Bullet Review: Worlds' Finest #30

Worlds' Finest #30 came out last week, one of many chapter in the deconstruction of the New 52 Earth 2. I stopped reading this title half a year ago when a sort of creative ennui mired the book into irrelevancy. Since then, I have only seen the ads and read a review here and there about Worlds' End and Earth 2.

There isn't much about what I have seen happening in these books that has made me question my decision.

But blog friend and fellow comic reviewer Mart Gray   tipped me off that I might enjoy some of this last issue and he was right.

The whole issue is told in flashback by Lois, a look at this Earth just before it unraveled into chaos. So we see this quiet moment of Mr. and Mrs. Superman enjoying each others' company and doing a little canoodling.

Of course, Supergirl lives with them and walks in on them snuggling. There is so much to love in this scene, from the simple romance of Lois and Clark to the 'cowbell' comment by Kara.

But most of all I love this costume. For one, it shows that this Kara has always preferred the leotard look, the one piece. No skirt to be seen here. And it echoes the one piece she wears as Power Girl. But most of all I love the ballerina slippers, a nice nod to the later  70's Adventure Comics Supergirl.

It's funny. I found the strongest part of this book is when Paul Levitz looked back at Huntress and Power Girl's early careers as Robin and Supergirl. So I also enjoyed this other adventure in the book with Catwoman and Robin.

These flashback scenes made me miss a more classic Earth 2 even more, the one with the JSA, Infinity Inc, and a sense of legacy.

Thanks again Mart! That Supergirl page made me smile. 

Review: Worlds' Finest #25

Worlds' Finest #25 came out last week and was the last issue with the 'old' theme of Huntress and Power Girl stranded on Prime Earth. We know that the weekly Worlds' End book is coming up, redefining Earth 2, is right around the corner. And I am pretty sure that I don't think I will be following along. I might wait and see.

And so in some ways, this is a sort of eulogy for this book. This might be the last time I do an in-depth review for the title. And in some ways this is a 'perfect' issue to close on as it sort of embodies much of the problems I have had with Paul Levitz' run. From the semi-caricature personalities of the characters, to the 'treading water' overall feel of lack of progression on the book, to the deus ex machina sudden leaps in progression that the book takes, this has been an uneven book. At least in this issue, the two characters are together! All to often, Levitz split them up.

The sad thing is I was so excited for this book when it was announced! Huntress and Power Girl, two of my favorites, starring in their own book! With art by George Perez and Kevin Maguire! With a E2 history as Robin and Supergirl!! It seemed perfect.

One thing I will say about this issue is that the art by Tyler Kirkham is lusciously beautiful. There is a faint whiff of fan service. But overall, this is light years better than the uneven efforts of RB Silva over the last year.

And please don't dwell on the cover as nothing even remotely close to this happens in the book.

So farwell to this book and farewell to Prime Earth ...

The issue opens up with a relatively 'slash fiction' scene. That, in and of itself, is interesting. Imagine if DC had these two become a couple! But it occasionally goes over the top in its feel. And part of that is this rather odd characterization of Power Girl has having an overwhelmingly voracious sexual appetite. I know ... there is nothing wrong with that. But remember she was going to get busy in the Hadron collider after meeting the guy a few minute prior as the heroes were investigating a way home. I don't know if her sensual needs should trump all priorities.

Knowing they are leaving Prime Earth forever, Karen has spent the night partying. She comes in so barely dressed that Helena says it is the 'flight of shame' and that Karen is dressed like 'the entertainment' (I assume she means a stripper). Power Girl dressed like a stripper and doing the flight of shame? Really?

Again, this one personality trait has overwhelmed the character at points making her feel one-dimensional.

Am I over-thinking this? Can I have her be independent and in control of her body and free-spirited without overdoing it?

Meanwhile Helena has decided that she would have extra helpings of the sweets this Earth has to offer. We see her very sensually eating a cupcake with so much tongue I thought she was going to lick her eyebrows clean.

And some of that slashiness comes in here as we see Helena watching Karen move in and out of the shower and then pins Karen's towel to the wall.

Remember way back when Helena survived radiation exposure and I wondered if Levitz was subtly showing that she had manifested powers. I am still wondering that here as she flicks the fork and embeds it in the wall, cracking it.

