Earth 2 #4 Review
Green Lantern, The Flash and Hawkgirl team up to battle Solomon Grundy, in hopes of preventing the death of every living thing on Earth, in Earth Two #4.
Earth 2 #4
As Grundy’s powers of decay kill all plant life in Washington DC, Flash, Hawkgirl and Green Lantern gather to stop him. While trained warrior Hawkgirl and super-powerful GL take point on the fight, Flash focuses on saving the lives of innocent citizens. Just when the unkillable Grundy seems to gain the upper hand, The Atom falls from the sky, a giant that crushes the monster with one blow. The fight seemingly finished, The Atom instantly turns on the other heroes and arrests them in the name of the World Army.
I have to say, this is my favorite title DC currently publishes. The story, art, world, characters are just so damn enjoyable.
The three principle characters finally meet this issue. Alan Scott, Jay Garrick and Al Pratt were all introduced in the first issue, the real main characters after the death of DC’s regular trinity. Even though it’s only for an instant, they are finally together and suited up. Toss Hawkgirl in the mix and you’ve got the foundations of the JSA.
The Atom makes his first appearance this issue, and thankfully his origin is different than Jay or Alan’s. Both heroes are newbies who’ve just stumbled bass-ackwards into being superheroes. But The Atom is a career soldier, who it seems gained his powers years ago, and is now using them as an official government agent. Plus, I love the Atom being a true powerhouse and bad ass, as opposed to merely being a short guy who works out.
The opening scene from issue two now has a bit more context, with Golden Age Mr. Terrific abducting the New Earth version. It seems the World Army is stockpiling heroes and pressing them into service, as we learn they’ve done to Hawkgirl. The real question is, just how far are these heroes pushed? Is this group more “Ultimates” or “Suicide Squad?” The very fact that Hawkgirl has fled these people seems to point to the answer.
The fight scene in itself was cool. Although I really, REALLY hope that Grundy isn’t finished yet. Since GL and Hawkgirl couldn’t put him down together, I have a hard time believing he’s dead just from the Atom stepping on him.
The pacing of this series has been very enjoyable. Not too fast, but not too slow. We’re averaging a new hero every issue, and yet everybody gets a chance to shine each issue.
My only real concern at this point is this: Green Lantern needs a cape. His costume design is begging for one. Robinson has said that Alan Scott will rise to be Earth’s greatest hero in time. Here’s hoping he’ll “earn” the cape before too long.
Top shelf! I wish the mainstream JL book was this coherent, dynamic and character focused.
A COMIC BOOK BLOG RATING
Pros
Cons
Everything
Grundy had better survive
Rating
