This issue of Earth 2 is action packed with plenty of drama on many levels, and we have the opportunity to learn a lot of lessons here. Enthusiasm and early success can lead to just a bit of impulsive decision-making…and even great intentions can lead you into trouble. The new Wonders of Earth 2 are taking the battle straight to Steppenwolf…but is that the best plan? We get the first part of that answer here, in issue #14.
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD!
As most fans are aware by now, James Robinson has announced in a series of Tweets that he is leaving Earth 2 and DC Comics. This marks the beginning of some uncertain times for Jay, Alan, Kendra, Khalid, Al and company. This has been a consistently excellent series, one near the top of my pull list for some time. The fact that it has done so well is testament to Robinson’s talent as a creator, and he will be sorely missed. There is certainly time for DC to try to make this right, as they previously have done wih Gail Simone on Batgirl…but just in case this is a good time to say a few words about James Robinson’s excellent run on Earth 2.
Earth 2 has been both a critical and sales success, with Robinson taking on one of the most difficult and controversial changes in the New 52 – the complete redesign of the Justice Society. Robinson took the Golden Age Heroes who for years had literally been the elder statespersons of the DC Universe and made them young again, placing them on a parallel Earth for the first time since before the end of Crisis on Infinite Earths in the 1980s. In doing so, he revamped both the look and origin stories for characters long cherished by DC fans, with many fans (including myself) waiting for the results with skeptical eyes. What we got was something truly special, and something that has been one of the great success stories of DC’s lineup.
Jay Garrick in particular had caused some early concern. The initial drawings released to the public didn’t cast the new uniform in the best light, and while the first issue allayed that concern with a very interesting new look it also cast Jay as a bit of a slacker who couldn’t keep his life together. Yet, over the issues so far we have seen Jay grow as both a person and as a hero. Jay Garrick didn’t ask for his powers, but he didn’t shirk the responsibility that came with them. And, he is still growing and becoming both a true hero and a leader. Jay as the everyman hero has become a great character in this series.
Even the change that generated the most news in the mainstream media, revamping Alan Scott as gay, was handled expertly by Robinson. We find an Alan Scott who is noble, brave, truly heroic, and a strong leader who happens to be gay. It is one part of who he is, not merely a stunt to generate controversy or sales. In remaking these characters, Robinson has taken the best of their Golden Age and Silver Age qualities and reshaped them to fit the sensibilities and realities of today.
I could go on and on about the characters created for this series, from the great Hawkgirl to the wonderful new Doctor Fate, to the new Al Pratt and the new Mr. Terrific (who doesn’t seem so interested in “fair play” at the moment, if you are following the storyline). This is a series that I didn’t want to like, didn’t want to believe in…yet James Robinson won me (and a lot of other fans) over with his excellent storylines and characterization. He has proven that writing matters, that good writing can make most any character compelling, and that a good story is always worth reading.
I’m still holding out hope that something can be resolved a la Gail Simone and her return to Batgirl. If not, DC will have the very difficult task of finding someone who can effectively continue James Robinson’s excellent vision for this team and this series. Jay Garrick and company have lost an excellent friend…and so has the DC Universe. Wherever you go, Mr. Robinson, we will anxiously await your next work. Thanks for a great ride with Earth 2!
The storyline is heating up quickly in Teen Titans #19, as Trigon is here – and is devastating New York City! Kid Flash is beginning to show signs of leadership within the team as the Titans face their biggest danger yet in the New52. This issue is action packed, and truly one of the best issues of this title I’ve read in quite some time!
MINOR SPOILERS AHEAD! Please read the issue before continuing here!
This issue picks up with some significant dissension in the ranks of the Titans in the aftermath of last issue’s battle with the Suicide Squad. Cassie expresses her displeasure rather, uh, forcefully…with a hand around Tim Drake’s throat! The rest of the team tries to talk her down, but it is Bart Allen who plays peacemaker here. It is good to see Bart stepping up, and I look forward to more from Kid Flash in this title. And, it is important that he is stepping up a bit, as Tim Drake still seems caught in his jerk-of-the-month mode. We don’t linger here much longer, though, because…Trigon appears in Times Square with devastating results! The Titans go into battle, to find that Trigon has more than just a few physical tricks up his sleeve. This is a most impressive battle, but one that doesn’t go well at all for the Titans. Raven appears to be ready to help to an extent…but is she really ready to directly defy Trigon? We’ll have to wait for that answer…
Kid Flash does feature more prominently here than in some recent issues, and there is foreshadowing of future storylines that may finally explain Bart’s future/history in the New52. Scott Lobdell’s script (with dialog by Lobdell and Tony Bedard) was very well done and action packed throughout. It is easily the best issue of Teen Titans I’ve read in some time. Eddy Barrows does a great job on pencils, with inks by Eber Ferreira and colors by Alex Sinclair. This is an excellent issue – and I can’t wait for TT #20!
