Comic Book Review: Brightest Day #5

Book Information
Written by Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi
Penciled by Ivan Reis, Ardian Syaf, Joe Prado
Colored by Peter Steigerwald
Inked by Vicente Cifuentes
Lettered by Rob Clark Jr
Cover by David Finch

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion
I was wondering when Geoff Johns and Peter Tomasi were going to catapult this series into the more interesting aspects of Brightest Day. While the majority of the series has been, for the most part, fun to read, it has been carrying around a weight that makes the story drag, never really giving us that literary boost needed to stay interested. Nothing incredibly earth shattering is revealed in issue #5, but the underlying potential in each storyline should not be discarded.

The revelation of Hawkworld was a strange yet interesting addition to the story. Having never truly followed Hawkman or Hawkgirl in my more youthful days, I haven’t a clue as to whether or not this was a consistent aspect in their storylines. But from the shock and awe that come from the two Birds of Prey, (Sorry Gail Simone, I couldn’t resist) I can only assume that this is a brand new idea created by Mr. Johns and/or Mr. Tomasi. I’m still trying to decide if I like it, and if this will be a good or bad thing for the overall story. And I highly doubt that Hawkgirl is dead.

I was confused to discover that Mera’s purpose is to kill Aquaman. “I was sent here to kill you,” as she states so dramatically. When was she sent “here” and by whom? I can presume that the “sending” was done or has something to do with the band of aquatic desperadoes, but how long has this task of Mera’s been in place? Did something happen during Blackest Night or has this been Mera’s task since before I even discovered comics? The fight scenes are quite epic and well done, Thanks to the artistic talents of Ivan Reis, but I’m not sure I fully understand where the writing duo is going with this last minute twist. But I guess that will be explained in two weeks huh? (C’mon Jimmy, don’t get ahead of yourself.)

I’m beginning to wonder if this series’ is going to have an ending just like that of the hit show, “Lost.” It’s becoming so complicated and compact with plot and storyline that the potential of a bad ending is ENORMOUS! Each character’s part in this story is so separated from everyone else that the connection is almost nonexistent within the context of Brightest Day. Each hero has their own objective that somehow is connected to Blackest Night, but each seems to be straying so far off that any ending Johns is looking for will need to start making sense REAL soon.

Ivan Reis can do no wrong. I love his close up scenes so much, but he is equally talented in bringing out the distance shots just as much. I couldn’t be happier with Mr. Finch’s cover art; if only it could be in 3D right? But the versatility Reis and company display in this issue is top notch. We are given dark scenes, bright scenes, fiery scenes, and watery scenes, all of which display a wide range of color and definition that keep the emotional impact strong and appropriate for the mood.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion
The art is amazing, the story is fun but leaves you wondering about the future of the DC Universe.

Ratings
Writing: 8
Themes: 6
Art: 10
Overall: 8 out of 10

Comic Book Review: Brightest Day #2

Book Information

Written by Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi

Penciled by Scott Clark, Joe Prado

Colored by Aspen MLT

Inked by David Beaty

Lettered by Rob Clark Jr.

Cover by David Finch, Scott Williams

My Awe-Inspiring Opinion

Thank you Geoff Johns, Peter Tomasi, David Finch and Scott Clark for letting me know exactly who the focal point of this issue is.  I can only imagine what new realizations Aquaman will have about his unexplained connection with dead sea creatures.  Just look at that cover, it screams a mighty echo to its readers; it calls out to their notion of intrigue and excitement with the mystery revolving around Aquaman!  Oh what a joyful time, to know that DC has thought ahead so well that they know exactly how to make their loyal fans want more!  DC is a master at making covers that truly define the essence of a story and how it relates to the coming events. Let’s turn to the first page and find out what our King of the sea has to discover.

Let’s see, oh hears the first page…

Oh well, it’s just the start. Let’s see, hhmmm, oh yes here we go…

No, that wasn’t what I was looking for, hold on let’s keep looking, maybe here?

Damn, maybe if I continue on…

Ok, what the hell?  Where is the story involving Aquaman as the cover suggests?  Oh, here we go.

Wait…that’s it?

