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Mild Mannered Reviews - Earth 2: Society Comic Books

Earth 2: Society #5

Earth 2: Society #5

Scheduled to arrive in stores: October 14, 2015

Cover date: December 2015

"Fame"

Writer: Daniel H. Wilson
Penciller: Jorge Jimenez
Inker: Jorge Jimenez
Cover: Jorge Jimenez and John Rouch

Reviewed by: James Lantz

Click to enlarge



As the Flash, Batman and Superman attempt to come up with a plan to stop Overwatch-One's collision with Neotropolis, readers are given a flashback to Jay Garrick's lifestyle as the fame of being the one who helped build New Earth 2's settlements goes to his head a bit. Hard drinking is among the nineteen year-old's vices as he is approached by Jimmy Olsen, who has become a god. Olsen is unsuccessful at making the Flash his ally as the Fastest Man Alive realizes that he has to change. Returning to the present on Overwatch-One, the Flash needs Superman to remove Batman's exoskeleton as he runs to help stop Neotropolis' destruction. Though the vessel's trajectory has changed, there is no time to celebrate. Batman understands who is behind this insidious attack. The same energy signature that was on Terry Sloan's corpse is in Overwatch-One. However, we never get to know who the Dark Knight thinks is the culprit. The last page shows Jimmy Olsen, who intends to have others in New Gotham activate the Source Vault. We'll see next month if Superman and the other heroes will get out of this situation alive.

3Story - 3: Insert David Bowie music here. Sorry, but that's what came to mind as I saw this issue's title

As a character piece, this issue deserves a four, but the story itself is going at a snail's pace in spite of having so much potential. It feels like Daniel H. Wilson is dragging a two issue plot out into twice as many comics. Last month saw a slight improvement in storytelling, but one chapter is not enough to save an entire arc. I really had low expectations in general for this series, but even those are being dashed as the months progress and Earth 2: Society's opening serial continues.

I said before, this issue works better as a character piece. This is true for the entire series as Daniel H. Wilson's strength as a writer seems to be more focused on characters than the actual story. I feel like he's trying to do a poor imitation of Brian Michael Bendis, or some other writer who can pull off both elements much better. Still, there are a lot worse titles out there featuring Superman, and at least this one hasn't outed Clark Kent as the Man of Steel.

5Art - 5: The art has saved this entire series. Jorge Jimenez is by far one of the best artists in superhero comics. DC better keep a hold of him before the competition grabs him.

5Cover Art - 5: While it seems a bit clichéd compared to previous covers, this is a beautiful image that complements the interior art.


Mild Mannered Reviews

2015

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

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