Faster is not always better
I knew that if I didn’t jump on the latest installment of Terra, someone out there would be screaming bloody murder. So without further ado, here’s your look at the third installment of the four-issue mini-series from DC Comics.
So Deathcoil put his essence into Geo-Force last issue (ewww), and the fight between he and Atlee really heats up here. Once again, Atlee wins the day by using her perceived flaws to trick the opponent out of Geo-Force’s body and into a glass globe; trapped until one of Deathcoil’s marching zombies breaks him free.
We saw Atlee use reverse psychology to trick Silver Banshee aiding her and Power Girl last issue, but to use an almost identical move in this issue seems a bit of a let down. Of course the thinking may be, “if it works one time, why not use it again?â€Â If this were an ongoing series, I would probably be more okay with this as it leaves room down the road for the character to come to grips when the trick doesn’t work.
Deathcoil’s grip on Geo-Force was pretty severe, and when she doesn’t know how to revive him, Atlee scoops him up and heads into the mantle to her home world. Yes, we do get to see her home city, and the myriad of creatures that inhabit the realm. Readers also get a chance to see Atlee’s father, who looks more like a future member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, than the progenitor of a hot girl in spandex. This moment gives a clue into what Atlee might look like if it there hadn’t been any DNA meddling.
When Geo-Force is revived, thanks to underworld brain slugs, Atlee and Aurla explain the unique relationship between the under worlders and uplanders and how it is hoped Atlee can help bridge the gap between the races to help save the planet. The exposition tends to veer off into the tree hugger category, but I don’t mind it too much as I think there are more things we should be doing to save the planet.
Unfortunately, I was off on who Richard’s girlfriend is in my last review. Instead of Veronica Cale, she just happens to be a similarly named blonde who uses sex to get what she wants. Even though Richard warned Veronica not to get too close to the transforming liquid, she does it anyway, and instead of turning into living mineral, she is turned to a solid piece of crystal. I would guess she is dead and gone, but as Richard drills deeper into the Earth hoping to find someone to cure her, he encounters a race of bug beings who break his precious into a million pieces. This of course infuriates Richard who swears to kill everyone.
The transition from bored guy with powers to evil villain occurs rather abruptly as Richard believes everyone and everything underground is against him and responsible for his current woman woes. The sudden attitude change doesn’t come off as believable, and distracts from the issue.
In a six issue mini-series, having an issue or two that stalls has become an expected story telling practice. In Terra, the four issue run means everything has to be compressed to fit the space alloted. While the first issue was paced fine, and the second moved and filled in more of the plot, this issue feels like the reader is being force fed the most important bits through lengthy exposition. This is the biggest fault I have with the issue, and it drops a couple of points for that.
Once again, Amanda Conner’s art rules the issue, and I can’t rave enough about her art styling. This is exactly the kind of art style I like in my comics, and wish I could see more comics done this way. I can only hope that Conner gets to do a run on one of the upcoming Adventure Comics issues, as I would love to see the Legion drawn in her style.
With one issue to go, I have a feeling the story is going to be wrapped up a little too quickly for my taste. Even with great art, a fast paced story that has characters going through the paces gets old. As much as I wanted to like this issue, I can only give Terra #3 2.5 out of 5 Stars.
62/62
2 Comments
Y’know, I found myself really digging the art too, and then you just put your finger on it. THIS is what I want my comics to look like. They can be colorful and “fun” but still full of bugs and disgusting and violence too!!
I saw nothing wrong with Richard’s actions, wait let me rephrase that… I saw nothing out of character from the guy who killed 5 guys a few minutes after getting his powers.