Love, friendship, and family are touched upon in the heartfelt and action-packed “Earth 2” #27. Writers Marguerite Bennett and Tom Taylor know how to craft a solid team book.
Written by Marguerite Bennett and Tom Taylor
Illustrated by Andy Smith and Marcus ToWorld’s End is here! Everything the Wonders of Earth 2 have fought for stands to be destroyed. Be here as their powers are tested and hard choices are made!
The “Earth 2: World’s End” weekly begins this week, and, as it says in an editorial note in this month’s “Earth 2” #27, the events in this issue take place before the weekly’s debut issue. With such an epic story going on over in the weekly (which is also a fun read!), it seems like Bennett and Taylor will be able to hone in more specifically on certain characters and tell their exploits in a more intimate manner.
Huntress and Power Girl have left the “Worlds’ Finest” title and are now thrown back to their Earth. They must team up with Earth 2’s Superman, Batman, and Red Tornado to protect a world that is extremely volatile. With the events in both “The New 52: Futures End” and the “Earth 2” weeklies promising an even more epic and interconnected story, “Earth 2” appears to be a “breather” between those grand tales. The personal connections between Earth 2’s inhabitants makes for an issue (and possibly this series, judging by future solicits) with a lot of history and heart that skillfully expresses their deep bonds.
Bennett and Taylor bookend the issue with flashbacks that bring an emotional honesty that is vital in believing the connections between these heroes. Without bogging the story down with info dumps, they naturally bring a group of people together who care deeply for each other. These characters are invested in the outcome of each other’s fates and that, in turn, causes us to become invested in them as well. A lot has occurred in both James Robinson and Tom Taylor’s “Earth 2” runs. Judging by the beginning of this run by the writing team of Bennett and Taylor, a new reader doesn’t have to consume both the weekly and this series to enjoy the heroes of this Earth. Although it wouldn’t hurt.
Another new name on this book besides Bennett (who is also one of the co-writers of the weekly) is artist Andy Smith. He brings a clean and sleek style to the book that is reminiscent of previous artist Nicola Scott and also has touch of Jim Aparo. His facial expressions are simple, yet effective. Batman’s stoicism is clearly evident, even when admitting a moral failure. Smith is particularly adept at bringing out the complexity in both Superman (Val-Zod) and Power Girl. They both are very much alike, with personalities brimming with both perseverance and innocence. Like Scott and Aparo, Smith infuses his art with a realism and sense of fun that can sometimes be taken for granted as “easy” to do.
Smith pencils gorgeous superhero physiques that are imposing whether they are beating up bad guys or having a conversation floating in the sky. One particular splash page in the beginning has all five of our heroes descending toward the scene of dastardly deeds. Seeing flying (and non-flying) heroes girding for battle and also getting little digs in at each other is just plain fun. Smith takes the script and adds flourishes to the art that enhance the story.
Colorist Peter Pantazis beautifully complements and enhances the art of both Smith and Marcus To (who does the art for the flashback scenes). As the heroes float down toward C.E.R.N., a breathtaking celestial sky appears to pop off the page and is just as naturalistic as Smith’s art. The pink hue of infected humans feels especially creepy because Pantazis doesn’t exaggerate in his coloring. We can imagine these “things” not only going after superheroes, but us “real” people as well.
Speaking of heroes, Pantazis’ colors are an integral element in bringing these versions of iconic characters to life. The blue of Superman’s suit is vibrant and appropriately god-like. In the awesome battle scene mentioned in the previous paragraph, the blue and red of both Superman and Power Girl’s costumes are blended seamlessly into the action. The gold of PW’s hair and costume shines. With such gifted inkers as Trevor Scott and Scott Hanna involved, Pantazis is able to work wonders.
“Earth 2” #27 is not unimportant filler next to the weekly. It enhances this world that began with the creative team of Robinson and Nicola Scott and fleshes out characters that have remained in good hands. This issue lends an overall sense of gravitas that is shared between the opening salvos of the “Worlds End” story in both this book and the weekly. Minor artistic quibbles aside (Marcus To’s art appears rushed at times in his six pages), the art in this book befits a story where character is important to its success. With solid writing by Bennett and Taylor, Smith’s pencils, and Pantazis’ colors, readers can only hope that this team can continue bringing these characters to life in surprising and moving ways.
Final Verdict: 7.2 – The addition of Bennett and Smith to “Earth 2” is a plus to a title that has been consistently entertaining and an excellent example of a superhero team book. Although it can be enjoyed without reading “Earth 2: Worlds End”, it would be much more fun to read both. It’s an exciting time to get involved in another Earth!
