I have said that it is a minor miracle that writer Joshua Williamson has made me actually like this take on Prime. Prime is a comic nerd who recognizes his worst deeds are several reboots ago and is trying to do good. But all those old deeds are still known so Prime is basically under the microscope with everyone waiting for him to mess up. I actually felt for Prime here as he is really feeling that pressure of everyone side eyeing him all while hs is trying to be a hero.
It helps that Prime is a great POV charactier because he talks non-stop about comic history and lore. He is 'one of us' but in the DCU. This issue is full of references and fourth-wall busting insanity. It is a great tool for Williamson to use. But it is a tightrope. You can't overuse. This was the first issue where I felt we got close to that 'too many'. Close ... but did not cross.
There is also a mystery brewing. And I think I might have solved it.
Dan Mora is typically fantastic on art here. With all the trips and adventures and references, Mora is in the deep end of the DCU pool. But he never disappoints.
Prime is joining in adventures and sight-seeing all the spots in the DCU you might want to.
And Williamson is diving deep into those 90s comics from which Prime was born.
Massacre!
Any idea what the church/temple/castle is in the selfie he is taking in the middle panel? Nanda Parbat?
'CK' is in Smallville enjoying a breakfast with the Kents. And he says how much he likes that they are alive adding some 'farm stuff' to Superman's stories, grounding him.
And yes, others ... like Mark Waid ... think they need to be dead.
Funny.
I'm on Team 'I like them alive with farm stuff to ground Superman'. What about you?
But even this peaceful meal isn't that peaceful. The Kents know what Prime did. And Power Girl is floating above the house with others to watch Prime and make sure he doesn't do something awful.
Look at the pressure he is under. First with his hands in his head. Then with his head down, shoulders slumped. They are expecting him to mess up. He just needed to talk to someone.
I feel for him.
Yes, he did terrible terrible things. But he is right, that was several universe-changing events ago. And he has been helpful here.
Poor kid.
The Kents ask him to tell them what's bugging him so we flashback to the last week.
He loves his job in the comic book store.
And the ladies sure love him. Check out this comic reader who loves CK's recommendations and wants to share her own in private.
Do we think this he is that naturally good-looking as almost every woman who has run into him has lusted after him? Or do we think there is something more happening here.
Either way, he is too stupid to recognize this obvious pass and sends her on her way.
And his boss likes him even if he is chronically late and gets upset about some comics. Like this one where he says two characters should be married! (Has to be Spider-Man and MJ and good on Prime for being on the right side of that argument too!)
But Prime is actually excited that he might get employee of the month! He just wants to be recognized.
After work, he decides to do more sight-seeing and goes to ... Crime Alley! I mean, if you are a comic nerd/tourist in the DCU, wouldn't you check it out?
Prime runs into Damian who is fighting Clayface.
Again, another fourth wall busting laugh here where Prime says he is a pre-Crisis guy but loves this Clayface.
I also love that both Clayface and Damian want Prime to just shut up. I admit, I laughed out loud here.
Prime helps Damian get rid of some chemical bomb Clayface had. But after saving the city, he has another one of those 'de-resolutions to comic sketch' attacks and then has this vision.
Yes, he is being scrutinized. But I think he still carries his own demons. We see him punching through Blue Beetle's chest with all the gore and destruction around him. And that voice in his head telling him to punch reality to escape this murderous destiny ...
Prime blacks out.
Who can that voice be?
Is Alexander Luthor somehow in that crystal realm again and needs a punch to get out? That's my mystery guess and I am sticking to it!
Is Alexander Luthor somehow in that crystal realm again and needs a punch to get out? That's my mystery guess and I am sticking to it!
Regardless, I hope Prime fights his more violent urges.
Earlier, he asked Damian how Robin 'beat the rap' as violent jerk and became the accepted hero he is.
Imagine Damian giving some wisdom saying it will take time for people to stop only remembering the worst moments.
I think Damian sees him as a kindred spirit!
Amazing! Imagine me liking both Prime and Damian in the same book! Unheard of! Miraculous!
Amazing! Imagine me liking both Prime and Damian in the same book! Unheard of! Miraculous!
But all this made Prime late for work and he doesn't get the recognition his boss wanted. He's crestfallen. Everyone expects him to fail. I said it before but I feel for him.
Ma sees the pressure and tells Power Girl to take off.
Of all people, Power Girl has the biggest beef with Prime. He killed Kal-L, her Superman. She probably wants to beat him up now! But she listens to Ma Kent wisdom and takes off, not happily ... but she takes off.
So another crackling issue of this Prime-led book. I am really loving this.
Overall grade: A
1 comment:
Maybe CK should never, ever be trusted because he's a mass murderer who escaped consequences? And that cover looks like it was swiped from gay porn kinda. Seriously.
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