“This is it gentlemen. We are at war”.
With those gallant words, Green Lantern of Earth 2 leads the Flash and Doctor Fate into battle against Lord Steppenwolf in Earth 2 #14. Once again, writer James Robinson is developing his plots quickly, and with little fanfare. Last issue, we learned of Captain Steel, the most invulnerable hero on Earth 2. An unseen female he referred to as the Red Lantern beat him to a pulp. Standing on the precipice of what that might entail, Robinson decides to slap the other side of the face with this war.
Told in flashbacks and present day battle, the Steppenwolf war could be a defining moment in uniting these heroes. Alan Scott, the Green Lantern, is hell-bent on leading the charge against Steppenwolf. Turns out his late lover was somehow mixed up with Apokotech, which seems to tie back to Steppenwolf. Scott is also interested in using this attack to create a hero sensation for himself, Flash and Doctor Fate. Applying the science of spin to the attack, Scott feels his global corporation can create a buzz about the new team.
So the heroes attack, taking Steppenwolf’s island hideaway by storm. Interestingly, Steppenwolf seems unfazed by the assault. Meanwhile, the World Army lands in the middle of the effort with their own hero in tow, the Atom, and are rather pissed the new heroes jumped the gun. As the pissing contest reaches critical levels, a sudden burst of energy dissolves one of the World Army Soldiers. It’s coming from three rather grim looking beings, better knows as the Hunger Dogs of Steppenwolf. Things have just gone from bad to worse.
Robinson effortlessly deals in multiple storylines. When these arcs converge, when the Red Lantern is revealed, and the threat of Steppenwolf increases, it will be time for all the heroes to unite. Until then, Robinson does a great job crafting action as well as paranoia. People aren’t ready to trust heroes on Earth 2, and the military is not quick to relinquish control to them. Within the threads of action, war, and evil enemies, Robinson weaves political intrigue. Earth 2 has grown from a cool idea, into one of the best books DC is putting out.
Nicola Scott’s art is first rate. Heavily detailed, the work bursts with action, and the panels almost can’t contain the amount movement, explosions and fighting. Scott has a great sense of the human form, as well as epic confrontations. The two page spread of the Atom and the World Army is not only great looking, but it really sets up the power the organization has. Between the attention to detail, strong lines and movement, Earth 2 #14 is non-stop excitement.
Robinson is a master storyteller, and Nicola Scott executes perfectly what is in his mind’s eye. Earth 2 is really spectacular stuff.
(4.5 Story, 4.5 Art)
