The title that has induced the most geek rage in me, ever since the re-boot in fact, was Green Arrow.
One of the advantages of my laptop sadly being out of commission for the past few weeks is that it has given me a chance to look back on DC’s #0 month as a whole.
Like most DC fans, I was looking forward to an easy entry into titles not previously read, as well as reading up on the back stories of my regular pull list. I was also hoping it would breathe new life into titles I’ve cancelled over the last twelve months.
Whilst it is safe to say the reception has been mixed, I would say it has been for a variety of reasons, with no single factor to blame for its possible failure. Undoubtedly, some titles were plain not very good, however that had to be expected when we were dealing with over 50 titles. Even the most die-hard of DC fans must have thought that! My first problem though, after reading over 20 issues, was whether all titles actually required a #0 origin tale in the first place?
My first problem though, after reading over 20 issues, was whether all titles actually required a #0 origin tale in the first place?
Personally, it got to the point where many titles merged into one and became very predictable as they followed a standard storyline. Two generic plot templates emerged with the main character either experiencing a tragic event in their early years or being responsible for such an event through reckless behaviour. Through these events, their new persona is used for either vengeance or a form of redemption.
I have no problem in DC using this as an excuse to pull in new readers, using the #0 issue as an accessible entry way into a title, however was there honestly a need for four Batman #0’s (Batman, Detective, Batman & Robin, Dark Knight)? Granted, they concentrated on different aspects of Bruce’s early days and they were all personal high-points for Zero month, but still unnecessary. Additionally, a number of titles had concluded their arc with #12 anyway so the next issue could well be seen as a potential jumping on point for new readers.
Was there honestly a need for four Batman #0’s (Batman, Detective, Batman & Robin, Dark Knight)?
The titles that would likely benefit the most from Zero month would be those that started back in September 2011 where the sales figures have been steadily falling. Two titles where the #0 issue has been detrimental would be World’s Finest and Earth 2. After only four issues released prior to this September, both titles were still finding their way, introducing new characters, and building a solid fan base. I think it was bad timing here for both titles to go on a two month break before their stories could resume. Staying with World’s Finest, one criticism of its #0 issue would be in the art department. For a comic that deals with the sudden loss of a parent, there was far too much of a cartoony feel which was completely out of context with what was actually going on.
Two titles where the #0 issue has been detrimental would be World’s Finest and Earth 2.
The title that has induced the most geek rage in me, ever since the re-boot in fact, was Green Arrow. As mentioned earlier, it is the feature of some titles for the main character to be on a quest of redemption for their past ill activities, however in my two years of reading comics, I’ve never seen such an unlikeable character as this interpretation of Oliver Queen as he shows no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
When comparing him to the Oli Queen from Identity Crisis, an ageing cynical man looking to reconnect with his wife and children, it’s almost painful to read this re-booted version and it is a title that was quickly removed from my monthly list. It seems to be a homage to the Queen seen in Smallville which doesn’t sound like a bad idea on paper, however the transition to the comic book has just not worked. The #0 issue, showing him to be a rich playboy at fault for a large explosion and the possible death of a friend, was a bad choice as that’s not the kind of act someone can hope to come back from.
In my two years of reading comics, I’ve never seen such an unlikeable character as this interpretation of Oliver Queen as he shows no redeeming qualities whatsoever.
Aside from the Batman titles, I found Batgirl, Swamp Thing, and Talon to be good reads but not enough to get the next issue although, with the Joker storyline featuring heavily in Batgirl over the next few months, I may quickly reverse that decision.
Perhaps the most striking point is my favourite #0 issue turned out to be Green Lantern: New Guardians and that wasn’t an origin issue, instead more of a reforming of the team prior to the Rise of the Third Army story.
Perhaps the most striking point is my favourite #0 issue turned out to be Green Lantern: New Guardians and that wasn’t an origin issue!
On a side note, I have, over the past couple of months and done the unthinkable in reading a few Marvel titles in Avengers vs. X-Men, Gambit, and Hawkeye. As reluctant as I was, I have noted a considerable improvement in terms of character and general dialogue. From these early issues, it appears Marvel are more comfortable with their creations, developing characters without betraying their origins. This is compared where many DC titles just seem too forced in putting across their point and not giving their storylines enough time to flourish. As an example, poor old Superman has had a rough time since the reboot as he continues to find a worthwhile arc.
