Glazer:
Here we go! Second 2 guys of the week! It’s time for the DC Edition!
What books are we talking about Grey?
Grey:
We’re talking about Flash and Aqua(wo)man.
Glazer:
That works for me, and since ladies come first, let’s talk Johns’ Mera issue.
Grey:
So far I’ve been enjoying Aquaman, and I’d call it better than what Geoff did with his Flash book last year, but it’s like we were saying last week, it’s been missing something.
This issue is easily my favorite of the series so far, and Geoff found his success in using Mera as his voice for a month.
Glazer:
Mera is excellent – the plot is a bit cliche – but overall this really humanizes Mera.
Grey:
It’s what Johns has been doing throughout this book with both of them, the plots have been a bit “oh really?” cliche, but he’s using them to try and give us characters and not assumptions we have simply because it’s Aquaman.
Glazer:
While it’s left Aquaman a bit bland, at least Mera gets to show some interesting fire.
Grey:
Aquaman’s part of Brightest Day was the best part of that book, and really, Mera helped carry it. Johns has really turned a character I always assumed to be toxic and made her someone I get excited to read about.
Glazer:
I’ve never liked Mera and am not excited to read about her, but may end up caring about her, which is more impressive.
Grey:
Aquaman’s supposed blandness made more sense to me with one of her lines in this issue, and I’ve been saying it since the book launched, Arthur’s place in life is to have that royal mindset that puts him at odds with people since he is seeking to do what’s best, but knows that he can’t please everyone. He acts like a king without a kingdom.
If you’d read Brightest Day you’d probably feel the way I do about Mera while also feeling like you wasted your money on everything not Aquaman.
Glazer:
I get why – I just think it makes him dull to read about.
Grey:
I think it’ll pan out as time goes on.
Glazer:
It’s enough to keep me reading so far. Also the reveal on Mera’s dad? Interesting stuff.
Grey:
That he sent her to kill Arthur and she betrayed him?
Glazer:
Exactly.
Grey:
That didn’t have nearly the same impact on me because that’s essentially what Brightest Day was, only it was her sister breaking free and us finding out that her people are bad and she was supposed to kill Arthur but fell in love with him. That said, I liked it then, I like it now.
Glazer:
I didn’t read Brightest Day, so this was good for me. This book needed an overarching plot.
Grey:
Yep, it also needs this upcoming Atlantis story.
But I really want to put over what I was telling you about earlier.
That being that Joe Prado is a horribly underrated penciller. This issue looks great, and when I saw that he was drawing for a change I was excited. Most people know him best as Ivan Reis’s inker, but he could handle a full time gig as lead pencils.
Glazer:
Sweet. Might he keep this book?
Grey:
Probably not, it’s Ivan’s, and hell, Ivan did the breakdowns for this issue. I’m really torn, I love them as a team, and I’m a fan of his on his own, so I don’t know what would be better.
Glazer:
I doubt he could do both, then…
Grey:
I can live with him doing the fill in issues!
That way we get both!
Glazer:
Works for me, rating?
Grey:
I’m going with an 8. It’s an enjoyable story that, while not being a game changer, shines a necessary and well used spotlight on Mera. Toss in the art, and Mera being a complete and total badass, and you’ve got a real winner here.
Glazer:
I think a 7 is fine. It’s good, but ultimately not memorable.
Grey:
Blame it on Brightest Day.
Glazer:
Fair- and now Flash #6, we get new 52 Rogues!
Or at least their leader…
Grey:
Finally!
I’ll admit that I was more than a little worried when I saw the redesign for Cold, but having seen him in action, I like it.
Glazer:
Well, why is he redesigned? What’s this issue all about?
Grey:
Barry and Patty, who I oddly no longer hate and wish death upon, finally decide they’re together for one thing.
The issue is told in the present with flashbacks, and the present is Cold being more powerful than ever having frozen a large body of water and is now taking the Flash to task.
It’s an interesting issue.
Cold’s new powers are awesome.
Glazer:
I loved Cold, and the boat sequence was phenomenal, but there’s stuff I didn’t like in the issue, too.
Grey:
Like what?
Glazer:
Patty, mostly. I also don’t like Flash already hitting 10 on his new power gauge. It felt like it could have been a long-term cool build. Instead the next time he goes out, he goes all out.
Grey:
I really don’t mind Patty as much as I used to, though she’s no Iris. I’d also have to agree that turning the dial up past 11 already kinda moots the importance.
Glazer:
I feel like she’s being set up as Gwen Stacy.
Grey:
She dies and we get Barry and Iris?
Glazer:
Yes, exactly, but with more angst.
Grey:
For the character, not the readers. I said I don’t mind her, I still wouldn’t care if she died yet. Hell, I cheered for her death in Kid Flash Lost.
Glazer:
Ha, fair point. But still, the lack of build to the Speed Force and her lack of personality beyond “good cop” are definite weaknesses.
Grey:
The “Girlfriend”/”Boyfriend” dialog was painful.
Glazer:
It’s artists feeling their way for story. Such moments are expected and, ultimately, forgiven.
Grey:
Agreed, it’s why I was holding off on saying it!
At least they didn’t sound like robots, just cheesey romance characters.
Glazer:
Ha, fair enough. A rating?
Grey:
I’ll give it an 8, which makes me want to mention that this week had a lot of really good books.
Glazer:
I’m giving it a 7, though in our eyes, my 7 is around equivalent to your 8. Yes, there were a ton of good books- read Chew!
Grey:
I do! I mean, not monthly, but I have both Omnivore Editions!
Glazer:
It’s the rare book that’s better monthly. It’s actually all done-in-one stories!
Grey:
There are story arcs!
Glazer:
Yes, and each issue of the arc is a done in one. It’s so impressive!
Glazer:
And with that, we bid you adieu, readers. Check back for a very special 2 Guys soon!
