Welcome, friends to another installment of “The 3cap,” our weekly recap of DC’s three weekly titles: “Batman Eternal,” “Earth 2: World’s End,” and “New 52: Futures End.” Each week, we will take a look at the each issue released, while recapping the action and asking the burning questions. If you spot something we missed, make sure to leave a note in the comments!
Batman Eternal #45
Written by Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, and Ray Fawkes
Illustrated by Javi Fernandez
Reviewed by Brian Salvatore
News, notes, and debuts:
Well, it appears that the endgame (no pun intended) is shaping up for “Eternal” and, I’m sad to say, it is all about Ra’s al Ghul.
Now, look, I love Ra’s as a character – to me it is him, and not Joker, who is the true ‘greatest’ Bat-villain. But this just feels like using him as the big bad because the writers/editorial staff painted themselves into a corner. Sure, that opening scene in #1 has a certain Ghulian tone to it, but it really could have been anyone talking to him.
We also get a moment between Jim Corrigan and Batwing where he, essentially, is all “sorry I got you haunted, bro.” I will say this: if DC wants to bring “Gotham by Midnight” more towards the rest of the Bat-line (aka, ruin it), adding Batwing to the cast now and them might accomplish that goal.
One of the lasting marks of this book will be the transformation of Harper Row from hood rat to badass member of the Bat family. Her scene with Stephanie was forceful, hopeful, and heartfelt. I want that team up book really badly – maybe after one of those “New 24” minis?
Three Eternal Questions:
1. Now that we know the ‘big bad,’ we can agree Stephanie saw Hush, right?
This seems like the obvious play here, and will eventually lead to a Batman/Stephanie heart to heart scene. But will Bruce reveal his true identity to her? Or is there a way to convince her that she didn’t see Bruce Wayne without knowing that Bruce is Batman?
2. Is Julia going to be the Oracle in the new Bluebird/Spoiler led “Birds of Prey” book?
Please, please, please. “Birds of Prey” hasn’t really worked since pre-“Brightest Day,” and that is mainly because they keep trying to force characters that have grown and changed back into a team that no longer makes sense to them (or New 52’d them, which didn’t help). I’d say jump all in on this concept – you now have a new female tech guru, and a coupe of young heroes who could use some guidance. Maybe use this as a showcase for Batwoman, now that her series is ending? You could even Carrie Kelly this shit and I wouldn’t mind.
3. Boy howdy, has this year gone fast or what?
Sure, a lot – and I do mean a lot has happened in this book – but how are we 7 weeks from the finale? This has been such an unbelievable joy to read, and I can’t wait to, one day, give it a read in an Omnibus format, front to back, and really marvel at the breadth of storytelling held within.
Plus, Vince and I think that year two will be spearheaded by Peter Tomasi, hopefully starting in the fall. Here’s to hoping!
Earth 2: World’s End #19
Written by Daniel H. Wilson, Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson, and Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by Tyler Kirkham, Jorge Jimenez, Eduardo Pansica, Marc Deering, Robson Rocha, Guillermo Ortego, R.B. Silva and Walden Wong
Reviewed by Zach Wilkerson
News, Notes, and Debuts:
There isn’t much in the way noteworthy news in the latest issue of “Worlds End,” as we inch closer to that inevitable titular event. At this point, it’s easy pretty easy to guess the fate of Earth 2, and thanks to “Futures End” and “Convergence” solicits, most of its famous inhabitants. Regardless, I’m here to bring news to the people, so here are a few highlights.
Continued below-The fate of the entire world rests on Alan Scott’s broad shoulders. As the last remaining elemental avatar, he alone stands against Deathspawn’s rampage, and he’s not doing a very good job.
-With a mere 7 issues remaining, I have no idea what role Dick Grayson is supposed to play in this series. His quest to find his missing son continues, and besides a run in with some of Constantine’s gang, the arc makes minimal progress.
-Jimmy Olsen’s shuttle to Sloan’s spaceship runs into serious trouble, requiring Mr. Miracle to make one of his trademark escapes.
-Finally, Darkseid’s terraforming process continues, though there’s potentially more going on than meets the eye(s?).
