Earth-2 #3 review

Earth-2 #3 review

 “Jade Knight”

Rating: 4 / 5

Pros: More mystery; Great character design for Hawkgirl and the villain

Cons:  Green Flame dialogue

And the introductions continue in James Robinson’s latest issue about the life of Earth-2 superheroes.  The issue continues the focus on the building of the new group of heroes, the Green Lantern, the Flash… and more importantly, Hawkgirl (okay, that might just be my own personal importance).  A little talking, and little action… and all of a sudden Robinson also introduces the great mysterious villain on the Grey (I won’t spoil that one just yet… but the name if a pretty heavy handed hint).  If anything, this re-imagining of the old villain we knew quite well is a great development for the Earth-2 world and the best new “old” character Robinson has developed yet.  Great work by Nicola Scott for the design (or was it Brett Booth, I've lost track)!

(more after the jump)
We met Alan Scott previously, but now we are introduced to the Green Flame which grants him the power of the Green Lantern.  Huzzah!  Somehow, though, Robinson’s dialogue with Scott seemed to fall flat.  This time around, his interactions with the Green Flame and the exposition of the whole story of the powers sounded just a bit too informal, a bit too “loose”.  This powerful, magical voice didn’t carry the weight expected from the eternal battle as the embodiment of Earth’s energy.  It seemed too colloquial or too camp (mind you, the true origin of this flame has yet to be revealed… it might be camp for a reason).  Conversely, the depiction of rage and anger building in Scott was well choreographed.  He may have been a little too accepting of this crazy talking coloured flame and the powers it will grant him... but you certainly got the impression that he’s pissed off and he’s not gonna take it anymore.

One revelation with this discussion between Scott and the flame that I found interesting was that Scott welcomed the power… and the gaudy costume… not only as a tribute to the fallen people of the train accident, but also as the follower to the last defender of Earth, the sun god… the Superman.  Good for Robinson to finally be giving the ol’ timey Green Lantern his due credit by placing him on par with the greatest hero of all time.

The interaction between the new hero Flash (the young Jay Garrick) and, what seems to be, the tough experienced warrior, Hawkgirl, was the highlight of this issue. Robinson explored more about Garrick and his learning curve… but also hinted at a depth of heroism and magic that may already be present in the Earth-2 world.

Flash: “How did you know where I’d be.”
Hawgirl: “Fate showed me the way.”
Flash: “I don’t believe in fate.”
Hawkgirl: “Maybe you will when you meet the guy.”

Alright so now we know Dr. Fate exists, he knows Hawkgirl, and she (or they?) is already amassing a group to help fight the mysterious villain.  The mystery is building.  Good work by Robinson.  He is easily flexing his fingers, as he did with previous work on Starman and JSA, to slowly build and slowly mold to a rich and strongly character-driven plot… leading all to what could be nice big ol’ action scene.

With the exception of the Flash’s costume, and perhaps Green Lantern’s lackluster new outfit, Nicola Scott is tossing it out of the park.  Her art is big reason why the flow of the story didn’t hiccup with Robinson’s inconsistent dialogue.  Her art certainly adds the umph this story needed to make it a winner.

Robinson was great with dropping a handful of hints to the future of the heroes of Earth-2, with successful nods to the past (I’m hoping the other old JSA fans will agree).  Not a lot happens in this issue… but important characterizations are explored, essential plot elements are brought to the forefront, and a mysterious villain is revealed.