Multiverse & monitors

After the success of the weekly publication series entitled to 52 (see 1 52), it was apparent that DC comics would reiterate this editorial experience, with as threefold: (1) bring potential buyers of comics every week in their favorite store, (2) ensure continued presence of the DC brand on sales stands and (3) increase sales. Once these objectives, it only remained to find a story to tell (in 52 episodes) and a creative team to maintain in the project.

The concept that underlies this series is to ensure the link between the events of the series 52 and Final Crisis. Grant Morrison presented a loose framework for DC comics and Paul Dini, writer of this story, charging the latter to unfold its history through some mandatory steps.

The result is a very long series that follows several narrative son each centered on one or more characters. Jimmy Olsen investigating the death of the daughter of the Joker and begins to manifest strange powers despite himself (situations reminiscent of the Jimmy Olsen before the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths). Holly Robinson (formerly Catwoman) arrives in Metropolis and lets himself sucked by the Amazons (open during the events of Amazons Attack). Mary Marvel recovers its powers to the full price and must bear the consequences. Karate Kid (directly from the thirty-first century) desperately seeks the reason for his presence in our time. Donna Troy and Jason Todd join forces for their own survival as they are every 2 abnormalities in the multiverse. And two classic enemies of Flash (Pied Piper and Trickster) fleeing the vengeance of their former colleagues and heroes after the death of a flash.

This first volume is very pleasant to read. Each character is well identified and well-typed. The starting situations are all intriguing and the reader quickly hooked. Pual Dini provides work quite honest and worthy of praise, knowing he is credited as sole screenwriter. He is assisted throughout the episodes by different screenwriters and writers assistants who help keep up (special mention to the team of Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti, the appointed writer of Jonah Hex: A Face Full of Violence).

Where low frankly hurts is listed drawings. It was already the weak point of the series 52, but things got worse. In illustrators list, there is no known name prominent, there 2 people who stand out (Tom Derenick and Jesus Saiz) but all clearly play in the second division or even below. This is really the black point of this volume and which prevents it to win its fourth star.