With Rebirth in its full swings, there is still one book that has lasted all the way from the heart of the New 52 that has yet to come to its conclusion. Until Now. How does the story of the Wonders of a parallel Earth end? Let’s see.
Written by Dan Abnett
Illustrated by Vicente CifuentesIn this series finale, a new dawn rises on Earth-2. After a terrible struggle, the Wonders have restored their world, better than ever. Can they become the new heroes and caretakers the reborn planet needs to protect it from future threats? And what of the price they paid for peace—what is the final fate of the Earth-2 Batman and his legacy?
2012. DC Entertainment was into their “sorta kinda we have no idea at this point” reboot with the New 52 that injected steam into the industry while also pissing off a load of fans. One of their “second wave” books would see the revival of the characters of the Justice Society. Sort of. They were returned to the parallel reality designated “Earth 2.” Instead of still in the grasp of World War II, this world and its Wonders had just come off a war against Apokolips. The Trinity of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman perished in that war and a new Age of Wonders grew from it, including new versions of the Green Lantern Alan Scott, The Flash Jay Garrick, Hawkwoman, Mister Terrific, and so many more. This property saw a lot of ups and downs, from Robinson to Taylor to Wilson to Abnett.
And now it’s over.
This writing serves not only as a review of this issue but as a kind of viking funeral for this franchise before the Rebirth of the JSA on the prime Earth. As someone who was really into what James Robinson and Nicola Scott started with and got more disgruntled the more DC messed with this world (*cough* “World’s End” *cough*) I have to say . . . Abnett and Cifuentes gave this series as good an ending as it could get.
This issue essentially serves as an epilogue. The Wonders’ original Earth 2 has been restored and now they are trying to get things back to normal. It’s a fine, fair-weather day as we have the Dick Grayson of this world, once Batman now Oracle, narrate. Abnett takes us through some of the adventures of the Wonders, saving the day from a multitude of problems, no matter how big or small. From getting a cat down from a tree to stopping giant robots to even talking down a potential roof jumper (this one in particular was incredibly poignant, considering Val-Zod dealing with Agoraphobia when he was first introduced).
Abnett’s narration feels like a letter to the fans as we read this epilogue. A great deal of it can feel like an apology for this franchise losing its way. He describes the World’s End/Daniel Wilson times as “a place with no hope of growth. No prospect of progress. A place that could simply shelter us from the cold universe as we simply withered to dust”. The current ending is a sort of “do-over”. In fact, that is how the series closes, with the fully formed Justice Society (albeit they are never called that which I kind of understand with the impending Rebirth of the JSA coming) meeting and the final narration: “This is Earth-2, our do-over. It’s a wonderful world. And it’s staying that way. Happily ever after.”
If there is a weakness in the story aspects is that, because we have to visit so many characters, there is very little time we spend with individuals. Everyone does get a moment but that’s it. Frankly speaking, this is a bit of a nitpick. There is nothing wrong with any of the moments (Helena becoming Batman is another stand out) but it does feel like we needed an uber-quick round-up of everyone. Earth 2 had a big cast, it’s what helped make it good, but I could see that being a turn off for some.
Vicente Cifuentes pencils and inks the book with Rex Lokus on colors. They do a well enough job together. This issue in particular definitely feels like it wants to evoke the kind of bright, big screen style of Nicola Scott and Pete Pantazis from way back when and it does that job well. It’s very clean and smooth and that is the perfect way to put a happily ever after to this series. There is one scene with Superman talking to the “camera,” with the rest of the Justice Society reflected in the silver “S” emblem while they’re having a moment of remembrance for those they had lost. It’s a nice little touch.
“Earth 2” could be considered a microcosm of the Highs and Lows of DC Comics from 2011 to 2017. Good ideas to revitalize and modernize that were mired in loads of bad decisions, poor planning and odd editorial decisions. For all the flaws of the series, Dan Abnett and Vicente Cifuentes put a nice coda to the franchise, giving these versions of these characters the happy ending they deserve. It’s been a long, twisty road, but I’m glad to see it get this ending.
Final Verdict: 7.0- A solid, happy ending for a world that had so much bad happen.
