By Koppy McFad
May 20, 2006 - 04:38
The story comes to an end much as we expected it would: in a mess. Basically, we discover that reality is being manipulated by Mr. Mxyzptlk and various other beings as part of some giant game. All the action, shiney art and clever cameos of beloved characters can't make up for such an empty conclusion. It is basically, the modern, comic-book version of the "it was all just a dream," ending that was old in "the Wizard of Oz." It is especially galling to see that new characters like "the Maximums," who they went to so much trouble to introduce just a while ago, were just empty suits all along. Perhaps Mr. Loeb had something more substantial planned for this series but the whole INFINITE CRISIS thing derailed his plans. Just the same, he should have produced something more coherent that this disappointing tale. Even the art looks cluttered, as if they were trying to jam as much detail as they could into tiny panels.