By Koncise
December 17, 2004 - 06:41
Well, here are my two cents. Some minor spoilers follow:
The conclusion to this seven-issue miniseries, while moving and
powerful, is still rather disappointing. There is no gigantic
confrontation between the perpetrator(s) and the heroes, no showdown,
smackdown or throw-down. Just the shock of revelation as the mystery
villain spills the beans. Those wanting to get some closure-- or at
least see some physical payback for the murders, will be left howling
in frustration.
Meltzer has given the DC heroes reason to re-examine
their lives and their relationships with their loved ones and each
other. But he hasn't given us the climax he was building up to for six
issues. We learn more about the DC heroes than we've known in years but
the creative team should have still made sure that the ending would be
more dramatic, even if it meant adding ten more pages and increasing
the cost of the book.
Morales and Bair however turn in a great job. They manage to wring
suspense and pathos out of a panel, showing a character just sitting
there. There are some great facial expressions here.
No, I don't think this will be remembered alongside KINGDOM COME or WATCHMEN, but it is still a tooting good read. It just misses greatness by that much....