DC Universe Presents #5 – Review

By: Paul Jenkins (writer), Bernard Chang (artist), Blond (colorist)

The Story: I have a question for y’all: why ask the question?

The Review: Wow, hard to believe it’s been five months since I first considered the merits of applying a story-arc format to this showcase title.  I’ve tried to reserve my judgment along the way, but now that we’re at the end, I believe we can say conclusively that this has been largely a waste of the format.  If the purpose of this series is to brighten the dimmer stars of the DCU, then it’d be difficult to consider this story a success.

To follow the recurring motif of this issue, consider this question: would you consider Deadman any more appealing a character now than he was at the beginning of the series?  After all he’s been through, and all the information he’s gleaned from various sources, both human and divine, Boston has failed to learn anything of permanent value, and certainly nothing that’s changed him in any significant way.  He first appeared to us a wise-cracking rebel, and he ends on pretty much the same note.

The first problem is so much of what he’s learned has been plot-focused.  His encounters with the Son of Morning and the demon-angel who guarded his book of life yielded much to deepen his suspicions of Rama, but little to affect his outlook on life.  By the end of the issue, it’s hard to assess exactly how much he’s accomplished.  While he’s forged a new deal with Rama, presumably with better terms, the fact remains that he is still, for all intents and purposes, her servant, and his mission is essentially the same as before.

Perhaps the only difference in his renewed contract is that he’s no longer attached to the souls he possesses, or at least those he’s possessed before.  Jenkins tries to pass this off as a major point, but he’s failed all this time to explain what, exactly, is the peril in having Boston’s fate connected to his many lives.  He vaguely states these people “deserve to go on with their lives,” maybe implying that they now exist in some kind of purgatory, but considering how many of them are still counted among the living, this explanation doesn’t entirely work.

DC Universe Presents #4 – Review

By: Paul Jenkins (writer), Bernard Chang (artist), Blond (colorist)

The Story: Raise your hands and start screaming, we’re riding with the devil tonight!

The Review: Having taken quite a few philosophy classes in my college days, it’s a bit sad to reflect on them and realize I took away absolutely nothing which I can honestly say still applies to my life now.  In my defense, I can only say that when you learn philosophy, you don’t really learn a way to live; no philosopher worth his salt will give you a straight answer to anything, much less give you an outline for living.  All you get for your questions are more questions.

That seems to be the running theme in this installment of Deadman’s quest for answers.  You remember all those people he possessed and failed to help?  His frustration at being unable to solve their problems stems from the fact that he was perhaps never intended to find answers for them at all.  He realizes, “It’s not about answers.  They all represent a question.”

And who better to answer those questions than the Son of Morning, one of the big know-it-alls in the universe and beyond?  Unfortunately, the whole sequence of Deadman asking the SOM twenty questions feels like an exercise for Jenkins to cop out on us as many times as possible.  Using a mix of metaphor and wit, with little cleverness or true logic, SOM answers each of Boston’s question in a way that makes you feel that it’s a waste of time to ask the question at all.

Let’s look at a couple good examples, shall we?  Deadman starts off with a biggie: “What is the meaning of the universe?”  SOM: “It was a failed experiment, abandoned by its creator.”  What’s particularly annoying about the answer is not only does it not truly respond to the call of the question, it’s incomplete.  An experiment to do what?  Why considered a failure and abandoned?  I think we can all agree on the lameness of this point.

Other times, Jenkins just goes for the most convoluted, tortured analogy possible, one that feels like he’s just running off his mouth.  “What is fate?” Deadman asks (and let’s forget about the ridiculousness of the very question here).  “Think of it as a tapestry, rather similar to cheap linoleum, which is printed on the fabric of the space-time continuum.  Your job is to tread on it until it tears, and then sew it up again with conscious thought.”  In the words of 30 Rock’s Liz Lemon: “What the what?”

DC Universe Presents #3 – Review

By: Paul Jenkins (writer), Bernard Chang (artist), Blond (colorist)

The Story: Just because he ties up old ladies and steals their books doesn’t mean he’s not a hero!

The Review: It took me a while to get this review underway because I had to spend some time trying to find the words for my particular feelings toward this book.  Even though Jenkins’ writing has been admirable, the plotting fine, and the overall direction interesting, I still have a strange dissatisfaction with the series.  And now I think I know why: the title just talks too much.

Here me out.  Deadman has always been a lighthearted hero, one more given to quips and jokes than deep thought, and more inclined towards fast-paced physical action and slapstick, despite the inherent spirituality of his mission.  Through Brightest Day, he’s become more thoughtful and layered, a growth I don’t begrudge, but the overemphasis on his more introspective side has turned the story into a philosophical and expositional slog.

