Tom Taylor
Writer
Jheremy
Raapack Mike S. Miller Bruno Redondo Axel Jimenez David Yardin Tom
Derenick Marc Deering Diana Egea Kevin Maguire Neil Googe
Xermanico Jonas Trindade
Artists
Andrew Elder Alejandro Sanchez David Yardin Ikari Studio David Lopez & Santi Casas of Ikari Studio Rosemary Cheetham
Colorists
If
you don't know this series is a prequel to the video game in which
Superman leads a totalitarian regime that polices over the world in
order to keep it safe and Batman heads the resistance. This book is how
it began. Originally it started off as a digital release so even in one
chapter you'll see two different artists and colorists. Considering
there's 13 chapters that adds up to a lot of names on this book in
regards to the art. Fortunately there's only one writer, Tom Taylor, so
at least that's consistent. I only had minor issues with the writing but
the art is another story. Speaking of story let's get into it.
The
book starts with the dystopian future then quickly gets to how it all
began. Clark is in bed with Lois when he hears an extra heartbeat. Lois
is pregnant. She receives a call for a chance at a story. Clark is weary
of it but Lois wins that argument. Superman meets with Batman who is in
Metropolis investigating. Turns out the story was a trap. That trap was
just a setup by Joker for Superman. When Superman finds Joker he sees
Doomsday. Superman flies Doomsday into space immediately only to realize
that when they exit the atmosphere he's holding Lois. As soon as the
hearts stop beating Metropolis explodes. That's what begins Supermans
crusade to keep the world safe. As the story progresses Superman and
Wonder Woman make vows to stops all wars and end all violence. They get
in a tiff with Aquaman and Atlantis. Batman begins a resistance against
Supes and his allies. There are casualties close to Bats and throughout
the world as Superman forces his will on them. The people see how Clark
deals with a world invasion. That results in Superman initiating a plan
to have Luthor creat a "Super" pill. Batman scrambles to thwart this
plan. Once again the story hearkens back to the game and makes you
wonder how and why everyone seems to be on an even keel.
In
regards to the story it was brilliant for the most part. Since I'm not
the biggest DC Comics fanboy I can't tell you whether or not they have
done a story like this before but it makes me wonder why they
haven't. The idea alone of having Joker mess with Superman sounds great.
The beginning of the story is so messed up, intense, and crazy. I loved
it. As the Superhero community divides tensions rise and everyone seems
on edge. I didn't really care for how one of Batmans allies meets his
end. It was very anticlimactic and undeserving of the character. The
writer even went out of his way to establish the how and why before the
incident and it still left a bad taste in my mouth. Their were a couples
characters whose machinations were puzzling to me. Wonder Woman for one
almost seemed to be the one pushing Clark to do all this. I know she
has a history of being one of the more violent superheroes but she felt
too extreme considering nothing really traumatic happened to her in this
process. The other was Luthor. I thought Lex always hated Superman so
it didn't make sense why he was helping him. If anything this was
Luthors worst nightmare coming to fruition and the perfect opportunity
to take him down while showing he was right all along. This is a
phenomenal piece of working showing what would happen if Superman was
pushed to kill. It's actually pretty sad to see the golden boy fall to
the dark side. The inner conflict is strong with this one as it makes
you shift of what's wrong and right depending on the situation. As far
as story goes the issues are far and few but the same cannot be said
about the art.
If you check the credits there are twelve
artists and six colorists on this book. As I said this was released
digitally first so that's partially why. I believe these series came out
every week or two weeks at first. That's a very difficult time schedule
to keep up with for any creator much less art. That being said I can
understand that the inconsistencies of the art are part of the nature of
the beast. Despite that some of the artists themselves are inconsistent
from panel to panel. Some look exponentially better than others and a
few just aren't very good at all. For the most part this is a pretty
colorful book. As dark as the tone of the writing and story are the
color scheme is a little too bright. It does get dark at times and
especially towards the end which is when it feels right but usually it
seems off. Inconsistencies in the art don't kill the book but they
definitely weaken it.
What it comes down to is this is a superb
story. It's without a doubt the writing is the star of the show here.
Knowing that this was a digital release first it was a give in that the
art wasn't going to be consistent but for anyone else that doesn't know
that that's not an excuse. Knowing is half the battle but with this book
there's even inconsistencies with certain artists and colors. This
doesn't ruin the book but it lessens the overall quality and therefore
impact of important moments. I can't give this graphic novel the highest
grade but I can easily say it's a BUY!!
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