Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Tony Daniels
This has been a series that I've been looking forward to for some time now, as with the great relationship that has started between these two characters it's nice to see a series that focuses on that. On top of that the creative team have really impressed me throughout their work, as although I've not read much bar Swamp Thing from Charles Soule, Tony Daniel is an artist that I've enjoyed for years now.
Plot
As Superman and Wonder Woman go to deal with a plane caught in a storm they get more than they expected.
Review
This was a fantastic start for the series, but not quite as good as I hoped it would be. Charles Soule did however do an amazing job of starting this series, as although I was hoping for it to be more exciting, it acts as a brilliant introduction to the storyline and the series as a whole. On top of that Soule also does a fantastic job of showing Superman and Wonder Woman's relationship in this issue, without it taking over the entire issue. Soule also added a lot of drama and suspense in this issue, as well as adding a mysterious nature as well. There was also some exciting moments as well, and the way the issue ended has me even more excited for the next issue than I already was.
The artwork on this issue was however phenomenal, and Tony Daniel produced some amazing work on this issue. I'll start off by talking about the amazing cover that Daniel's produced for this issue, as although I don't usually talk about covers this one was simply outstanding, with the wraparound gatefold cover showing both Superman's and Wonder Woman's world perfectly. The interior art was however just as good, and Daniel's layouts were just fantastic, adding a lot of depth and tone to the issue, also making it more dynamic. On top of that Daniel's did a wonderful job with both the character expressions and the action, with the latter being extremely exciting, and the characters expressions being extremely emotional.
This issue would start with Superman and Wonder Woman in the North Atlantic trying to save a plane that has been damaged due to a storm. Now this was a very interesting way of starting the series, as although a fair few series'/stories nowadays start right in the middle of the action, flashing back slightly, it still makes for an interesting start. I also loved the instant drama that was also given due to this way of storytelling. At the same time it was however ever so slightly confusing, as although everything would become explained later in the issue, there were points of confusion due to starting the story this way.
The issue would as I said flashback, showing Clark talking to his blogging partner Cat Grant, and Wonder Woman training with fellow Amazon Hessia. Now this didn't really do much for the overall quality of the issue, but it was nice to see both characters in their normal lives, showing that the teaming up of both characters isn't being forced, and is working around each characters normal lives. I was however more interested in the mysterious person who was looking at either a picture or video of the Superman/Wonder Woman kiss from Justice League #12, and how it would appear that this person wants to reveal their secret romance to the world, as this adds a lot of speculation for the future of the series already.
This issue would also focus on the relationship that has formed between Superman and Wonder Woman, as before going out to the North Atlantic, it would show the two getting together for what appeared to be a date. Now I was hoping that Soule would balance the relationship with action, and am glad that he's doing this. I was however very happy to see this sequence in this issue, as it shows that Soule is thinking about the characters more than just impact wise, as this sequence would show a lot of character depth, as well as show how different their relationship is from a normal relationship, and I look forward to seeing how Soule works off this.
Final Verdict
This was a brilliant start to the series, and although it didn't reach the level of quality I hoped it would, it did a brilliant job for an opening issue, showing tons of promise for the series's future. It also had some brilliant interaction, and some very exciting sequences, with the ending being the most exciting of them all. Due to all this I'd recommend giving this issue a try, as although overall it didn't hit the high mark, the ending is bound to grab your interest.
Rating: 7/10
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Tony Daniel
I have enjoyed this series so far and although it has had it's ups and downs it has overall been a good series. I have loved what Geoff Johns has been doing with the series and although I was slightly disappointed with how he used Darkseid in the opening story he has done a brilliant job since adding some surprises along the way. The other thing I have loved about this series for a good few issues is the Shazam! backup story which was nice to see back after not making an appearance last issue.
Plot
This issue sees the Justice League trying to cure Superman from Cheetah's attack (which turned him into a Cheetah like creature). Meanwhile Wonder Woman along with the Flash and Aquaman try to capture Cheetah.
Shazam! Part 7
In the backup story featuring Shazam! sees Black Adam with Dr. Sivana aiding him tries to understand this world and starts by dealing with a rich man who's taken pensions away from his workers. Meanwhile Billy Batson along with his friend Freddy Freeman decide what to do with the money that's left from Billy saving a woman.
