Despite the sales success of DC's Infinite Crisis, it's safe to say that writer Brad Meltzer polarizes super-hero comics fans. Some react well to his clear affection for DC's past and his effort to achieve and sustain a more grown-up, personal tone in the narration. Others have rejected his over-the-top plotting and accused him of gratuitous violence. I have to be honest... even though my overall reaction to ID Crisis was middling, I like Meltzer's style. I share his love for past stories and the classic characters. His stint on Green Arrow was a strong one, and I like the more personal tone of the characters' internal monologues. That holds true here as well. This debut issue (if one discounts the #0 issue released last month) wisely focuses on character over action-oriented conflict, but a gradual buildup to the latter is to be found behind the down-to-earth reintroduction of a 1970s and 1980s mainstay whose time has apparently come again.
Kathy Sutton sits by the side of the empty, android shell of the Red Tornado, waiting for the man she loves, even if he is an artificial man, to return to her as he has done so many times before. But something is wrong; it's taking too long this time, and Kathy doesn't know what to tell their adopted daughter at home. Elsewhere, the soul of the wind-wielding hero gets some advice from a surprising source and decides to make some changes in his life (or is it his afterlife?). Meanwhile, Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman decide to resurrect the Justice League and meet to decide who should be included in the new team's roster.
Ed Benes's efforts on this issue start off a little rough, reminding me a bit of the loose, exaggerated style of Rob (YoungBlood) Liefeld. Fortunately, the line art gets tighter and more focused as the issue progresses. Still, Benes has a tendency to draw just one male face and one female, which gets a bit old after a while. I love the emotion he brings to the Red Tornado, though. It reinforces the impossible but touching story that unfolds here. Another visual highlight of the book was the apparent inclusion (or imitation) of Dick Dillin panels from the original Justice League of America series to provide some extra information about Tornado and Kathy's relationship.
Meltzer offers an accessible introduction to the Red Tornado for readers who are unfamiliar with the character, but there remains a certain level of inaccessibility when it comes to some of the other characters. Arsenal's appearance comes to mind. I know he's Green Arrow's former sidekick, Speedy, but Meltzer fails to spell out who he is and why he would have a strong connection to other heroes such as Green Lantern and Black Canary. Little is said about Dr. Magnus or his Metal Men as well.
I recently picked up one of Meltzer's previous novels -- The Zero Game -- as I needed something to read during lulls at work and at the cottage on the weekend. I couldn't put it down. The political conspiracy thriller/murder mystery is far from high art or anything, but it has a tremendous pulse, engaging characters and a flair for the dramatic. It was just a lot of fun to read, so I was pleased to get a taste of the author's upcoming book in this unconventional way. It's a great way to cross-market these media. Will the promotional move have a profound impact on the sales of either? I doubt it, but it's an encouraging effort all the same.
Overall, I have to admit I'm rather excited about what Meltzer has in store with his run on this title. His new Fourth World-inspired villain strikes me as a lot of fun, and the conspiracy against the heroes behind the scenes really brings some suspense and mystery to the story. Though there's a more thoughtful tone at play in the script and plot, this is ultimately an entertaining return to traditional super-hero storytelling, with the yoke of cliches cast off. 7/10
