This is one of two extended reviews of comic books this week, this one dealing with DC's EARTH 2 Annual #2. Let me say right off that this is one of the best single issues of any ongoing comic book series I've ever read. EARTH 2 recounts the story of an alternate-universe Earth. Alternate from the universe that produces the main story lines of the major DC characters, that is. Batman is supposed to be long dead in this universe, but recently someone wearing his cape and cowl has shown up as the new Earth-2 Batman. Who is this mysterious figure? And why is he almost as skilled as Bruce Wayne and seems to know so much about him?
This issue of EARTH 2, being an extended ANNUAL issue, was a fantastic opportunity to answer these questions and it did just that. It works on so many levels. It is a great stand alone comic book, as the story that unfolds is relatively self-contained, though it does tie in the main EARTH 2 story at the end. This book really showcases why alternative universe stories are so successful at DC. You have these profound and deeply meaningful characters that serve as a kind of symbolic language dealing with philosophical and theological ideas and here you can take those symbols, which we who are 'in the know' understand and read so well, and play with them in ways you can't in the mainline stories.
In this issue, the origin of the new Batman turns on the origin of the original. In the main Batman story, and in the original story of the Earth-2 Batman, Batman's quest was driven by the murder of his parents. Bruce Wayne saw his parents killed right in front of them. Central to that loss was the apparent righteousness of those that were killed. Bruce's parents were notoriously good people, that everyone recognized as such, including Bruce. Seeing goodness, especially a goodness embodied as a parent, ripped out of the world is what left such a mark on Bruce. His career as Batman is, then, a kind of grittier and darker resurrection story, one in which his parents goodness comes to life again in their child, who responds to their murders in a way that is in some sense redemptive.
Batman's parents, then, serve a truly divine role in Bruce's life. There is almost an ancestor-worship aspect to what Batman does, and to Bruce's life as a whole. This book asks what would happen, or what would it mean, if Bruce found out that one of his parents had done something truly criminal. And how would one of Bruce's parents react if they had robbed him of that image, if they could know what their death did to their son, and why he did what he did, and what their true nature and actions (assuming they were, say, criminal instead of righteous) would mean in the light of all that.
Another side-story in all of this is the exploration of miraclo. Miraclo is a drug that a line (family line) of heroes known as HOURMAN have used to gain superpowers for one hour. I've only recently started to delve into this character, reading some back issues and such. He is fascinating because his powers come from a drug, and that leads to something of an addiction. That adds another layer to the double life most superheroes face. Think about a person trying to kick the habit of Miraclo, faced with the choice of juicing again or saving a child in a burning building. There is layer upon layer of ethical commentary and pathos here.
Well that whole dilemma fits prominently in this issue, and I love the way it is handled. It bodes well for the upcoming HOURMAN television show. Now, you'll notice I've given some broad outlines of themes here, some of which may spoil some of the comic book, but I've tried to avoid too many specifics because I don't want to risk spoiling TOO much. For alongside the excellent thematic elements, this is just great entertainment and storytelling. It has everything: the storyline is amazing with a lot of plot twists, the dialogue is believable and shocking at times, the pacing is a little off but that is forgivable and it isn't terrible. The art is as good as the rest of Earth-2: some of the best DC has to offer.
All in all, this was a great issue in a book that has proven to be one of the best things in the New 52. I highly recommend it. I give this book 5 stars without reservation. Check it out.
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