Hope is a dangerous thing. So are expectations, and last week’s Earth 2/World’s End combo gave me the slightest amount of hope that the conclusion to these series would be a worthwhile venture. In the “too long; didn’t read” version of this review: Nothing Happens. Oh sure, pieces move around the board and events take place, but nothing that the reader hasn’t seen coming from light-years away happens. Deathspawn is doing what we were promised he’d do when the Furies were introduced, Apokolips is terraforming the Earth like we were told it would months ago, and the rest of the Wonders are seemingly flailing at nothing as they try and come up with more and more random and half-thought-out plans for saving what few survivors remain. There was also a really weird quote from Kara – “Lucky for us – have superbody, will travel.” Just more weird dialogue from a series that’s been full of it.
While the story suffers, I actually enjoyed most of the artwork this week from Kirkham et al. It was largely uniform throughout, and supplied most of the pop that this issue lacked overall. Batman looks very Dark Knight Returns, and the rest of the Wonders are drawn in a stylish manner that compliments the fast pace of the scenes.
Parliament of Elements: Green Lantern has arrived in the Parliament of Elements to find that Deathspawn has broken into the extradimensional sanctum that the Elements call home. The monster has taken out four of the elements and has his sights set on the Green by the time Alan arrives. The Deathspawn seems unfazed by Alan’s attack and breaks through the Parliament to enter the Earth’s core. Alan gives pursuit, but the Green says he cannot survive down there and should focus on reviving the other Elements first.
Amazonia: Jimmy Olsen and Dr. Crane are finishing their work on some kind of rocket or something that is supposed to transport Mr. Miracle, Mr. Terrific, Fury, and Sandman to the other trans-dimensional spaceship or something and OH GOD THIS IS SO STUPID. This is by far the most insane and nonsensical section of World’s End. So this makeshift rocket makes it to a certain point in space? Or somewhere? I don’t know, but it gets blown up and then Mr. Miracle and Fury have to carry Mr. Terrific and Sandman through space for an indeterminate amount of time? It’s all an excuse for Fury to mutter out some line about humans being tougher than they look.
Inside Atom’s Haven: Major Sato and Steel are in Atom’s Haven when the terraformers that Apokolips sent to Earth 2 start breaking down the planet. We get a Grayson sighting with Ted Grant, who have made it to the refuge and are looking for Dick’s son. Those shifty-looking guys who were with Constantine appear for a second and talk about having some kind of plan. There’s no mention of Constantine himself, so I might have to go back and read the latest issue of his title.
Above Atom’s Haven: Val, Kara, and Lois are used as devices for explaining what’s going on with the terraformers. We as the reader know what Apokolips’ plan has been for a few months now; Darkseid’s forces intend to devour Earth 2. Only now do the Wonders also learn the extent of Apokolips’ scheme. It’s really an unnecessary sequence, with little being done but reveal a plot detail that we’ve long known about to a bunch of characters.
New York City: Thomas and Helena have been airlifted into the ruins of New York and have decided to break into Terry Sloan’s offices to find out information on the secret that Bruce left behind regarding Oliver Queen. It’s some good Batman-style breaking and entering, with the younger Wayne taking the lead on the infiltration. They don’t get anywhere, and it serves as little more than a means to introduce the terraformers again.
Again: Nothing Happens. And that’s the worst thing I can say about a comic.
- I’ve got nothing here. There’s nothing to spoil
Favorite Quote: “Lucky for us – have superbody, will travel.” – Kara (it’s the only quote that’s memorable)
Recommended If…
- You wanna buy ‘em all.
- You don’t mind it when nothing happens.
Overall: When there’s nothing to spoil, that’s bad. This was an empty book, an entire book that could have been covered in a few panels. After months of rapid pace and scatter-brained action, we get an issue where there’s lots of noise and explosions, but no substance. It’s a Michael Bay film with less significant plot.
SCORE: 3/10