If Helena was having extra helpings of sweets, Karen's extra helpings were the men she was 'close to'. She wants to send them each a letter.

Look at that pile of letters!

How many is that?

I just don't know. Seems insane.

Once showered and dressed, the heroes walk around Boston, taking it in one last time before they head home. There are a couple of things that I think are worth noting here.

One, how insane is it that Earth Prime is the 'safer world' in the DCU when it feels so unrelentingly dark. That makes me depressed. Not that Earth Prime can't be safer than Earth 2 overall. But that this world, as bleak and grim as it is, is considered safer.

Second, Helena worries that she simply isn't tough enough to survive Earth 2. Is this foreshadowing for some tragic ending in the crisis of Worlds' End?

Desaad is still stuck on Prime Earth and he knows that the heroes are close to crossing over and so he decides to break into Karen's facility to try to hijack a way home too.

He seems drawn to Dr. Spears, who he ran into last month as well.

Helena and Karen's walk brings them to the lab just in time to hear the yells of Spears and the workers.

I include this page only to showcase how wonderful Kirkham's art is. That is a powerful Power Girl smashing through the wall. Just beautiful.

And then this silly moment ... almost out of a Bugs Bunny cartoon. Power Girl punches Desaad so hard that he gets stuck in the ceiling.

Too silly?

The book ends with the heroes flying through the portal, getting back to Earth 2, only to discover Boston in flames and ruin. I don't read Earth 2 so I don't know if this makes sense. Can I also say that this final trip back to Earth 2 felt a little anticlimactic? We have heard how they struggled over 5 years to try to find any tech that might help. And then suddenly, basically not from their own endeavors but by copying a villain, they suddenly put it all together in 2 issues.

Maybe I have been too hard on this book, on Levitz and his characterization, on the lack of progression on the book, on the rough art that has been on the pages for a while. Maybe it is because I love the characters so much I wanted so much more.

But I don't think I will miss this book once it isn't on my pull list.

And I never thought I would say that about a Power Girl or a Huntress book.

Overall grade: B (raised a full grade because of the wonderful art)

Review: Worlds' Finest #24

Worlds' Finest #24 came out last week and I sighed and bought it.

In my mind, I will stop collecting this book as soon as the Worlds' End weekly comes out. I don't think I will need to read a crossover with Earth 2 and certainly not on a weekly basis.

But as a result, there is a sort of fatalism with this book. There has always been a sort of lack of energy with this book, with writer Paul Levitz struggling putting together any momentum or growth with the characters. And now that I am pretty sure I am dropping the book, there is even less energy in me to read the book. And those two things together make the faults of the book stand out even more.

One thing that Levitz has struggled with all along has been putting the two heroes together in an adventure. I am sure it isn't easy to write a story where a Kryptonian and a well-trained human can face one enemy. But ... people have written Batman and Superman stories for decades. In this issue, Levitz again keeps the two heroes apart ... in any way possible.

The art here is done by Scott McDaniel alone. McDaniel had been doing breakdowns for RB Silva the last several issues. Here he gets to do it all. And I have to say, McDaniel on his own is much better than Silva working with his setups.

But the real winner here is the cover by Barry Kitson. Trust me, this representation of Power Girl working in a Kirby-krackled reactor is way way more interesting than the actual story behind it. I love Kitson's style and wonder why he isn't on a monthly right now.

Last issue, Desaad plunged Boston into a blackout giving some low-level terrorists the opportunity to steal some radioactive material from MIT. After taking a hostage, one terrorist is able to escape the Huntress' wrath.

But, in a 1960's Spiderman move, Huntress throws a tracer on the car the terrorist has hijacked. This doesn't seem old school. This feels archaic.

And it felt sad that a thug with a gun and a hostage is able to outwit and escape The Huntress. Isn't she tougher than this? And remember, he is carrying a couple of jars of plutonium (or something like that)! Shouldn't she really be on the top of her game and simply take this guy out?

Huntress does have the good sense to call Power Girl to see if she can help. Remember, this guy is running around with the stuff to get a dirty bomb built. We should call in the big guns.

But, again, Levitz keeps the heroes apart. Because Power Girl would be able to too easily apprehend and stop this guy. So to keep her away, Levitz has her acting as a turbine to restart the Seabrook Nuclear plant which stopped working because of Desaad. If Boston is going to get power again, this needs to be restarted.

