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4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
Never have I respected Superman as much as I did after reading this comic. Superman and I have a rocky relationship. I have never been a big fan of his because he’s just too perfect. And I have a hard time caring for perfect characters. I won’t go into that rant again. This isn’t about that.
This is set in an AU (alternate universe). Superman has retreated to solitude after a hero named Magog is acquitted of killing Joker—who went on a killing spree in Metropolis, a bender that resulted in Lois’ death. When humanity expresses that Magog is where superheroism should go, Superman leaves them to that, seeming to lose quite a bit of faith in people.
Shortly thereafter, humanity learns that heroes left unchecked terrorize the just and the unjust alike and aren’t too different from the “villains.” They only care about fighting and destroying what they personally perceive as threats to the people (such as one “hero” attacking immigrants), much of which is personal prejudices and biases.
Then, Wonder Woman appeals to Superman to come back after a devastating battle between the “good” guys and the “bad” guys leaves Kansas in ruins and millions dead. Reluctantly, Superman returns, but things don’t go as smoothly as hoped when he’s faced with opposition from this new school of heroes, enemies, and even old allies, namely Batman.
This seemed to be a commentary on old school superhero comics versus today’s ultra-violent, grim “heroes” who seem more intent on destroying half the city than saving human lives with Superman representing how heroes used to be and Magog representing these new “heroes.”
I thought it was interesting (and superb storytelling) that the story isn’t told from any of the heroes’ point of views. Instead, the story is told by Norman McCay, a minister and a friend of Sandman who has “inherited” Sandman’s powers after his death. McCay is struggling with his faith and, like Superman, has lost some faith in humanity. Before his death, Wesley Dodds (Sandman) had apocalyptic visions that most people thought were the result of senility. He passed these visions on to McCay.
A being known as Spectre uses McCay to bear witness to the madness unfolding between the heroes and tells him that he must ultimately pass judgment on them, to decide who is right and who is wrong, a decision that proves difficult because both sides start making rash decisions in this “war.”
And while logically, readers know that Magog is wrong (and even that plays interestingly into the story), you can’t say the old school heroes are completely “right” either. Some of them, such as Wonder Woman, have their own reasons behind that fight as well, causing them to be as brutal and decisive as the new heroes. And you can even somewhat see the new heroes reasoning for their actions.
Superman is presented very human here, making it hard for me to hold a grudge against him. He’s a man who has lost a lot, and even though he won’t admit it, he’s living in some kind of bubble that filters out the rest of the world. He reluctantly comes out of retirement and makes tough decisions, while questioning if this is really what it’s come to.
And the ending, wow. I actually got a little misty-eyed there, and I’m not even that familiar with Shazam or his exploits. And the art really was able to pull out a lot of emotion in this story. It was breathtaking, enhancing an already well-written tale. Overall, this was a great read. Definitely goes on my favorites list.
This is set in an AU (alternate universe). Superman has retreated to solitude after a hero named Magog is acquitted of killing Joker—who went on a killing spree in Metropolis, a bender that resulted in Lois’ death. When humanity expresses that Magog is where superheroism should go, Superman leaves them to that, seeming to lose quite a bit of faith in people.
Shortly thereafter, humanity learns that heroes left unchecked terrorize the just and the unjust alike and aren’t too different from the “villains.” They only care about fighting and destroying what they personally perceive as threats to the people (such as one “hero” attacking immigrants), much of which is personal prejudices and biases.
Then, Wonder Woman appeals to Superman to come back after a devastating battle between the “good” guys and the “bad” guys leaves Kansas in ruins and millions dead. Reluctantly, Superman returns, but things don’t go as smoothly as hoped when he’s faced with opposition from this new school of heroes, enemies, and even old allies, namely Batman.
This seemed to be a commentary on old school superhero comics versus today’s ultra-violent, grim “heroes” who seem more intent on destroying half the city than saving human lives with Superman representing how heroes used to be and Magog representing these new “heroes.”
I thought it was interesting (and superb storytelling) that the story isn’t told from any of the heroes’ point of views. Instead, the story is told by Norman McCay, a minister and a friend of Sandman who has “inherited” Sandman’s powers after his death. McCay is struggling with his faith and, like Superman, has lost some faith in humanity. Before his death, Wesley Dodds (Sandman) had apocalyptic visions that most people thought were the result of senility. He passed these visions on to McCay.
A being known as Spectre uses McCay to bear witness to the madness unfolding between the heroes and tells him that he must ultimately pass judgment on them, to decide who is right and who is wrong, a decision that proves difficult because both sides start making rash decisions in this “war.”
