Forever Evil #4 Review

Batman and Luthor vs Power Ring!



The pieces have fallen in place and the first confrontation for the resistance is Power Ring and his team. And they are helped by the Dynamic Duo (no, not Robin. It's Batman and Catwoman).

First off all, the art has become a little ragged. While Finch does portray the gritty atmosphere very well, his faces and body structures could use more work.

And Johns does some questionable things but overall, there are major events that are done well.

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

Batman takes Catwoman to the bat cave and we get some introspective quips from the latter about how he used to be more light-hearted but ever since Robin left, he isn't the same. Revealing that Dick Grayson was Robin and became Nightwing after a falling out (they keep saying Richard though) and so, this is all his fault.

The Batmobile's out of service and the motorcycle has seen better days, but before they leave to confront Power Ring, he familiarizes her with all his countermeasures for the Justice League. The kryptonite ring for Superman (through it would not work against Ultraman), a sinestro corps ring for Green Lantern (Sinestro Corps War is referenced!), a futuristic lightning rod for Flash and the motherbox for Cyborg. Aqauman's weapon is not revealed while Wonder Woman's is empty.

Meanwhile, Luthor revives Black Adam and they decide to confront Power Ring by moving through the Gotham sewers. Apparently Grid is monitoring all this but keeps it secret from the rest of the Syndicate. Then we have some nice moments for Bizarro and Luthor.

Elsewhere, Superwoman continues to play sides as she reveals to Ultraman (aside: poor Metallo) that Owlman has taken Nightwing under his wing to take out her husband. And we are left wondering who's child it is as Earth 2 Lois tries to motivate Ultraman by revealing that it is his child she is carrying.

As Batman's and Luthor's team take on Power Ring and his team (Deathstroke and the rest from Justice League of America), Batman tries to use the Sinestro Corps ring and is only able to make a bat construct before it goes out and Power Ring is able to destroy it.

But Sinestro has arrived! Though I love that he's back after the bad-ass moment in Green Lantern #20, the way Johns undermined Batman is a little too much. If Johns doesn't want to use him like the uber human he needs to be for a mega event like this, they don't use him. This is taking the spotlight away from Lex now that Sinestro is also there.

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

Through it is riddled with some confusing choices, and Lex is relegated to the side, this is the highpoint of the event so far. Everything has been built for this moment and it pays off.

The art continues to be inconsistent, but some of the wider shots are brilliant executed.

So, I give it 8.0 out of 10.

+The pieces have fallen in place and plays out spectacularly
+The wider shots are well executed
+Bizarro gets some great moments

-Some character faces are a little haphazard
-Johns misuses Bruce's abilities