EARTH 2 #8

Isn't Steppenwolf an ugly sod? He's rambunctious and smells of a dried cod. He'll never be a nice person. He's no Elle Macpherson. Plus he doesn't say anything nice about God. Yeah. Just ask these chaps if you don't believe me. Writer: James Robinson; Artist: Yildiray Cinar; and Publisher: DC Comics, in February 2013.

Out of the following 6 scenarios, which 2 have ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with this STORY entitled, 'Lazy Sunday'?

The Apokoliptian warrior known as Steppenwolf, pays a visit to the King of Dheran -- called Marov -- and discusses the future of mankind with him...
... before trying to sell him a time-share in Las Vegas.
But while this is going on, behind the scenes Marov plans to kill off old-wolf-face when he least expects it.
This doesn't happen though. Oh no. He has prepared for this eventuality; by duping the estranged daughter of Wonder Woman -- christened Fury -- to kick the living s*it our of everybody...
... just as Charlie Sheen -- the son of Martin Sheen -- singing her a song about fidelity.
Now this debacle finally resolves itself with someone getting their head cut off, whilst someone else sits in a very comfortable chair afterwards.

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

Now there was a phrase spouted in this issue that I felt summed it up to a tea. But I won't include it here. Oh no. It feels more appropriate in the 'quote section' below. So instead I will paraphrase a sentence spouted by Steppenwolf a couple of pages beforehand.

'King's fall, Marov. Bloodlines end. And that's as poetic as it gets'.

Doesn't that sound like a nice and pithy piece of 'battle-dialogue', huh? Very apapro.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

From my own perspective; one of the best aspects about this issue is also one of the worst aspects about it as well. One on the hand the focused nature of this narrative really aided it in telling its overall tale. Particularly the whole 'Fury is Wonder Woman's daughter' revelation, plus the re-introduction of Steppenwolf into this series. Yet, in the same breath...

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

... I felt that the conceptual through-line needed a bit more scope. More than 'Hello, my name is Steppenwolf, and I've come to take over your naughty kingdom with some help from the Wonder Woman's perverted daughter'.

Know what I mean? If it was opened up to the other characters in the cast -- or broken down as per usual -- then maybe this yarn could have felt broader and more engaging as a tale in its own right, rather than just a 'guest issue'.

What was the most INNOVATIVE thing about this issue?

One of the only innovative things I could find about this story was the manner in which the exposition touched upon certain related planetary aspects. Like how Batman's past sacrifice is still thought upon today. Or the dynamic's between Dheran and the World Council.

Not greatly innovative. Agreed. But it was nice to see that these things are mentioned to add some conceptual substance and pathos to this adventure.

Pick TWO CHARACTERS out this comic book, and compare them individually to a SIMPSONS CAST MEMBER.

HANK SCORPIO as STEPPENWOLF: Wouldn't it be a hoot if it was revealed that Hank and this bad-ass from another galaxy both used the same brand of beard trimmer? Snip-Snip. Kill-Kill. Perfect-Perfect.

SELMA BOUVIER as FURY: One's smoking hot. The other smokes a lot. Come on. All's fair in romance and cigarettes.

What WORD or PHRASE could you use to sum-up this story?

'The King Is Dead, Long Live The King' -- many 15th century revolutionists, plus Fury in this comic book

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

The NBC news theme (called 'The Mission') was composed by Superman composer, John Williams, and just goes to show that both majesty and information can blend into one -- as seen in this yarn.

ANYTHING Else?

Alright. I have to own up. I wasn't blown away by this particular installment of 'Earth 2' all that much. I loved the bold and dynamic art by Yildiray Cinar. Plus I got a right kick out of the introduction of these two new foes as well -- Fury and Steppenwolf. Yet, at the same time, I wasn't very keen on the predictable nature of how this tale enveloped itself.

Too formulaic. Not enough character. And could have used with a diversion to break up the pace a bit.

Listen; don't get me wrong, I don't think that this story was 'total pants'! No-no-no. It's just that the con's outweighed the pro's; making the ride a little bit yawn-some to say the least.

I hope you can do better next times writer, James Robinson. I'm sure you can.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: Nice Tale. Well illustrated. So-so in temperament.