Convergence Week 3 Review

WARNING: This review may contain spoilers!

Mediocrity abounds in another moderately entertaining week for DC 

Oh Diamond, I've heard many things about you, and most of it ain't good. Well this week I find out why: Convergence: Batman and the Outsiders has shipped late. Fantastic. Put that on top of another mediocre week of Convergence titles and you've got yourself a recipe for trouble.

Convergence #3 - "Time Bomb"

Issue #3 is a confusing gut-punch. I've already expressed my grief with the lack of introductions in this main title, so I'll keep it to a minimum. I've also previously addressed the art in these books. Therefore, you will not find that section in this review. Can't say much more without specifics, so here we go...

Plot

Convergence #3

April 22, 2015 by DC Comics

32 page Comic • $3.99

Before we get any proper introduction to Deimos *sigh*, our heroes engage in a fight with a horde of Telos drones. The drones manage to capture Supes-2, but before he's taken out of the picture leaving us with an interesting dynamic of characters who would be utterly worthless against Telos' wrath, he's saved by Tom-Bats and Gray-2 in the Batjet-podthing. Unfortunately they are shit at pilot/copilot and the craft gets downed rather quickly. So welcome back to our incompetent heroes, everybody. Honestly, for those who have read Earth-2 and are really rooting for these heroes, this issue has to be a slap in the face.

So in other news, Telos is mad that the folks on Kandor aren't fighting. For some reason he doesn't send his drones to coax them into fighting like he did with Future's End-iverse. No, this time he must see to it personally. But not before another Jesus Christ Pose. So Flamebird and Silver Swift (or whomever, again *sigh*) don't want to duke it out, giving us the best panels of Telos so far when he decides to annihilate Kandor (or at least part of it). "Let this be a lesson. . ." he says. To whom? Who is watching Telos? Just you, that's who. Idiotic foreshadowing, check.

Now we come to the most confusing part of the book, where not only Skartaris, but also the masters of time and this whole vanishing point business. Just the whole thing, all of it, it's all a parade of unknowns. I'd love to learn more, but I know they'll never explain. It's like they're trying to drive new readers away. I'm sorry, I said I wouldn't... *sigh*Finally, the redeeming(?) part of the book, the death of Tom-Bats. I like the idea that if there were a younger Batman from a tangent universe, Tom-Bats would take the bullet if it meant taking out a bunch of villains. Now, I'm not sure if Tom-Bats has the same "I don't kill" thing going on as Prime-Bats, but it still makes for an interesting development either way. Plus, it gives us a couple really nice looking splash panels and a wonderful Joker/Telos moment. 

Verdict

The fact that my review looks like a sassy summary shows two things: 1) I'm tired. I've been awake for far too long, and the fact that I'm at work makes it a double whammy. 2) I'm unenthused and underwhelmed by this issue. Sure, stuff actually happens, so it's better than the first two issues in the series. However, I haven't found anything that connects with me. These are all characters I know nothing about and care for not at all. Sure I'm curious to see how it all goes down, but I think I may back out if the half-way point issue #4 doesn't deliver some relatively meaningful content.

What I imagine the shop owner thinks when he sees
the look on my face after reading a Convergence title.

Convergence: Swamp Thing #1 - "It's Not Easy Being Green!"

Art

Convergence: Swamp Thing #1

April 22, 2015 by DC Comics

32 page Comic • $3.99

The colors picked for this issue are all very appropriate (albeit sticking a little too close to convention) for a Swamp Thing title, all very murky and dark with lots of muddy greens throughout. The characters look decent, although simple. My biggest gripe with the art is that Thing comes off looking more like a Frankenstein, with big sinewy muscles rather than mossy swamp matter. However, I will say that Thing's eyes are the most important part, with the green encapsulated orange orbs standing out so well, and they are ever expressive in this issue. In fact, Things face is what always looks good here.

Plot

Fairly simple plot to this one. Perhaps too much so. After an unnecessary, but not unwelcome reintroduction to the character (because we have the near identical character bio in the back), the Thing is faced with being disconnected from the Green while the dome is in place. I have several gripes here, but my biggest is at the end when Thing is reconnected with the Green. If Thing is on Telos, the same planet where Green Lantern-2 is, then how come the "Green" of Telos hurts GL-2 and not Thing? How come Thing doesn't notice the vast difference? My other main gripe is with the lack of events. I like the setup, but nothing happens. It's several pages of Thing hiding in a park, feeling pitiful. Not that great for storytelling. Finally, the Poison Ivy of Pre-Crisis Earth-One seems more apt to causing random mischief than saving the people of Gotham with her gardens. This makes me really sad. This was the one book which could have explored that side of Ivy in more acute detail, with Swamp Thing helping her in her efforts. Alas, 'twas not to be...

