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.