Earth 2 #18 Review

A new team is about to form.

We follow both the new Batman and the evil Superman (which is really saying something, seeing that I've always believed that Batman IS Bruce Wayne and Superman being good is his whole point. Anyway, I digress) as they take the next step in their respective missions.

Along the way, some clues are handed out about who the new Batman can be. And there are some familiar faces thrown into the mix.

The art as always is beyond description. Scott is brilliant to say the least and Tom is taking this is new directions that I cannot predict right now.

SPOILERS FOLLOW.......................

Superman has blown up the Arkham Base (yes, Arkham is a military base now) and Commander Khan is injured. I thought Khan was one of the better characters on Earth 2 and thankfully, he's still around.

To prevent more destruction, the Flash engages in a race with the evil Superman and sadly, this race is quickly lost as Superman captures him and returns to take Sloan and Mister Terrific to Darksiied.

But the most interesting part is with the New Batman and Major Sato (who looks like Amanda Waller) as the latter tries to prevent him releasing some of the most dangerous people who were locked up by the World Army.


With Red Tornado aka Lois Lane arriving, we get to see some of the new Batman's aspects - he's stronger but is still able to do the vanishing act that Bruce did.

Though when Lois takes that name, the new Batman is taken aback. I can't quite make out anything from that reaction so will reserve my judgement. But after releasing Earth 2 Aquawoman (we saw her tube in Batman/Superman) who doesn't seem to be Mera and an information bank in a human Jimmy Olsen (and if you read pre-New 52, he always wanted to be one), his actions are curious.

He goes to the Joker stasis tube and shoots it, thereby killing the Joker.

So who is this Batman? Jason Todd seems the most likely right now (especially the gun use), but I need more clues.


SPOILERS END................................

WIth amazing art and some intriguing actions, though the plot progression got the short shift as nothing much  happened, this is still a fantastic web that Tom is weaving.

With unpredictability and secrecy all around, Earth 2 is continuing to be interesting.

So, I give it 8.0 out of 10

+Some intriguing plot points set up
+Great visuals

-Plot didn't move much