“Shadows Fall” Part One
Writer: Mark Waid
Artists: Adrián Gutiérrez
Color Artist: Tamra Bonvillain
Letterer: Dave Sharpe
Review by Bryant Lucas
The Justice League faces its darkest hour, as Eclipso returns with a vengeance in this month’s Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #31.
One of the nice things about having a secret satellite base is that you get a great view of a solar eclipse. However, what’s not so great is when that eclipse summons an evil, primordial spirit of vengeance, but hey… so it goes. Like many of the World’s Finest tales, Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #31 is set many years ago when Eclipso’s host was Bruce Gordon. Having suffered many misadventures as Eclipso, Gordon is looking for redemption having been cured of his affliction thanks to League (although its not shown, apparently Eclipso was trapped in his black diamond which ominously resides on the Watchtower). As an expert in solar energy, Gordon has developed Solar City: city run on – you guessed it – solar energy; however, there’s a bug in the system which sends the solar scientist on a rampage searching for a fix.
Meanwhile, most of the League is on the Watchtower preparing for a solar eclipse when suddenly half of its members are possessed by Eclipso. Caught off guard, Batman, Superman, and Red Tornado find themselves out matched by the evil spirit and his new recruits. Nevertheless, Red Tornado manages to escape the Watchtown in search of help.
The Darkness Drops Again
While Eclipso feels like a slightly antiquated comic book villain, I think he is a perfect pick for World’s Finest. From the get-go, Waid’s World’s Finest run has been an exercise in Silver Age nostalgia, and frankly, Eclipso fits the bill in every sense. Granted, I have a bit of a soft spot for Eclipso. When I first started reading DC, it was the mid-2000s. Eclipso had possessed Sue Dibny and was at the center of a few major storylines, and Marvel (now Shazam) Family storylines, including Day of Vengeance and Countdown to Final Crisis. Nevertheless, Eclipso is the perfect type of villain for Waid to dig up for a run that is literally designed to modernize the Silver Age. He keeps the trappings of the original character while updating him for a modern audience.
Passionate Intensity
If you’ve spent any time reading my World’s Finest review, you’ll know that I am Dan Mora’s number one fan boy. I am an unapologetic fan of his work and have been since I discovered him. Alas, Dan Mora has quite a bit on his plate, drawing multiple titles for DC. Unfortunately, Adrián Gutiérrez is no Dan Mora… but who is? That said, I quite like Adrián Gutiérrez’ pencils. This is the first time I’ve encountered his work, but he reminds me a bit of a subtler Humberto Ramos. Gutiérrez’s work is only slightly stylized while falling within the category of traditional comic book artwork. After doing a quick google search for Gutiérrez earlier work, it’s clear that he’s analyzed the aesthetic that Mora established for the title and altered his style accordingly. Ultimately, it works and the book looks great.
Conclusion
In some ways Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #31, feels like both a return to form and a departure. Waid’s script is expansive and fast paced, establishing a very large cast in a retro setting. Gutiérrez’s pencils on the other hand feel distinctly different from previous artists that have worked on the book. Overall, it still adds up to a fun book.
Final Verdict: Grab your solar glasses.