I don't know exactly how nuclear plants work but this also felt a bit off. Do we really need to crank something to get fission going?

And lastly, to have her singing a song about boys buying her drinks (to the tune of '100 bottles of beer on the wall') is groan-worthy. Doesn't Karen deserve better than this?

Undaunted by needing to work solo, Huntress tracks the terrorist. He drives into a tunnel, abandons the car, and heads to ground. He also dumps his hostage, Tanya Sharp the scientist from STARR Ware that I think is possessed by Desaad.

Sharp has been shot in the shoulder but continues to want to help. The Huntress wants Sharp to stay put and out of danger.

Now I don't know just how long this chase has happened. The beginning of the issue, with the terrorist on the bridge, is clearly nighttime. The blackout occurred in the night. Now Huntress comes out of the tunnel and it is clearly morning. And morning enough that the park she enters is pretty well populated by joggers. That also felt off.

And then, the Huntress is forced to use rocks she has picked up to use as weapons. She disarms the man by throwing a rock at his gun hand. While it is fine to hear that part of Huntress' training from the E2 Batman was to use anything on hand. But ... rocks? Are you telling me she doesn't have darts, shurikens, ANYTHING hidden in the pouches, gloves, and boots of her costume?

Meanwhile, Power Girl has restarted the turbine!

But we can't have her join the fight in the park because she would put an end to it. So now she has to slowly replace the control rods in another section of the reactor. So let's keep the pair of heroes apart even longer! This whole plot seemed a little forced as if it only seems to happen to keep Power Girl here.

To add to matters, the head scientist worries that Power Girl won't be gentle enough in her repair. And Power Girl worries she might not be truly invulnerable against this radiation.

Is this some way to depower her for the return to E2?

Finally, Huntress is able to get an upper hand on this bozo.

Of course, in the brawl, he lets the nuclear material slip out of his hand. And he had loosened the cap too!

I just don't know. This is a guy with no training at all! Just some creep. And he has kept Huntress at bay for an issue. And she is sloppy enough in her fight that she let's deadly radioactive material slip from his hand! And she is more intent on giving him a right cross to the jaw than to stop a deadly spill.

Shouldn't she have taken this guy out in one panel? Would Batman be stymied by this guy this long?

Thankfully, Sharp has followed along and was able to cap the jar after only a drop hit the ground.

So was she exposed to this stuff when she put the lid on? I suppose seeing a 'normal' person acting the hero and being selfless is a nice lesson to put in the book. But if it needs to happen because Huntress wasn't paying attention ... that isn't good.

And just in time, Power Girl shows up and is able to fly the two where they need to go. Because Power Girl can't show up earlier without throwing a wrench into the story.

The time has come for a shake-up in this book. It just seems that Levitz is having a hard time with this cast and putting together a story for both Power Girl and Huntress. I find it surprising given he was able to juggle a huge cast with a wide array of powers for so long in the Legion.

McDaniel's art is a bit rough but not as distorted as the recent fare by Silva. I do know Tyler Kirkham is coming on the book soon. And judging by some previews he has put up on Twitter the book will look slick.

But I am counting down here ... unless something dramatically changes.

Overall grade: C+

August 2014 Solicits

I have been relatively pessimistic about DC comics for about 4 years now, watching them turn a bright universe into one that is perpetually and disturbingly dark. I have watched then tarnish their heroes and polish their villains. I have watched editors bully creative teams to the point creators have left the company. And I have watched as sales plummet.

And in the latest batch of cancellations, DC axed 6 books: Batwing, Birds of Prey, All-Star Western, Superboy, Pandora, and Phantom Stranger. 

It is sometimes hard to be a fan of this company.

So when not one, but two things made me cheer for DC ... well I felt like a kid again. And those two things were revealed in the solicits for August. Here is the link to Newsarama's full list:
http://www.newsarama.com/21159-dc-comics-full-august-2014-solicitations.html

Now I usually review only the super-titles here but the happiness was found in two unexpected places at the top of the list.

