EARTH 2 #9

Please say hello to the new Doctor Fate. He's a nice man who has a head for a plate. We once went to Hong Kong. Where he showed me his big gong. Whilst reciting a poem that's wasn't so great. Yeah. No kidding. It was something cobbled together by the creative team of Writer: James Robinson; Artist: Nicola Scott; and Publisher: DC Comics in March 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this PROLOGUE entitled 'The Tower of Fate'.

WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Not so long after Kendra (Hawkgirl) Saunders gives Khalid a good telling off for not embracing the Helm of Nabu, this scared little sod is then instructed to keep an eye on Jay (The Flash) Garrick at his Mum's house.
ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Yes. And then some. Because as luck would have it, Khalid manages to whisk away Jay and his Mum before the Atom, the Sandman, and the rest of the 'World Army' take them both into custody.
ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: We find out that Nabu is a very annoying despondent spirit.
HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With Wotan the sorcerer confronting Khalid, Jay, and his Mum, in another dimension.

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

I really did enjoy reading the opening conversation between Hawkgirl and Khalid at the Tower. Honestly. It was revealing. It made sense. And it had a very nice 'join the dot's' quality about it, which I thought was very engaging to their particular part of this tale. Here, have a read of what Khalid says to see what I mean.

'It wasn't me who foretold anything, Kendra. It was Nabu... his spirit... his essence within my head. And that's the point, I'm not scared, Kendra. I'm terrified. Every time I've donned the helmet I've felt it taking my mind -- my wits, my sanity. Even now I'm not healed. When I'm out in the world, I'll be fine one minute, and the next, speaking in tongues, practically'.

Hmmm? He reminds me of my old Maths teacher. I wonder if Khalid's on meds too? Ha!

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Just like the television series, 'Heroes', when it was good; this expansive comic book adventure is able to tell a multi-faceted tale, whilst compartmentalizing and amalgamating each story-strand one premise at a time. Granted, sometimes the 'pay off' can be too focused in execution (like last issue for example). But at other times it can juggle both the larger plot and the smaller story very well indeed (like this issue).

Please keep it up writer, James Robinson. As I have high hopes for the future of this series.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

Although I understood perfectly well that the Atom and the Sandman are now associated with the 'World Army', if I'm going to be honest about it, I wasn't very pleased with the amount of candor they both showed when they attacked Jay and his Mum. Personally speaking, I feel that they came across as 'bad-guys' so to speak. And I didn't like seeing that in two characters who where once good in the DC Universe.

Do you know what I mean, folks?

What was the most INNOVATIVE thing about this issue?

Now how could I not mention Khalid in my b*llshit-a-thon, huh? In my eyes he appears to be a very promising new character, who has given the old concept of 'Doctor Fate' a very innovative spin with this 'Earth 2' conceit.

New -- and very intriguing.

Pick TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and compare them individually to a HONG KONG ACTION STAR.

BRUCE LE AS KHALID: No. I have not spelt Bruce Lee's name wrong, dear reader. I am of course referring to one of the many Bruce Lee clones, who in my opinion would make a fairly decent match for this Mark Walberg type mage.

STEPHEN CHOW AS JAY GARRICK: Now whist I was try to come up with an answer to this question, I couldn't help but pair-up Jay and Stephen for only one reason -- they're both Mommas' boys, HA!

What WORD or PHRASE could you use to sum-up this story?

'When the people fear the government, there is tyranny. When the government fears the people, there is liberty' -- Thomas Jefferson

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'HOLE IN THE HEAD' BY THE SUGABABES: Mainly because of Khalids present dilemma with taking up the mantle of fate, I feel duty-bound to satirically compare this situation to this nifty yet rhythmical girly song.

Nice, isn't it?

ANYTHING Else?

As I mentioned up above, I look upon 'Earth 2' very much as I once looked upon the television series 'Heroes'. Some weeks I've liked what I've seen. Other weeks I don't. But here and there, there have been some very nice and classy touches that make me come back time and again to see what's in store for the future.

Take this issue for example. Khalid. The New Doctor Fate. Now doesn't he seem to be a very intriguing character to follow? Not only does he come across very unsure of himself, and reluctant to embrace his power, yet, we all know that he'll be 'part of the gang' sooner or later.

Boy! Aren't James and Scott a tease, huh? Let's just hope the final 'pay off' is well worth the wait.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was a Dish, It Would Be a Spicy One Full of Bold and Uncharted Flavours. Like Humus.