By Chris Fenn
It’s been a few weeks since I’ve done a review, and I thought I’d come back in style and review a comic I’ve been waiting for since October of last year; Forever Evil #7.
All of the side series sub-plots have built up and become real in this issue. We see Cyborg with the Lasso of Truth, we hear the Martian Manhunter and we also see the ‘corpse’ of Grid.
The main spotlight for this issue is Lex Luthor, and we get to see the many facets of his personality and character. We get glimpses of his mercy and humanity when he resuscitates Nightwing, clears the name of his fellow villains, pays Deathstroke and mourns the loss of his monster. One of his most heroic moments seems to be saving Superman’s life, something I imagine factors a lot into his future in the Justice League.
One of Lex’s closing moments is him telling Ted Kord to keep his father’s business; though this does act as a good set up for the introduction of another hero, it beautifully mirrors Lex’s first appearance in Forever Evil, where he destroys a business man’s life and family because he wouldn’t sell his company to him.
This isn’t to say that ol’ Lex is going soft on us, as we watch him out-think all of the Powerhouses of Earth-3. I loved that he was smart enough to think to use his own voice to depower Alexander Luthor, and the way he is happy to let Ultraman suffer knowing he is the weakest man on the planet was brilliant. Swift vengeance against Atomica was simple yet ultimately rewarding. Remember readers; being human doesn’t mean you can’t be awesome.
One thing I did sort of contemplate was why Alexander Luthor was seemingly just as evil as the rest of the Crime Syndicate. I kept thinking that Earth-3 was where the good guys were bad and the bad guys were good, but I think this is a pre New-52 idea. In this continuity it is stated that Earth-3 was the birthplace of evil, so perhaps everybody is evil, Alexander just seemed the best of a bad bunch.
One thing I did really love about this book was the way John’s added in little moments that didn’t really matter but made the characters seem so much more real. One example is when Sinestro and Black Adam discuss the country Black Adam used to lead, and a few pages over Sinestro encourages Adam to do it “for Kahndaq”. Another nice character interaction is where Luthor shakes hands with a distracted Batman and steals his kryptonite ring; just another moment to show that even when there’s everything to lose Lex Luthor still looks out for Lex Luthor.
So, what’s in store for the DC Universe now that Forever Evil is over? Judging by the cover of Justice League #30 we have Luthor fighting for the good of the world. We also have Owlman free within our Earth, and after showing some remnants of a conscience and good in him could he prove to be an ally, villain or something in between? Then there’s the Anti-Monitor.
The final page shows us the Anti-Monitor speaking to his herald. The herald is unknown and may prove to be something or somebody interesting in the future, however one thing I focused on was Anti-Monitor wanted to face off with Darkseid. Could this mean our heroes side with the Lord of Apokolips for the sake of the Universe; whatever happens ti will be a good time to read comic books.
For more comic views and reviews follow Chris on Twitter at @fenneth1989
Posted on May 22nd, 2014
Category: Blog, OUT OF THE LONG BOX, REVIEWS
Tags: Batman, Bizarro, crime syndicate, Dick Grayson, Forever Evil #7 review, Geoff Johns, lex luthor, Nightwing