Ron Watson Comic Reviews

In Snyder's hands, this book continues to deliver both shocking and surprising moments. While we can't expect this current status quo to last too long, the entire creative team is doing the most with it. It's not perfect, but this chapter, with its diverse array of moods, settings, and character beats, is a very enjoyable read.

In any form of art, the best advice is to "show, don't tell." Unfortunately, that's not the case here. While there is still a great deal to go before we can truly know what to expect in this story arc, this chapter felt stale. This is due to the over-focus on dialogue. Toward the end, we get a little steam building though. Bendis is starting to work toward something that could be quite exciting. While this isn't the strongest issue, there is an odd character pairing with similar goals that may make for an exciting finish. Or it could just end with Bendis writing his own take on a character that doesn't jive with what readers have come to expect from decades of characterization.

Simply put, this is comic book perfection. Kudos to the entire creative team.

That being said, this issue is not flawless in its execution. While Orlandos script excels in both physical and emotional aspects, the conclusion to the epic showdown between Midnighter and Prometheus feels a bit rushed. Perhaps this is due for the overwhelming desire for more. The climax not only leaves the reader craving more, but it gives Midnighter a deeply personal nemesis (dare I say an arch-nemesis?). Orlando's first arc was bombastic and beautiful, and he has now moved the pieces on the chess board to create a potentially masterful lengthy epic.

For what seems like the seventh issue in a row,Omega Men is an absolutely excellent story. Month in, month out, it is near the top of critics' scores. Each issue delicately connects various strings from previous issues, taking full advantage of a serial format. This creative team is achieving a rare feat, of telling a riveting, near-perfect space opera that only comics can rightfully do . . . even with Kyle Rayner in the lead role.

The entire creative team is tackling quite a task here, mixing the magical side of DC Comics with the superhero side. Early in the New 52, this was attempted quite often and usually these attempts were met with less than stellar results. So far, Simone and the art team are doing quite well. While this arc still has a long ways to go, the early chapters have properly put the wheels of in motion for an intriguing finish. The art is top-notch as is the dialogue, snarky as ever, and the plot from Simone.

This issue, even during its slower moments, exemplifies the allure of superhero comics. Great character interactions, ramped-up action, and a connection to a deeper, long-lasting mythology. That being said, this issue is not perfect; The finale, while great, did come across a bit rushed. Another spread would have truly done this book justice. That being said, Sinestro continues to be a book worthy of my money every single month.

First issues are always tricky. There's backstory to be caught up on, and new story to introduce. It's no easy task to set the hook for the remainder of the arc, or even multiple arcs. Unfortunately, this first issue fell kind of flat. Latour has been a favorite writer of manyin the past, so it's entirely possible he can make some course correction on this book. But at the end of the day, he's still just setting up pieces on the Spidey chessboard that someone has already played with over and over again.