Writer: Gail Simone
Plot: Ethan Van Sciver & Gail Simone
Artist: Yildiray Cinar
Colors: Steve Buccellato
Letters: Travis Lanham
Cover: Van Sciver & Hi-Fi
Editors: Rickey Purdin & Rachel Gluckstern
This is all quite strange to me to be perfectly honest. I’m not sure what I think about it all. It almost feels like a forced plot, like there’s something definite and strong at the center of this first arc for Firestorm, yet with tons of uncertainty tangled throughout it. Is Simone and Sciver making this up as they go along, or do they have a plan? If there is a plan, I certainly can’t see it.
If rumors are correct, Simone will be off this title before too long, with Sciver (I’m certain) taking over the literary responsibilities. That makes me wonder how much of the plot is actually Simone’s, and how much of it is Sciver’s. Is Simone simply helping out until Sciver becomes less busy? Whatever the case may be, I’m definitely regretting paying $25 for the subscription to this title.
This mostly seems like an excuse to have a battle against giants, both of them so eager to fight that they simply pound away at everything because it’s fun. I’m still not sold on the whole “by our powers combined” bit this comic seems to by driving with, but I was never a big fan of Firestorm having a second consciousness living inside him either.
Never-the-less, the book isn’t without it’s redeeming qualities. The dialog between characters, such Ronnie and Jason, find their way into fantastic, yet bickering harmony. Plus, their seems to be some fairly interesting side stories that could prove quite interesting down the road. And while they hate each other so very much, Ronnie and Raymond understand that the only way they are going to survive any threat coming their way is by working together. The bond that these two will obviously develop together has the potential of being quite good.
Cinar did some great work this issue; a combination of terrifying and saddening shots is where this book shines. There’s a great usage of lighting within the coloring job that gives #3 that much needed visual aid to keep us interested. I just wish the story were just as good.
5 out of 10 stars
