serializing a story in such short installments.

Pow Rodrix is an okay artist – not really ready for a major assignment, but he shows potential. That’s one of the cool things about these back-up features. Not only is it a chance to tell stories about characters who may not be able to support an ongoing story, but it also gives a chance to try out some new creators and give them room to sharpen their skills.

I’m really digging this book, and this story.

Rating: 7/10