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A review by mschlat
Earth 2, Vol. 1: The Gathering by James Robinson
3.0
If you go far back enough in the history of DC Comics, you reach All-American Publications, an outfit from the 30's and 40's. All-American was responsible for the creation of much of DC's stable of heroes, including Wonder Woman, Hawkman, the Golden Age Flash, and the Golden Age Green Lantern. Later on, during the Silver Age of the 50's, the Flash and Green Lantern were revamped and made part of the new JLA. However, the writers and editors couldn't help but pay homage to the older characters, so readers discovered Earth-2: an alternate dimension where all the original versions still existed (and, of course, had team ups with the new versions).
Decades laters (after a few Crises), we have the New 52. Since now apparently alternate dimensions are great, we have a new Earth 2. In this setting, the corresponding versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman have died fighting an invasion from Apokolips. A few years later, "wonders" (another name for superheros) start appearing, mainly consisting of (wait for it!) re-revamped versions of the All-American heroes.
The volume is therefore a bunch of origin stories and a story of how a super team might get together. (Things aren't fully set at the end of the first volume.) Everything clicked for me, but nothing stood out. Robinson does a good job of establishing characters (especially the new Flash, who screams neophyte at every turn), but I wasn't particularly moved to pick up another volume. One issue may be the art. Scott's art is crisp and clear, but tends to favor spectacle over personal emotion.
Decades laters (after a few Crises), we have the New 52. Since now apparently alternate dimensions are great, we have a new Earth 2. In this setting, the corresponding versions of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman have died fighting an invasion from Apokolips. A few years later, "wonders" (another name for superheros) start appearing, mainly consisting of (wait for it!) re-revamped versions of the All-American heroes.
The volume is therefore a bunch of origin stories and a story of how a super team might get together. (Things aren't fully set at the end of the first volume.) Everything clicked for me, but nothing stood out. Robinson does a good job of establishing characters (especially the new Flash, who screams neophyte at every turn), but I wasn't particularly moved to pick up another volume. One issue may be the art. Scott's art is crisp and clear, but tends to favor spectacle over personal emotion.