Post by ryokowerx on Oct 4, 2011 10:38:03 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 the demolition of the old Daily Planet building and the unveiling of the new one. The paper has been bought by Morgan Edge and incorporated into his new media empire. At the under-construction Astrodome stadium, two guards investigate a possible bogus fire alarm. We get a flashback to Lois Lane and Clark Kent fighting over journalistic integrity before the buyout by Edge. In the Himalayas, a strange alien blows the horn that shows up in Stormwatch #1. In downtown Metropolis, Superman stops a bunch of robbers from getting away in a tanker truck full of dangerous chemicals but not before the truck explodes in a giant fireball. Suspicion falls on Superman until a fiery blast hits him and flame being appears over the now burning Astrodome. Superman finally manages to haul the creature up into space where the lack of oxygen dissipates it but not before a police helicopter is blown from the sky. Later, Clark Kent shows up at Lois's apartment to try to apologize only to find her with a man.
THE ART:
Jesus Merino does the artwork from George Perez's breakdowns. The art is about as pure a form of traditional comic book illustration as you are going to find. And there isn't a damned thing wrong with that. There is a reason why Perez is considered a modern master and this is a good example why. I still really don't like the new Superman with the armored suit but Perez and Merino make it about as palatable as I've seen it done so far.
THE STORY:
Again, like the art, everything you will find about the story fits the traditional mold which makes sense as George Perez does the story as well. As far as the Superman fighting part of the story goes, we've seen it done before and on a grander scale but the brief moments between Lois and Clark is where the comic shines and we get the beginning inklings of what led up to the change between the two that did not lead to them becoming husband and wife as had happened in the original DC Universe and that perhaps Kal-El's Clark Kent persona was perhaps too effective at being the meek loner.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
I'm really torn on this one. I like Superman but I hate his new look. I enjoy the traditional art and the story but I've already heard that Perez is off this comic as of issue seven. I'll probably end up picking this one up as long as Perez is on for the ride and then give his replacement a few issues to see if he can continue what I like about the comic. This is one that I'll be paying my $2.99 monthly for at least a little while at any rate.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1, Batman The Dark Knight #1, Green Lantern New Guardians #1, I Vampire #1, Justice League Dark #1, and Teen Titans #1.
SUPERMAN #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 the demolition of the old Daily Planet building and the unveiling of the new one. The paper has been bought by Morgan Edge and incorporated into his new media empire. At the under-construction Astrodome stadium, two guards investigate a possible bogus fire alarm. We get a flashback to Lois Lane and Clark Kent fighting over journalistic integrity before the buyout by Edge. In the Himalayas, a strange alien blows the horn that shows up in Stormwatch #1. In downtown Metropolis, Superman stops a bunch of robbers from getting away in a tanker truck full of dangerous chemicals but not before the truck explodes in a giant fireball. Suspicion falls on Superman until a fiery blast hits him and flame being appears over the now burning Astrodome. Superman finally manages to haul the creature up into space where the lack of oxygen dissipates it but not before a police helicopter is blown from the sky. Later, Clark Kent shows up at Lois's apartment to try to apologize only to find her with a man.
THE ART:
Jesus Merino does the artwork from George Perez's breakdowns. The art is about as pure a form of traditional comic book illustration as you are going to find. And there isn't a damned thing wrong with that. There is a reason why Perez is considered a modern master and this is a good example why. I still really don't like the new Superman with the armored suit but Perez and Merino make it about as palatable as I've seen it done so far.
THE STORY:
Again, like the art, everything you will find about the story fits the traditional mold which makes sense as George Perez does the story as well. As far as the Superman fighting part of the story goes, we've seen it done before and on a grander scale but the brief moments between Lois and Clark is where the comic shines and we get the beginning inklings of what led up to the change between the two that did not lead to them becoming husband and wife as had happened in the original DC Universe and that perhaps Kal-El's Clark Kent persona was perhaps too effective at being the meek loner.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
I'm really torn on this one. I like Superman but I hate his new look. I enjoy the traditional art and the story but I've already heard that Perez is off this comic as of issue seven. I'll probably end up picking this one up as long as Perez is on for the ride and then give his replacement a few issues to see if he can continue what I like about the comic. This is one that I'll be paying my $2.99 monthly for at least a little while at any rate.
NEXT WEEK:
All Star Western #1, Batman The Dark Knight #1, Green Lantern New Guardians #1, I Vampire #1, Justice League Dark #1, and Teen Titans #1.