Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

DC Universe: Decisions # 1 (of 4)

By Koppy McFad
September 23, 2008 - 04:01

In this miniseries, the heroes of the DC universe have to get involved in politics as a mystery villain targets the presidential candidates. But don't worry-- these are fictional presidential candidates so there's no Obama or McCain in sight.

In fact, the heroes don't really wade into politics. When they discover that a villain is somehow hypnotizing ordinary people into becoming suicide bombers, they move very efficiently and impartially, assigning certain heroes to act as bodyguards to the candidates. But eventually, the outspoken Green Arrow crosses the line and virtually endorses a very liberal candidate, complicating the whole mission.

The good news is that this is not (yet) a one-sided screed, telling the readers who to vote for. Most of the DC heroes are careful to keep their opinions to themselves with only Green Arrow stepping over the line. In fact, intentionally or not, the writers actually make the liberals look bad by showing them as being unprofessional and underhanded, spending more time on the soapbox and less time on sentry duty-- even after the bad guy has blown about two dozen innocent people-- and one Robotman into little pieces.

The art is a little too blocky. Some characters, like Robin, are a bit hefty. But the art team does do a good job of giving all the characters individual, very expressive faces so we can tell the huge cast apart and even feel what they are going through, during their moments of terror and uncertainty.

It remains to be seen whether this miniseries will deteriorate into shrill political labelling but at least it does appear to have a good story behind it and does not look like the cheap exploitative gimmick that many feared it would be.

 

Rating: 7 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12