Yesterday marked the end of an era in the comic book world. The modern day DC Universe came to a sketching halt after the 1985 universe reboot of Crisis on Infinite Earths. It was not only the end of the modern day DCU, but it was the beginning of the new modern-modern day DCU, where heroes are younger, cooler, and where v-neck collars. Don’t need to pop it when it’s already popped. Permapop. You heard it here first folks. Let’s get in to it.
Flashpoint #5: Before we go any further, Flash Fan owes me a hundred dollars because I was right. Anyway, this issue was a little bit confusing to me. Not the plot, but the deliverance. The previous four issues were top-notch built around so much excitement, excellent writing, and beautiful artwork. Even my wife read each issue on the day it came out, and getting her to read a comic is like her getting me to go to the mall. I’ll do it, but I better get something out of it.
Anyway, the only thing that stayed from the previous issues was the beautiful artwork. For something that was suppose to lead us into the new DC Universe this issue was just okay. It left me with a “that was it?” type of feeling. It had all the right beats: the villain was revealed, there was a big fight scene, Flash has a heart-to-heart with Flashpoint Batman, his mom, and DCnU Batman (which led to tears. Not mine, but Batman’s.) It was also never explained why Flash’s mom not dying completely changed everything. I mean, I understand the whole butterfly effect, but her being alive shouldn’t cause Bruce Wayne to be shot instead of his father. Nor should it cause Superman’s ship to crash in Metropolis rather than Smallville, especially when that would have happened BEFORE Flash’s mom was supposed to die. Even in comic book logic it doesn’t make sense. That’s bad story telling, mister. The series as a whole was amazing and I would highly recommend it. This particular issue was a let down, maybe due to how awesome the previous four were, or maybe because so much weight was put on it and it was too overbearing. Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
Justice League #1: This is the very first issue for the brand new DC Universe and it was a lot of fun. It wasn’t Geoff Johns’ best piece of fiction, but it wasn’t Flashpoint #5 either. This comic actually takes place five years ago as superheroes are starting to become a regular thing. We open with Batman being chased by the police as he’s chasing these weird creatures, only to be saved by Green Lantern. The first story arc is the origin of the Justice League, and these two founding members are already bickering. They find some alien technology, and that makes them think that it has something to do with that guy in Metropolis. So they pack a couple of lunches and roll out to Superman’s stomping grounds. Then it happened. I got the scene that I have been waiting for most of my life to see. I won’t spoil it here, but it was satisfying.
I’m not sure if I had a problem with Green Lantern referring to himself in the third person. It was cool because it shows how cocky he is, but it was getting annoying to read. It’s not like he’s the Rock.
Jim Lee’s artwork was off the hook. Are kids still saying that in the new DCU? His style hasn’t changed too much since he entered the industry all those many moons ago, but that’s okay, it is truly something special. All in all this arc started off solid, and I am sure that it will only get better from here. Rating: 4 out of 5 stars.
Quote of the Week: “Hold on a second… You’re not just some guy in a bat costume, are you? Are you freaking kidding me?!” – Green Lantern from Justice League #1
Book of the Week: Justice League #1
If you live in the Phoenix area, both of these books can be purchased at Samurai Comics.
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