This installment of Graphic Novels is brought to you by Dr. Zaius: Minister of Science and Defender of the Faith -- Man, that does sound weird.
"There is no contradiction between faith and science... true science!"
Okay, enough of that.
Legends
Writers: John Ostrander and Len Wein
Artists: John Bryne and Karl Kesel
Well, with names on a mini-series like this, you would think that this is the greatest thing out there. You would be mostly right and a little wrong. It's good in some places and not so good in others.
I had actually planned on getting this for some time now. I found issues 1-5 in a 50 cent bargain bin (I actually got 2-5 for free somehow - the cashier either didn't know what she was doing or I somehow wooed her, I don't know). On the other hand, issue 6 was...well, too much. So, I spent about $7.00 on the whole thing.
Today's post is a mix of stuff: synopsis, critique, highlights, etc. I'll give a quick synopsis of the whole thing (a lot of stuff happens), critique it a little, and talk about the highlights of the series. So here I go:
Synopsis
Well, it all starts on Apokolips. Darkseid (who just got off his shift from McDonald's) has decided to strike against the heroes of Earth via Glorious Godfrey. Operation: Humiliation (the plan) would basically turn the people of America against their heroes. The Phantom Stranger (Stranger, not Ranger) shows up and tells Darkseid that he will not succeed in conquering Earth.
On Earth, everything's going fine until this plan begins. G. Gordon Godfrey (GG's alias) shows up and uses his mental powers to turn mankind against the heroes by saying that they're menaces and that they would be better off without them. The plan keeps going as Darkseid unleashes Brimstone and Marco-Man on Earth. Captain Marvel tries to stop Marco-Man and succeeds - by killing him? Eh? Apparently, this was the plan (he didn't kill the villain), and it leads Billy Batson to not say the words "SHAZAM" again. Luckily, Billy later realizes he's been duped. Meanwhile, the people of the nation begin to fall under Godfrey's control and chaos erupts. Riots break out and heroes are getting hunted.
Legends
Writers: John Ostrander and Len Wein
Artists: John Bryne and Karl Kesel
Well, with names on a mini-series like this, you would think that this is the greatest thing out there. You would be mostly right and a little wrong. It's good in some places and not so good in others.
I had actually planned on getting this for some time now. I found issues 1-5 in a 50 cent bargain bin (I actually got 2-5 for free somehow - the cashier either didn't know what she was doing or I somehow wooed her, I don't know). On the other hand, issue 6 was...well, too much. So, I spent about $7.00 on the whole thing.
Today's post is a mix of stuff: synopsis, critique, highlights, etc. I'll give a quick synopsis of the whole thing (a lot of stuff happens), critique it a little, and talk about the highlights of the series. So here I go:
Synopsis
Well, it all starts on Apokolips. Darkseid (who just got off his shift from McDonald's) has decided to strike against the heroes of Earth via Glorious Godfrey. Operation: Humiliation (the plan) would basically turn the people of America against their heroes. The Phantom Stranger (Stranger, not Ranger) shows up and tells Darkseid that he will not succeed in conquering Earth.
On Earth, everything's going fine until this plan begins. G. Gordon Godfrey (GG's alias) shows up and uses his mental powers to turn mankind against the heroes by saying that they're menaces and that they would be better off without them. The plan keeps going as Darkseid unleashes Brimstone and Marco-Man on Earth. Captain Marvel tries to stop Marco-Man and succeeds - by killing him? Eh? Apparently, this was the plan (he didn't kill the villain), and it leads Billy Batson to not say the words "SHAZAM" again. Luckily, Billy later realizes he's been duped. Meanwhile, the people of the nation begin to fall under Godfrey's control and chaos erupts. Riots break out and heroes are getting hunted.
Uh...is this Foreshadowing???
To stop the violence, President Ronald Reagan issues an order that outlaws superheroes from doing their thing. It seems like the only one who actually followed this thing is Superman. Everybody else like Batman, Blue Beetle, Flash (Wally West) and Guy Gardener don't follow it and keep on kicking some villain butt. The stakes rise as Godfrey gets the people riled up against the government and supplies Warhounds to the people.
Dr. Fate realizes what's really going on, so he goes to recruit the main heroes of the series to take on Godfrey. The heroes do their thing and all is sorted out in the end. Oh yeah, during this event, the Suicide Squad is re-formed (Yay), the Justice League of America (aka Justice League Detroit) ends (aw), and the Justice League is born (Yay).
What I think
That was one heck of a quick synopsis. So is this event worth it? Yeah. I only have a few complaints about it though. So, let's start out with the negative. The stuff involving the kids is a little cheesy, even for this era. Also, some of the dialogue doesn't jive well with me. That may be nit-picky because most dialogue from this era was like this.
Highlights
So what are my highlights for this mini-series? Well:
2. RIOT!!!
Probably the most extreme moment involving the riots is when both Batman and Robin (Jason Todd) get mobbed on by people they just tried to save. Robin takes the worse of it, as you see in that pic.
3. Outlawed
With stuff like this happening all over America, the president has no choice but to outlaw costumed heroes. Superman tries to talk him out of it, but to no avail.
4. "Oh thank God, He's back."
Throughout this event Billy Batson has been an emotional wreck. Because of Darkseid's planning, he thinks he killed a villain. Luckily, with the help of Lisa (one of those kids) he's able to snap out of his emo-ness and transforms into Captain Marvel again. It's also where he realizes he's been set up, so he goes out to stop the madness.
5. Guy Gardner...is just Guy Gardner
And here he is: the one, true, Green Lantern (with a horrible haircut)! The macho man himself! The arrogant, a-holistic, nerve-hurting dude. He actually has some of the more funny moments in the series. For example, his fight with some random villain is hilarious.
6. "Wonder Woman! Wonder Woman!"
