EARTH 2 #1

[ NEW EARTH - NEW SALE ] 

A new world has finally begun. Its like the rising of the new morning sun. Happy at first. Then comes' a quick burst. Of the comedy called 'The Naked Gun'. But then again it could be something created by Writer: James Robinson; Artist: Nicola Scott; with Publisher: DC Comics in April 2012. Plus a twist of lime.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Just like the purchase of a new washing machine, this issue, entitled 'The Price of History', is both clean and innovative at the same time. Now to explain to you what I mean by this, please allow me to highlight what the essence of this new Earth is all about...

• Once upon a time a sh*t load Parademons from the planet Apokolips begun to ravage the world. Leaving it is up to Earth heroes, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, to save the day.
• Eventually this gallant group manages to accomplish this very arduous task. But I am afraid to say that in doing so, it also had some very regrettable results as well.
• Meanwhile, check out these new additions:
• Al Pratt is a grunt in the army who was involved in defending the nation from the Parademon attack.
• Alan Scott is the youthful owner and CEO of Gotham Broadcasting Company, who has made a documentary about the fallen hero's fate. 
• Jay Garrick is a twenty something upstart with no direction in life. Although the despondent God, Mercury, thinks otherwise.

To be continued...

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I liked the exchange between Batman and Robin myself. Particularly...

ROBIN: ... then... Dad. Daddy. No.

BATMAN: There's no 'don't' today either. I must. Oh my brave wonderful soldier. Live for me. I love you, Helena.  

BOOOM!

Reminds me of an old war time drama, where a brave soldier sacrifices himself to save a loved one.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Alan Scott, Jay Garrick, and Al Pratt, are three heroes whom I have really enjoyed reading about since I knew of the existence of the Justice Society of America. Granted, this particular incarnation is a 'reboot'. I know. Nonetheless, that does not take away my enjoyment of what has been presented so far, because it does appears to be a mixture of the old and the new. Very intriguing indeed.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

I am not sure why the big three had to snuff it in this book. Couldn't they have just disappeared or something? Or smash them up a bit, just so they could pop up here and there? They were in the original JSA you know. Although in a somewhat diluted form.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Personally speaking I found the whole book very creative. I liked the 'old for new' concept running through this story, giving me a 'differentiating perspective', as if I have seen it before yet hadn't. Also, the idea that Robin is Batman's daughter is a great notion to rehash, plus the Jay Garrick / Mercury connection too.

ART: The only real thing that I liked about the previous Teen Titans series was Nicola's Scott art. Well, his bold yet new line work really suits a book like this one down to the ground. Moreover, I have to say that the stand out for me in this yarn was his design of Mercury - it just screams 'Golden Age' to all in sundry.

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

WONDER WOMAN: To pick someone to play this battle scorned vixen is a no-brainer, huh? You need a pretty lady whose has the physique of an Amazon, the beu... oh... sod it. Lucy Lawless. Simple as that.

SUPERMAN: OK, so if Lucy is Wonder Woman, wouldn't it be great if Bruce Campbell was Superman? OK, he'd need to tone up a bit and dye his hair. Plus splash a lot of make-up on too. But I am sure that mister shop S-smart could do it no problem.  

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

What Was Once Old Is Not New. Just Like A Justin Bieber Playing In A Port-O-Loo.

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

I am going to go slightly romantic about this comic book. Aesthetically it is an old tale repacked in a new way, giving a nod there and a wink here to what has come before it. So what about Chris Young 'Old Love Feels New'? Has an appropriate ring to it, huh?

FINAL thoughts...

So far I do like this series. It comes across clean in content. Joyful in tone. And has that new-age flavor to it that could either make it or break it over time.

Listen, like many other JSA fans out in cyberspace, I am sure that you would have preferred the old guard compared to what DC has given us. However, sometimes heroes need to change with the times to make them more globally relevant. I just hope that certain aspects of their pre-DCnU continuity leaks back to the fore, just to keep some of us 'JSA fans' happy.

MARKS out of 10? 9