COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Convergence #1 – Let the Game Begin
Raves
Rants
The fates of some of the pre-New 52 DC characters commence formally in Convergence #1. It starts with an apocalyptic end of one of the “universes” that even its own Superman fails to do his duty. The scenario reminds something of a movie plot in “Volcano”, a volcano arises in the middle of the cit. […]
The fates of some of the pre-New 52 DC characters commence formally in Convergence #1. It starts with an apocalyptic end of one of the “universes” that even its own Superman fails to do his duty. The scenario reminds something of a movie plot in “Volcano”, a volcano arises in the middle of the cit. Then the unexpected gathering of the superheroes in “selected” universes who are obviously had no idea what happened to them until Telos, the fusion of all Brainiacs except the creator/Brainiac himself, appears and in classic superhero fashion, divulges as the mastermind of the entire Convergence to rectify the “error” within the Multiversity. Thus, the event began similarly to any gladiatorial-themed stories you basically know all these years: Only one “city” shall remain victorious.
This issue contains a special feature similar to issue zero that presents the multiverse or selected universes to be part in this so-called “closure” for older and jaded DC universe fans/readers. Ivan Reis does the spread cover art that teases readers what to expect inside this issue, which basically a cliché.
Similar to last chapter, a number of dialogues are a rip-off or paraphrased version of some of the quotable quotes in literary and/or pop culture classics, like Paradise Lost, Battle Royale, the Bible, and some Shakespearean lines. However, the lines are a slight improvement than last time, and the paneling and pacing also flow smoothly due to Carlo Pagulayan’s sequential expertise. Yet, Telos’ characterization is somewhat dull and unintimidating, similar to an equally boring college professor whose only method of creating a sense of urgency and fear to the protagonists is the intellect, which is a little ironic for Telos should be presented a more menacing, deceptive and speaking in high, almost genius-level language/ tongue. But as expectedly, this is a superhero comic catering for the mainstream demographics that needs to be accessibly read. Alas, Telos’s brief moments could have shined hereon.
The very reason Convergence 1 shines is the near pitch-perfect one-and-two punching combination of two of our finest Philippine illustrators around, Pagulayan and Jason Paz. Similar once again to issue #0, the art carries the whole lot here. Carlo’s proportionally angled characters are some of his best illustration yet since breaking to the mainstream comic scene in the Planet Hulk run. The illustrations of destructions and other “cities” with their respective multiple superhero versions are done painstakingly and articulately detailed. Paz further enhances Pagulayan’s drawings with his trademark light-inks that contrast to the chapter’s overall dark mood that will surely influence to the event’s direction and the DC Multiverse, as well. A number of details are inexplicably confusing, if not hilarious, like Harley Quinn’s entanglement with the twisted post after the “volcano” suddenly appeared out of nowhere (I believe this is in King/Lobdell’s script, not the artist’s fault to draw this one).
[CHECK OUT… COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Convergence #0 – Where’s my City]
Overall, nothing extraordinaire here happens, just a start of the competition of existential survival that we are so familiar with. The positive side here is there are loose tie-ins that can be read independently. Again, if one wants to follow the main event, follow Convergence. If otherwise, then go to your favorite DC character tie-in Convergence stories.
