Green Lantern #23.1: Relic
If I took $4, wiped my ass with it and then lit it on fire, it would essentially be the same as buying this book. I know that's quite a harsh criticism, but this book really offered nothing but a pretty neat cover for its $3.99 price.
The story in this issue, the story of new Green Lantern villain Relic, could have been wrapped up in half a page in a regular issue. Robert Venditti and the whole writing crew have been doing a great job on the post-Geoff Johns line of Green Lantern books so this was really a let down to get such a boring, meaningless issue.
Rags Morales is on art and normally that's a good thing, but when he's drawing a different world with a ton of unknown characters... it doesn't really matter. The best part of the book was the 3D cover that all the Villains Month books will have.
This issue was not essential GL reading. I recommend taking a pass on this one.
DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe #1
This was quite the anticipated book on my part. I understand it's sheer brand-crossover silliness, but that's part of the attraction. Just a cool story that doesn't offer empty promises like, "lasting ramifications" and "the status-quo will never be the same!" Just He-Man fighting Superman. Pure comic nerdness.
Now, it didn't quite deliver on all of that just yet. This #1 was a lot of set up. After all, we need SOME backstory as to why and how the He-Man characters get to the DC Universe. And Keith Giffen does a pretty nice job tying in the magic from both universes to make a pretty legit why/how as to getting the Masters to Earth.
Dexter Soy is on art and some of the faces are a little too anime for me. I'm not crazy about his style, but he does a nice job with the page layout and storytelling. For all of Giffen's dialog, it was a really smooth read. I guess its too much to get Ivan Reis on the DC/Masters crossover, huh?
Forever Evil #1
Two things stood out to me after reading this issue. 1. I REALLY liked this story. 2. David Finch's art is really underwhelming.
The story is really strong. Geoff Johns writes the book from the perspective of Lex Luthor and some other DC villain mainstays. Seeing their reactions to this evil Justice League taking over gives you a great feel for the atmosphere in the DCU. Like DC Universe vs. Masters of the Universe #1, this book was a lot of setup, but you have a pretty good idea where some of the characters are going.
David Finch gets billed as a superstar artist at times. I just don't see it. Maybe its just not my style, but aside from that some panels and faces really felt rushed.
The highlight were the last two word balloons spoken by Lex. In context, they're funny and kind of scary at the same time. What really made them for me was how easily it was to hear Clancy Brown, who played Lex on the Animated Series deliver these lines.
Really good stuff from a book I was pretty luke-warm about going in.
Panel of the Week:
I don't like Dexter Soy's Skeletor design. The classic has been around since the 80s. If it ain't broke, Dexter...
-Gint
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