GEN13 #69
"Failed Universe, Part 2 of 2"
Recommended (7/10)
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DC Comics/Wildstorm Productions
Writer: Adam Warren
Pencils: Yanick Paquette
Inks: Andrew Pepoy
Colors: Wildstorm FX
Letters: Jenna Garcia
Editor: Jeff Mariotte
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
[Don finishes reading the comic book in question.] What th--? That can't be right. [Checks cover again. Interior pages. Cover again. Then the indicia.] I'll be damned... an issue of Gen13 I actually enjoyed. Warren tells an oddly human tale while capturing the coolness factor of Authority-inspired high-tech imagination.
Just as the nameless bad guys planned, Grunge's latest trip to the Carrier (for a sexual rendezvous with the Authority's Swift) triggers a suggestion for him to use his powers and weaken the Carrier, allowing a plethora of powerful and destructive failed baby universes to infiltrate the ship. As Swift and Grunge try to deal with the situation, Freefall struggles to deal with the realization that Grunge has been cheating on her.
I've never seen Paquette's art stronger than it is here. His stuff is lithe and sexy, suiting the tone of the story. It reminds me more than a little of the work of Greg (Sojourn) Land as well, with a hint of Jeff (Wonder Man) Johnson and Adam (Wonder Woman covers) Hughes.
Grunge's communion with the Carrier made for some great dialogue, and some fun comic-book science. Warren captures the weird wonder of The Authority without sacrificing the goofy, titillating tone of the Gen13 characters in the process. Mind you, those who don't read The Authority are bound to find themselves a little bit lost, though I was pleased with the overall accessible tone of the issue, given that it was the second part of a two-part story.
What really made this issue work for me, though, was the exchange shared between the souped-up Grunge and Roxy. Warren added depth to characters best known for limitless shallowness. He helped the reader understand the odd relationship these two characters share. It's just a shame that by the issue's end, Warren hits the cosmic "reset" button, robbing Grunge and Freefall of any character development.
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