Tomorrow: The mysteries that serve as the foundation for this series deepen with the second issue, and I found I was drawn further into the story as a result. Mind you, the script still has its flaws, and while the framework of the plot is still unclear, I came away from this issue feeling as though there is a clear plan at play. The art remains coherent and capable, but at the same time, given the scope of the story and colorful nature of the characters, there are few visuals that really pop and grab the eye.
As Booster Gold continues to discover events are not unfolding as Skeets's historical database predicts, Ralph Dibny visits his wife's grave to see the graffiti crudely scrawled across the tombstone. He sees it as a message, one that leads him westward, to a young woman who has spearheaded a new faith, one that's found followers the world over. Meanwhile, Renee Montoya's self-destructive behavior abounds, as she immerses herself in booze and meaningless sex. Still, a masked figure knows Renee is a gifted detective, and he hires her to embark upon an investigation about which she knows nothing.
It felt as though the art was inconsistent at times, but that is not really the case. The tone shifts often throughout the book, given the varied plotlines and diversity of the characters. It's quite dark for the Question/Montoya scenes, obviously, but the Booster Gold sequences are understandably bright while the religious vigil boasts a solemn yet gleaming science-fiction look.
I realize that Booster and Skeets are being used to set up that the world and its timeline has been altered, but the characters ginore an obvious explanation for the inconsistencies: that recorded history, even in the 25th century, is flawed. I liked the notion of Superboy has something of a Christ figure, but it's not a wholly accessible scene. I read the entirety of Infinite Crisis, and even I was lost for a bit. Furthermore, we've seen this idea done before with Superman, but it still works, as it taps into that "Son of God" aspect of the fallen messiah analogy.
The Question/Montoya plotline is strong. I like the dynamic, though this aspect of the story mirrors what James Robinson is doing with the Batman/Jason Bard partnership in Batman and Detective Comics. I'm also pleased to see that a mystery -- even one with a personal connection -- seems to have ignited a spark in Ralph Dibny. There's a clear theme here: this story is about new beginnings, about finding new purpose. Montoya is reborn as a P.I., while Ralph emerges from a crippling despair to take action once again. Superboy has found new purpose in death, inspiring faith and hope in new followers, while Booster is determined to become a legit super-hero once again, despite falling back into his old fame-and-fortune habits.
History: I loved Marv Wolfman and George Perez's History of the DC Universe, their two-part, prestige-format epilogue to Crisis on Infinite Earths. When I heard a new DCU history would unfold in the back of this title -- a followup to Infinite Crisis -- it made perfect sense. This new feature pales in comparison to the original History, though, and it requires the reader to be aware of past DC continuity already, especially when it comes to Donna Troy convoluted background.
The good news is that the art is crisp, fun and full of energy. The colors really pop, as the colorists imbue the line art with vibrant, glowing tones that really drive home the cosmic nature of the main character and the story. 6/10