THE MULTIVERSITY #1
Written by GRANT MORRISON
Art and cover by IVAN REIS and JOE PRADO

The biggest adventure in DC’s history is here!
Join visionary writer Grant Morrison, today’s most talented artists, and a cast of unforgettable characters from 52 alternative Earths of the known DC Multiverse! Prepare to meet the Vampire League of Earth-43, the Justice Riders of Earth-18, Superdemon, Doc Fate, the super-sons of Superman and Batman, the rampaging Retaliators of Earth-8, the Atomic Knights of Justice, Dino-Cop, Sister Miracle, Lady Quark, the legion of Sivanas, the Nazi New Reichsmen of Earth-10 and the latest, greatest Super Hero of Earth-Prime: YOU!
Comprising six complete adventures – each set in a different parallel universe – plus a two-part framing story and a comprehensive guidebook to the many worlds of the Multiverse, THE MULTIVERSITY is more than just a multipart comic-book series. It’s a cosmos spanning, soul-shaking experience that puts YOU on the frontline in the Battle for All Creation against the demonic destroyers known as the Gentry!
In issue #1, pencilled by superstar artist Ivan Reis (AQUAMAN, JUSTICE LEAGUE), President Superman of Earth-23 uncovers a threat to all Reality so apocalyptic it will take a team of incredible heroes from across the Multiverse to face it – including Captain Carrot, like you’ve never seen him before!
But even with a multitude of alternate worlds to choose from, where every variation is possible, can anyone hope to prevail against the onslaught of ultimate evil and undying hatred – in the unstoppable form of a one-time cosmic defender with unimaginable powers?! Join us, if you dare, for the beginning of THE MULTIVERSITY!

Okay, I will admit that I am a Grant Morrison acolyte and he has rarely let me down. I have been waiting for Multiversity since it was rumored so to see it actually solicited is downright awesome. And with a bunch of non-mainstream characters to play with, I anticipate some Morrison lunacy at its best. It will be especially nice to see Earth-23 Superman again.

SENSATION COMICS FEATURING WONDER WOMAN #1
Written by GAIL SIMONE and AMANDA DEIBERT
Art by ETHAN VAN SCIVER and CAT STAGGS
Cover by ETHAN VAN SCIVER
1:25 Variant cover by PHIL JIMENEZ

Diana Prince: Amazon warrior, ambassador to Man’s world, or champion of women in need? All of the above! This digital-first anthology series will bring some of comics’ greatest talents to Themyscira, and give them leave to explore Diana, her world – and ours!
Gail Simone and Ethan Van Sciver kick things off when Oracle calls for help after the entire Bat-Family gets sidelined. But when Wonder Woman steps into the breach, Gotham City’s criminals get the surprise of their lives! Then, Amanda Deibert and Cat Staggs take Diana to school, where she meets her biggest fan!

But this might be the best news I have read in a long time. DC is putting out a Digital first Wonder Woman book! And it will have a print form for old-timers like me!

I have absolutely adored the 'out of continuity', more classic, more inspiring stories I have read in the digital first Adventures of Superman so I am hoping that I will get that same feel from this book. But this is fantastic ... dare I say Wonderful ... news.

Thank you DC!

Okay, on to the super-books.

SUPERGIRL #34
Written by TONY BEDARD
Art by EMANUELA LUPACCHINO
Cover by CAMERON STEWART

A “SUPERMAN -DOOMED” tie-in! Kara must deal with the fall-out of the green Kryptonite skies over a dead Earth, and the horrors still to come!

I am thrilled that Supergirl is back in her S-shield costume and part of the Doomed arc. She is part of the super-family again! Not too much her to contemplate in the sparse write-up. But that Cam Stewart cover is beautiful.

ACTION COMICS #34
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by AARON KUDER

And now “Last Sun”, the penultimate chapter in the “SUPERMAN: DOOMED” saga as Earth lies in ruins and everyone’s survival is in question!

So, any ideas how Superman gets cured of this?

Will he truly demolish the world? Will this further strengthen the 'humanity hates and mistrusts Superman' sentiment?

I trust this creative team a ton.

SUPERMAN #34
Written by GEOFF JOHNS
Art and cover by JOHN ROMITA, JR. and KLAUS JANSON

Geoff Johns and John Romita, Jr. continue their epic Superman run with “THE MEN OF TOMORROW” chapter 3! Introducing the bizarre villain known as The Machinist – the man behind the recent technological attacks on Metropolis. But what is his strange connection to Superman? Where is he from? And what does The Machinist want with The Daily Planet? Plus, the mystery behind the disaster at the Ulysses Research Lab sends Clark on an investigation that will reveal a dark secret from his past.

