Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: Dream Crime – Part One
Written by: Dan Abnett & Andy Laning
Pencilled by: Chris Batista
Inked by: Mark Farmer
Colored by: Jason Wright
Lettered by: Comicraft
Editor: Stephen Wacker
Publisher: DC Comics
This issue begins a brand new story arc in the 31st century. We find Dreamer and Saturn Girl on Titan hoping to boost the former’s powers. However, Dreamer is having disturbing visions that are related to a certain New God. Back on Legion World, Brainiac 5 and Shikari search for a way to contact Karate Kid and Ferro. Apparition gets some help from Kid Quantum in stabilizing her child’s development. Star Boy pushes himself past his point of endurance and gets a helping hand from Violet. Plus Sensor lashes out at Chameleon. Seems like a lot doesn’t it. Well it’s not.
DnA inject all of these plots in the issue, and at first it seems like almost too much. But when you actually look at the issue, not that much happens. Long time readers already know about Karate Kid and Ferro’s situation, but now we know that Brainy knows as well. Sensor is coping, poorly, with her new form, but that does not make a compelling story. Honestly, the only stories I am interested in are Star Boy’s plight (because I secretly hope that Danny Blaine will someday become a reality) and Dreamer’s dilemma. DnA do a great job of showing what life on Titan, a world where everyone is a telepath, is like for a person without those abilities. But you would think that these guys write for Marvel (which is known for padding issues) because this issue is light on substance.
The art is great. Batista and Farmer’s art is crisp. You can tell Dreamer is lying on page 8, just as you can tell that Saturn Girl is sceptical. Plus these guys throw in some cool treats in the background, like Alan Scott’s power battery, a Kryptonian war suit, and Boba Fett. Jason Wright did a good job on colors. My only qualm is that apparently Titan has only one Black person on it. Comicraft has never lettered poorly as far as I am concerned. Now on to the cover by Tony Harris and Tom Fester, I must admit to being disappointed. The cover is cool, but too much Fester and not enough Harris for my taste. But this is coming from a diehard Starman fan, so I guess I am nitpicking.
Overall this issue left me wanting more. Not in the good “I can’t wait for 30 days to pass†way. It was more like an “I wish at least one storyline had been fleshed out a little more†way. The issue was decent.