This issue of Justice League Dark begins a three-issue arc that will include The Flash as they fight a power that has taken over the House of Mystery! Flash fans may be a bit disappointed in this first issue of the arc, as there isn’t much of an appearance from the Scarlet Speedster…but hopefully this is just the start of a much greater role for The Flash in this story arc. Barry isn’t the only guest star present, though…and that’s where the fun begins!
SOME SPOILERS AHEAD – PLEASE READ THE ISSUE BEFORE MOVING FORWARD!
This story begins with Constantine at the race track, actually attempting to lose without much success (and yes, I know that sounds odd). But, it is the prelude to an attack, one that severs his connection to the House of Mystery just long enough for it to be taken over! Constantine gathers the JL Dark (although at least Deadman hates that name for the group) and calls in help from Swamp Thing to locate the missing House. Swamp Thing does help them find the House of Mystery…but that triggers nightmare visions sent by the House for each member of the league! Madame Xanadu does manage to get a cryptic message out to Frankenstein before they are separated, saying “when the lightning comes, make it your friend.”
That lightning does come…in the form of The Flash! His brief appearance is a lead in to the next issue of Justice League Dark, as they fight the villain who is revealed in the final panel of the story. If you want to know just who they are up against, you’ll need to buy the issue.
Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes scripted this issue, with Mikel Janin and Vicente Cifuentes on art with colors by Jeromy Cox. Their work on the JL Dark characters is amazing and their Flash is credible, though we will have to wait for next issue to see just what they do with Barry in a longer appearance. If you are a JL Dark fan this should be a good issue for you. Flash fans may be a little disappointed as the cover gives the indication of a longer appearance than what actually happens in this issue. However, we may see a lot more Flash-oriented action as this arc progresses, and it will be interesting to see what happens to the House of Mystery before this arc is through.
The Source has posted the new cover to Flash #7, featuring Captain Cold. The solicit still features the cover to issue #6, which was originally intended to be #7 but was bumped up. A time-hopping CSI story originally intended for #6 was scrapped in favor of moving up the New 52 debut of the Man Who Mastered Absolute Zero.
In honor of Valentine’s Day, the post focuses on the love triangle that has been on display since the last issues of the pre-Flashpoint series. Editor Brian Cunningham poses some rhetorical questions about the relationship between Barry and Patty, with Iris on the outside (for now).
The fun part is building a love triangle where no one knows how the heck it’ll turn out. For now, Barry’s happily dating Patty…and it might stay that way for a while, with Iris outta luck waiting in the wings. Will Barry someday succumb to Iris’s charms and brassy style, making for a difficult time at work with Patty shooting daggers with her eyes?
Maybe…maybe not. Keep reading to find out. In fact, the cover to FLASH #7 shown below is probably an apt metaphor for our hero with Patty on the left, and Iris on the right.
Happy Valentine’s Day, speed-readers!
The Source has posted the variant cover to Flash #6. Featuring artwork by Mike Choi, the cover shows the Flash frozen mid-movement. It has been revealed that Captain Cold will make his first full appearance in Flash in issue #6.
Choi is also quoted in the post, where he talks about some of his artistic influences:
From the get-go, [Flash editor Brian Cunningham] told me to try and infuse more dynamism to my figure work by looking at artists like John Buscema and Wally Wood, and hopefully that’s coming through bit by bit as my career progresses.
Interestingly, the solicit up at DCComics.com has not been updated to reflect the new content in issue six and still reads as below. It has been stated by writer Brian Buccellato that the CSI story is “off the table.”
THE FLASH #6
Written by FRANCIS MANAPUL and BRIAN BUCCELLATO
Art and cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
Variant cover by MIKE CHOI
1:200 B&W Variant cover by FRANCIS MANAPUL
On sale FEBRUARY 22 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T
Struggling with the climactic aftermath of his battle with Mob Rule last issue, The Flash must solve a murder mystery that dates back 150 years! Is this case too cold even for Barry Allen? Also: Learn the origins of Central and Keystone City!