Past issues had Rama trying to broaden Boston’s understanding of the universe through innuendo, a fruitless exercise that gave as little enlightenment to us as him.  This time, we have the fallen angel of libraries, or something, giving Boston a lead to someone who can provide the real answers he needs—for a price, of course.  While undoubtedly crucial info, Jenkins takes far too long to get there, dragging us through a scene that repeats a pattern of the angel refusing to speak, then giving in with each of Boston’s casual threats.

Jenkins does better when he goes for a straight-up narrative, like Deadman’s recounting of his attempt to save an innocent man on death row.  The tale has a lot of weight to it, asks all the right questions (“There must be a last-minute reprieve, I thought.  Otherwise, what was I doing here?”), and ultimately ends on a powerful, sobering note—all within three pages.  It also has the added bonus of getting you just as invested in demanding answers from Rama as Boston is.

DC Universe Presents #2 – Review

By: Paul Jenkins (writer), Bernard Chang (artist), Blond (colorist)

The Story: To understand the meaning of life, take a few courses in quantum physics first.

The Review: What with both Wonder Woman and Herc coming out this past Wednesday, this seems to be the week of dealing with gods and all their intrigues, doesn’t it?  One thing you’ll surely learn after observing so much divinity firsthand is that even the humblest, most benevolent gods have things to hide.  While these particular immortals generally have well-intentioned motives in keeping secrets, they almost invariably turn out for the worst.

DC Universe Presents #1 – Review

By: Paul Jenkins (writer), Bernard Chang (artist), Blond (colorist)

The Story: He’ll force himself inside you whether you like it or not.  That’s just wrong.

The Review: Like most of the series in DC’s new lineup, this title received its fair share of controversy even before it launched.  The point of debate in this case had nothing to do with costume changes or snarls of continuity, but revolved around the choice to feature characters through extended story arcs rather than one-shots.  Some people figure, not inaccurately, that a title meant as a vehicle to expose lesser-known heroes should have a quicker revolving door.

Despite their lack of fame, these characters generally have a certain continuity and appeal all their own.  To discover all that, you really need more time than a done-in-one can often provide.  Does this mean we should always get stuck with one character for six months’ worth of issues before moving on to the next?  Perhaps not.  But before we start judging stories by their length, let’s take them on by their merits, shall we?

It’s easy to catch on to Deadman’s gimmick, but beyond the whole possessing people bit, you don’t really get a sense of what his purpose is.  It turns out the friendly ghost may not know that either.  Jenkins fills the issue with questions that have no easy answers, some for Boston to mull morosely upon, and some for our own speculation as well.

The big theme that flows through the center of all these questions is why must Deadman do what he does?  You can see how Boston’s circus skills come in handy when he works with people with practical, tangible problems.  But what use can he have for a priest questioning his faith, a doctor making a life-or-death choice, an innocent on death row, a stripper with daddy issues, or a man dying alone?  Compelling situations indeed, but also a little disappointing since Jenkins doesn’t actually tell us how Boston dealt with these seemingly insolvable conflicts.

Teen Titans #94 – Review

By: J.T. Krul (writer), Nicola Scott (penciller), Doug Hazlewood (inker), Jason Wright (colorist)

The Story: If all you know about Hinduism is the Kama Sutra, let me tell you—there’s nastier where that came from.

The Review: In a lot of ways, this current round of Teen Titans has been around each other a pretty long time.  Kid Flash, Red Robin, and Superboy have worked together long before they even became Young Justice, when they were still known as Impulse, Robin, and…Superboy.  This crew has experienced Raven’s rebirth, Superboy’s clone rage, Kid Flash’s sudden age progression and death, and Superboy’s saving the universe—and death.

So it’s discouraging to see how tepid their interaction has been on this series so far.  A lot of what they have to say just goes through the motions of personality, but without any real life behind it: “Wonder Girl’s lasso.  She wouldn’t leave it behind.  Not ever.”  “No sign of her…but there’s a lot of dark cloud cover limiting visibility.”  There’s just something distant and kind of clinical about these lines, making it feel like they’re strangers talking to each other.

The scene where the Titans search through the demon forest and muse on which of them could be the modern-day Rama comes closest to getting an actual team dynamic.  Unfortunately, it’s mostly between Ravager, who we all know is Krul’s favorite, and his original character Solstice.  While the two girls supply most of the energy in this issue (“So this Ramen guy—”  “Rama.”  “Whatever.”), their teammates’ responses never fail to underwhelm (“Me?”  “Huh?”).

Certainly they get no help from Raven, who has lately become a major buzzkill to every issue, increasingly obsessed over her own dark nature.  She kind of has an excuse in this arc, as being in a demonic dimension likely brings out the worst (read: histrionics) in her.  That doesn’t make you stop wishing she’d just get her breakdown over with already.  Then maybe she can move on and go back to the eager-to-please girl trying to get her act together when this title first started.