Verdict

This issue has its holes and its pitfalls with not much to help it back on its feet. It could have been a lot better, but overall it falls flat on its face. I would only recommend this if collecting all of the Convergence titles. 

Convergence: The NEW Teen Titans #1 - "Opposing Truths"

Art

Convergence: The NEW Teen Titans #1

April 22, 2015 by DC Comics

32 page Comic • $3.99

I'm very happy with the art in this one. Nice vibrant colors that aren't overbearing with appropriate highlights, shadows, etc. The artist makes sure to open each scene with a wide shot showing us our setting, then zooming in on the characters in action shots and close up face shots for dramatic lines. It all comes together for a very pleasing aesthetic throughout the book. The action shots appear to be a little on the mediocre side, though. Mostly just the two teams shooting their projectiles/lazers/what-have-you at each other, but there is one nice looking splash page when the Titans finally assemble. I also have to mention the cover art for the standard issue. BAM! ZING! *shimmer shimmer* It draws the eye. The colors pop. Now that is a cover.

Plot

The story is pretty mediocre as a whole, but this issue excels at giving readers insight on the personality of the characters and how they have evolved since the appearance of the dome. While some character's story being notably more interesting than others (I'm looking at you Beast Bo-*ahem*-Changeling.), the dynamics of the group are clearly outlined for the upcoming battle against Doom Patrol from another Earth. Other than that, there isn't much to talk about, and I believe that is where this issue fails. While the character insight is nice, it doesn't make a story in itself. The issue also dips into the action I would expect to find almost exclusively in the next issue (if the rest of the Convergence titles are held to be standard), leaving me wondering how the next issue will attempt to 'wow' readers.

Verdict

While I really did enjoy reading through this issue, I was still left wanting more story. I would have happily exchanged some of the mediocre action sequences for some more exposition into the characters who were left forgotten.

Week 3 - Final Thoughts

While I may still be enjoying the ride though some of these Tie-Ins, despite their multiple failings, I don't know whether the main title is actually worth my time. Sure I'll be curious as to how it all gets settled, but should I continue paying for a series concerning characters which I care nothing about? I may hop off the boat if Convergence #4 has nothing to keep me on board. Really curious as to what the New 52 chaps are doing. They aren't in the main series and they aren't in the tie-ins. So where are they? I thought this was all of DC. Anyway, I wish I would have picked up Convergence: Wonder Woman, because I've heard this was a great horror-esque story. Also, Convergence: Hawkman, purely because I'm developing an interest in the character. Finally, Convergence: Batman and the Outsiders would have been a great one to pick up considering it was on my pull list. Dang it, Diamond...

Convergence: Hawkman #1
April 22, 2015 by DC Comics
32 page Comic • $3.99

Convergence: Wonder Woman #1
April 22, 2015 by DC Comics
32 page Comic • $3.99

Convergence: Batman and The Outsiders #1
April 22, 2015 by DC Comics
32 page Comic • $3.99

Convergence: The Question #1 - "Just One More Thing" Review

WARNING: This review may contain spoilers!

Between the two of them, they have just enough faces....

Convergence: The Question #1
April 8, 2015 by DC Comics
32 page Comic • $3.99

The Question is a character whom I've always been curious about, yet I've not read any comics of the enigmatic character until it was reintroduced in the New 52. In this new universe, The Question seems, as far as I've read, a one trick pony. Thus, I' quickly became disinterested with finding out anything more. The Pre-Flashpoint version, on the other hand, seems to be a character teeming with personality and endless possiblilities. Of course, I only judge based on the character summary in the back of the book, which explaines most of Renee Montoya's history as The Question. However, the issue seems to be more focused on Two-Face than its title character, raising a lot more questions than answers.  

Why is Harvey Dent helping Renee? Does he know she's The Question? Why is he trying to commit suicide? What does Two-Face mean to Renee? None of these questions are answered, but some are alluded to. All of this leaves the reader slightly confused, but wanting to find out more. Of course, much of this may have been answered in Pre-Flashpoint material, but as a new reader, I can feel myself being reeled in and wanting to come back for issue #2. So I suppose that's a job well done on the writer's part.

Much of the dialogue reveals the depth of the characters, but it some of it sounds a bit forced. For example: when Helena Wayne tells Renee, "You can't trust [Two-Face]." She responds with: "I never forget who he is . . . It's me I'm always in doubt about." However, the lines exchanged between The Question and Two-Face are pretty well executed, and I suppose that's where it counts.

Verdict

I'm finding it incredibly hard to finish this review. I don't love it, but I don't think it's bad either. Just middle of the road I guess. I thought the story was ok, but it I suppose I would need to know the character a little better before I could truly appreciate this story. However, I will say that I think this is one of the characters that will be joining the majority of the New 52 cast as the victors of this event series. New 52's Question is such a flat character that removing and replacing him with this much deeper version of the character would be a bold yet appropriate move for DC.