Yeah, Wonder Woman shows up in the last issue. That's all. This event was supposed to be her first go-around with the rest of the heroes in this continuity.
7. Rescinded!!
After the Martian Manhunter saves the president from some assassins, the President rescinds his order and costumed heroes are not outlawed anymore. Yay!!
8. Oh the children!
Luckily, it's the kids (led by Robin) who are able to talk the crowd down. They are the only normal people who aren't under Godfrey's influence. The nuttiest part is when Godfrey tries to stop them by slapping Lisa. Bad Idea apparently. This makes the mob of people fall out of his control. Thank heaven.
... ... ... .... .... .... .... ...
Dr. Fate realizes what's really going on, so he goes to recruit the main heroes of the series to take on Godfrey. The heroes do their thing and all is sorted out in the end. Oh yeah, during this event, the Suicide Squad is re-formed (Yay), the Justice League of America (aka Justice League Detroit) ends (aw), and the Justice League is born (Yay).
What I think
That was one heck of a quick synopsis. So is this event worth it? Yeah. I only have a few complaints about it though. So, let's start out with the negative. The stuff involving the kids is a little cheesy, even for this era. Also, some of the dialogue doesn't jive well with me. That may be nit-picky because most dialogue from this era was like this.
Now on to the positive. First off, the art is great. As I said, it's done by both John Bryne (pencils) and Karl Kesel (inks). Just about everyone has their unique looks intact. The covers look straight-up epic in my opinion (my favorite may be either 2 or 6). While I said earlier that some of the dialogue didn't jive with me, I still enjoyed most of it and the story. Pretty much every character is written like they should be. Superman's Superman, Batman is Batman, the Flash is the Flash, and (unfortunately) Guy Gardner is Guy Gardner. The story itself is interesting. Darkseid (an awesome villain) comes up with a somewhat brilliant plan to take over Earth, and it almost works. The whole story kind of feels like DC's answer to the X-Men. The only difference is that it involves mind-control. It could only take that for these normal folk to turn against the heroes, not...well, fear and hate. This event also did a lot in advancing things in the DCU. Since this was the first event after COIE, we see Wally West as the Flash, the end of the Justice League of America (in its book), the re-emergence of Task Force X (aka Suicide Squad), and the birth of the Justice League (aka the JLI).We also finally see Captain Marvel in this continuity on this Earth.
Highlights
So what are my highlights for this mini-series? Well:
1. Everything involving Task Force X (aka the Suicide Squad)
Everything involving the SS from Rick Flag's conversation with Amanda Waller to the rescue/butt kicking of Captain Boomerang was awesome. This is more proof that I should check out the Suicide Squad series that spun out of this event. I've heard it's pretty good.
Everything involving the SS from Rick Flag's conversation with Amanda Waller to the rescue/butt kicking of Captain Boomerang was awesome. This is more proof that I should check out the Suicide Squad series that spun out of this event. I've heard it's pretty good.
A fine conversation.
2. RIOT!!!
Probably the most extreme moment involving the riots is when both Batman and Robin (Jason Todd) get mobbed on by people they just tried to save. Robin takes the worse of it, as you see in that pic.
So Robin gets beat up, and all Batman gets is a bottle of perfume? Sounds about right.
3. Outlawed
With stuff like this happening all over America, the president has no choice but to outlaw costumed heroes. Superman tries to talk him out of it, but to no avail.
This is the only place where we will see Superman, Ronald Reagan, and George H. W. Bush standing together. Ooo...
Throughout this event Billy Batson has been an emotional wreck. Because of Darkseid's planning, he thinks he killed a villain. Luckily, with the help of Lisa (one of those kids) he's able to snap out of his emo-ness and transforms into Captain Marvel again. It's also where he realizes he's been set up, so he goes out to stop the madness.
5. Guy Gardner...is just Guy Gardner
And here he is: the one, true, Green Lantern (with a horrible haircut)! The macho man himself! The arrogant, a-holistic, nerve-hurting dude. He actually has some of the more funny moments in the series. For example, his fight with some random villain is hilarious.
6. "Wonder Woman! Wonder Woman!"
Yeah, Wonder Woman shows up in the last issue. That's all. This event was supposed to be her first go-around with the rest of the heroes in this continuity.
7. Rescinded!!After the Martian Manhunter saves the president from some assassins, the President rescinds his order and costumed heroes are not outlawed anymore. Yay!!
8. Oh the children!
Luckily, it's the kids (led by Robin) who are able to talk the crowd down. They are the only normal people who aren't under Godfrey's influence. The nuttiest part is when Godfrey tries to stop them by slapping Lisa. Bad Idea apparently. This makes the mob of people fall out of his control. Thank heaven.
So....this is for kids, right?
7-5. The Power of Fate Compels You!
After he loses control of the crowd, Godfrey has one more trick up his sleeve: Dr. Fate's helmet. One of Darkseid's soldiers grabbed it earlier. He thinks that with the helmet his powers will increase. What happens instead is this:
I don't think that's supposed to happen.
8. Birth of the Justice League
After all is said and done, Dr. Fate throws out the invitation for these heroes to form the new Justice League. Everyone except for Flash, Changling (Beast Boy), Superman (who's probably checking out Wonder Woman), and Wonder Woman (who just disappears all of the sudden) join in.
After all is said and done, Dr. Fate throws out the invitation for these heroes to form the new Justice League. Everyone except for Flash, Changling (Beast Boy), Superman (who's probably checking out Wonder Woman), and Wonder Woman (who just disappears all of the sudden) join in.
... ... ... .... .... .... .... ... Well, that's all I have for today. Come back next time when I look at something...... Controversial!
NEXT TIME: SUPERGIRL, POCKET UNIVERSES, AND SUPERMAN ____!!!!
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