And while logically, readers know that Magog is wrong (and even that plays interestingly into the story), you can’t say the old school heroes are completely “right” either. Some of them, such as Wonder Woman, have their own reasons behind that fight as well, causing them to be as brutal and decisive as the new heroes. And you can even somewhat see the new heroes reasoning for their actions.
Superman is presented very human here, making it hard for me to hold a grudge against him. He’s a man who has lost a lot, and even though he won’t admit it, he’s living in some kind of bubble that filters out the rest of the world. He reluctantly comes out of retirement and makes tough decisions, while questioning if this is really what it’s come to.
And the ending, wow. I actually got a little misty-eyed there, and I’m not even that familiar with Shazam or his exploits. And the art really was able to pull out a lot of emotion in this story. It was breathtaking, enhancing an already well-written tale. Overall, this was a great read. Definitely goes on my favorites list.
Very intriguing look at what might be in the DC universe with a glance at an "elseworlds" future. The balance between humans and meta-humans is examined and we get a look at the inevitable outcome of a society which includes both. Waid and Ross explore the questions that many comic readers have asked over nearly a century of comics history, "What happens when it all comes to a head?" This book answers with one possibility and it's a stunning conclusion that you might not see coming. An excellent exhibition and some incredible artwork to help spin the tale. Well done, guys.
I really hated this book.
I'm in my early 20s and I tend to stick to genre fiction (Murder Mysteries, Fantasy, Superhero comics) and whilst the book handed to me was very nice and shiny I found absolutely nothing about it appealing.
The art in this *comic* looked more like a collection renaissance oil paintings than panels in a comic, which is all well and good if you want to look at pretty pictures but half the point of reading a comic is to see the lines of action and movement, this just felt static.
The plot is simple enough to grasp if you're familiar with DC's lore (which I wasn't on my first read through) but whilst parts of it are meant to feel bleak, awe inspiring, or invigorating, all of it felt rushed and giddy.
I did read the book twice, to see if maybe I'd read it when I was too young to comprehend what was going on but whilst I got a better understanding of the plot a second time around I enjoyed it just as much as the first time around.
I'm in my early 20s and I tend to stick to genre fiction (Murder Mysteries, Fantasy, Superhero comics) and whilst the book handed to me was very nice and shiny I found absolutely nothing about it appealing.
The art in this *comic* looked more like a collection renaissance oil paintings than panels in a comic, which is all well and good if you want to look at pretty pictures but half the point of reading a comic is to see the lines of action and movement, this just felt static.
The plot is simple enough to grasp if you're familiar with DC's lore (which I wasn't on my first read through) but whilst parts of it are meant to feel bleak, awe inspiring, or invigorating, all of it felt rushed and giddy.
I did read the book twice, to see if maybe I'd read it when I was too young to comprehend what was going on but whilst I got a better understanding of the plot a second time around I enjoyed it just as much as the first time around.
Působivý po výtvarný stránce. Ale jinak je to strašná sausage party, mudrování, podivný moralizování a celý to je soustředěný jen na Ameriku (nic z toho není překvapení).
fast-paced
Mark Waid's writing is phenomenal. His mix of Biblical prophecy with the story is brilliant and gives everything an ominous feel. I can appreciate how he's written characters despite my annoyance with them. But maybe being annoyed is part of the point? I don't like how Wonder Woman keeps going after Superman romantically, but I do admire the ruthlessness in this version of her. Superman's passivity is irritating but comforting at the same time. And Batman here is still a genius, but a scarier one.
The art style is certainly unlike any comic I've read before. While it's interesting and matches the mood of the writing, it can also be busy and even overwhelming. Wonder Woman's loincloth is distracting and unnecessary. The way the women and men are drawn sometimes makes it hard to distinguish sex (e.g. What I thought was a gay couple was revealed to be Dinah Lance and Oliver Queen).
Overall, this is an interesting concept and one that's presented well. I will say I liked it better in the beginning and less as it went on, but the ending is well done. The art is distinct but not really to my taste. Give it a read though. It's good and worth your while with the way it gets you to think about superheroes and the world.
The art style is certainly unlike any comic I've read before. While it's interesting and matches the mood of the writing, it can also be busy and even overwhelming. Wonder Woman's loincloth is distracting and unnecessary. The way the women and men are drawn sometimes makes it hard to distinguish sex (e.g. What I thought was a gay couple was revealed to be Dinah Lance and Oliver Queen).
Overall, this is an interesting concept and one that's presented well. I will say I liked it better in the beginning and less as it went on, but the ending is well done. The art is distinct but not really to my taste. Give it a read though. It's good and worth your while with the way it gets you to think about superheroes and the world.
adventurous
dark
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Very gorgeous
The story is really good but the art is a league of its own.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
fast-paced