Biff Bam Pow Comics

I bought this issue to give DC’s new weekly series a chance to ‘wow’ me, and give Dan DiDio (even though he has yet to respond) another chance with my cash. In case you’re as skeptical as I was about picking this issue up - let me cut to the chase right now.

It didn’t wow me in the slightest - in fact it just disappointed me in ways that I truly wasn’t prepared for.

***SPOILER ALERT***

The biggest disappointment - and this is a doozy - was that the main story (featuring Bats, Supes and WW - from this point forward called ’story one’) was only half the issue. That’s right - midway through a short issue, enter cliffhanger moment, exit our heroes.

Which I’d now expect to be a mainstay throughout the rest of the series. Some may say I’m being harsh - but let’s face it - first impressions count.

Story number one revolved around a shared dream between Bruce, Diana and Clark, and - despite a little input from Wally West - was something of a let down, with some situations and dialogue feeling poorly ‘engineered’.

(for an example, see page 6 - Bruce to Clark “Ahh, Clark! Glad you could make it buddy!” - which should not be a line from the modern Batman to Superman, alter ego or no alter ego)

All that aside - what was story number two? Well, it turns out that to offer balance in the universe, a trinity of villains is coming together, consisting of Morgaine Le Fey, Enigma (who looks suspiciously like the Riddler to me), and soon - Despero.

It really comes to something when the second story in a Superman / Batman / Wonder Woman comic, containing nothing but bad guys / gals, is more interesting than the first. Yes, I know it’s a setup which will probably meld into the main book in later issues, or lead up to a climactic ending 51 issues from now - but come on DC - these are your heavy hitters.

Use them.

The truly saddening thing through all of this however, is just how good Mark Bagley’s artwork is. His style is, of course, very much associated to Marvel, and in particular Ultimate Spider-Man, but it’s good to confirm that his talents do fit within the DCU.

It’s saddening because he’s been given a complete turkey as his first project. Especially saddening when you realise that his artwork, and the pencils of Fabian Nicieza are the only good aspects of the book. Kurt Busiek’s script is most certainly not up to scratch.

Pete’s Score: 2 out of 5
(one point for the art by Mark Bagley in the main story, and one for the art from Fabian Nicieza in the second - avoid unless a die hard Superman / Wonder Woman / Batman fan)