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COMIC BOOK REVIEW: Divergence #1 – The New, the Shame, The Omen

 
DC-Comics-FCBD-Free-Comic-Book-Day-2015-Divergence
DC-Comics-FCBD-Free-Comic-Book-Day-2015-Divergence
DC-Comics-FCBD-Free-Comic-Book-Day-2015-Divergence

 
Overview
 

Story by: Scott Snyder, Gene Luen Yang & Geoff Johns
 
Art by: Greg Capullo, John Romita Jr., Jason Fabok and more
 
Publisher:
 
FG RATING
 
 
 
 
 
4.5/ 5


User Rating
2 total ratings

 

Raves


Very accessible; great storytelling; attention grabbing; Capullo and Fabok’s awesome art!

Rants


Previous readings; John Romita Jr.’s art


To sum it all up..

Divergence #1, the starting point for DC’s trinity of the New 52: Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman (and the premier team, Justice League). Released for the Free Comic Book Day (or FCBD), and this occasion becomes an outlet of a teaser to an upcoming event in mainstream comics. Divergence literally tells it all—the troika diverges […]

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Posted May 7, 2015 by

 
FULL REVIEW
 
 

DC-Comics-FCBD-Free-Comic-Book-Day-2015-DivergenceDivergence #1, the starting point for DC’s trinity of the New 52: Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman (and the premier team, Justice League). Released for the Free Comic Book Day (or FCBD), and this occasion becomes an outlet of a teaser to an upcoming event in mainstream comics. Divergence literally tells it all—the troika diverges to new direction to present a bigger story for a one of the possible futures.

The buzz surrounding the “new” Batman commences first in The Rookie. One should read the dramatic Batman recent story-event “Endgame” to fully understand the events transpired in New 52 Gotham City (I also suggest to read the last story arcs in Superman and Justice League to give readers an idea what happened respectively in those premier titles). Going back, Gotham people miss and mourn Batman’s “death”. A new corporation takes over the Wayne Enterprise and even owns the Batman trademark (shades of Robocop…watch the classic, people!). And, one of the Batman’s closest allies becomes, well, the new Dark Knight in dramatic fashion! A new era begins!

Remember Grant Morrison’s New 52 Superman-take in Action Comics? Then, the next entry is aptly named Exposed. Back to the middle/working-class-Bruce Springfield attire-inspired clothing, Clark/ Superman tries to hide but eventually being revealed unexpectedly. And lastly, The Other Amazon debuts the daughter of the Justice League’s most powerful adversary! Plus, the brief prediction or rather a prophecy connected to the upcoming title’s event: Darkseid War!

The overall quality in the storytelling department is very impressive that is very accessible, teasing readers to get invested on the characters and/or titles after the FCBD, and most significantly, starts a good footing to show how serious DC is on these story arcs/events. I have no problem with whatsoever with Scott Snyder and Geoff Johns for they prove themselves as the industry’s top DC scribes. Gene Luen Yang, an independent writer and a newcomer in the mainstream, doesn’t disappoint either. Almost polished and aware of the source material on the New 52 Superman, Yang could probably make this Superman run a worth reading!

In the art department, Greg Capullo and Fabok continue their brand of artistic excellence that undoubtedly fit to their respective strengths in illustrating the top DC characters. Of course, John Romita, Jr’s art is a matter of serious discussion among comic book aficionados. Yes, his illustrations nowadays are abysmal in comparison to Capullo and Fabok, but nonetheless, his trump card is his mastery of sequential paneling, storytelling and interpretations that few artists could touch him. Perhaps, his art is the sole asterisk in this great free comic treat.

Divergence offers both jaded and new comic readers/lovers a good starting point on DC’s premier heroes (and team). Though a prior reading of the title’s respective previous arcs is highly suggested (for new readers) and Romita, Jr’s artistic style may turn off some, nevertheless, Divergence fulfills the objective of grabbing the readers’ attention, and most possibly, readers may continue reading future installments or succeeding issues. This is indeed an excellent free issue!


Paul Ramos

 


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