Worlds Finest #2 Review

 

The dual narrative creates a divide in quality as Power Girl and Huntress continue their adventure.

Worlds Finest #2

From the outset it was an interesting idea to have the book divided artistically between George Pérez and Kevin Maguire. However it has highlighted a blatant problem with the title as the narrative divides its time between the past and the present.

It is in the quality of the actual plots involved. Not only are the flashbacks more interesting in a narrative sense, they also look better. The title is at its most interesting when it is fleshing out the trials and tribulations of Helena and Karen as they establish new lives in this new world. The characters themselves are engaging and hold a lot of interest and this allows the problems with the book to melt away. Paul Levitz has a great grasp on both characters and their chemistry just pops off the page. They are truly friends and it is nice to see this type of interaction within the comics medium done well. If nothing else their friendship sells this book as a great piece of character driven action adventure.

However it all goes wrong once we get to the action part of the book. The ladies fight a replica of Marvel’s Radioactive Man and although it isn’t the familiarity that kills this part of the narrative, it doesn’t help. Levitz attempts to throw in some mystery about the antagonist that intrigues, as he somehow has a connection to our heroines. But the lack of logic is something that really grates and makes the whole book seem laughable. Granted the radiation the villain throws out affects Power Girl and that is why he can stand up to someone who has the powers of Superman. But the fact she is overwhelmed so much, but Huntress can somehow do better against him is a little far fetched. How does putting your cape over his head and firing arrows in his ear slow him down when he seems to be able to take a pounding from Power Girl. In fact the mind boggles how the radiation he throws off doesn’t do anything to Huntress, as he clearly absorbs harmful radiation. But this maybe a recurring theme with the title as Levitz balances the action between the super powerful Power Girl and the street vigilante Huntress.

As for the art George Pérez delivers some standard work which almost makes his pencils seem drawn by another artist. There is none of his signature style and that whole aspect of the book looks like it is done by an artist wanting a pay-check. The action is uninspired and the antagonist is a nondescript visual entity. His character work is serviceable, but next to Kevin Maguire it is easily forgotten. Maguire’s style is more emotive and he quite frankly has the better material to work with. His pencils are vibrant and really help sell the friendship between our two leads. It is a shame that his work doesn’t fill out more of the book.

So, the book varies in quality depending on whether it focuses on the present action scene or the flashbacks. Everything set in the present is uninteresting and defies a certain amount of logic. Levitz still retains the characterization in those moments, but it is overshadowed by the infinitely more interesting flashbacks. Which have great art to accompany the depth of character work. The end result is a book that feels disjointed as the separate narratives don’t come together to make a cohesive whole. However don’t write the book off as it is entertaining as a character focused superhero title.

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Tags: DC Comics New 52 Reviews George Perez Huntress Paul Levitz Power Girl Worlds Finest