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Of Embassies and Origins - Justice League International Part 2 (Eaglemoss Collection v77)

  Review: Since we are doing a series of reviews focusing on Booster Gold over his nearly 40-year history, we include this one as a collection of some of his earliest appearances, dating to late 1987. That places the original publish date of these tales while his original solo series was still going strong.  This book is a beautiful, glossy hard-cover with smooth and heavy-stock paper inside, although the sometimes-low print reproduction quality leads to blurred and hard to read word balloons on occasion. It is also a rare book here in North America, as Eaglemoss Collections targeted UK fans with this series. At this point in the history of the 1987-rebooted Justice League, they have gained official United Nations recognition and sanction. To ensure their reach truly is global, they rebrand as Justice League International (as does the title of the series!) and they open new headquarters buildings around the world: New York, Paris and Moscow are included here. As this is a product of 19
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Walking in Escher's World: Review of Earth 2 Volume 2 - the Tower of Fate

   

Cover of Earth 2 Volume 2 - The Tower of Fate


Review:

The sense of confusion and disorientation one feels in M. C. Escher's optical illusions hits us both figuratively and literally in this second volume of the New-52-era Earth 2 series. The story within the collection is somewhat disorienting, as it imperfectly stitches together issues #7-12, plus issue #0 and an excerpt from DC Universe Presents. It's a big Earth-2, with a lot going on, which leaves too much to cover, and therefore too much is left out.

Then artist Nicola Scott drops us into a literal visual riff on Escher's staircase illusion. As Flash and Khalid wander through the Tower of Fate, seeking the fabled golden helm, the two-page spread of their meanderings is the absolute pinnacle of another great set of artistic work. Scott's tremendous visuals are the highlight of this collection. Page after page is resplendent with dynamic scenes of action, detailed and crammed full of stunning expressions and postures. So vivid and amazing! Beyond the stunning work inside the Tower of Fate, her visuals of the mystical battles between Fate and Wotan show a deft touch and care in the tiniest of details. The patterns and swirls of magic power trace back to subtle symbols and tiny gestures. Well worth lingering over each character and panel!

James Robinson's story brings the realm of magic more fully into this new Earth 2. It has been there all along, as acknowledged in a nod to Flash's new, magic costume. But the size and scope of the plotlines, stories, indeed the whole earth, feels like a struggle in this collection. Too many good ideas, too many interesting characters to fit into one book, and Robinson keeps losing some of the threads for extended periods of time.

For its mix of top-notch art and scattered story-telling, I give this 3 capes out of 5

Description:

The World Army has begun rounding up the super-heros of Earth 2, but for what reason?  In an attempt to avoid capture, Dr. Fate and Kid Flash find themselves in the powerful magical realm of Nabu.  The protector of Nabu, Wotan, seeks Dr. Fates assistance in obtaining a secret magic locked deep within a tower that only Dr. Fate can enter.

Collects: Earth 2 issues #0, 7-12

Authors: James Robinson
Artists: Nicola Scott, Yildaray Cinar
Published By: DC Comics
Published When: April 15 2014
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN: 9781401246143
Pages: 176 pages



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