After multiple delays, Forever Evil #7 has arrived. Enough with this silly intro, lets wait no more and get to the review!
FOREVER EVIL #7
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: David Finch
Inker: Richard Friend
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Colorist: Sonia Oback
Editor: Brian Cunningham
Publisher: DC Comics
Cover Price: $4.99
Previously in Forever Evil: Batman, Lex Luthor and some others have broken into the Crime Syndicate’s base to rescue Dick Grayson. In order to stop the bomb connected to his heart from exploding, Luthor kills Dick. Meanwhile, the masked man is revealed to be Alex Luthor from the Syndicate’s world with powers similar to Shazam (Captain Marvel). At least I think that’s what happened, I can’t quite remember. It’s been awhile.
WOW. ME ACTUALLY SAD ABOUT BIZZARO
The general opinion has been that Forever Evil has been moving slow. The release schedule and delays certainly haven’t helped. I haven’t been displeased with Forever Evil, just entertained but apathetic. I have to say, this final issue is definitely the best of the seven with a satisfying conclusion that leaves some interesting ideas, and worries, for future stories.
The mini-series has mainly focused on Lex Luthor, so it’s no surprise that he becomes the hero of the story. Johns has a lot of threads to tie up and does an adequate job with the space provided. The extra pages, making this a $4.99 book, certainly assisted in the task. The Crime Syndicate is for the most part defeated but now Luthor’s team must deal with Alexander Luthor who’s Shazam like powers give him the ability to steal his victims’ powers. While I found some of the story predictable, this issue actually drops some bombshells and nice moments. Alexander Luthor being the father of Superwoman’s unborn child caught me off guard, as did Ted Kord’s introduction into the New 52 at the end. The issue is actually strongest in the little moments, with my favorite being Bizzaro’s death. It’s a heartbreaking moment that shocked me in its effectiveness and Luthor’s sadness over the creature’s demise was unexpected yet perfect for the character. You don’t take Lex Luthor’s toys. It was great to see someone finally out-smart Batman, and Luthor was a perfect choice. Atomica getting crushed underfoot and Luthor leaving Ultraman to suffer are well written, even if some of Johns’ story may be lacking.
Forever Evil’s predicability, conclusion and reveals are its biggest downfall. I don’t think anyone will be surprised by Luthor’s turn and it’s questionable how long it will last. Sinestro and Black Adam moving the moon was too convenient and why it wasn’t tried earlier if it was that easy is silly. The final reveal of Anti-Monitor being the Syndicate’s universe destroyer wasn’t that startling and more a disappointment that DC feels the need to recycle old ideas for their new universe. The most surprising was Lex Luthor figuring out Batman’s identity. The problem with all these “shockers” is that DC has decided to go full force with Future’s End. How any of this is going to be addressed in the weekly, if at all, is concerning. I’m worried we’ll be stuck with forgotten story elements (Anti-Monitor) in order to make another reboot.
I GUESS HE DID NEED THE EXTRA TIME
I used to be a fan of David Finch’s art. His work on Moon Knight was wonderfully detailed and moody. The man’s inability to meet a deadline is infuriating and he can’t last more than six issues on a monthly. Clearly DC didn’t learn the lesson from Marvel or themselves and decided to give him a seven issue event book. What a shock, there were delays. I found the previous six issues to look rushed with some downright ugly. This issue is the best looking of the series and it appears the extra time worked to the art’s advantage. Detail is stronger with proportions and faces looking better. Action is well handled with some powerful scenes, the best being the full page of the heroes bursting out of Firestorm. Finch has so much to pack into the issue that many of the pages are cramped, working against his style. He needs more room to breath and some of the action would have worked better with larger panels. The coloring was too dark for my taste, which is a problem I’ve had with the whole series. While the delay certainly helped the art, whether it was worth the wait is ultimately up to the reader.
BOTTOM LINE: ALREADY FEELS FORGOTTEN AND IGNORED
Forever Evil #7 isn’t a complete failure or disappointment though many will inevitably see it as one. Geoff Johns writes an exciting story that is strongest in the little moments and provides some nice twists. David Finch gives his best work of the series, though the delay is still maddening. My worry is if any of this will be addressed further. It’s hard to believe Future’s End will and it already seems to be ignoring the ending. There’s a moment at the end of Forever Evil #7 where Luthor explains to his team of villains that under certain conditions their records will be wiped clean. Their response is to fly away laughing their asses off. Hopefully this isn’t DC reaction to readers wanting to see consequences play out. It will no doubt be some reader’s reaction to the ending. So is the nature of comic readers.
