ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN #604
"Mirror, Mirror"
Neutral (3/10)
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DC Comics
Writer: Joe Casey
Pencils: Carlos Meglia, Sanford Greene & Paco Herrera
Inks: Carlos Meglia, Walden Wong & Carlos Cuevas
Colors: Rob Ro & Alex Bleyaert
Letters: Comicraft
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Price: $2.25 US/$3.75 CAN |
Casey taps into some rife super-hero storytelling potential here, bringing back some of the key players from Grant Morrison's JLA: Earth 2 graphic novel from 1999. He conveys some of the same maturity and intensity than Morrison did, but this story lacks clarity and the strong, detailed art that Frank Quitely developed for Morrison's script.
Ultraman -- an otherdimensional Kryptonian counterpart -- suddenly appears in Superman's Fortress of Solitude, and the pair wages a battle that's far too evenly matched. Ultraman appears to be after an unusual child that has appeared in the Fortress as well. It floats in a bubble of energy, and despite its odd nature, Superman is determined to protect its life at all costs. But is he protecting it from Ultraman, or his malevolent teammates, or is there something more to the child?
It seems almost as if there's a page missing from this story, leaving me scratching my head. No, it doesn't stem from the story's foundation in the Earth 2 graphic novel; Casey does a great job of providing background infomation on the Crime Syndicate of Amerika. The confusion stems from the fact that Casey doesn't provide any exposition for those of us who missed the first chapter of this story arc. Some folks out there maintain that no one is joining a story in the middle anymore in comics, but I just don't feel that's the case, especially when we're talking about the adventures of the most iconic of all comic-book characters.
Though one can tell differences, the art -- provided by three pencillers and inkers -- boasts a surprisingly consistent tone. Unfortunately, I don't much care for that tone. Meglia and company's exaggerated, cartoony approach to these characters robs the story of its darker tone, of its more serious but imaginative aspects. The characters look foolish, not menacing. Of course, there is one exception: the sharp, angular portrayal of Owlman. Quite striking and impressive. With his face hidden, the exaggeration works with that character.
Though ultimately this issue didn't click for me, there were aspects in the script that I relished. The Silver Age campiness of an opposite number is examined through a more sophisticated sensibility. It comes off just as interesting and suspenseful under Casey's guidance as it did under Morrison's. The a purposeful vagueness in the conflict that pays off with the final splash page as well.
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