DJ Black Adam's Comic Review: Final Crisis 1 & 2, Justice Society of America #16 & Nova #14

FINAL CRISIS issues 1 & 2:

So far issues 1 & 2 have proven to be…well…ridicules.

Being a child of the 70’s and the 80’s, I enjoyed the JLA / JSA crisis crossovers, the Brave and the Bold Earth One Batman team-ups with Earth 2 Huntress and Earth 2 Robin and Earth 2 Doctor Fate, the Flashes and Green Lanterns of Earth 1 and 2 Team ups, and of course DC’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths”. So I have pretty high expectations for any “Crisis” that DC puts out.

“Infinite Crisis” was pretty good, aside from (in my opinion) too much “Superboy Prime”, but I enjoyed it a thought it was overall very well written and a great sequel to the original “Crisis on Infinite Earths”. So I had been anticipating “Final Crisis” hoping that it would redeem DC’s sorry and pathetically slow “Countdown”.

I fear my hopes are in vain. So far here is what my 8 bucks or so has bought me. No consistent story telling. Maybe this is Morrison's style, I guess I am more of a John's fan (I like John's runs on JSA much more that Morrison on JLA). Starts out with Anthro (why he is White as DC's 1st boy is beyond me) getting the gift of fire from Metron, which Anthro uses to take on Vandal Savage. We continue with a few loose story lines, Orion (of the New gods) is dying and gives a cryptic warning to some cop. Libra starting the new "Secret Society" brags as he attempts to recruit and ultimately kills "Jonn Jonn'z" the Manhunter from Mars (to which I say GOOD Riddance) to show he is "serious" to Luther and the other uber bad guys who "don't bow down easily".

Meanwhile the Guardians find out about Orion from John and Hal, quarantine earth and send the "Alpha Lanterns" to investigate. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman sit around and sound "ominous" about the looming threat. Lame. Lamer, this "Boss Darkside" drivel and children with the older than dirt "Anti-life equati on" (Overplayed more than Ragnarok in the Thor series') Issue two is even worse, basically the Alpha Lanterns get taken over by "Granny Goodness" (reincarnated as some old Black aunt Jemima look alike), but not before the Alpha Lanterns insult the JLA, specifically Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman as the rank amateur local law enforcement (ala FBI comes to Mayberry), more of that wild and crazy "Boss Darkside", John Stewart almost killed by the taken over Alpha Lantern, Batman captured by the Alpha Lantern and taken to Aunt Jemi...I mean "Granny Goodness".

Libra is challange by Luthor to "hurt Superman" to impress the big gun villains, then we see an explosion at the Daily Planet with Lois apparently dead (again GOOD RIDDANCE). And of course, the moment we've all been waiting for (insert sarcasm) Barry Allen returns to "warn" Jay, Wally and everyone else to "RUN". Slow moving, non eventful and pathetic. If issue 3 don't get interesting, I'm done.

Justice Society of America issue 16:

I loved it. This is arguably the BEST title DC has going (even with a so-so artist). This whole "Gog" and the "Third World" thing has potential, maybe he will kill Boss Darkseid and all the reincarnated Fourth World Apokolipian New gods while he's here! In fact the last 5 issues have been great (except for the mediocre art, I almost believe DC doesn't go with a great artist on JSA because it would really make JLA look bad). I don't get Mr. Terrific's atheism. The guy has been around Dr. Fate (Nabu), the Spectre and all the Marvels, heck I think even Bill Maher might believe in God after meeting the"Spectre".

Speaking of "Marvels", my favorite Marvel, Black Adam appears in this issue, and it seems that he has discovered that Isis may be alive (finally using the Wisdom of Zehuti it appears). Now on to “Marvel Comics”:

Nova issue 14 - In the Final Hour:

This is the best thing Marvel has going in my opinion. Nova is has the greatest space cop stories (Sorry to my Green Lantern fans). This magazine is what Ion should have been. This issue Nova goes up against the Silver Surfer, action packed, art is great! Nova goes after a galactic serial killer while Galactus prepared to consume the world that they are on, the people evacuate, but Nova gets stuck!

My short list people, share your thoughts!

Comments

[Will Staples]

I can't get into Final Crisis either. It's so... scattershot. Morrison has a few good ideas, but mostly he just seems to be throwing stuff at a wall and seeing what sticks, plus everyone seems slightly out of character.

And Darkseid is Al Roker apparently.

Starts out with Anthro (why he is White as DC's 1st boy is beyond me)

They just didn't know better back when he was created. I'm disappointed that no one for all these years thought to retcon things so he was from Africa. (It also bugs me that his parents were apparently Neanderthals, which is scientifically incorrect.)

I don't get Mr. Terrific's atheism. The guy has been around Dr. Fate (Nabu), the Spectre and all the Marvels, heck I think even Bill Maher might believe in God after meeting the"Spectre".

My reasoning would be thus...

Magic: Semi-sentient energy source that we've yet to understand with science, but will someday. The cheat codes to the universe, if you will.

Angels and demons: Extradimensional entities.

The Spectre: Very large, very opinionated extradimensional entity. ;)

[DJ Black Adam]

"The Spectre: Very large, very opinionated extradimensional entity. ;)"

lolololololol! You made my morning with that one Will!

[Zackory Kirk]

Adam, I don’t know… I must respectfully disagree with you. I think the final crisis will be a solid effort. I don’t think it will be great or comparable to the first two, but I think it will be a good story told. Killing Martian Manhunter was a good move. It showed that D.C. means business with this book. Killing Lois will be an even better move, if it happens. I do agree that there is too much going on in the book. We’ll see how it progresses before I say the book is a success or a hot mess. A lot is riding on issue three. I think we all need to see some changes in the DC universe that are substantive. It is time for DC to move in the right direction.

[DJ Black Adam]

@Zackary:

You wrote:

"I think we all need to see some changes in the DC universe that are substantive. It is time for DC to move in the right direction."

I agree with you. Countdown was dismal ( I did enjoy Countdown to Mystery with Dr. Fate & The Spectre, hopefully they keep the dual format and do a monthly).

As for Final Crisis, I’ll give it till issue 3. I won’t miss the Martian Manhunter, and if Lois is dead, maybe Superman will FINALLY grow a pair.