Convergence: Nightwing and Oracle #1 - "Birds of Rage" Review

WARNING: This review may contain spoilers!

Fan service and slugfests, that's all you need in Convergence

The pacing, the action, the romance, the characters; this issue just does so many things right, it's hard to figure out where to begin. Covered within is the convergence of Pre-Flashpoint Nightwing and Oracle, trying to come to terms with life beneath the dome; and Flashpoint Hackman and Hawkwoman, forfeiting their hometown in an attempt to become refugees/rulers of another.

The book starts out with the sad (although predictable) news for many readers that the Justice Riders have been eradicated by the Flashpoint Hawks. The art here is beautiful, with the burning buildings reflecting the rage which so recently laid waste to the town of El Inferno. The Hawks then take off to terrorize a new world, and the book jumps to Nightwing and Oracle.

Convergence: Nightwing and Oracle #1 
April 8, 2015 by DC Comics
32 page Comic • $3.99

Between Barbara's concern for the mental state of all of Gotham and our two heroes' relationship, this issue does a splendid job of keeping the tension while waiting for the Hawks to show up. While Nightwing stands off against Mr. Freeze in an encounter that sends a chill down the spine, Barbara is having a thought-box reflection of Gotham's time under the dome. From here, the depiction of Nightwing and Oracle's relationship is endearing, highlighted by Barbara playfully calling Dick "Wonder Boy"; and heartstrings are plucked when Starfire shows up to create the love triangle, keeping the reader on their toes to see through a story that probably won't be played out. However, this sequence does a good job of breaking up the action and recreating that intense connection to the characters. A connection which crescendoes when Dick finally pops the question and is denied just before the Flashpoint Hawks show up.

The resulting conflict is nothing special, I'll be the first to admit, but it's sets the story up for what will undoubtably be an amazing showdown in the next issue. From the Hawks showing off their powerful little robot buddies by blowing up a bridge, to Oracle's reveal that even though Nightwing's off to armor up, she's been fighting them for the entire encounter; this sequence is well thought out, and the dialogue is appropriate. 

Verdict

This is what I've been looking for in the Convergence titles. Fan-service and slugfests. Is that too much to ask? Where others have failed, this book delivers. It even has an allusion to that Savior Ivy story I still want to see. If you haven't already bought this one, go out and get it now! It's worth your money.

Convergence: Batman and Robin #1 - "Father & Sons" Review

WARNING: This review may contain spoilers!

Poison Ivy is saving Gotham, but Robin is too jealous

Batman and Robin was a great series and for plenty of good reasons. The dynamics of the relationship between the duo are a roller coaster ride that show personal growth in both characters. Well, this issue takes us back to the early days of their relationship (Pre-Flashpoint aka Pre-New52) to bring us a rehashed tale of jealousy and set the scene for issue #2.

Convergence: Batman and Robin #1
April 8, 2015 by DC Comics
32 page Comic • $3.99

Before we get into it, I need to point out how much I appreciate the "Fight For Your City" page at the beginning of the issue. It gives us an idea of who we can be expecting in these week one titles. A convenience that the main title left out, leaving some readers (myself included) confused. Although, I already know the Batman and Robin within the issue, it was good to shake hands before getting down to business.

After we greet our heroes and setting, the book establishes that in year after being displaced to Telos, food sources have become scarce and Poison Ivy has risen up to save the city with fresh produce. This is an interesting concept which I would have liked to see more of. Yet rather than tell this story, the writer decided rather to give us something worth fighting for, and then rushed through the fight without any background. At least Batman said "Thank you, Ivy." That was considerate...

With the story worth telling being ignored, the book proceeds to re-introduce us to our already well-known star. Now, it definitely does a good job of highlighting Damian Wayne, the most current Robin's, character for those who may not be familiar. However, I question the necessity of this, because this is a tie-in title; if I hadn't already been interested in these characters, I wouldn't have picked up this book. I also wonder why the writer decided to go with another telling of "Robin is jealous of previous Robin". We get it. Using the title of Robin for more than one character creates the pissing match atmosphere that exists in all sibling relationships. Move on. To put insult to injury, there is a summary of Damian's Robin in the back of the issue. Personally, I think this should have been in the beginning of the book for readers who might be curious about these characters or are only coming for the Extremists. Maybe then we could have avoided the long-winded "hello".

Lastly, the book hastily sets up the fight for the next issue, with the Extremists appearing out of nowhere. (Sorry if you came for them. You get one splash page; that's it.)

Verdict

I want to be onboard for this issue, but I just can't. While Savior Ivy is a great start to a possibly good story; it wasn't fleshed out here. (Perhaps it is in the Harley book I failed to pick up. *sigh*) The issue doesn't do anything new, and the lack of true content is appalling. It's quite obvious that the Extremists are going to be killed off next issue; so should I even come back? I probably won't... Oh well.