THIS WEEK: The Dark Knight and the Man of Steel’s Earth-3 counterparts take center stage in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #48! Plus, the Vertigo revival continues with End of Life #1!
Note: the review below may contain spoilers. If you want a quick, spoiler-free buy/pass recommendation on the comics in question, check out the bottom of the article for our final verdict.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #48
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Marcus To
Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Steve Wands
Cover Artist: Dan Mora
Of all the worlds in DC’s infinite multiverse, Earth-3 has always interested me the most. As a kid, a world where evil always wins and good can never triumph sounded like an absolute nightmare for our heroes. As an adult, the idea of different writers more closely examining and applying the twisted morality of that world is fascinating to me. This week’s Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #48 takes readers to Earth-3 for the start of a story focused on that world’s Ultraman and Owlman, and it offers another unique look at this darker parallel world.
Rather than delve too far into the morality of Earth-3, writer Mark Waid instead focuses on the politics of the planet’s underworld with a story set before the formation of the Crime Syndicate. Waid and guest artist Marcus To provide glimpses of the world’s various criminal gangs, made up naturally of alternate versions of heroic characters from the primary Earth. The differences in the relationships between these characters is an entertaining contrast to the typical alliances readers are used to seeing in this series, and Waid gets to put his own stamp on the world by offering up evil interpretations of offbeat teams like the Doom Patrol and Metal Men. The structure of the plot – Ultraman and Owlman trying to track down an unknown object of world-changing power before anyone else – isn’t necessarily groundbreaking, but it’s nonetheless very entertaining, providing a solid vehicle for the tour of Earth-3’s underworld. The reveal of what the mysterious object is is a legitimate surprise.
To and regular series colorist Tamra Bonvillain nicely complement each others’ work. To’s linework fits the tone of this series perfectly, classic but with a very modern sensibility. His characters are expressive and fluid, and the action sequences are well-choreographed and exciting. His renderings of the twisted versions of the Doom Patrol and the Metal Men add a nice element of horror to the story. Bonvillain’s colors add depth to the linework, giving the visuals weight without weighing them down. The art is light and fun, even when what’s being depicted is horrific. They strike a perfect balance, and here’s hoping we see more of To’s artwork on this book beyond this fill-in arc.
Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #48 is another excellent issue of the series, an entertaining intro to Earth-3 with a despicable duo of leads and a mystery with a compelling hook for the rest of the storyline. Waid shows no signs of slowing down on this series and it’s a beautiful thing, and as long as he’s joined by artists like To and Bonvillain this book will continue to be a must-read.
Final Verdict: BUY.
Vertigo Roundup
End of Life #1
Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Steve Pugh
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer/Additional Design: Becca Carey
Cover Artist: Gerald Parel
The return of DC’s legendary Vertigo imprint is officially in full swing, and this week sees the debut of the line’s second new series, Kyle Starks and Steve Pugh’s End of Life. The series follows Eddie Stallion, a hitman on the run after he accidentally takes the wrong job. It’s a rip-roaring debut that takes off immediately and doesn’t look back.
A well-executed first issue is a wonderful thing to see, and Starks and Pugh hit this one out of the park. The issue grabs the reader from the first page, dropping you into the middle of Eddie’s situation before backing up to show how he got there. It’s an effective strategy that gives the issue immediate momentum. There’s a lot of information to impart over the thirty pages of this issue, in terms of plot, story, and characterization. For as much as is going on, though, this issue never gets bogged down. Starks’s expositional dialogue is natural and breezy, delivering vital information and solid jokes in equal measure.
Steve Pugh and colorist Chris O’Halloran’s artwork sets the perfect tone for this story. The visuals are the perfect mix of realistic and heightened cartoonishness, particularly when it comes to Eddie himself, whose facial expressions and body language are enough to tell the reader everything they need to know about him. His outfit, his neck tattoo, his smug-yet-doofus-y face – it’s a perfect, highly punchable package.
And that’s a potential barrier that Starks, Pugh, and co. manage to overcome. Eddie Stallion is an asshole, evident from the way others talk about him and from the way he acts throughout the issue. It would be easy to simply not care what happens to him. And yet, despite his lack of apparent redeeming qualities, you can’t help but root for him. Maybe it’s the strength of the visual design that makes him so engaging. Or maybe it’s just that the people he’s dealing with are all worse than he is. At least Eddie has some self-awareness, as evidenced in his interaction with the convenience store clerk and her son. There might be hope for him yet.
End of Life #1 is a clever, action-packed launch for the latest Vertigo series. Starks, Pugh, and team have delivered a nigh-perfect first issue with a compelling lead, entertaining supporting characters, and a solid hook for future issues. If you’re a fan of barely repentant dirtbags and over-the-top violence, this book’s for you.
Final Verdict: BUY.
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