Earth 2 #21 Review

The death knell tolls………………

The casualty count rises as another hero falls while the rest are in retreat mode.

Tom Taylor’s continues to spin the wheels here though as most of the heroes are in standby mode while more people die.

But his character work is excellent and reveals what it is like to be an inhabitant of Earth 2. And the answer is – pretty grim.

Nicola Scott’s work captures the horror that is besieging Earth 2 right now and it’s great she’s back after a one issue break.

SPOILERS FOLLOW………………

Don’t be fooled by the cover. Except for some more cryptic words, Dr Fate is a no-show this issue.

Atom All Pratt though becomes the latest casualty of Superman’s attack as he loses an arm in Moscow. Sandman is able to transport the remaining troops to Amazonia, which is protected from Superman’s gaze.

As Jimmy Olsen watches this (what happened to protecting him from the massacre?), Red Arrow wants to take more proactive steps while Thomas waits for Val to step up to the plate.

Commander Khan discusses the hopeless situation with Wesley Dodds aka Sandman at Amazonia and learns that less than a hundred thousand have survived.

It seems the World Army has initiated something called ‘Project Beyond’, which is an escape route built for rich people to leave the earth on a rocket when situations become dire. Superman though has other ideas as he stops it and ruptures the hull, with the gory view of millions of people falling to the ground from the outer atmosphere.

This process is given in detail by Tom to show what the status quo is on Earth 2.

Khan contacts Atlantis, where he learns that Aquawoman has taken control. Jimmy hacks into their conversation and apparently has something important to divulge.

Elsewhere, Micheal Holt and Terry Sloan (Mr Terrific of Earth 1 and 2 respectively) have been hypnotized by Bedlam into helping Mister Miracle transform Earth 2 into a second Apokalips. I’m not sure whether Bedlam is using some form of Anti-Life equation or not. Mister Miracle’s allegiance is suspect at the moment though.

Poking into Terry’s head, Bedlam learns the secret of the second Kryptonian (Val) and conveys it to Superman.

SPOILERS END…………………

Still going at a slow page after the hectic events before, we get some more world building from Tom Taylor along with some good character moments.

The second phase of the battle with Superman is about to start and the pieces are being assembled.

So, I give it 8.0 out of 10.

+Some good artwork from Scott

+Excellent world building by Tom Taylor

+Nice character moments

-Plot progression has slowed down