There’s a lot to cover on Wednesdays. We should know, as collectively, we read an insane amount of comics. Even with a large review staff, it’s hard to get to everything. With that in mind, we’re back with Wrapping Wednesday, where we look at some of the books we missed in what was another great week of comics.
Let’s get this party started.
Dark Crisis #1
Written by Joshua Williamson
Illustrated by Daniel Sampere
Colored by Alejandro Sánchez
Lettered by Tom Napolitano
Reviewed by Quinn Tassin
“Dark Crisis” #1 is a solid experience while you’re reading it. It’s a clear jumping on point while rather seamlessly picking up on a number of plot threads that have been building for a long time. It effectively introduces readers to a new status quo while setting the stage for what’s to come. There’s no time wasted and the pacing is spot on. The art is excellent. Even with all of that in mind, though, the issue leaves just a bit of a funny aftertaste.
Now, to be clear, the good is plentiful and far outweighs the bad. This issue is extremely effective at communicating the stakes of the moment and at making it clear that there are heroes that are at least ready to fight. Whether or not they’re prepared is an open question, but Jon Kent’s formation of a new Justice League is excellent. It simultaneously communicates where different heroes stand with the looming crisis and set up some of the larger thematic questions of the series well. Then, of course, there’s the other side of the coin- the genuinely harrowing siege of Titans Tower and apparent death of Beast Boy. If there’s one way to build up hope and then make it hard to hold onto, it’s with an issue like this.
But for all those good ideas and all that forward momentum, does this issue have something to say? Maybe that’s an unfair critique to make of the first entry in a seven part story. It poses a great question for the rest of “Dark Crisis” to answer. What does it take to keep hope alive when the world’s greatest heroes are dead? Revisiting this issue when everything else has already fallen into place will probably wipe away this little weakness. Still, sitting and considering what “Dark Crisis” #1 offered up, it isn’t quite an issue that actually works as a story in its own right.
Throughout it all, the art team plays a vital role. The work is very much in line with the classic DC house style, with clean, crisp linework and bold colors. The action is kinetic and the character renderings are gorgeous and full of life. From the opening vigil to the Wonder Girl sequence to the aforementioned siege, this is an issue filled with beautiful visuals with a strong control of tension and tone. Each panel is filled with stunning clarity and detail and the whole affair feels genuinely epic.
Final Verdict: 8.4- A strong, effective introduction that would benefit from having a bit more to say.
Flashpoint Beyond #2
Written by Geoff Johns, Tim Sheridan, and Jeremy Adams
Illustrated by Xermanico and Mikel Janin
Colored by Romulo Fajardo Jr. and Jordie Bellaire
Lettered by Rob Leigh
Reviewed by Alexander Jones
Flashpoint is back! Everyone is seemingly fine with the dystopian landscape of the Gotham Universe except for ”Flashpoint Beyond” protagonist Thomas Wayne. Wayne spends another issue of ”Flashpoint Beyond” #2 nervously looking for clues or answers about his current situation. The noir subtext of the series is perfectly captured by writers Geoff Johns, Tim Sheridan, and Jeremy Adams. The series carries beautiful art from Xermanico and Mikel Janin that seizes the seedy, dark nature of the comic book. Thomas continues to get closer and closer to the truth but every time he does the series becomes even more violent.
Xermanico’s art is great at pacing out a scene to show movement. One of my favorite artistic parts of the chapter was seeing Wayne’s visit to the Dent family. When the scene shifts to action Xermanic lays out each panel of the comic book intricately to show the reader a sense of movement on the page. Xermanico captures so many fascinating angles with Thomas Wayne. There’s a wonderful moment where Batman is descending to the floor that is depicted with rain falling in the foreground. There are only two pages of Mikel Janin’s artwork but they have an interesting perspective and change the focus of the issue. Janin’s final page delightfully disorients the reader and introduces the cliffhanger from the last issue with grace. Janin takes advantage of the left turn from the script and incorporates a sense of irony into the art through interesting facial expressions. The colorful art on these last two pages clashes nicely with the previous twenty.
Continued belowThe writing in ”Flashpoint Beyond” #2 is remarkable. Johns, Sheridan, and Adams weave one of their darkest scripts yet. Wayne is still disillusioned and looking for ways to escape his violent world. The world itself appears to be making a mockery of him in some moments which angers Wayne beyond belief. Johns characterized Wayne strongly in “Flashpoint Beyond” #0 and the grounded nature of the series continues remarkably here. The second best part about “Flashpoint Beyond” #2 is all the DC Comics references loaded in the series. There are so many wonderful callouts to current and past continuity in this title. The subversive way ”Flashpoint Beyond” #2 even crosses over into other books like “Dark Crisis” is intriguing. The teases of continuity and characterization of Wayne are captured with beautiful artwork from Xermanico and Janin.
Final Verdict: 8.2 – ”Flashpoint Beyond” #2 continues exploring a dark and violent world from DC’s past.
The Ward #1
Written by Cavan Scott
Illustrated & Colored by Andres Ponce
Lettered by Mauro Mantella
Reviewed by Alexander Manzo
Cavan Scott introduces “The Ward” to the world by writing a medical procedural that has elements of ” Supernatural and ” ER.” Scott brings a viewpoint into a hospital that can be found through a ” Harry Potter” -like entrance in a brick wall and that seems to be in another dimension or pocket of the world. While the idea of helping people regardless of sex, race or creed isn’t original mixing mythological creatures, ghosts, and doctors that can split in half to help multiple patients certainly is. Scott creates a fun storyline that immediately grasps the reader and feels as quick of a read as a doctor trying to diagnose an ER patient. While the main storyline is still unclear, the audience is introduced to Nat Reeves, a medical practitioner who, despite being good at her job, seems to have some reluctance to work back at this “magical” hospital due to an unknown prior incident.
The story’s artist is Andres Ponce, whose clean lines and detailed images help make this story so exciting and realistic. With a story taking place mainly inside the hospital, details are essential to help sell that storyline. There is a panel when Nat enters the ER. Much like an emergency room, there is tons of chaos with doctors, patients, and even janitorial staff trying to keep everything in motion for the next person to arrive. Now mix in some troll security, demonic-look doctors, and everything in between he sells it. There is a missing element with the blood that in a couple of panels looks a little clunky, but he makes up for it when a character rips the memories from a human in a ghost-like way.
Final Verdict: 7.5 Exhilarating medical procedural opener mixed with out-of-this-world elements; however, it is still unknown where the overall story arc is going.
