A Never Ending Battle
Earth 2 has grown into my favorite DC title of this New 52. Elseworld titles, in general, are always of interest to me, in their use of pre existing forms and changing them with this new context. In placing these symbols in new context they can perhaps reveal some of the universal truths or themes found within them or showing a dark perversion of these ideas (that are no less truthful).
Earth 2 original start mirrored the start of Justice League #1 with the god Darkseid attacking Earth and was eventually repelled. Unlike its main Earth counterpart, it was a victory achieved at great cost: the death of the Trinity and millions of other lives. Over the past 27 main title issues writers James Robinson (1-16) and Tom Taylor (17-Present) have used that overarching event and the constant threat of Apokolips to explore the cost of war, what it means to be a hero, and what drives people to don these costumes and become Wonders (this world equivalent of super hero).
Earth 2 has been going on for over 2 years with 30 issues total published (27 main titles, 2 annuals, 1 Futures End tie-in), needless to say “a lot” has happened. Earth 2: World’s End is actually a rather good jumping on point for people who have not or stopped reading the main Earth 2 title. It is an extra sized issue (37 pages) with the first 20 dedicated to catching up new readers with what has happened. It is a huge exposition dump narrated by a retrospective Alan Scott. It’s an exposition dump that is at least partially interesting to this current reader. In revisiting the start of the first Apokolips War, the start of the title, and the present, the first 20 pages bring new context to the events and introduce new characters like the Graysons (Dick, Barbra and their son) where other characters like the long dead Sam Zhao are finally shown to be characters not just human looking plot devices meant for man pain. The reiteration of Earth 2 history gives a great sense of scope and scale for what has happened (and what will), which is something I often find lost when reading monthly titles.
I’ve had an up and down relationship with DC’s other print weekly series (Batman Eternal and Futures End), having dropped both series after a couple of weeks. They at least didn’t really tie into another book; I suppose Eternal being a Bat book dose somewhat. World’s End is supposed to tell the story of the war that destroyed Earth 2, and assumedly led to its inhabitants seeking refuge on Earth 1 (or is it Earth Prime?) as seen in Futures End. Saying that makes the book sound like you need to have 3 other books in your pull to get the full “story” (a trait within comics I rather don’t like). I cannot say if that assumption is true or not at this point, though you should probably read Earth 2 if you’re going to read this. On its own merits Earth 2: World’s End #1 is at least a good starting point for readers who wish to read the main Earth 2 book without springing for the previously release trade paper backs.
World’s End #1 present day storyline brings all the hope found at the end of Earth 2 #26 “The Kryptonian Part Six” into stark relief. Bedlam still roams free with the minds of Mister Terrific, Terry Sloan, and Mister Miracle at his disposal. This war isn’t over and as the long shot frame of Geneva after Val Zod, Batman, and Red Tornado “save it” one wonders what that term even means.
The promo material for World’s End promises “Death and destruction will follow each week, and you’ll never know who will live and who will die!”. I’m not much for bombast but found in that bombast is a group of characters who have been separated across time and space for years in the books and seeing the reunion between Lois and Kara was incredibly touching.
The idea of more Earth 2 sounds great but I am a littler weary over how World’s End meshes with the main title but we should get an idea of how that’ll work in the weeks ahead.
I am Michael Mazzacane and you can find on Twitter @MaZZM and at weekntv.com and comicweek.com
