Plunge #6, The Conclusion

Plunge

“My name is Legion,” he replied, “for we are many.” If you want to avoid becoming one with the Legion, pay heed to the words of the book of Plunge, chapter 6, verses 1-32!

This is the gospel according to the almost, but not entirely unlike other unnamed horror writers, Joe Hill. As envisioned by the guy with not a lot of comic experience Stuart Immonen.

The official plot:

“Sixty fathoms below the ocean’s surface, a massive hatch waits to be opened…Something within wants to emerge; wants to be born; wants to rise; wants to feed. The child is coming, desperate to fill its belly-by devouring reality itself!”

DC Black Label

Should add that the humble humans don’t feel like being devoured, but otherwise, quite accurate. Also – ugly baby!

Plunge
I always had a vague feeling that sushi was bad for you…

My Impressions:

  • What works: It’s a horror book…and yeah, it’s one of the more disturbing. I mean, being infested and possessed by extra-dimensional worms. No thanks.
  • What I could do without: The threat to “reality” was totally unnecessary. It would have been more effective for the child to have been a giant monster intent on eating all the humans.
  • But how did it look?: Confident. Horror titles don’t usually get big names, so the art always seems tentative. Not the case here.
Plunge
Quick, get the Head & Shoulders!

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • The child (1st appearance & death)
  • Captain Gage (Death)
  • Bill and Moriah (The only survivors)
  • Clark (Last remaining worm food)

Bottom Line: 4 Stars!

Plunge was one of the better Joe Hill titles. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him end up a staple of the Black Label imprint. I recommend grabbing up the eventual TPB. I really enjoyed the setting of a sea rescue gone bad. It really reminded me of something I would have watched on a Saturday afternoon, when I was a kid…one of those Elvira movies. Individually, this issue wasn’t as good as the rest of the series, but it does leave us open to the possibility of a follow up.

Batman / Superman #11, “Atomic” conclusion

Batman / Superman

My fellow comicphiles, attend as we discuss Batman / Superman Volume 2, chapter 11, verses 1-32! “Atomic conclusion!”

This is the word according to Joshua Williamson
As envisioned by Clayton Henry

The official plot:

“It’s Superman versus Batman as the deadly machinations of the Ultra-Humanite crash to their end! The Dark Knight has been transformed into a human atomic bomb, all in the name of wiping Superman from the face of the Earth! As Batman struggles against the urge to kill his friend, Superman must undo the damage done and help the other victims of the Ultra-Humanite’s experiments. It’s the thrilling conclusion to “Atomic” that will reverberate across the DC Universe for months to come!”

DC Comics

This is a pretty fair assessment of the story, though I do think that “thrilling” is a flat out lie. The “other victims” is a bit of a stretch too…they get one panel.

Batman Superman
Batman! Please put your shirt on! This isn’t Nerds After Dark!

My Impressions:

  • What is good: There isn’t much. The only real interesting thing is a small revelation about how Atomic Skull came to be a remote detonated bomb.
  • What isn’t so good: The artwork all looked soft. It wasn’t bad, but it definitely had a second tier feel to it.
  • What is bad: The bad guy…a generic smart gorilla. It’s been done. In fact, DC is ripping themselves off with this one. (Yeah, I know it’s all about the brain and just happens to be a gorilla body, but it’s still dumb.) [Editor’s note: Glad I wasn’t the only one that felt this way!]
  • The worst: Batman / Superman literally talk out their actions. Today’s reader doesn’t need every little detail revealed in dialogue. We know what’s up.
batman superman
Finally someone get’s this right!

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Superman (Kal-El/Clark Kent)
  • Batman (Bruce Wayne)
  • Ultra-Humanite (Gerard Shugel)
  • Atomic Skull (Albert Michaels)

Bottom Line: 1 Stars!

Fanboys and completionist collectors only. Everyone else…skip it!

Superman in Action Comics #1024, “The House of Kent” part 3

Superman

My fellow comicphiles, attend as we discuss Superman in the book of Action Comics, chapter 1024, verses 1-32! The House of Kent part 3!

This is the word according to Brian Michael Bendis
As envisioned by John Romita, Jr.

The official plot:

“The city of Metropolis has been rocked by Luthor’s latest attack and the drama surrounding Superman’s truth, and that gives the invisible mafia a new foothold to change the City of Tomorrow forever. Meanwhile, the Daily Planet is under siege! The fallout from Superman: Villains continues as Clark Kent steps out into the world as a reporter for the first time.”

DC Comics

Almost all of this is untrue. Only “Meanwhile, the Daily Planet is under siege!” is correct…and the siegers are the FBI!!!

LIES!!! There’s NOTHING about a new boss in this issue!

My Impressions:

  • What is good: The story is way better than the stupid PR blurb above! The “Invisible Maffia” steps it up a notch and straight up murders one of Superman’s new friends and damn does it affect him. By the end, Big Blue has rounded up all of the “super” members of the Kent family (Connor Kent too!) and they have murder in their eyes!
  • What isn’t so good: The artwork. Sorry Mr. Romita Jr. your style isn’t all that great. Especially the sudden emotional collapse, what were you thinking?
Superman
This is gonna be good!

Notable Appearances/Events:

  • Superman (Kal-El/Clark Kent)
  • Superboy (Jonathan ‘Jon’ Samuel Kent)
  • Supergirl (Kara Zor-El/Kara Danvers)
  • Superboy (Kon-El/Conner Kent)
  • Red Cloud (Robinson Goode)
  • Character Death: Deputy Fire Chief Melody Moore (off panel)

Bottom Line: 4 Stars!

You’ve got to love a pissed off Superman! Go look for parts 1 & 2…and get on board.