Thursday, March 6, 2014

The Weird #1 (of 4)


Weird (1988) #1
The title says it all. When a mysterious energy source is somehow transported across dimensions to the middle of downtown Metropolis, the Justice League and Superman are called in to investigate. When their investigation creates a spark in the strange ball of light, it sets off a chain reaction that raises a recently departed father from the dead and changes him into a being of immense power. This thing is so powerful that his molecular structure is going nuclear and looks to not only destroy Metropolis but take half of the earth with it.

This first chapter is a little strange. The writing of the Justice League is way off. It’s the Giffen and DeMatteis line-up but with the exception of Batman, none of the other Leaguers sound like themselves. Guy Gardner is more even tempered and shows respect to both the Dark Knight and Superman. Blue Beetle is serious for once! And Black Canary and Captain Atom- well, I don’t remember them being members at the beginning of this incarnation of the League.

As for the Weird, I’m at a loss. I’ve never encountered him in any of my other readings of DC Comics. The person who summons the energy source into this dimension. Is he the being’s master or a future foe? Plus, why is this conjuror half human and half emerald? He looks a lot like John “Hellblazer” Constantine. Is it him?  There’s a lot of unanswered questions here. Hopefully, the next chapter will shed some light on those loose plot points.

It’s not my favorite story- but there’s time to impress me. I do enjoy the Bernie Wrightson art very much and with the Weird and his even odder cohort, I think selecting the Swamp Thing veteran to pencil this mini-series was the right move!

Worth Consuming.
 
Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

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