By David Pepose
posted: 29 October 2009 10:30 am ET
Advertisement
World's Finest #1
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Julian Lopez and Bit
Coloring by Hi-Fi
Lettering by Jared K. Fletcher
Published by DC Comics
Review by David Pepose
With Superman off-planet and Batman presumed killed-in-action, a new team must assume the mantle of the World's Finest. With Red Robin teaming up Kryptonian superhero Nightwing (both being adopted sons of their respective mentors), Sterling Gates crafts a story that, despite its flaws, has some great fist-pumping moments that will make this story worthwhile.
Gates' writing style frequently has him opening up his stories with a bang. The first six pages of his script are just poetry in motion, as he quickly establishes Tim Drake's angrier, more Bat-like nature. "Pull over or I will pull you over!" Red Robin shouts, as he grabs upon a speeding biker. And the moment where the new Nightwing and Red Robin meet, well, that's the sort of pathos that makes a shared universe worthwhile in the first place.
With this stellar introduction, it's almost enough to make you forget about the book's weaknesses -- namely, a somewhat frenetic second half that doesn't give a great explanation of why Red Robin was needed at all (or at least, not without making Chris Kent look a little dumb), as well as a jarring transition for Tim getting what he wanted out of all this. Still, Gates gets points for using some of the less-seen villains of the Superman and Batman franchises, especially giving the Penguin a great voice of his own.
In terms of the art of Julian Lopez, when he hits, he hits not just a home run, but a grand slam. That introductory sequence, with Red Robin battling a biker gang is just perfectly choreographed, with composition and panel placement just being played to the hilt. That said, sometimes Lopez can't always deliver -- while he certainly does a great wind-up for Nightwing revealing his identity to Red Robin, the splash page with the goods feels a little too pedestrian in terms of the composition. (In his defense, however, there are a lot of credits to go on that page -- it's a wonder they all fit.)
Despite some story logic that gets a little shaky upon a second glance, Sterling Gates certainly shows in this first issue of World's Finest that enthusiasm and good emotional beats can go a long way. This series is definitely showing DC's willingness to expand their core properties, and to tend these supporting characters as viable properties in their own right -- and with some great artwork and what looks to be a writer reaching for the big time, World's Finest may live up to its name sooner than we all might think.
Written by Sterling Gates
Art by Julian Lopez and Bit
Coloring by Hi-Fi
Lettering by Jared K. Fletcher
Published by DC Comics
Review by David Pepose
With Superman off-planet and Batman presumed killed-in-action, a new team must assume the mantle of the World's Finest. With Red Robin teaming up Kryptonian superhero Nightwing (both being adopted sons of their respective mentors), Sterling Gates crafts a story that, despite its flaws, has some great fist-pumping moments that will make this story worthwhile.
Gates' writing style frequently has him opening up his stories with a bang. The first six pages of his script are just poetry in motion, as he quickly establishes Tim Drake's angrier, more Bat-like nature. "Pull over or I will pull you over!" Red Robin shouts, as he grabs upon a speeding biker. And the moment where the new Nightwing and Red Robin meet, well, that's the sort of pathos that makes a shared universe worthwhile in the first place.
With this stellar introduction, it's almost enough to make you forget about the book's weaknesses -- namely, a somewhat frenetic second half that doesn't give a great explanation of why Red Robin was needed at all (or at least, not without making Chris Kent look a little dumb), as well as a jarring transition for Tim getting what he wanted out of all this. Still, Gates gets points for using some of the less-seen villains of the Superman and Batman franchises, especially giving the Penguin a great voice of his own.
In terms of the art of Julian Lopez, when he hits, he hits not just a home run, but a grand slam. That introductory sequence, with Red Robin battling a biker gang is just perfectly choreographed, with composition and panel placement just being played to the hilt. That said, sometimes Lopez can't always deliver -- while he certainly does a great wind-up for Nightwing revealing his identity to Red Robin, the splash page with the goods feels a little too pedestrian in terms of the composition. (In his defense, however, there are a lot of credits to go on that page -- it's a wonder they all fit.)
Despite some story logic that gets a little shaky upon a second glance, Sterling Gates certainly shows in this first issue of World's Finest that enthusiasm and good emotional beats can go a long way. This series is definitely showing DC's willingness to expand their core properties, and to tend these supporting characters as viable properties in their own right -- and with some great artwork and what looks to be a writer reaching for the big time, World's Finest may live up to its name sooner than we all might think.
Most Popular
- Recommended
- Commented
Community
- Blog@
-
-
11.21.2009 | J. Caleb Mozzocco
Linkarama@Newsarama
?That?s what being a hero is all about, it?s that sometimes, you gotta take out a baby?: That’s Tucker Stone trying to look on the positive... -
11.20.2009 | Egg Embry
Global Freezing Strip 0032
Find out more about Global Freezing here on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays or at ComicsByEgg.com.... -
11.20.2009 | David Pepose
Get your bearded superhero on
When it comes to superheroes and beards, there’s not a whole lot of overlap. Sure, there’s Hercules, and there’s Odin —...
-
11.21.2009 | J. Caleb Mozzocco
Marketplace Links
- Skip the crystal ball, turn to math for answers.
- Geek Logik can help you solve life’s questions – big & small.
- Appreciate the weird & wacky?
- Check out our Strange News for outlandish stories.
- Do you believe that we aren’t the only ones?
- Read up on the latest discoveries relating to life beyond our planet.
- Who doesn’t love Top 10 lists?
- See our Top 10 picks for all kinds of cool stuff- from the scary to the funny to the plain ugly