So by this time we'll get a sense of the type of story Johns will be constructing. The Machinist has a strange connection to Superman? Could Johns be linking to the tech-stone in Superman Unchained? I wouldn't mind some sort of linkage to make Unchained firmly in continuity.

I do hope that Johns writes Superman like he did several years ago.

SUPERMAN: DOOMED #2
Written by GREG PAK and CHARLES SOULE
Art by KEN LASHLEY and JACK HERBERT
Cover by GUILLEM MARCH

A Man of Steel who has lost himself in the monster must once again go up against the first threat he ever faced as Superman in the form of a villain who now has the power to warp reality with a thought. But this time if he defeats Brainiac, Earth will be lost. Batman, Wonder Woman, Steel, Supergirl are joined by Starfire, Guy Gardner and Green Lantern Simon Bazz and even Swamp Thing to make a fateful decision about their friend.

Is this the last chapter?

The group brought together to stop Superman is an interesting group. I am thrilled Supergirl is in there. I wonder how Lashley will draw her.

Hopefully, since this includes Brainiac, it  concludes his arc and returns Lois to normal. I can't think of how Brainiac can cure him.

SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #11
Written by CHARLES SOULE
Art by PAULO SIQUEIRA
Cover by TONY S. DANIEL

“Last Sun,” the next sensational chapter in the “SUPERMAN: DOOMED” saga! Diana must do the unspeakable as the God of War in her effort to beat the forces of Brainiac! And now, there is no Kal-El – only Doom!

Nice charged cover by Tony Daniel here. The force of Brainiac? Could this be the suddenly awake people of Kandor? Could they be working for Brainiac now?

Shame Daniel isn't doing inside art. But Paulo Siqueira is a fine replacement.

BATMAN/SUPERMAN #14
Written by GREG PAK
Art and cover by JAE LEE

Part 2 of “Forgotten Heroes” finds the new team of Catwoman and Superman taking on Gotham City – and there’s nothing Batman or Lois Lane can do to stop them!

I like the 'switch' of partners here. But Lois?? Could Pak be ignoring the Clark/Diana romance?

Jae Lee hits it out of the park with this cover.

WORLD’S FINEST #26
Written by PAUL LEVITZ
Art and cover by TYLER KIRKHAM

Power Girl and Huntress return to Earth 2 just when their homeworld needs them most!

Now it is interesting to note that Newsarama's solicit included the dreaded 'Final Issue' designation. Then DC said they weren't cancelling the book. But it can't be a good sign. Could it go on hiatus during the weekly Earth 2 weekly? It seems like maybe this main title ends when that begins, especially if this issue blurb is right and Huntress and Power Girl do end up home. Maybe a reboot after the weekly>

I think Tyler Kirkham is great so I look forward to seeing his take on these characters.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #4
Written by JEFF LEMIRE
Art and cover by MIKE McKONE

Justice League Canada’s first adventure comes to an explosive end!

Equinox sure gets cover space. I suppose this could be the first time we see a lot of her.

Hopefully Supergirl will be present and accounted for by this issue. And a 4 issue opening story! Hurrah ... not padded to make it to 6!

ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #16
Written by JOE KEATINGE
Art by MING DOYLE, BRENT SCHOONOVER, DAVID WILLIAMS, AL GORDON, TULA LOTAY and JASON SHAWN ALEXANDER
Cover by JON BOGDANOVE

As citizens of Earth flee to the stars, Kamandi tells the story of Superman’s earliest defeat – one that haunted him for years. Don’t miss this epic adventure spanning the entirety of Superman’s lifetime, from an all-star roster of talent!

I can remember people gushing about this when it came out digitally. And I have been waiting patiently. But that is an amazing group of artists lined up.

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11: CHAOS #1
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by AGUSTIN PADILLA and DANIEL HDR
Cover by CAT STAGGS

When Lex Luthor attempts to invest in Ted Kord’s new experiments, the scientists working on the supercollider are skeptical. But Lois Lane is at the Antarctic compound to cover scientific achievement, not corporate espionage, so it’s not until things go massively awry that her fiancé gets sucked into the action!