Yes indeed.  DC Comics brings us one of the best forms of false advertising.  All you have to do is stick a popular hero on the front cover of a highly anticipated comic that will excite readers about the story so much that they won’t be able to contain themselves!  The next step (and this is the best part) is to put that hero in only one panel of the book and call it good!  DC makes no mistakes right?

Ok, on a serious note, I do find it a little annoying when comics print a cover that has nothing to do with what’s inside.  The story focuses all of its energy on pushing forward with Martian Manhunter’s story (which seems to do very little in helping this issue’s over arching theme) and a mysteriously rampaging, murderous wife.  I understand the necessity of toggling back and forth to each character’s story, but I see no central focus.  Brightest Day seems to have taken a huge step backward into more of a bloody horror story than an intelligently written thriller comic like it started out as.  Is this what Johns is going for?  I’m not sure I approve.  I’ll keep following this series but I certainly hope we don’t get anymore Brightest Day’s like this one.

I love the art as a whole but would love to have Ivan Reis do everything.  The last two page spread of this issue is nothing short of spectacular.  As idiotic as I find having the Anti-Monitor back so soon, and in this story, I must say that is an impressive piece of work.  It only goes to show you that even a poorly written comic can still have its good points.

My Profoundly Climactic Conclusion

Maybe I’m being harsh and allowing my pre-conceived notions about Brightest Day to dictate my reaction to #2, but I’m having trouble accepting this issue as a satisfactory addition to the series.  Johns and Tomasi have set such an amazing precedent with Blackest Night that to have something like this really detracts from the story.  Everything was scrambled, unfocused and too concerned with bringing in that damned Anti-Monitor.  Ugh!

Ratings

Writing: 2

Themes: 1

Art: 9

Overall: 4 out of 10 stars

Comic News: Birds of Prey and Brightest Day...no rhyme intended

I'm so happy to see that the new secret members that were cleverly hidden in shadow of the Birds of Prey was revealed at long last!  What's most interesting is the fact that it seems as if the Birds of Prey will induct a male into their ranks...go figure!  Gail Simone, as I'm sure everyone reading has figured out, is at the helm of this highly  anticipated title.  Her departure from Wonder Woman was a low blow to myself and many other Simone fans, but this new writing project she is taking on is a more than acceptable replacement for her.  The icing on the cake is that Ed Benes will be joining her as the artist!  My favorite comic writer and my favorite comic artist on the same book, it's almost like I've died and gone to Colorado...oh wait....

With this new revelation of Hawk and Dove joining the feathered females, I've also come to realize that Brightest Day will be playing into the first issue of Bird of Prey.  In addition, Johns revealed that the reasons for the rebirth of the dead heroes will become known in Brightest Day.  I had originally given Blackest Night #8 a rating of 7.5 merely based on the fact that so many question were left unresolved; that Brightest Day is simply a change in the title "Blackest Night" and the story won't be completed for a while yet.  But it is comforting to know that Johns has had a plan for this entire event from the beginning.

Now, with the return of these heroes, springs some new and revived titles.  Obviously Birds of Prey will be at the head of this "soon to come" titles, and The Flash (Barry) takes new strides with Geoff Johns managing the literary side of things.  The Justice League: International will also be returning to stores in April in a mini series called "Generation Lost," where Fire, Ice, Booster Gold and Captain Atom go on the hunt for Maxwell Lord. I'm wondering how long it will take before Aquaman gets his own title back as well as Firestorm.  And what of Deadman?  Why has he been given a chance at life once again?  Another mini series in the works possibly?  Only time will tell what DC is going to do.  One thing we can count on is Brightest Day is the ultimate remapping for the DC Universe that anyone could ask for.

Lego's Blackest Night!!!

This photos was just too awesome not to post.  I found this on another person's blog, Geek Orthadox.  It would be cool to have another Lego video game based on Blackest Night.  How twisted would that be?  What type of aspects of that type of game would you like to see?

There's a couple of hilarious aspects of this photo I find amusing..
1st - Batman is alive and kicking
2nd - Of course it's Power Girl who debuts the first set of Lego boobies. 
3rd - Is it just me, or is Black Hand grinding to nothing?
4th - I know they are Legos, but the zombies sure don't look scary!


Best photo of the year thus far!