It's finally time for the New 52's first Universe-Wide event, Forever Evil, but was the first issue worth all the hype? Check out my review of Forever Evil #1 below! But a bit of a warning here, there will be spoilers for the series below...
I have to say, just before I start the main review, I'm a little bit confused as to why DC Comics had trailer Trinity War for so long as their next massive event, when it was simply a set-up event for Forever Evil, and they couldn't have just focused on the current event that I'm talking about here, but I won't let that get in the way of what I thought about this issue...
Anyway, I did really enjoy this issue, which is an odd thing to say considering it's very bad for the heroes of the DC Universe, but still, a great issue, and the Crime Syndicate seem like a really interesting group of villains for the series.
I always love reading how Geoff Johns' starts these big event comics, this one begins with a rather sinister business deal being made by Lex Luthor, and it really shows you how evil and self-obsessed he is as a character, that he's perfectly happy to threaten and ruin people's lives just to expand on his empire. I think this scene is deliberately used as an example of how vile a character Luthor is, since we know this series will feature him leading a group of his fellow villains to attempt to save the planet, and I think what Johns wanted to do was demonstrate how desperate the people of Earth are that somebody this evil will have to save them, and the scene is a clever way to show this.
I think the method that the Secret Society use to broadcast their message to the world is interesting, and provides a good way to show reactions from characters all around the world, but I do think it's a bit too similar to the how General Zod spoke to the people of Earth, both ways including taking over every device that with a screen or a speaker, such as a phone, an earpiece, televisions...
Now, I think the most important part of this issue is what happens to Nightwing, and while I won't spoil what actually happened in this post, I can say that it's massive for the character, and a major change in the status quo, I hope it has an immediate effect on his solo series, which would make Forever Evil really feel like a major event. I am glad this was put in the first issue of the series, because I'm not too keen on events that take months to have a major happening, or a shocking moment, I feel like this kicks off the story well ( obviously not for Dick Grayson, though... ).
One problem I do have with the issue though is how annoying Power Ring is, I feel like Johns is forcing the concept that he's the opposite of Green Lantern because he's so cowardly and afraid on us, and it got a bit tedious for me...
Now onto the art, and I really can't seem to find any problems with the art at all; I've looked over the issue several times now and there's no fault that springs to mind with it, David Finch's pencils work brilliantly with Richard Friend's inks and Sonia Oback's colours.
My favourite sections of the art throughout the entire issue were the four page fold out, showing what I'm almost certain is around one-hundred DC Universe villains ( with three from the Teen Titans animated series, which made me really happy ), and the final page, featuring Lex Luthor, which sums up how lost the world seems at this point, Finch along with Friend and Oback, is a great fit for this series.
In conclusion, I think this was a brilliant issue, and it shows you just how powerful the villains are, reading the ways that make the Secret Society the opposites of the Justice League was really interesting. Great writing, great art, my only real complaint is that I got a little bit bored of Power Ring, apart from that, I really enjoyed it. I definitely suggest picking up this series, a major event for the DC Universe, and a must read for all DC fans.
Rating: 9/10