A new Smallville arc.And Ted Kord is a big part of it. More universe building. Excellent.

Could this cover be teasing 'red skies'?

SMALLVILLE SEASON 11 SPECIAL #5
Written by BRYAN Q. MILLER
Art by DANIEL HDR and RODNEY BUCHEMI
Cover by CAT STAGGS

When the DEO’s newest agent convinces Director Steve Trevor they need an expert in magicks, Tess knows just who to recommend. But Zatanna’s latest tour stop in London isn’t going well – until John Constantine sticks his nose into things!

I can't wait for this! Zatanna and Constantine in the DC Smallville universe. And that is one beautiful cover by Staggs. I suppose this will be a stand alone. But it will be good to see these characters in this book. That means Zatanna may be part of the Crisis!

So that's a lot of books!

Review: Worlds' Finest #23

Worlds' Finest #23 came out last week and, I have to admit, was a decent issue. I have been less than complimentary over the last year or so. My main complaint with the book has been the lack of progression in any sense. The characters of Huntress and Power Girl have been stagnant. There has been little to no growth in these characters as written by Paul Levitz. And there has been ample opportunity for growth. The First Contact storyline should have been a goldmine to really delve deep into Helena and Karen. But instead it simply ended.

The growing ennui I have with this title was increased when I heard about the weekly 'Earth 2 war' or whatever that book is. I'm not going to get that weekly as I have very little interest in the goings-on in the Earth 2 book. If these Power Girl and Huntress, two characters I have cared for, get enmeshed in that nonsense I might be out completely.

Ironically, I do think that this book is heading away from Earth 1 and finally back to Earth 2. And it is this presumed change in the book that made this one of the better issues for this title. Because, for once, it felt like the book was moving somewhere. This isn't a great issue by any means. But it is better. And that is a good thing.

The art here is split between usual artist RB Silva, whose work is slightly more refined than usual and Yildiray Cinar who continues to put out great work. And the cover by Barry Kitson is fantastic.

That progress, that momentum is evident immediately from the opening page. Here is Karen, at Starr Labs one remaining, using her super-strength in front of all of her workers. It is going to be hard to reverse course from this. In fact, Karen almost challenges the group. She needs there brains to create a portal to Earth 2, maybe recreate the one Gamorra made last month. If they want to sell the story to the media, they should go ahead.

I have to say that this was something of a shock to the system. I was actually excited, intrigued by this. I also like that after years of trying to get back home, Karen is going to take the bull by the horns. It fits her more impetuous personality. And given she now knows it can be done, I can understand her throwing caution a bit to the wind.

One thing that Levitz has done throughout is play up the sexy nature of Karen, having her costume get shredded repeatedly and letting her devour men at a rapid pace. It became almost a one trick pony, the dominating aspect of the character being her 'boy crazy'. As I have said, I don't mind Power Girl being something of a free spirit and in control of her sexuality. But I don't think it should be the only thing we see of her.

Nor do I think she would tolerate lecherous behavior such as we see here by her underling Gerhard.

She asks him to 'check her out', meaning how she has hooked up the components of her gateway device. Of course, 'check her out' can be construed differently, and RB Silva plays that up with Karen thrusting her chest out. And yes, Gerhard is practically drooling as stares at her miniskirt.

I don't know ... I just think Power Girl would call him out on it. For a character meant to be a liberated hero from her very first appearance, I can't believe she would let this happen.

In case you forgot ... which I had ... Desaad is actually a major villain in this book. He is trapped on Earth 1 too.

He somehow senses that Power Girl is setting something up in Boston and so decides to add some chaos to the mix. Nothing like a city-wide blackout to stir up trouble.

There isn't much explanation as to how he knows what she is doing but I guess I have to roll with it.

At least he times the blackout with Karen hitting the on switch making her think this is her doing. Realizing the city is tearing itself apart during the blackout, she dons her Power Girl togs and heads out to do some heroing! At least we have that!

As for Huntress, she is breaking into MIT to 'borrow' some download codes. I have to figure that 'borrowing' means stealing here.

I am so conflicted about this. If I complain about Superboy robbing banks, shouldn't I be as upset with Helena skimming millions of Bruce Wayne and grabbing technology from MIT? Where is the line between info-gathering and stealing drawn?

