Written By Daniel H. Wilson, Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson, & Cullen Bunn
Art by Scott McDaniel, Tyler Kirkham, Jorge Jimenez, Eduardo Pansica & Marc Deering, Robson Rocha & Guillermo Ortego, R. B. Silva & Walden Wong
Colors by Matt Yackey
Published DC
Last week, Earth 2: World’s End did something unexpected, it improved. With the help of Cullen Bunn, issue #19 has some moments to shine with great characterization and heart-felt moments to wash out the terrible artwork and redundant Life Avatar battles. All of that goes right down the tubes as World’s End falls back into line with over-stretched plot lines, sloppy science fiction, and egregious artwork.
While it’s unfair to call, it seems that Cullen Bunn is writing the scenes featuring Helena and Thomas Wayne as Huntress and Batman. The term “unfair” is used on account that no one is ever credited for their work, hence assigning either praise or scorn is impossible. Considering this storyline started upon his arrival and it’s by far the most compelling, it’s likely he’s writing it. Though there is little for the Earth 2 Bat-family to do, there are a few safe moments of humor with them and the artwork is much rounder and easy on the eyes. The segments with Mr. Miracle and crew heading off to steal a spaceship are also compelling along with some cool character moments. Of course, this issue also commits the cardinal sin of featuring Earth 2 Dick Grayson in anything. To the writers’ credit, they’re trying to bring back the until-now forgotten subplot of John Constantine’s cabal of mystical villains.
Earth 2: World’s End does with it usually does, try its hardest to burn the readers’ eyes out with artwork more rank than the fullest public bathroom on Apokolips. There is no reason an art team this segmented should produce panels this bad. Dick Grayson’s story, as expected, features the worst. These panels are so lazy, one wonders if the artists had pencils placed in their hands while they were asleep. What has no become the only (relative) saving grace of this whole series are the Mr. Miracle and Bat Family storylines.
With a sorry face, one must say that Earth 2: World’s End keeps its great reputation as a non-stop train of failure and wasted potential. The fact that this was once the greatest series coming from DC Comics, in fact the only series to in anyway justify the New 52 makes it all the more depressing. That being said, it’s difficult to recommend this book.