Art: Nicola Scott, Trevor Scott
Publisher: DC Comics
With the New 52, DC Comics promised that all of the alternate realities and different universes of the DCU were all going to get condensed down into one, easy to understand continuity. At least, that’s what I remember being part of the reason for the shift to the New 52; maybe I’m wrong. In any event, comic book promises come and go about as often as the heroes themselves through their revolving door of death and resurrection. With the “Second Wave” for the New 52 hitting stands, the new DCU now has a new alternate universe in not just one, but two titles. World’s Finest bridges the gaps between the two realities, while Earth 2 gives a full introduction to this alternate universe. You know what the crazy thing is? This first issue of Earth 2 may just be more exciting and emotional than the entire first run of the New 52’s Justice League title.
What’s really crazy is Earth 2 seems to do away with some of the “rebootedness” of the New 52. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are all friends and know each other’s identities. The dynamics between them feels very much like the classic version of these characters. Of course, this being an “alternate” universe, there are a few things that are different. Batman’s kid is actually a daughter (and it’s kind of strange but touching to hear Batman be called “daddy”). Wonder Woman is actually the last of her kind, after invaders from Apokolips wiped out Themyscira. And in Superman’s world (who seems much more himself than he does in the regular New 52 DCU), Lois is dead and Metropolis lies in ruin. So it’s a little of the old and a little of the different; shake it all together and you get one exciting yarn.
I’m trying not to say too much about it because I don’t really want to spoil anything. I have to admit, the nice thing about “alternate realities” is there’s a freedom there to do the unexpected; and there’s quite a bit of that in Earth 2. There’s also some of the same old, same old New 52 “contemporary, modern, relevancy” happening here (break-up sex, really? That’s what happens in relationships. I think the proper concept of sex is mutually exclusive to that of breaking up). However, it all ends on a high note with the possibility of some exciting things to come. So despite my confusion over thinking the New 52 was doing away with ideas such as alternate Earths, I have to admit I was pretty impressed by this first issue of Earth 2. It’s fresh, exciting, fun, and has some heartfelt moments. Not a bad way for DC to kick-off the “second wave”.
Score: 6 of 7
A BIG thanks to Astro-Zombies for providing the material for this review. Learn more about them at astrozombies.com.