As luck would have it, she also happens to be at MIT when the blackout happens. And as she starts to leave, she finds evidence that maybe some more wrong doing is happening.

And she finds it. Three would-be terrorists trying to steal radioactive material from an experimental reactor to create dirty bombs.

But here is something interesting. Despite the blackness in the building, Helena is able to see clearly. And she thanks her mother for her 'cat's eyes'. Does this Huntress have some type of vision powers? Did the Earth 2 Catwoman have powers?

And earlier in this series we heard Helena thank her mother for her 'claws'. I those were modified gloves. But does Helena have retractable claws too?

Of course, this being the New 52, Power Girl gets immediately fired upon by the military who have been called in to stabilize the city. Sort of sad that heroes aren't recognized as heroes anymore. And Karen isn't helping matters by smashing army vehicle.

A couple of things to notice in this scene.

One, once again we get a shredded Power Girl uniform.

Two, I was glad to see Power Girl tell the Army to call Amanda Waller to vouch for her. Remember, Power Girl was recently in Suicide Squad working for Waller. So this nod to continuity was appreciated.

But the biggest thing to notice was that the soldier who blasted Power Girl with an RPG is named Krull. This can't be happenstance. Benjamin Krull is the name of Reactron! An army infantryman in a city with an experimental radioactive reactor named Krull?! We are going to see a new Reactron.

You heard it here first!

And in another interesting wrinkle, Desaad manifests himself on the streets of Boston and seems to possess Tanya Sharp, a scientist working for Power Girl.

Why she would hit the streets in the middle of a riot I can't fathom. But she at least has the courage to seemingly confront Desaad. But there seems to be something more here. I think he has somehow taken her.

Having an embedded Desaad in Starr Labs would be a nice subplot.

And things get interesting with the Huntress. She is able to take down 2 of the 3 terrorists. But the last one isn't going to go down easily. And in another bit of comic serendipity, Huntress forces him off the road right where Tanya is standing. (Why would she be out in a riot anyways?? Sorry.)

It sets up a semi-cliffhanger.

But the most interesting thing in this panel is the next issue blurb. 'Open Sesame'? Sounds like a door will be opened ... maybe back to Earth 2.

So this book seems to be moving towards some sort of major flux. With the sudden inclusion of 'Helena Bertinelli' in the Nightwing/Grayson book, that might be one Helena too many for this world. I have to think that the Worlds' Finest pair are heading back to Earth 2. I wonder if this shakeup will also include a new creative team.

Still, for the first time in a while, I felt like there was some momentum here. We are moving towards something. Now I felt this way at the beginning of First Contact ... so I guess we'll have to see how all this ends.

But as a Supergirl fan, the idea of a new Reactron may have pushed this book up half a grade.

Overall grade: B

Review: Worlds' Finest #22

We are approaching the two year mark for Worlds' Finest, a book I had very high hopes for.

But as people who have read my reviews of this book know, this book has been frustrating. There have been some nice character moments. The flashback sequences are wonderful. But the overall progress of the story and the characters has been pretty lackluster. It seems every time I read this book I think of the phrase 'treading water'. I just keep waiting for something to happen which will nudge this book into excellence. I'd even be happy with 'very good'-ness.

I really thought that the First Contact storyline was just what this book needed. Linking Huntress and Power Girl to their mentor doppelgangers on Prime Earth seemed like just the catalyst to push this book forward. There is so much potential for stories there. Karen could talk about her Kal's greatness, his love for Lois. This Bruce might see Helena as another Damian, either becoming overprotective or trying to convince her to stop heroing. Etc. Etc. Unfortunately, between the shipping gaffes and the sudden ending without any emotional punch (the two pairs just walk away from each other?), First Contact failed.

Okay ... okay ...

Worlds' Finest #22 came out this week and looks like we might finally have some plot points that will change this book. Writer Paul Levitz sets up some big changes here. And we get another flashback sequence of the Huntress' early career with some splendid art by Yildiray Cinar. While this sequence is very good, I don't quite understand why it was in this book except to fill pages.

As much as there was some optimism ... just a smidge ... it was dulled a bit by the further murkiness of RB Silva's art. It looks rushed and ugly here. What is going on?

