Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Ryan Sook
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: November 25, 2020
Review by: Comic Boom Rocky - Check out his awesome Youtube Channel by clicking HERE
I can't believe I am saying this, but I'm interested in what's happening in the future DCU! The myriad of unresolved and evolving plot lines continue to come to a head as the Legionnaires find their ranks spread across the galaxy. The planets of New Krypton, Xanthu, Rimbor , Daxam and Earth play host to a series of threats that, aside from revealing a poorly kept secret regarding Jon Kent's descendants, elude to something very sinister that's about to happen. Are we given any hints as to what that might be? Let's dive in and find out.
The Great Darkness is coming. It's been coming for a while, but there's no indication when it'll be arriving. It's not entirely clear if it will involve Darkseid (as it did in the classic telling of the tale). I suspect that whatever Bendis has in mind for his "Darkness Saga," it will involve the future Rogol Zaar, whose presence has now graced the pages of this comic for two consecutive issues and revealing nothing of substance.
After witnessing Dr. Fate's apparent disintegration (by who I assume is Mordru) on Xanthu, Superboy and Saturn Girl abruptly fly to New Krypton as Rogol Zaar is attacking it. Absurdly, Zaar reveals that he has been waiting a thousand years to talk with Jon. (Sadly, nobody ever told him about time travel technology). In any event, Superman's readers can relate to Zaar's frustration because we waited patiently for over a year for answers about the destroyer of Kandor, only to be disappointed. Regardless, while I remain curious about Zaar's sudden appearance in this title, I openly question the editorial decision to address a significant Superman villain's secrets in the pages of a title that has a significantly smaller audience.
I do not want to suggest that Darkseid's influence is not hinted at in this issue. Rose, Blok, and Lightning Lad visit the planet Daxam, and before Mordru attacks them, they stumble upon a Horraz(ian) who inquires if they are aware of the "words of Darkseid." Based on the plot threads so far, I hypothesize that the Horraz are the future Parademons of the 31st Century and are Darkseid's soldiers. Mordru is also a likely follower of Darkseid. The wild card appears to be Rogol Zaar. I am not sure how he fits into the picture other than Bendis desperately wanting him to prove useful finally.
I could be wrong. It does not matter as I am not sure if this series has a future past December 2020 anyway. Before I assign this issue a score, I would be negligent if I did not reveal that Mon-el is not a Daxamite. In what is perhaps one of the most significant deviations from any of his past incarnations, he is officially a crybaby Kryptonian with ancestor issues. I suspect he has great-great-great-great grandpa issues as well, but shouldn't we give the 'wanna-be Superman' a chance? He certainly thinks he's earned it, notwithstanding the lack of consensus amongst his fellow Legionnaires.
Bits and Pieces:
In this series, the art and inks continue to be gorgeously rendered by Ryan Sook and Wade Von Grawbadger, respectively. The multi-plotted complexity of what hints at a Darkseid presence, coupled with long-delayed revelations concerning Rogol Zaar and Mon-el's background, suggests that there might be something worth waiting for in the future. Just don't hold your breath. Bendis has proven he has no qualms disappointing readers, whether by aging up a fan-beloved Jon Kent, screwing up Young Justice, or squandering a yearlong Superman storyline that began with Man of Steel. 'Hope' no longer springs eternal in the present DCU. Here's hoping that the future holds more promise.
6.5/10
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