
Okay, I'm back on schedule this week and eager to exercise that reviewing muscle – or is that exorcise? Regardless, the devil's in the details and possession's nine-tenths of the law.
Godhead: The JLA wraps up a fair amount of business with the Crime Syndicate on Antimatter Earth but in doing so causes Enigma to show his hand – or at least half of it. Hawkman and his crusading cronies stake out a cemetery and dig up a few familiar nasties who like to play with fire.
The Sacred: Though for the second week in a row I thought the back-up story was better than the main tale, Busiek's component has many things to speak for it – small things mostly, but things nevertheless.
I like that Kurt writes a great Red Tornado – and has since the 1980s. His Reddy is competent and sure, never going to pieces and a boon to his companions. His part in Trinity #13 is minor, but his presence has been appreciated. Also interesting is a cameo by the "new" Atom, who does what Atoms do best and under the watchful eye of his predecessor Ray Palmer! That was cool to see Ray – even though he's got a bit of a cough. Morticoccus still acting up? Hmmm.
Probably the highlight of the main story is the new information we're fed on Enigma. Revealing even more concern over the actions of the trinity on Antimatter Earth – they send the CSA into interdimensional exile – Enigma goes all verklempt and forgets himself, forcing a disappearing act in front of his villainous buddies and hightailing it back to the Antimatter universe. We're then treated to a very, very cool look at Idol-Head, his orbital satellite-spaceship HQ and even more delicious questions as to what this intriguing character is really up to. I loved all that – Enigma's the breakout character of 2008. Oh, we also learn definitively that the whole CSA-Antimatter Earth gambit was a decoy to lure the trinity away from the villains' activities. Now, A-M Earth goes nutso after its people realize their taskmasters, the Syndicate, are gone.
Meanwhile, Hawkman once again shines under Nicieza's attentions, and we're gifted with a kind of sequel to Wonder Woman's execution of Maxwell Lord. Namely, the heroes believe that Lord's body may be stolen from his coffin as another piece in the villains' puzzle of "mystic alignment." See, something is needed of Diana's foes, and the corpse of the man she forced to look in another direction is deemed Artifact #1. Primat the Pretty Ape returns and a huge contingent of DC heroes is there to welcome her and her partners to a bruising lesson. It's all wild, wacky, engaging, and fun – as comics should be. It's also nice to see how much concern and caring the world's champions have for the trinity.
The Secular: Not too thrilled with the art in this week's issue. Everything looks a bit rushed, and while I'm generally a fan of Bagley's and definite fan of Derenick, their lines were somewhat weak and overall uninspiring. Is it the penciling? The inking? Are the deadlines pressing down on the creativity and draftsmanship? It's all fairly standard – no real "wow." I expect more from these artists.
I also am growing more frustrated with the focus on Superman's not being himself. Funny thing: lots of readers claim Superman is an old fuddy-duddy or that there's nothing about him that speaks to them. Here's Trinity with a grand opportunity to show people why this hero is the hero and why his personality should be admired – yet he's not in his right mind here and hasn't been for several issues now. It's not really accomplishing anything I can see – yet – except to make me wish the status quo would fall back into place and we'd get on with how cool the trinity is in their right minds. As it is, I'm nonplussed with this avenue of thought.
The Profane: Not much that qualifies as profanity this week, 'cept that I'm pretty darn sick of the CSA and their problems. I'm thinking Enigma returning to his dimension might spice up the pie but for right now, this whole diversion has been a downer.
Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman Descending: Sound familiar? They're losing the spotlight in their own book. Never a good thing. What began as many, many good things to be said and shown of each one of these heroes has degenerated into weeks on end of same-old, same-old. Again, this muddling of minds has said very little and encouraged little more. Let's move on, please. I want to love this title again – and its leads.
Scripture: Nicieza had it right by his choice of titles: "Drop the coffin and surrender!" is a great line, no doubt about it.
Monsignor Wanty: wants to never, ever, never get that teeny-tiny little Countdown feeling he barely got in this week's Trinity again. That was then, this is now. Sins of the past and all that. Get thee behind me, Satan!
What did you think of this book?
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