Review
This was a good issue, but I felt that it was a bit of a disappointing ending, which was nothing like I expected. This issue was kind of rushed and Johns used the space to continue on the Superman, Wonder Woman relationship, whereas it would have probably been better leaving that for a later issue. He did however add a few added questions and bonuses to the issue which left the door open for future stories but as I said I'd rather it was focused on finishing what was the start of a good story. His work on the Shazam! backup story was a lot better in this issue, and probably the best thing about the issue, although I'll talk about that more further on.
Tony Daniel's art in this issue was amazing and I'm happy to see him back at what he does best. His art over the course of the last two issues have been fantastic and although some of the panels haven't been as good as some of his previous work it's still very well done. I like how he adds elements from the style he used on Batman during Detective Comics and prior work whilst adding both something new and something that fitted with the style Jim Lee had already established for the series. Seeing Daniel's art on these two issues have made me remember why I'd buy a comic cause his name was on it and I'm looking forward to seeing him work on Action Comics next year. I am also looking forward to seeing Ivan Reis join this series next issue and look forward to seeing his skills utilised on this series, although I will be sad to see him leave Aquaman and hope the series doesn't go down hill after that. Gary Frank's art on the back up story is brilliant and I love how he draws all the characters, whether Billy, Freddy, Black Adam or Dr. Sivana, and love how his unique style along with Brad Anderson's colours make this a brilliant back story.
The fight between the Justice League and Cheetah in this issue was very short and it felt like no effort was put into it at all. I was expecting a huge blown out fight that would be epic whereas we got a fight that wasn't really a fight and fizzled out not long into it. It is teased that Cheetah might not be gone and I hope if she features in this series again that we will get the fight we deserved to see this time.
After the fight with Cheetah we see Wonder Woman questioning her judgement and Superman trying to console her. Superman eventually takes her to a cafe in Smallville, which any Superman fan will know is where Superman grew up. This was a fun scene and although I still would have preferred a better fight between the Justice League and Cheetah I've also wanted to see where the Superman/Wonder Woman kiss from issue 12 would lead. The reaction from both the people who owned the cafe and the customers themselves was brilliant and it was nice to see that even in a small quiet town like Smallville the presence of Superman and Wonder Woman can bring a crowd. I look forward to seeing where this leads and was only disappointed that it took away from the story last issue set up.
The issue ends with a page showing Batman casually looking on at Superman and Wonder Woman's trip to Smallville. This leaves the question of what Batman thinks about the possibility of Superman and Wonder Woman the most powerful man and woman in the world getting together as a couple. This page also made me think of the events from JLA: Tower of Babel where Batman had collected information which allowed him to construct contingency plans in case any Just League member went rogue so he could take them down. These plans landed up getting into the hands of a group of villains and the Justice League where in a bad situation thanks to Batman. Although I haven't read the story itself I have read the summary due to watching Justice League: Doom which had an similar/adapted plot. This probably won't land up being anything like Tower of Babel but it does appear that Batman doesn't fully trust the Justice League and that he's going to keep a close eye on them without them knowing. It will be interesting to findd out if this leads anywhere and what Batman will think of Superman and Wonder Woman's relationship.
The back story in this issue was brilliant and one of the best things to have come to the series. I've never been a huge fan of Shazam! prior to this not knowing much more than he says Shazam! to become Captain Marvel, he uses magic and his enemy is Black Adam. Since this story started featuring as the back story I have learned a lot more about the character and get more and more interested to find out the development of this story. I like how this issue more focused on Black Adam as since he was introduced a few months back now it's mainly been about the development of Billy becoming Shazam I liked how despite the fact Adam has been imprisoned for thousands of years he still sees the world as something that needs destroyed and rebuilt and that he will be the one to do it. Although he only featured for a few pages it was nice that Shazam was still acknowledged and look forward and hope to see him next issue. This back story has also made me want to see a Shazam! series come out and although I've long wanted Cyborg to get his own series due to him being the only Justice League member without I'd much prefer a Shazam! one with Johns and Frank working on it as we know what we'd get.
Final Verdict
This was a good issue but a slightly disappointing and funny way to end what looked to be a brilliant two part story. The backup story featuring Shazam! is probably the best thing about this issue and although the story's slow progressing it's still very good. I would recommend this issue for the Shazam! backup but if you're not bothered about that and missed last issue I'd recommend waiting till Throne of Atlantis starts next issue (Prelude to Throne of Atlantis in Aquaman #14 next week).
Rating: 4/5
