Post by ryokowerx on Sept 29, 2011 18:24:16 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree)
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
The issue opens with Deadman possessing and saving the life of a motorcycle stuntman who is too over the hill to know any better. We then cut to a introduction of who Boston Brand used to be and how he met his "death." He wakes up to the goddess Rama and she explains that he is in the moment between the end of a life poorly lead and death. Rama offers to return him to life if he follows a path of redemption by helping others in need, balancing his selfish past life with helping others with their problems. Deadman agrees and is cast back to Earth as a spirit capable of inhabiting the bodies of the living and taking control of them. The person he is currently trying to help is a soldier who came back from the war minus his legs who is suffering survivor's guilt because he was the only person out of his squad who survived a ambush. Before he joins with the soldier's body, however, he tries to get in contact with "Madame Rose," a psychic at the circus where he used to perform. Despite his best efforts, she refuses to believe him. Deadman returns to the soldier's apartment and takes over his body only to put a gun up to his head as Rama appears.
THE ART:
The art is done by Bernard Chang and it is very well done in a traditional comic illustration style with a very slight touch of manga flavor in character's faces, especially the noses. It was also nice to see a "healthier" looking Deadman this time around as well. The portrayal of Rama as a Indian goddess in that cultural style (blue skin and all) of art was also a nice feature.
THE STORY:
Paul Jenkins is the writer for this issue and I have to say that I really like the slight change made to Deadman's origin as it incorporates karma and the idea of enlightenment. Especially notable is his increasing despondency and sense of responsibility in the face of fate. The rejection by Rose being close to the final straw. As a aside I have to wonder if "Madame Rose" is Rose Psychic (those of you not familiar with comic book history can completely forget this comment because it will confuse you). Plus the ending is a real doozy.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Firstly, I love the idea of a anthology comic. Unfortunately, the market usually doesn't. It's the nature of the beast. A anthology is only as good as the character or creators contributing to it. A few bad issues and you've lost your readers so it's a bit like a bad game of Russian Roulette. It's only a matter of time. With that said, I'd gladly pay the $2.99 for this. I'm a fan of Deadman and I'm very interested to see where this story is going as it seems to be trying to redefine the role of Boston Brand in the DC Universe. Plus, it is completely new reader friendly and a great comic to hand to someone who might be interested in comics. I'm definitely on for #2 and as long as this Deadman story goes for.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1, Aquaman #1, Batman The Dark Knight #1, Blackhawks #1, Flash #1, Fury Of Firestorm #1, Green Lantern New Guardians #1, I Vampire #1, Justice League Dark #1, Savage Hawkman #1, Superman #1, Teen Titans #1, Voodoo #1
DC UNIVERSE PRESENTS #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
The issue opens with Deadman possessing and saving the life of a motorcycle stuntman who is too over the hill to know any better. We then cut to a introduction of who Boston Brand used to be and how he met his "death." He wakes up to the goddess Rama and she explains that he is in the moment between the end of a life poorly lead and death. Rama offers to return him to life if he follows a path of redemption by helping others in need, balancing his selfish past life with helping others with their problems. Deadman agrees and is cast back to Earth as a spirit capable of inhabiting the bodies of the living and taking control of them. The person he is currently trying to help is a soldier who came back from the war minus his legs who is suffering survivor's guilt because he was the only person out of his squad who survived a ambush. Before he joins with the soldier's body, however, he tries to get in contact with "Madame Rose," a psychic at the circus where he used to perform. Despite his best efforts, she refuses to believe him. Deadman returns to the soldier's apartment and takes over his body only to put a gun up to his head as Rama appears.
THE ART:
The art is done by Bernard Chang and it is very well done in a traditional comic illustration style with a very slight touch of manga flavor in character's faces, especially the noses. It was also nice to see a "healthier" looking Deadman this time around as well. The portrayal of Rama as a Indian goddess in that cultural style (blue skin and all) of art was also a nice feature.
THE STORY:
Paul Jenkins is the writer for this issue and I have to say that I really like the slight change made to Deadman's origin as it incorporates karma and the idea of enlightenment. Especially notable is his increasing despondency and sense of responsibility in the face of fate. The rejection by Rose being close to the final straw. As a aside I have to wonder if "Madame Rose" is Rose Psychic (those of you not familiar with comic book history can completely forget this comment because it will confuse you). Plus the ending is a real doozy.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
Firstly, I love the idea of a anthology comic. Unfortunately, the market usually doesn't. It's the nature of the beast. A anthology is only as good as the character or creators contributing to it. A few bad issues and you've lost your readers so it's a bit like a bad game of Russian Roulette. It's only a matter of time. With that said, I'd gladly pay the $2.99 for this. I'm a fan of Deadman and I'm very interested to see where this story is going as it seems to be trying to redefine the role of Boston Brand in the DC Universe. Plus, it is completely new reader friendly and a great comic to hand to someone who might be interested in comics. I'm definitely on for #2 and as long as this Deadman story goes for.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1, Aquaman #1, Batman The Dark Knight #1, Blackhawks #1, Flash #1, Fury Of Firestorm #1, Green Lantern New Guardians #1, I Vampire #1, Justice League Dark #1, Savage Hawkman #1, Superman #1, Teen Titans #1, Voodoo #1
