Hello, all. Well, it looks like I broke both promises I made in my first column. Not only is this definitely not the same Bat-time as last column, I even forgot to pick up an indy book for review. Oh well, I promise there will be one next month, most likely one of Dark Horse’s new titles rebooting two of the Valiant Comics characters.
As you may remember, I said that I had written an introduction for myself, but I lost it before I had to have last month’s column up. Here it is, in abbreviated form:
My name is Evan Henry and I’ve been reading comics since I was seven years old. Comics I read on a monthly basis include Green Lantern, Green Lantern Corps, Adventure Comics, Thor, The Flash, Legion of Superheroes, and anything Geoff Johns writes. I’m definitely liking DC books better than Marvel books right now, but I’m hoping this can change very soon.
Back issues I am fond of include Marvel’s oft-forgotten New Universe of the late 80s (particularly the title Star Brand), Turok: Dinosaur Hunter by Valiant Comics, Ed Brubaker’s run on Captain America, and Geoff Johns’ run on Teen Titans. I am a fan of science-fiction television shows and movies past and present, and enjoy the occasional sci-fi novel. I like Lovecraftian horror stories, and horror/sci-fi stories with twist endings a la The Twilight Zone.
I have been writing comic scripts for about three years now, and am currently working with a creative team to bring a six-issue miniseries to life.
I digress–now on to what you clicked onto this page for [SPOILERS AWAIT YE!]:
SUPERMAN #700 (DC Comics)
Scripts by James Robinson, Dan Jurgens, and J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Bernard Chang, Norm Rapmund, and Eddy Barrows
There are three stories in this anniversary issue, so this will be something of a three-part review.
The first story, an epilogue to the War of the Supermen storyline (which, you should be advised, I did not read), is written by James Robinson and penciled by Bernard Chang. It’s a nice sixteen-pager that deals with Lois getting herself into some trouble with the Parasite while tracking down a lead for a story (If I had a nickel!) and Superman arriving in the nick of time to save her (If I had a– oh, never mind!). Afterwards, the two indulge in some romantic moments recovering from the events that left them separated. It’s an alright story, with the art being the highlight for me; I probably won’t remember this story in a year’s time.
The second story is a World’s Finest tale of sorts by Dan Jurgens and Norm Rapmund, apparently taking place not long after Batman and Superman revealed their identities to each other. While Robin (in this case the original, Dick Grayson) indulges in a little extra-curricular crime-fighting at the expense of his Geometry homework, he finds himself in some hot water. Superman arrives to save the young hero and completes his homework at super-speed. The ending is a little amusing, and sheds an interesting light on the Batman/Robin/Superman relationship. The second is a good story, certainly more memorable than the first and featuring, in my opinion, better artwork.
The final story serves as a prologue to the J. Michael Straczynski(Babylon 5, Supreme Power, Thor)’s upcoming year-long storyline entitled “Grounded”, wherein Superman makes an attempt to go back to his roots in human life, setting out on a journey across the United States, and hopefully rediscovering what it really means to fight for “truth, justice, and the American way”. In this prologue to that storyline, Straczynski, along with penciler Eddy Barrows, sets out to detail the events that led Superman to embark on the roadtrip to get back to where he once belonged.
In Washington, after leaving a Congressional hearing on the subject of the hundred-minute war, Superman is confronted (and ineffectually slapped) by a woman whose husband died of a brain tumor. If Superman wasn’t running around throughout the solar system confronting intergalactic villains and catastrophes, she says, he could have helped doctors saveher husband. Following the conclusion of the woman’s speech, Superman promptly flies off, taking a photograph of the woman and her husband that she gave him. He visits a few of his Justice League cohorts, obviously thinking about his place in human society. Later, in space, looking out above the earth, Superman looks at the photograph and recalls a speech by Pa Kent on the hollowness of a repetitive, impersonal relationship with the world around you. He returns to earth, near a children’s baseball field, and begins walking. The children wonder why he the Man of Steel is walking instead of flying.
