Sorry I’m late with this. Unfortunately, I live in a small town with no comic book store, and I have no choice but to await my comics in the mail. And given the current set of cutbacks Uncle Sam is proposing for them, the U.S. Postal Service is none too concerned with me making timely reviews.
But that’s not really relevant here. Let’s just skip to the focus of this column.
Flashpoint is over. The New 52 has begun.
Flashpoint was easily the most underwhelming DC event in history. In fact, it could probably be the most underwhelming event in all comic book history. So, I’m not even going to bother reviewing the final issue. Everyone’ more interested in the new Justice League anyway.
Everything old is new again here. Superheroes have only just started appearing on Earth. Only a few of them have met, and no one seems to know the other’s secret identity yet. Plus, the general populous doesn’t seem ready to welcome these guys with open arms.
Superheroes aren’t trusted here. Batman doesn’t have Commissioner Gordon on speed dial. Superman isn’t Metropolis’ favorite son. Green Lantern is viewed as a danger to anyone around him. (And, come to think of it, he’s kind of an asshole.)
The whole thing reads like…well, a Marvel comic.
There was a fear among many fans about thirty years ago when John Byrne re-imagined the Man of Steel for a new generation. They wondered aloud whether the hotshot writer/artist would “marvelize” the character. In other words, change him from the altruistic hero who does what’s right for no other reason than because it’s right into an edgier character who took on the Never-Ending Battle because he had no other choice. Byrne swayed those fears early on, arguing that to “marvelize” Superman would suggest he doesn’t have a rich, poignant story to begin with. As such, his reboot of the Man of Steel simply depowered him from his previous God-like status to more mortal standards while still keeping his heroic nature.
That’s always been a key difference between DC’s heroes and Marvel’s. Heroes like Batman, Green Lantern, the Flash, and Wonder Woman became heroes because they chose to be, not because they were forced or quilted into it. Spider-Man felt responsible for his uncle’s death, but Batman wanted to ensure no one else suffered his fate.
This Justice League? It’s a bit early to tell, but they kind of feel like a Marvel reimagining. Green Lantern is one arrogant S.O.B. here. He doesn’t hesitate to belittle Batman, and he’s convinced he can tackle Superman without breaking a sweat (something he naturally regrets later). It’s intriguing, but it has a definite Marvel feel. And, quite frankly, if I want that, I’ll read the Avengers.
Hopefully, I’m wrong, and I have I hunch I am. I suspect we’ll see these characters mature into the strong heroes we know and love in the coming issues. Time will tell.
Right now, I’m definitely still interested. But if DC turns into Marvel Lite, I expect their sudden boost in sales will slide solidly back into second place among comics publishers.
You know, right where they’ve been for the past few decades.
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