Convergence

Convergence: Shazam! #2

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Convergence: Shazam! #2Convergence: Shazam! #2 concludes the Marvel Family’s arc in DC’s big crossover by pitting Captain Marvel against the Victorian Age Batman from Batman: Gotham by Gaslight. In comic tradition the two heroes battle before teaming up against Mr. Mind who has gathered Batman’s enemies together to make a new Monster Society of Evil led by his steam-punk-powered Mr. Atom.

Convergence: Shazam! #2 may not have the Big Red Cheese factor of the previous issue, or enough of the supporting Marvel Family characters for my tastes, but Gaslight Batman is more interesting that I expected (in an odd variation of the Batman vs. Superman fight from The Dark Knight Returns) and the twist of having the heroes work together really helps save the issue from prolonging the battle more than necessary.

With Convergence over I’m hoping this isn’t the last we see of the Marvel Family’s alternative Earth (which is far more interesting than most of the New 52). Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Convergence: Booster Gold #1

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Convergence: Booster Gold #1The first tie-in issue of Convergence not centered around a transplanted city in a dome gives us not one but two Booster Golds, but (against all decency and common sense) somehow neither is the classic character wearing his trademark Elvis-collar costume with gold pants as both are stuck in lesser variations of the New 52 character’s look.

In a special prison on Telos for time travelers, the New 52 Booster joins with Rip Hunter to search for the Future’s End Booster Gold who is reacting badly to the laws of time and space being warped so drastically on the planet all the heroes find themselves trapped on.

The structure of the story, not centered around an entire year without powers as so many of the Convergence tie-ins have been, is a nice change but the comic does loose points for blatantly refusing to give us a recognizable pre-New 52 Booster in all his glory. On the plus side Booster’s jumping willy-nilly gets the New 52 version beat up by the Legion of Super-Heroes and reunites the other Booster with an old friend. For fans.

[DC, $3.99]

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Convergence: Shazam! #1

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Convergence: Shazam! #1Although not as memorable as Grant Morrison‘s recent The Multiversity: Thunderworld Adventures #1, also focused on giving fans a taste of classic Captain Marvel storytelling, writer Jeff Parker and artist Evan Shaner certainly deliver one of the better Convergence tie-in stories with Convergence: Shazam! #1.

In terms of storytelling, layout, and style the issue feels like a throwback to an old Captain Marvel adventure giving us Billy Batson and his world trapped on the Convergence world with appearances by several supporting characters (including Tawky Tawny) and villains (Dr. Sivana, Ibac, and Mr. Atom).

Although the writing and basic set-up of so many Convergence issues has, more often than not, led to disappointment, Convergence: Shazam! #1 is certainly on of DC’s event’s stronger issues as the return of the magic lighning comes none to soon to save Billy, Mary, and Freddy Freeman from a group of the Marvel Family‘s classic foes. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Convergence: Speed Force #1

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Convergence: Speed Force #1Now that’s more like it. After being horribly disappointed with Convergence: Batgirl #1 I was feeling less and less sure about DC’s new big event centering on battles between previous versions of characters not found in the current New 52 DCU. Convergence: Speed Force #1 gives us Wally West back in action as the Flash and his kids Jai and Iris.

Like pretty much every Convergence tie-in issue, Speed Force #1 begins by offering us glimpses of the hero’s life without powers after the city is transported by Brainiac. With the fall of the barrier the Flash and his kids take a run across the bizarre world coming across an assortment of odd characters including another speedster – Fastback!

Although I’m not sure I’m ready to see the Flash take on the Flashpoint version of Wonder Woman next issue, I am excited to see Wally and Fastback team-up. Unlike Convergence: Batgirl #1 this issue gets the feel of its characters right. (Plus I’m all in favor of throwing the Zoo Crew as much love as possible.) Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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Convergence: Batgirl #1

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Convergence: Batgirl #1DC Comics sure isn’t wasting much time to turn me off of Convergence. Despite being the exact target audience for this particular issue (It has Stephanie Brown as Batgirl! It has Red Robin in his Dr. Midnight pre-New 52 costume! It has Black Bat! And it even has Catman! CATMAN!) I still walked away disappointed.

First off the reveal of Convergence being nothing more than the unimaginative DC equivalent of Capcom Vs. doesn’t inspire much confidence in the storyline. Yes, it was fun seeing Stephanie back where she belongs, and I like the trio of Steph, Tim, and Cass together but none rang true to me as Steph’s giddy introspection is replaced with mopey narration (and what world is this exactly where Stephanie has never heard of Catman?).

It also doesn’t help that Convergence: Batgirl #1 might be the worst drawn mainstream super-hero comic I’ve ever read. The characters are ill-defined looking more lack slap-dashed artist sketches than a finished product, and the inking and coloring is haphazard resulting in numerous panels that appear out of focus. What the hell, DC? Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

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