In conclusion, the effect of Zero month has been for me to take up some Marvel titles as well as some upcoming Image comics that are released in November so, personally, I suppose it hasn’t worked. I hope that DC looks to Batman’s Court of Owl’s storyline and see, when given plenty of time to develop, a title is more likely to succeed and I hope that happens over the next 12 months.
Follow Stuart on twitter @Martel_79 or check out his website theonlywayisgeek.blogspot.co.uk/
Posted on November 3rd, 2012
Category: REVIEWS, THE ONLY WAY IS GEEK
Tags: #0 month, Aquaman, Arrow, Batman, Batman: The Dark Knight, DC Comics, DC Zero Month Review, earth 2, Green Arrow, Green Lantern New Guardians, Oliver Queen, Stuart Ingram, The Only Way Is Geek, Worlds Finest
Earth Two #1 Bryan Hitch Cover
The majority of DC’s New 52 relaunch have been both financially and critically successful: from Aquaman to Wonder Woman, Batman to Animal Man. Unfortunately, some of the books have been far less successful and DC decided to drop 6 of the worst selling titles. But every cloud has a silver lining, and with these cancellations come 6 brand new titles. Earth 2 #1 is part of this Second Wave and it brings a fresh & interesting alternate-Earth (hence the name Earth 2) to the latest incarnation of DC Universe.
The opening section of this book has Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman kicking more ass than the entire 8 issues of the current Justice League series. Every blow thrown by the trinity of superheroes is gorgeously displayed by the art team of Nicola Scott (Birds of Prey, Secret Six), Trevor Scott (Superman, All New Atom) and Alex Sinclair (Batman: Hush, 52) and the details of all the characters, even when dozens are on a single page, are never lost. With so many things going on, the dialogue could easily get messy and unclear but well executed captions and bubbles prevent this from ever happening. Even the alternate costumes for the well known characters, which could have also easily gone wrong, look great.
Earth Two Page 2 Splash
The writing of James Robinson (Justice Society of America, Starman), while not as striking as the artwork, is solid throughout. Superman and Wonder Woman are fairly typical and don’t appear to be particularly different from their main universe counterparts. The differences in the Bat-Family, however, are apparent straight away. The most obvious being that Earth 2′s Robin, while still the child of Bruce Wayne, is not Damian Wayne but Helena Wayne. Some of you who know the previous Earth 2 stories will recognise this name as the daughter of Batman and Catwoman, who will later be known as Huntress (as it says in the book, her adventures as Huntress are continued in World’s Finest #1). Also, this Batman seems far less pathological and sociopathic (he unusually refers to himself as Bruce and says “I love you” to his child, two things Bruce Wayne never does) than his Earth 1 counterpart.
A nice link to the current Wonder Woman series is the direct inclusion of one of her gods Mercury. Like Robin, there is a quite difference between the two incarnations of the same character. In Earth 2 he is known by his Roman name of Mercury and shown as a golden man with a recognisable winged helmet while in the current DCU he is known by his Greek name of Hermes and is a considerably less godly looking man-bird hybrid. Mercury’s inclusion is key in setting up the second section of the book where the origins of the Justice Society of America are put in to gear. Jay Garrick is well written and, as a 21 year old man who’s about to graduate myself, is particularly relatable. In the last page, Mercury makes his way to Garrick and is seemingly about to bestow his godly powers of superspeed to the man who will become Flash. It’s safe to assume that Garrick will serve as the centre of the Earth 2 series and will be experiencing new things in this new universe much in the same way as the reader.
Earth 2 #1 isn’t entirely positive however. The swiftness with which DC’s three most established characters are taken out plus the fact Super Girl & Huntress are transported to another universe is rather jarring. This seemingly leaves only Jay Garrick (who isn’t even Flash yet) to defend Metropolis against Steppenwolf and the Parademons. I’m left wondering if Robinson will go back and explore the history of Superman, Batman & Wonder Woman or will strive to build the Justice Society of America back to it’s former glory. Only time will tell.
Overall, Earth 2 #1 is a good reboot and a nice addition to the New 52. It serves as a nice jumping on point for people new to DC’s multiverse and an interesting take on Earth 2 for fans of the previous series’.
Rating: 8/10
You can follow Jack on his website www.jlwchambers.com or on twitter at @jlwchambers
Posted on May 9th, 2012
Category: REVIEWS
Tags: comic books, comics, comics review, dc, DC Comics, earth 2
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