Three Worldly Questions:
1. What is the “plan” Constantine’s misfits are discussing?
We haven’t seen Obsidian and the gang for quite some time, so much so that I honestly thought the writers had just forgotten about them. Now that they’re back in the picture one can only guess at their purpose. It’s likely something unsavory, as the trio suspects Dick and Ted will try to interfere. Just what has Constantine set into motion here?
2. Is that a…Brainiac box?
A component of Darkseid’s terraforming initiative, this issue highlights a number of giant cube mechanisms. The cubes appear almost organic in nature. Val-zod describes the tech as “plumping the dish with vitamins, cooking what’s raw, tenderizing the meat.” It appears the earth is not being repurposed for Darkseid’s use, but rather to be devoured. The real mystery, however, are the three pink glowing “eyes” that appear on the cube. The eyes appear in what seems to be a distinctly Brainiac-esque pattern. A Brainiac/Darkseid connection is the last thing I would be expecting, but with Earth 2 characters appearing in “Convergence” it was only a matter of time before the villain reared is oversized cranium.
3. Ummmm….?
Sorry guys, but this issue is relatively straightforward, with little to no twists or turns that haven’t been addressed or discussed in previous issues.
The New 52: Futures End #41
Written by Brian Azzarello, Keith Giffen, Dan Jurgens, and Jeff Lemire
Illustrated by Jesus Merino and Andy MacDonald
Reviewed by Vince Ostrowski
News, notes, and debuts:
– “Futures End” is really all about “Convergence” at this point, and I think it’s been a definite boon to the book. The comic stalled a bit (sometimes in divergent ways that I appreciated more than others). Right now, the mystique surrounding everything is as strong as it’s been in 40 issues.
– The artists are bringing their A-game too. Jesus Merino (whose art I can normally take or leave) does a fantastic job of rising to the challenge of following Patrick Zircher in drawing some explosive, wide-screen action. One particularly tricky job that he managed to pull off was depicting the variety of DC “eras” present in the “Convergence” storyline to come. More on that later.
– During my first read-through of this issue, I made a non-serious, impromptu visual comparison of the Atom (seen here, writhing in agony as he hears thousands of screaming voices) to the iconic image of Pariah from “Crisis on Infinite Earths” #1. The context doesn’t really match up, but I thought it was worth noting, considering “Convergence” is supposed to be some sort of love-letter to COIE. My second time reading through the issue, lo and behold, I saw the actual Pariah from the aforementioned issue of Crisis in that exact iconic pose of despair in the double page spread of the various DC eras. Just kind of a fun coincidence.
Three Future Questions:
1. Are the doors open for multimedia crossover?
If you listened to the last DC3 podcast (hosted here at Multiversity Comics dot com), you may have heard us list some of our upcoming hopes and fears for “Convergence.” I don’t know – it was pretty late in the show. You probably shut it off long before that point.
Anyway, one of the things we talked about was our collective hope that DC would “open the doors” of the comics to iterations of their characters from other media: the Timm-verse, the Nolan films, and even something like “Batman ’66.” And hey, look at that, right there in that big double-paged spread is what I can only assume is Adam West Batman, fake eyebrows on the cowl and all.
Continued below
None of the “Convergence” announcements included any multimedia surprises, but that doesn’t mean that they can’t factor in in some way down the road. Do all doors truly remain open?
2. What is Michael Holt’s deal?
We spend much of the issue with Michael Holt, cast in shadow and watching Brainiac take over the world. But when Batman shows up and his face is revealed in full light, we see that he seems rather pleased (or more like deranged and delighted) about what’s going on. I’m not sure what exactly the intended emotions were, but they most resembled a super villain, admiring the chaos he has wrought.
3. Where is Booster Gold in all of this?
Our first true look at what “Convergence” will later explore was with Booster Gold in his “Futures End Month” one-shot issue. In it, Booster saw a variety of earths and eras on his way through the issue’s 20 pages. But where is he now? Where exactly did he end up? Where will he be in “Convergence” and will he play an important role after that event? I found him in the double-page spread.
Is this the Booster from a certain era gone by – or is this ‘New 52’ Booster, having been lost in the multiverse?
