The “Forever Evil” event has certainly shaken things up in the DCU, and a new miniseries debuted this week that I expect will clear up some of the questions readers have had about what’s going on with several characters.
Characters who don’t often get the spotlight in the DCU take center stage.
This title fills in some of what’s happening after the Crime Syndicate takes over.
Cons
You’ll need to know what’s happening in “Forever Evil” to pick up what’s happening here!
The art is a little tough to follow as we move from creator to creator.[rating:overall]
READER RATING!
[ratings]
FOREVER EVIL: A.R.G.U.S. #1
Writer: Sterling Gates
Artists: Philip Tan, Neil Edwards, Javier Pina
Inkers: Jason Paz, Jay Leisten, Javier Pina
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $2.99
Previously in FOREVER EVIL: The villains have killed the Justice League and decimated A.R.G.U.S.’s headquarters. Only Steve Trevor and the surviving A.R.G.U.S. agents can pick up the pieces and save the civilian populace from unthinkable evil!”
I always enjoy it when “minor” characters get a chance to shine, which is probably why I enjoyed DC’s weekly 52 so much. This book has a lot of the same feel by fleshing out Steve Trevor, among others.
A FAST-MOVING, ENGAGING PLOT
Sterling Gates is one of my favorite DC scripters, and he delivers a story that pulled me in and had me turning the pages quickly to find out what happens next.
I particularly enjoyed his filling in some history of Mr. Trevor in the “New 52.” We see his first encounter with Wonder Woman, and then his meeting with the president in which he is made the founder of A.R.G.U.S., defined as Advanced Research Group Uniting Super- Humans.
Gates has a strong ability to make comics characters “breathe,” to be more relatable, to be someone we understand. He brings that talent to bear extremely well in this book, and I felt I knew Steve Trevor better than I ever have after reading this debut issue.
That’s not to say that he doesn’t handle action sequences well. On the contrary, I enjoyed them as well, and his knowledge of when to go between character moments and conflict was clearly shown.
THE ART FOR THIS ISSUE
The area of this book that I found a little confusing was the use of multiple artists with pretty different styles. I imagine that, with all the “Forever Evil” spin-offs coming out, DC needed more than one to get the issue out on time, but I would have liked some creators with a lot more similar style than were brought in.
Now, I don’t think the art was really bad, and I in fact would have enjoyed Mr. Tan, Mr. Edwards or Mr. Pina on their own. I just found the combination a little distracting.
Still, I did think the dramatic sequences, such as Steve meeting Diana, were done well. I also enjoyed the final page with what I think is the new Doctor Light.
BOTTOM LINE: A FULFILLING ADDITION TO THE EVENT!
I often rail against events and their attempt to drain my bank account, but I liked this miniseries a lot because it did fill in gaps around the edges of the DCU.
I actually came away wondering if Steve Trevor might end up with his own title soon. He’s a powerful leader and a great tactician. And hey, anyone that Wonder Woman takes a liking to has got to be okay in my book!
Look for me to be keeping up with this title going forward. Mr. Gates’ ability to weave a strong story will keep me on the edge of my seat even if the art isn’t as strong as I’d like it to be!
[rating:4/5]