“It must be important…”
A few things in this issue left me feeling a bit confused. For instance, the widow’s claims that Superman’s powers could have saved her husband. I just don’t see that working, scientifically speaking. I’m not entirely sold on Straczynski’s new story yet. I will pick up #701 later this month, though, and offer my opinion on it in brief next column.
In the end, while this isn’t the greatest anniversary issue I’ve ever read, and even if JMS’s upcoming arc doesn’t equal his past work, this is the kind of comic I feel like I’ll be glad I own in twenty years.
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #2 (DC Comics)
Script by Paul Levitz
Art by Yildiray Cinar and Francis Portela
Issue two of the oldie-but-goldie Paul Levitz’s new run on Legion lives up to the promise of the first issue, and things appear to be sailing smooth as Levitz returns to his old friends in the 31st Century.
Following, the catastrophic destruction of Titan last issue, Brainiac 5 oversees the Legionnaires working damage control to keep debris from crossing the path of starships in Saturn’s orbit; Cosmic Boy deals with the ramifications of xenophobe and former terrorist/supervillain Earth-Man joining the team’s roster, if in a slightly neutered fashion (his flight ring keeps him from using his powers without the permission of the Legion’s leadership. Unbeknownst to the Legion, Earth-Man has been recruited by the mysterious alien Dyogene for reasons as yet unrevealed.
Meanwhile, Saturn Queen strikes the Legion at Where Titan Used To Be, hijacking Ultra-Boy’s mind and turning him against his comrades. General chaos ensues from there, with Saturn Girl continues the search for her children, snatched from Titan shortly before its destruction by a teleportation beam.
Later, when a group of Titanian refugees arrive on Earth seeking temporary asylum, xenophobic riots break out, with Earth Man dispatched to control them, along with Colossal Boy and Phantom Girl. When things get nasty, he uses his concealed GL ring to override the constraints on his powers, borrowing Colossal Boy’s growing abilities and proving his loyalty to the Legion by keeping the situation under control. Behind the scenes, though, he plots the downfall of the Legion as he begins to uncover the true power of the ring.
I’m really digging the latest Legion series, including this issue, and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds should be read before this, though, just so you have an idea of who’s who and what’s going on.
THOR #611 (Marvel Comics)
Script by Kieron Gillen
Art by Rich Elson
Is it just me or has this title been totally boring since, oh, January 2010, when Brian Michael Bendis chose to “shake things up” in yet another once-good title?
Well, this issue is surprisingly good — better than the “Siege” stuff, at any rate, and it looks like Kieron Gillen may prove to be not as terrible a successor to J. Michael Straczynski as I thought at first.
In the aftermath of the siege of Asgard, the Aesir have gathered to honor their dead, and it is at this occasion when the apparently living dead girls known as the Disir (who feast on the souls of dead Asgardians) make their move. Charging into Hel’s Valhalla, they consume the souls of those who fell in battle in the Siege. Meanwhile in Asgard, the goddess Hela appears to warn the Aesir that the Handmaidens of Bor (another name by which the Disir are known) mean to come for them next. After some initial hesitation (what with Hela being the daughter of trickster god Loki and all) the Asgardians are greeted by Brun, leader of the Disir, telling them that their dead are imprisoned, and warning them away from trying to free them.
Thor steps up, not wanting to bow to Brun’s intimidation.
“To hell!”
And with that, Thor sets out to free the noble dead of Asgard and rid Valhalla of the Disir permanently.
I’m going to stick with this title, at least to the end of this storyline. I don’t know if I’ll be reading afterwards, though. It depends on how much Gillen can prove himself to me.
That’s all for this month, folks. Be back here next month for some more stuff.
Evan Henry is an aspiring comic book writer with several forthcoming projects. He has dabbled in various other forms of writing, including prose and amateur journalism.
Evan has been writing comic scripts since 2007 and poetry since 2008. In his free time, he enjoys reading on the subjects of philosophy, history, and political science, reading comic books and science fiction, and watching television programs about monkeys.
For information on sending review copies, Evan can be reached via e-mail at evanh2008@yahoo.com 
Merin on 
I dropped Thor shortly after JMS left the book.
Legion is shaping up ok so far – I’m hoping to get more into it as the story evolves.