EARTH 2 #32

[ DYING FOR A BARGAIN ] 

Come one, come all, and get ready for movie month over at DC Comics. Andy Smith has brought the popcorn, where as Mike Johnson has brought the gasoline. So all you've got to do next is strap yourself in and enjoy the ride, in March, 2015. Boomtown, let's get ready to rumble!!!

To QUOTE the Author of 'Don Quixote', Miguel de Cervantes: 'All's fair in love and war'.

THE STORY:

After many-many months of fighting, bickering, planning, and quite possibly some skiing and singing, the last remaining few heroes living on Earth 2 have come to one major realisation. They're loosing their war against the forces of Apocalypse, and they desperately need to do something to turn the tide of battle.

So come on, hop on board. And once again let's see the sight of Batman pissing everyone off, Super-not-girl talking to his cousin, plus a fairly nice flashback sequence which kind of explains the relationship between Doctor Fate and Hawkgirl.

Oh, and of course, there's also a drill. A very big drill. Drilling its way through the Earths core.   

THE GOOD:

Just like the last couple of instalments of 'Earth 2', this one was also a marked improvement on what came out before. Despite its mumbled narrative structure, I'd say the three writers assigned to pen this book did a pretty good job of tying up most of the loose plot-threads, as well as defining certain characters relationships. Plus, on similar lines, I can say exactly the same thing about the three artists assigned, with each of them boldly illustrating there sections in a vividly clear and concise manner.

But to me, dear reader, what I liked about this issue the most was the fact that we got to see some of the regular players again, all under one roof.

Yeah. I know this might sound like a strange thing to say in a story about war, unity, and trust. Yet in my eyes seeing Batman bitch again, or seeing the Flash running around like a gooden, will always be a good thing to behold, although...

THE BAD:

... how many times is Khalid going to moan about wielding the helm of Nabu? I mean, for crying out loud, can't he either put up or shut up by now?

Now don't get me wrong. I can understand that it must be a right pain in the ass having someone yapping in your ear all the time (especially with me having parents like I do). But in the same breath, he can also tell Nabu to take a hike or ditch the helmet as he's done in the past. That way we won't hear him yammering on about 'poor me' anymore. Plus on top of that, it might give someone else half a chance of wearing the helmet instead. Like Kent Nelson for instance, Hint-hint!

Also, something else about this story I wasn't keen on was its overall narrative structure. It started off with a joining of forces. It then segwayed into a pretty nifty plot-recap. Before finally the tale centred its premise on Hawkgirl and Doctor Fate, explaining what they mean to each other in a flashback sequence and amidst battle.

No coherence, right?

THE MUSIC:

There was a scene in this issue in which we saw all of the heroes gathered together and talking about how they should pull their socks up and start winning their war. And do you know what? Whilst I was reading this sequence a hymn popped into my mind that kind of defined it's original intent. The Battle Hymn of the Republic

THE COMPARISON:

I'm now going to compare this comic book to a drill because basically theirs a f*ckig massive drill in it, drilling it's way through the Earth.

What? Was that too obvious a comparison? Well, so was this story-line, buddy.

  

THE CONCLUSION:

And so finally we're here at the end of Earth 2, wondering what will happen next to these characters which are basically the JSA by another mother.

Or are we?

Well, from where I'm standing, dear reader, theirs only three real possibilities that can now play out. Firstly, all the heroes get killed off, thus setting the stage for the original Justice Society to return. Secondly, somehow they all get amalgamated into the originals origins, allowing whoever then creates their adventures to pick and choose traits that they see fit. And thirdly, nothing happens. After the events of World's End and Convergence all -- or most -- of the heroes living on Earth 2 survive to fight another day, only to make way for a new creative team to re-define their new direction.  

There. That sounds like a pretty reasonable set of options, doesn't it? And do you know what else is also pretty reasonable? Me. Because starting this month I'm looking for another reviewer to review another comic for my site. So if you think you've got what it takes to talk the talk, and walk the walk, comic book style, then please drop me a line, OK? And I'll tell you what I have in mind.

Nuff said.