EARTH 2 #14

Did you know that Doctor Fate, the Flash, and Green Lantern, are all very good at ironing? Well, if you ever get around to reading this rip roaring adventure, you'll notice how nicely they're costumes are all turned out! Yeah! This one created by James Robinson, and Nicola Scott; Published by DC Comics, in June, 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this STORY entitled 'Battle Cry'.

WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: 'We're going to war with the nation of Dherain' says Green Lantern to the Flash and Doctor Fate. 'But we three are going to act as a precursor' he continues 'Paving the way for the general populous to recognise us as heroes in our own right'.
ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: According to the Flash 'Things went rather well', until the World Army suddenly showed up and made their presence known.
ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: It is revealed that Commander Khan has a secret ally with a Red 'T' printed upon his face.
HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With Steppenwolf and his compatriots ready for a fight back.

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

The zigger for me in this issue was when Commander Khan said to Stormy amidst their battle with Dherain forces...

'Steepenwolf isn't some blindly arrogant despot flexing his muscles on a parade ground. He's a man who's remained in hiding for five years since his invading army lost the war. So why does he choose to show his face now?'

Well, he does have a good point, doesn't he? Why now? Their must be a reason.

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) Nicola Scott really does herself proud in this mostly action-packed issue. Her panels are well-spaced and cinematic. Her line-work is clean and crisp. Plus I did love gazing at all of those full page spreads she drew, with the heroes in dynamic poses. Smashing stuff. Really smashing.

(+) I got a right kick out of the 'Mister T' revelation in this adventure. As soon as I saw this character appearing behind Commander Khan, I said to myself 'Thank f*ck! I was wondering when he'd show up on this title again'.

(+) Honest to God, seeing Green Lantern, Doctor Fate, and the Flash, fighting side by side, was a right sight for sore eyes. For a moment my mind flicked back to the glory days of the DCU, and how these three heroes used to interact with each other during a battle. I loved it. It was class in a comic.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) Now to be completely honest with you, folks, I've never been a big fan of an 'all battle' tale. They seem too cosmetic you see. Not having the grounded character driven plot needed, to drive a story on with any sort of substance or humanistic flavour.

(+) On occasion I did find the pace of this tale to be a mite lop-sided in execution. One minute the story was light and full of action. The next minute it was heavy and bogged down by exposition. And overall, it just came across a bit too ying and yang for my own tastes.

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to SOMETHING YOU CAN BUY ON EBAY .

A BOX OF MAGIC TRICKS AS DOCTOR FATE: Hey! That's what the good doctor does, right? Conjures' up tricks at a drop of a top hat.

A PAIR OF ROLLERSKATES AS THE FLASH: See the previous answer, and replace the word "doctor" with the word "Jay", and then replace the sentence "Conjures' up tricks at a drop of a top hat" with "Rolls around like a man on a mission". There. That's a lot better, isn't it?

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'We shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be, we shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender' -- Winston Churchill

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

'MASTERS OF WAR' BY BOB DYLAN: Even though this song doesn't complement this story on an aesthetic level, I do feel that it does plot-wise when you listen to the lyrics within its melody. Go on. Click-Click. You know it makes sense.

ANYTHING Else?

Dear People In Charge Of the Immanent War on 'Earth 2',

Why? Why are you doing this my friend's? Is it a machismo thing? So you can prove yourself in the field or battle. Is it an obligatory thing? So you can appease 'those on high'. Or is it something else completely different?

Hey! Don't fret. I know at times you are forced to do things you don't really want to do. But that's life, huh? And life can be original. Original and creative by nature.

Yeah. You know. Instead of having a gun-battle, have a pie fight set in a custard factory. Instead of your run-of-the-mill end-villain showing up out of the blue, have it end with a joke about potatoes. Or, if you are feeling really creative, do something that makes a point without it sounding too preachy.

Go on, chaps. I know you have it in you. Something with depth that'll come across with more potency than a fart in a bin-bag.

Love, Light, and Peace, The Reviewer.