FINAL CRISIS #2 REVIEW

[Blake Petit]

Review by: Blake M. Petit Blake@comixtreme.com
Quick Rating: Very Good
Title: Ticket to Bludhaven

As the murder investigation continues, Mr. Miracle looks for help.

Writer: Grant Morrison
Art: J.G. Jones
Colors: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Rob Leigh
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover Art: J.G. Jones & Alex Sinclair
Publisher: DC Comics

Those who were concerned that the first issue of this series moved too slowly… well… this issue begins the same way. But in the second half, things kick into high gear, and some of the lunatic genius that makes Grant Morrison the writer that he is really begins to shine through.

As a group of Japanese heroes lounge about, rejecting an older generation that seems to be dissatisfied with their successors (in a very Kingdom Come-esque scene), Mr. Miracle arrives to talk to Sonny Sumo. Apparently, he says, there has been a war, and the wrong side won – so he’s putting together a team. Why? Who else is he seeking? Both good questions that we can only speculate about.

As the funeral service for the Martian Manhunter is held on Mars (with a nice hint from Superman that J’onn’s story isn’t over yet), on Earth the Justice League and the Alpha Lanterns continue the autopsy on Orion’s body. Batman thinks he’s found the weapon that could kill a god, but that knowledge may prove his downfall. And when Wally West and Jay Garrick seek out that weapon, they find the last person they ever expected.

Morrison throws a lot of new characters and new concepts at us this issue, but he gives each of them all the explanation that’s really needed – just from the one scene it’s clear that the “new wave” of Japanese super-heroes is hoping to make its mark by capitalizing on the popularity of their American counterparts, something the only heroes find disgusting. The concept behind the murder weapon is the sort of crazy thing only Morrison could have conjured up.

The villains probably get the best scenes here, though. Lex Luthor isn’t impressed that Libra was able to dispatch the Martian Manhunter, and he tries to forge an alliance with Vandal Savage – an excellent little bit of characterization. Libra, meanwhile, makes it clear that he’s not really the Big Bad on this storyline (which should be no surprise), but takes drastic measures to show Luthor just how effective he can be.

J.G. Jones and Alex Sinclair, again, do a really good job on the artwork. I love the “Rising Sun” layout for the page two/three double spread, and his handling of Alpha Lantern Kraken is just downright creepy. Turpin’s throwdown with the Mad Hatter is as dirty and violent as anything else you’ve seen in this series, but considering how down-to-Earth it is, it has even more of an impact. The artwork works really well to help convey the sense that the heroes have already lost a war they didn’t even know was being fought.

I liked the first issue, but I think anyone would agree that issue two is a definite improvement – more exciting, more cohesive, and a greater promise of something enormous on the horizon.

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[Jason Kanno]

I swear, there's a formula to all these big events. Someone is always putting together a team behind the scenes to take on some ominous threat of which only a few people are aware. Still, this was pretty decent. It suffered a bit from the typical second-issue-slump that most events have, but overall, the plot was well developed. Morrison was almost completely spot on with the characterizations, though there were lines here and there that just seemed off. I loved the Alpha Lantern scenes though, and I wonder how Luthor is going to factor into this whole thing.

[Mark Blicharz]

This was a huge improvement over the first issue which I liked but felt was a bit slow. The ending has me interested in where it will be going.

[gregorv]

Originally Posted by Blake Petit

I liked the first issue, but I think anyone would agree that issue two is a definite improvement – more exciting, more cohesive, and a greater promise of something enormous on the horizon.

Not me...I thought this was crap all around...bizarre story, which is not accessible like DC promised, with ridiculously sub-par art...honestly I feel like this is throwing money at the bin...

[Ammar Al Subahi]

This was horrible. "We hope for a ressurection" ? That's easily the creepiest thing EVER said in a comic.

[Adam Chapman]

This mini-series really feels like its underperforming. Two issues in... and I can't say I'm really into it at all. It doesn't feel all that accessible.

Infinite Crisis, on the other hand, had an amazing first two issues, which really started things off right, and made you excited. I haven't had nearly that level of excitement here, just disinterest and indifference.

