Review: Terra #2

See what happens when you don’t read all your comics the day they are released?

Hey, I know this past week saw the release of Terra #3, but I realized when I sat down to read the issue, that I hadn’t had the pleasure of reading Terra #2.  Don’t ask me how that works, but needless to say, I think I was blinded by the incredible cover, and was temporarily mind warped into believing I had enjoyed ever page.  Now that the purple haze has cleared, here’s your belated review, with the Major Spoilers tease that is becoming more and more common around here – “better late than never”.

Wow.  That’s the word that will probably escape from your lips when you open the first page.  Amanda Conner takes the superheroine form to a new level, and does it in a way that both titillates, and keeps it modest at the same time.  The entire opening scene featuring Atlee waking up (naked) and the embarrassment on Doctor Mid-Nite and Power Girl’s faces as the scene plays out is perfect.  Oh yes, we eventually discover that Atlee is her name.  You’ll have to pay attention to the panels that feature naked girls, perfectly placed elbows, instruments, word balloons, and a shot of Doctor Mid-Nite cleaning up owl poop.  The wonderful art continues throughout the issue, and I can only hope that one day I can get a sketch from Ms. Conner.

After wiping away the drool from the page, readers discover why Terra has the same DNA as the other Tara from so long ago, and it is revealed that she is indeed a clone of two others that previously existed, but faults in the original DNA caused both to go mad.  I like this explanation Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray use to explain the connection between current and once was, and it is believable enough to qualify as Reverse Comic Book Death Method #542.

From there, the issue spins out into three different stories that will eventually collide.  Power Girl and Terra join forces with Silver Banshee to stop a freed Sumerian god.  Terra shows her metal as a hero when she uses reverse psychology on Silver Banshee to help bring the rumbling god down.   Pay special attention to the pinky line, and double check the art.  Again a perfect mix between writing and art.

Readers also check in with what Richard has been up to since his weird encounter with the silver ooze he discovered in the bowels of the Earth.  The effect is he can turn his body into any mineral.  Maybe he’ll call himself Mineral Man, or some odd name like that.  Regardless, his new found powers seem lost on him until his girlfriend points out the potential behind his abilities.  Oh, his girlfriend?  Veronica, and by the well placed art work mirrored in the bathroom as she strips off her clothes lead this reviewer to believe this could be none other than Veronica Cale, the same evil doctor who is making an appearance in Wonder Woman.

Finally, the country of Markovia is being attacked by Deadcoil and his Coffin Spawn (think Nazi zombies). Fortunately Geo-Force is there to fend off the attack, and when things appear to favor the bad guys, Atlee shows up to assist.  Unfortunately for Geo-Force, Deadcoil spits a thick tar like substance in his face, thus transferring his essence into the hero.  Dum…Dum…DUUUUUUMMMMM!  Yes, it’s a perfect cliffhanger as it looks as though the third issue will feature Atlee and Geo-Force fighting it out.

For a four issue mini-series, Palmiotti and Gray are keeping the action moving, and doing it such a way that all the necessary information is revealed.  I love the one-liners, and the villain plot continues to unfold naturally as readers see both a hero and a villain begin to rise.  I like Atlee, too.  I think she would be a welcome addition to the DCU, and adventures featuring her, Power Girl, and even Huntress could be top notch.  Yes, there are moments that a observant reader will see coming way before the reveal, but this isn’t supposed to be a high work of literature – it’s good fun that entertains the reader for 20 minutes or so (maybe longer if you are an art lingerer).

The only other big issue with this series is the timeline.  Terra/Atlee has already appeared in a couple other titles, which may have caused some confusion among hardcore readers.  I’m looking at this series as an origin special regardless if the title character has appeared in other books.  Surprisingly, I like the second outing more than the first.  It’s not a slam dunk must read, but it is good enough to earn Terra #2 3.5 out of 5 Stars.

61/61