IDENTITY CRISIS #2
Author: Stephen Gerding
July 15th, 2004
OK, this isn’t a review, really. Just a few general, spoiler-free comments.
2 issues in and I’m enjoying IDENTITY CRISIS still, and I’m probably even more intrigued by where the story is going now than I was after just the first issue. The art is fantastic and the writing is deceptively strong and engaging despite what you may have read in the various reviews of issue 1. At the same time, I’m a little uncomfortable with the portrayal of some of the characters as well as the treatment of others. It’s not the end of my world, or even the end of my comic book love of the DCU, but Meltzer and DC are definitely treading on a slippery slope with the revelations they’re setting free. I see quite a few parallels to The Killing Joke already, in that there will be quite a few people that will look back on IC as a defining moment in the DCU and an equal amount of people who’ll look at it and say that other than the art, it’s a total mistake and ruined characters for the sake of a quick buck and some mainstream buzz. Hell, the series has already cost DC a shot at any more Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire FKATJL series, and I’m sure there will be more creators that end up being pissed off in coming months. Although it’ll all be worth it just to see the inevitable Byrne explosion…
However, despite all of that, it’s pretty undeniable that IDENTITY CRISIS has in many ways reinvigorated the DCU. Old characters are being dusted off and revamped without really messing with established continuity. There are a number of potential spin-offs being developed in the pages of the book, and somewhere down the line, several current series are due to crossover in some capacity with the mini. And it keeps getting mainstream media attention, which is good. I’m currently buying 2 copies of each issue because a friend of mine read about the mini in the NY Post or times or whatever and called me to ask if I could get the book for him. Issue 1 had pretty decent overprinting, and if they haven’t already, DC is sure to sell out sooner than later. And the TPB sales will easily top the charts when it drops.
Ultimately, IC is so far a mystery, and not merely one told in the pages of the comic. Yeah, DC - and Marvel - used to do massive crossover events that changed the universe forever, but forever only lasted so long - hell, Hal freaking Jordan is back as GL soon despite years and years of DC brass swearing he was gone for good. The structure and nature of the changes the DCU is experiencing in IC are going to be much harder to double back on than a superpowered death, however, which leaves the mini with much more “power” than your typical crossover event. Time will tell if this is a good or bad thing, of course, but for now, I’m just enjoying the ride.
Erg. That was way more wordy and nerdy than I expected it to be when it was swimming about in my skull. Anyone else care to put their 2 cents in?
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4 Responses to “IDENTITY CRISIS #2”
July 15th, 2004 at 11:25 am
I thought your review was very well done. I’ve been wading through the horrified and outraged reactions of those who cannot accept neither the subject matter nor the fact that it happened to the character that Meltzer chose, and yours is the first I’ve seen that really took a level-headed look at it.
July 15th, 2004 at 1:21 pm
Thanks. I’m seeing a lot of people (and this in reaction to issue 1 - haven’t looked for #2 rants yet) whose opinions I generally agree with who are letting the fanboy-emotions get in front of them. I understand it - I’m upset that Sue’s dead too - but oftentimes people look at things from their own POV without thinking about the company’s long term take or reasoning. I’m not saying the series is the greatest thing since Watchmen, but so far I do think it’s been an above average tale. I just hope that the long term ramifications have been thought out and that things end up alright in one form or another. I imagine that if the internet were around like it is now back when Babs had been shot and crippled, the uproar would have been deafening, but as the character stands now, she’s ended up being one of the strongest women in comics due in no small part to the crippling. Food for thought, or empty calories?
July 15th, 2004 at 2:58 pm
I was beginning to think I was the only one to really, really enjoy this book. I wrote a little bit about it in my own blog.
July 16th, 2004 at 6:16 am
Steve, you’re so right. Indentity Crisis is great from all angles and your (and our) cause for concern is greatly justified. I hate changes that are reversed within a couple of years (GL, which you mentioned as well as GA’s relatively recent return). Then again, change for change’s sake is not good either. I hope that this series has a good payoff and will be considered along with Killing Joke as being a landmark for character development through tragedy.