EARTH 2 #20

[ SKY'S THE LIMIT IN THIS SALE ] 

Praise the Lord, comic book fans. Superman's evil plan's for world domination has finally hit a brick wall. A fairly competent and well-built brick wall constructed by Tom Taylor, Barry Kitson, and Jae Lee, but only when DC Comics gave them some time off in March, 2014. No pay.

To QUOTE T. S. Eliot: 'What we call the beginning is often the end. And to make an end is to make a beginning. The end is where we start from'.

THE STORY:

Christ almighty! What the hell is going on around here, today! First Aqua-Woman goes home, just after saving Hawkgirl, Major Sato, and myself, from a parademon attack. Then Hawkgirl introduces me to a number of funny-faced heroes back at the Batcave. And to top it all off, Red Tornado informs me that the new Kryptonian is a poxy Acrophobic.

But wait a minute, folks! I may have a plan up my sleeve that will turn this day around, and put it into a much better light. For after all, I am the Batman.

THE GOOD:

With hand on my heart I just adored reading this forth part of 'The Dark Age' for four completely different reasons.

Firstly, Barry Kitson's artwork on this book just blew me away. As it was well illustrated, well paced, and well amazing to gawp at on the printed page. Honestly. If Nicola Scott ever decides to jump off this title, I hope she'll be replaced by him.

Secondly, Tom Taylor's free-flowing and engaging story-line was right up my alley. Not only because it was more about the characters within the tale, rather than conveying the actions scenes and the general plot-line. But also because he managed to balance out these three components in a fairly fine fashion, without diluting the stories initial intent.

Thirdly, I loved that scene where Aqua-woman drowned those pardemons in the sky. From my point of view it was a very innovative part of the tale, and showed great flair where creativity is concerned.

And fourthly, I got a real big kick out that that smashing scene back at the back-cave, because it managed to introduce us to -- YIPPEEE!!!! -- Corner (Red Arrow) Hawk -- as well as showing us the more caring side of Red (Lois Lane) Tornado. Especially during that section where she tried to talk Val around his acrophobic condition.

THE BAD:

The only aspect about this adventure I wasn't very keen on would be those sections involving Superman and his gang of parademons. All they did for a page or two was to pop up, destroy a couple religious landmarks, and then grimace at the crowd around them. Grrrrr!

THE MUSIC:

Now because of the way this story ended, it has given me a great excuse to pair it up with one of my all time favorite Rolling Stones song's, 'Shine A Light'. Hint-Hint!

THE COMPARISON:

If you look at this tale from a certain perspective, I'm sure you'd agree with me when I say it's all about beginnings and endings. So that's what I'm going to compare it to, folks. Something with a beginning and an end. A ball of string.

May God have mercy on my soul!

THE CONCLUSION:

Warning. If you haven't read the 'Earth 2' Annual yet, please bugger off pretty damn quickly because I'm going to be talking about it now.

OK. Not talking-talking, per-say. Cause I don't want to do another review within a review, as that's would be silly. And I am not silly, am I? Asparagus. Piano. Swordfish. Instead, I think I'm the type of chap that looks into things so much, that sometimes I may perceive these things incorrectly.

Take this title for instance. 'Earth 2'. At the beginning I thought it was going to be a cleaner and simpler realization of the 'Earth 2' concept, albeit diluted and transformed in a rather personal fashion. But no. It wasn't that at all. Under the helm of James Robinson it was one of those series that couldn't seem to find its correct footing, and kind of fumbled around in the dark, trying desperately to rectify its errors. And now, under the helm of Tom Taylor, this book has transmogrified into an amalgamation of concepts and idea's that I can't wait to see more of.

Well, if you've read the 'Earth 2' Annual I previously mentioned, you'd know that Tom's has made Thomas Wayne a rather redemptive character, whilst lavishing him with a story that pays homage to two other characters, Rex Mason and Rex Tyler.  Furthermore, just to make this 'upgrade' all the more useful, Tom has garnished him with an origin and an attitude that has a very personal and associative tone. Thus elevating the concept behind this 'Earth 2 Batman' more than what I was originally perceived.

Now do you agree with me, folks? Or do you think I'm talking a lot of twaddle? Let me know, OK? Cause it would be great to hear what you think too.

Nuff said.