Standing in the rubble of the Gammoran lab, the portal the Earth 2 blown to bits, the two heroes confront each other angrily. We have learned that Kara wants to return to Earth no matter the cost. She doesn't believe her Superman could be evil. She wants to defend her world. And this isn't the time for Helena to be cautious.

I do like how these two characters have different approaches in life. Much like the Superman/Batman dynamic, there is enough friction in the friendship to craft stories. While Helena's cautious approach mirrors Bruce, Kara here is just a force of nature. Here the Huntress has to reign Power Girl in whereas I feel sometimes Batman has to spur Superman into being more proactive.

I do like how Power Girl simply can't believe that Helena would stop them from going home since that has been their primary goal since coming to this Earth. Despite Helena's concerns (this might be yet another Earth, they can't simply charge in), Karen isn't listening. In fact, she questions Helena's motivations.

Even for someone as fiery as Karen, this seems like a low blow. But in the heat of disappointment, emotions might be running high.

Before the argument can continue, ARGUS troops swarm in. Assuming the heroes are villains, they attack. Thus we get another comic where the super-heroes of a title fight the military and a peace-keeping organization like ARGUS.

And like many friends, the tiff is forgotten as the two take out the infantry and fly away friends again.

Okay ... take a look back at these three panels I have posted.

Now compare it to some representative panels by Silva way back in 2011 when he was on Superboy. Look at the clean lines, the unique style, the innovative page construction.

Then look back at the muddy, rough work here.

I loved Silva's work on Superboy. But this new style of his doesn't work for me. 

And then, with little resonance to the story at hand, we flash back 4 years to Helena, pre-Huntress identity but masked, trying to stop some men from sexually abusing some women. Unfortunately this is Helena 4 years ago. The scene opens with her hog-tied.

As usual, I like these scenes when we hear Helena's internal voice and commenting on how her parents would respond.

But why this scene here? And now?

While something of a rookie, she still has talent, coming close to escape. Cinar's work shines here. There is a more pencil-y shadowy feel here that adds to the feeling that this is in the past.

But this is close to an escape. She is quickly knocked out again.

There is a little magical thinking by Levitz here. Rather than kill Helena because a gunshot wound can be traced, they leave her alive, tie her to a tree slowly bleeding, and hope the wolves eat her.

I can think of many ways this is poor thinking by them.

Why not choke her and then leave the body to the wolves? Why would they place her in an easily escapable situation involving an overly elaborate and exotic death? Maybe their boss is Dr. Evil?

Huntress' thinking isn't much better. After she does escape, Helena decides the best thing to do is to light the house on fire.

Umm ... aren't the women you are trying to protect in there? Maybe these creeps have tied them down so they can't escape?

Luckily they aren't. The occupants run out and Helena thrashes the men.

Okay, this is a younger Helena. I'll give her a pass.

And, as I said, wonderful art by Cinar.

At the very least, Levitz mentions the meeting between the two World's' Finest groups in this scene.

Helena hooks into Batman's computer system to try to figure out if the portal actually did open up to Earth 2 or not. She talks about thanking him with a package of pastries to her 'not dad'.

But is that all there is?

I wish ... wish she was in the cave, talking to Bruce, working closely with him. Wouldn't he like to know about what is happening on Earth 2 given Darkseid's prior attack here?

I don't know if I have learned enough about Helena's emotions over meeting this Bruce to understand her viewpoint. Does it hurt too much to see him?

And Karen?

There is some major character movement with her. She finally has regained all of StarrWare after the attempted takeover by Desaad.

But just as quickly as she regains control, she opts to sell it all. She needs money ... and fast. She is going to recreate that portal. And soon.

I like the fiery persona of Power Girl here. From the beginning, her one goal has been getting home.

And I think the end of this arc is going to be them getting there.

It turns out that Helena's investigation does turn up some proof that the other world was in fact their world.

She is on board to finally strive to get home. But ... I thought she was on board all along?

Could this be the big change I have been looking for? Will the book shift to Earth 2? Will I continue to read it if it does? Shouldn't I be happy??

The art on the end pages seems smoother making me think a different inker did these pages.

So, all in all, another okay issue of Worlds' Finest. We get a nice flashback sequence ... without a clear reason why. We get a move towards a big shift in the book. And maybe we'll get a new artist.

But I don't know ... it still feels like treading water until we get the potential change.

Overall grade: C+/B-