Future’s End #2

The ensemble in this is so large, with the focus on B-Listers that I’m having trouble getting into it. 

Most of this issue centered around Animal Man, Mr Terrific, Firestorm and Red Arrow and was set at Green Arrow’s funeral. There’s scenes of FBI files being destroyed by someone working under the Joker’s direction. And a brief check in with Batman (Terry) who is trying to keep Brother Eye in the dark.

So much time is spent either on a “posthumous” homage to Green Arrow (which, why at this point in the issue when he is dead? This series is not new reader friendly and precious panels should have been spent recapping characters that will be integral going forward). Or showing Mr Terrific’s cockiness and love for the fame.

Significant JLA infighting is shown, but other than that? Not much…

A good set up for next issue though as Lois Lane receives a mysterious package with Green Arrow artifacts, a series of numbers and the message “Lois, go alone Trust no one else” Maybe a relatable character will bring this around for me.

It’s not that I mind having lesser known supes take front and center, but no one’s putting in work to be sure these characters are relatable and ensure that the audience can become invested in them.

Art by Jesus Merino and Dan Green is competent, but honestly… every brown haired white guy looks like Batman. 

There seems to be so many “little things” happening at once that it’s hard to stay attached. 

Forever Evil #6

If you’ve been reading my reviews here, you know that I have not quite been enjoying this series. And that I think Geoff Johns is a racist/sexist ass. issue 6 has my man Nightwing on the cover and maybe we’ll get to the point for some of this instead of in-fighting between egotistical villains and inexplicably helpless females.

 

I love Nightwing.

Luthor and Batman both argue and bond over their paranoia against the justice league as they infiltrate their fortress. catwoman’s wishy washy behvior prompts Batman to ask whose side she’s really on. Once inside, Batman, catwoman and Luthor stumble on nightwing who has been held in “the Murder Machine” a cell designed to hold Doomsday it’s a bomb with impenetrable walls. Meanwhile, Sinestro, Manta, Black Adam and Captain Cold throwdown against the Justice League’s evil alteregos. Highlights here are Owlman’s waivering allegiance and Black Adam’s mumbling through his broken jaw. 

Epically, the bomb only disarms if nightwing’s heart stops. He dies or they all die. we all know that Batman can’t make that call so Lex Luthor takes matters into his own hands… specifically, he Grayson’s airways into his hands after disarming Batman with his lasers and Bizzaro grabs Catwoman’s whip and apparently that’s as hard as she was willing to fight (FUCK YOU).

Nightwing’s heart stops, Batman beats the crap out of Luthor because apparently no one remembers what CPR is. That was really predictable. So stupid. 

Geoff Johns is such an asshole. everyone here is white as rice (except the aliens -doesn’t count!) and the women are dingbats. Since when is Catwoman not decisive? Superwoman didn’t even talk, sadly that might be for the best. Atomica is usually pretty wicked, but this time she was useless and helplessly watched as Johnny Quick got maimed. Captain Cold was the biggest badass. I’ll give them that though, that part was good. It was also, like, A page. 

Mazahs is now escaped. That’s alternate Shazam, it’s also Shazam spelled backwards, I’m also rubbing my head wondering how I started reading this. So the “good” and “not as evil” guys are in for more trouble.

Also, I knew Nightwing wasn’t going to die.