Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Terra #1 (of 4)

By Nathan Madison
November 8, 2008 - 19:15

     The first issue of the new Terra mini-series introduces (aside from her minor appearances in Supergirl's series) the third incarnation of the Terra character, originally a hero-turned traitor in George Perez and Marv Wolfman's classic The Judas Contract arc in their New Teen Titans (a storyline that also featured the first appearance of Nightwing). In her premiere issue, Terra uses her earth elemental powers to counter several attacks on the surface world launched by various denizens residing within the depths of the Earth, with everyone who sees her (including guest-star Power Girl) knowing as much about her as the reader, which is not a great deal. Aiding the new heroine after she is severely injured, Power Girl (with the aid of fellow JSA-er Doctor Mid-Nite) discovers a mysterious connection between this new Terra, and another who has been known by that name. . .

     This mini-series has had something of an interesting past, with it being announced and promoted quite a while back, first being mentioned not too long after Amanda Connor's fantastic run on the first several issues of JSA Classified. It was actually my fondness for that story that led to my buying this; Amanda Connor is a fantastic artist, who has the unique ability to create a cartoony, almost animated world while, at the same time, using that art to convey detailed characterization and emotions.

The sequence in this book that follows Power Girl's conversation with Doctor Mid-Nite, concerning Terra's health, is a perfect example of this; in each panel, Power Girl's facial expression and stance changes, in such a way that allows the reader to almost feel her fidgeting about, impatiently. Gray and Palmiotti's writing fits well, providing a Terra that is fleshed out enough so that we care about her, but not to the point that we know everything about her, keeping her mysterious past and identity a constant thought in the reader's mind.

     The story is well-paced, due to a combination of both writing, and Connor's mastery of telling a story via panels, whether dialogue is present or not.

The series' villain (or, who will presumably be the series' villain) is somewhat predictable and cliché, which is the only aspect in which Terra #1 falls short; however, knowing the team that is producing this work, it is certain that there will be more to the character than the scant scenes we've seen thus far provide.

     Terra #1 presents a new take on an established character who, given the creative team working on her series, will both honor the history that comes with the name and, hopefully, make the name all her own. A mini-series I intend on following.

Rating: 8 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12