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Mild Mannered Reviews - Special Comics

Forever Evil #6

Scheduled to arrive in stores: March 5, 2014

Cover date: April 2014

"The Power of Mazahs!"

Writer: Geoff Johns
Penciller: David Finch
Inker: Richard Friend

Reviewed by: Michael Bailey

Click to enlarge

As Lex Luthor and Batman's forces prepare to invade the remains of the Watchtower the Crime Syndicate watch the skies, which look like they are bleeding. Alfred contacts Owlman and asks him and the rest of the Syndicate to get back to the Watchtower because Grid has done something to Nightwing. Lex and crew find Nightwing soon after infiltrating the Watchtower and discover that he has been placed in something called the Murder Machine. Meanwhile Grid informs Alfred that someone is there and Alfred immediately contacts Owlman, who wants Grayson protected at all costs. Alfred refuses and goes to take care of their hooded prisoner but is killed by Ocean Master.

Back in Dick Grayson's cell the door slams shut and a countdown begins. Lex realizes that Grayson isn't strapped to a fancy pair of handcuffs; he's strapped to a bomb. Elsewhere on the Watchtower Sinestro, Deathstroke and Black Adam are attacked by the Crime Syndicate. Back in Grayson's cell Batman learns that the only way to disarm the bomb is to stop Dick's heart while at the same time Johnny Quick and Atomica find and attack Black Manta and Captain Cold. Events accelerate from there as Lex knocks out Batman so he can take care of Dick Grayson while Captain Cold incapacitates Quick. Dick's heart stops at the same time the hooded prisoner is free to say the word, "Mazahs!" The formally hooded figure kills Johnny Quick and steals his power before announcing that he will kill every single one of them and prove that Alexander Luthor is the most powerful hero this world has ever seen.

Story - 4: I should have seen that coming.

I didn't... but I should have.

I mean I consider myself a pretty savvy reader but a lot of the time I just sit back and let the story take me where the story wants to take me. The identity of the hooded prisoner was something that was being discussed online in the months leading up to this issue but I tend to ignore that type of chatter in favor of waiting for the reveal. Because of that I just pushed who the figure could be from my mind. I am glad I did because this is one of the best moments Geoff Johns has written in some time.

I haven't been this excited about the end of an event at DC since INFINITE CRISIS.

I could just kick myself because I should have known that the hooded figure was Alexander Luthor. He was the only piece of the whole Crime Syndicate pie that was missing. While it is true that he wasn't there when the Syndicate first premiered he eventually showed up to be the hero of Earth-3 and showed up in Grant Morrison's re-imagining that Johns has drawn so heavily on. The son of the original was a major player in INFINITE CRISIS, which was written by Johns. All the signs were there but I was just oblivious to them.

Again, I really don't mind. Part of me thinks I should feel thick headed. Another part of me is glad for the surprise. It's been a while since a comic had me interested enough to not only read it on the day of its release but also to get excited at a cliffhanger reveal.

For the record I love the idea that this Luthor says Shazam backwards to get his powers. That's just neat.

While there were a few gratuitous moments here and there (like Captain Cold freezing Johnny Quick's leg and then shattering it) the rest of the issue was enjoyable as well. The jumping back and forth made for an exciting read and made for some neat scene transitions. Sinestro, Black Adam, Black Manta and Captain Cold all had some nice moments and the scene with Dick Grayson and the Murder Machine was tense in all the right ways. This issue had me engaged as a reader from page one, which again is something I haven't felt for an event book in years. It's a weird feeling too because I know that if this came out a few years ago I might have a completely different outlook on it. As it stands FOREVER EVIL has been very enjoyable and I am looking forward to the final chapter of the main series.

Art - 4: The art was just as amazing as the writing this time out. The big moments, like the Crime Syndicate bursting into the room over a glorious two page splash, were great as were the "quieter" moments like the fight between Captain Cold and Johnny Quick. I was especially taken with the look on Dick Grayson's face as he told Batman to leave him and escape. The tension in the writing came through in the art and again I am really looking forward to the conclusion of this story. I have a feeling that Finch is really going to pull out all the stops in the final issue.

Cover Art - 4 (Main Cover): This cover certainly gets the point across. Nightwing is all beaten and bound. It's eye grabbing. A little on the gratuitous side but eye grabbing.

Cover Art - 4 (Black Manta): I really like the Black Manta/Hooded Man cover. It has an air of mystery to it and the art is great.

Cover Art - 5 (Batman/Lex): Of the three covers this one is my favorite. Batman and Lex look great and I like the composition.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2014

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

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Mild Mannered Reviews - Special Comics

Forever Evil #6

Mild Mannered Reviews

2014

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