And the whole editorial snafu which resulted in Countdown to Final Crisis and Final Crisis not being a clear concise continuation is another bad taste in my mouth.

[chrismozer]

Dull and as confusing as the first. Nuff said.

[Terry Verticchio]

Typical Morrison metaphysical story telling.

Kinda like it so far.

[bluemonkey]

Entertaining read but, to me, it doesn't feel like an event or that anything important is happening. Not sure if that is good or not.

[Hands]

The issues haven't been horrible, but nothing I've felt overly enthused about. Just doesn't feel like a significant, world-changing event. For a contrast, Secret Invasion just captures the feel of urgency and drastic changes in a way that is much more appealing to me.

I kept telling myself I'd buy just to have for the collection, but they're worth a read through in the store now, not worth buying to me.

[Jiggaman Tiga]

It's been good....but I was more into Infinite than Final 2 issues in.

Sorry to beat the same drum here, but putting J'onn down like really soured me. The art is also...weird...in FC 2. Not bad...not good....just weird.

[Infinitor]

Simply amazing.

Just 2 issues on and four of the big guns are incapacitaded (Batman, John Stewart) or distracted (Hal, Superman) and nobody really realises whats going on.

I don´t want to make any digs at Marvel but this feel to me more of a "secret invasion" that the "by-the-numbers" one portrayed in SI. No only Darkseid is winning, he has already won YEARS ago.

The best mini in years.

[WhereIsTony]

I will give this another issue...but its very underwelming

[Mini]

I've seen "not very accesible" come up a couple of times and must say I agree, I do read a few DC titles (GL Corps, GL and JLA), and I know the majority of the DC characters but I'm clueless as to what is going on, I do feel that I've missed out on something somewhere previous to the start of Final Crisis.

[JX141]

Originally Posted by Mathew Smith

I've seen "not very accesible" come up a couple of times and must say I agree, I do read a few DC titles (GL Corps, GL and JLA), and I know the majority of the DC characters but I'm clueless as to what is going on, I do feel that I've missed out on something somewhere previous to the start of Final Crisis.

I'm there with you and until the final page this has been pretty ho hum for me. I hope there building up to something good.

I am in doubts as to it being great though. I am sorry DS as the villian acting on the level portrayed so far seems far less critical than Alex as the villian of IC.

[PinchyWearO]

Originally Posted by JX141

I'm there with you and until the final page this has been pretty ho hum for me. I hope there building up to something good.

I am in doubts as to it being great though. I am sorry DS as the villian acting on the level portrayed so far seems far less critical than Alex as the villian of IC.

I didn't even find the final page engaging. Part of the reason is it seemed so expected and the character has shown up this way before. I understand that now it's permanent which I think is a huge mistake.

[Mark Blicharz]

Originally Posted by PinchyWearO

I didn't even find the final page engaging. Part of the reason is it seemed so expected and the character has shown up this way before. I understand that now it's permanent which I think is a huge mistake.

Where did you hear that? You can PM me if you don't want to post it.

[JX141]

Originally Posted by PinchyWearO

I didn't even find the final page engaging. Part of the reason is it seemed so expected and the character has shown up this way before. I understand that now it's permanent which I think is a huge mistake.

Originally Posted by Mark Blicharz

Where did you hear that? You can PM me if you don't want to post it.

Umm yeah pm me too

[E Brock 27]

Maybe it will get better I want to keep giving FC a chancee but now its pretty slow. I can't wait to see when Darkseid will get really involved though so I have no choice but to keep reading.

[chrismozer]

Originally Posted by Mathew Smith

I've seen "not very accesible" come up a couple of times and must say I agree, I do read a few DC titles (GL Corps, GL and JLA), and I know the majority of the DC characters but I'm clueless as to what is going on, I do feel that I've missed out on something somewhere previous to the start of Final Crisis.

You hit the nail on the head. I'm beginning to wish i'd pick up "Death Of The New Gods" mini-series as that seems to be some sort of linch pin to this whole mess.