Well it was bound to happen, but this begins the first review for Earth 2! I’ve been reading this series since it’s inception and I have no qualms saying that this series is wonderful take on the various characters who from Earth 2 in a previous universe. Nicola Scott along with Yildiray Cinar providing the extra punch when Nicola Scott hands the baton off. So Earth 2 is now under siege from Darkseids forces, the book has morphed from a superhero title to a book that feels more like watching the french resistance in World War II. So now the question is, will the dramatic shift in tone help or hurt the book? Well for the first time let’s open page one and find out.
What is so amazing about this series and this issue in general is that it’s not afraid to push the envelope of what happens to the main characters. The odds of seeing Batman or The Flash having their arms ripped off by Superman are pretty slim to none. If you have not been reading this series before, Taylor does an excellent job of setting the tone going forward from the sheer brutality of Superman. However it’s Nicola Scott’s art is what sells this moment. Here storytelling is fluid and without flaw as she has Atom Smasher beaten down with his own hand.
Now that Superman and the armies of Darkseid have taken over Taylor transitions us to the resistance. Taylor expertly establishes the tension between the members of the resistance. It all feels natural and it enriches the situation our heroes are in, plus Taylor even slips in a bit of humor from Batman.
From the beginning of this invasion we’ve only seen perspective from the heroes and the legions of The Earth Army. So in a scene very close to 2012 (the movie not the year) we see the rich scramble onto a spaceship. Scott’s depiction of said scene is just as haunting and disturbing as you see the masses desperately trying to board the ship.
If that wasn’t haunting enough, Nicola was tasked with drawing Superman empty said ship and let all passengers drift in the silence of space. Superman felt more akin to the terminator in this scene.
The issue wraps up with a some classic “wait…you’re not dead well then we have a chance!” dialog, plus Darkseid’s forces know now of the other kryptonian living on the planet.
The series continues to build such excellent drama and is filled with action dread. Lucky Taylor dabs just enough humor onto specific characters so this book isn’t completely depressing to read. Nicola Scott’s art line work is simply gorgeous to look at as she makes the action sequences just as exciting characters exchanging dialog.
Earth 2 #21 receives a 4/5
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