Earth 2 World’s End #8

Writer – Daniel H. Wilson, Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson
Artist – Tyler Kirkham, Joe Weems, Stephen Segovia, Jason Paz, Jorge Jiminez, Eddy Barrows, Eber Ferreira
Colors – Andrew Dalhouse

Apokolips has destroyed the moon and the Earth is in chaos because of it.  People are going crazy and our heroes are trying to do their best to quell the situation as they can no longer hope to stop the rogue planet from its collision course with the Earth.  There is a lot going on in this book and all of it feels frantic with a pace that never lets up.  The heralds of Apokolips are doing what damage they can which includes trying to take out the Avatars of the Earth, who might be the only force able to stop them.  The Constantine plotline is already moving forward which is great as his appearance in Futures End just fizzled out soon after he arrived.  Here, he is gathering his forces from those that are not often considered the good guys on this particular Earth and those people he picks are quite intriguing which include Obsidian and Jonni Thunder among them.  Thomas Wayne who is the current Batman has another moment to shine, like he does nearly every issue and proves why Batman is one of the coolest characters no matter what Earth he hails from.  But what is best about this title overall is the focus and direction that the writers have imbued in it.  There is a plan for the book and the writers are wasting no time in getting to it, with every story playing an integral part and all of it as of this point, has been a lot of fun.

3.5 out of 5

The October Faction #2

Writer – Steve Niles
Artist – Damien Worm

Frederick Allan is tired of his kids sponging off of him, and if they do not go to school, they can pack their bags.  More than likely, a pretty familiar sounding story to many.  Not only that, he is tired of Geoff and Vivian summoning spirits in the house as well when they know they are not allowed.  Putting them aside, something is going on with Frederick’s former partner Lucas and something has also happened to his wife who is found to be in the hospital.  The second issue of The October Faction delivers up another slice of moody pie to satiate your cravings for all things horror.  The book has ghosts, werewolves, mystery and suspense aplenty to fill its pages and it is good.  Damien Worm’s pencils are perfect for a tale such as this, evoking a little sense of dread even if it does not seem warranted, always making you think that something is about to happen.  To guide the series along is Steve Niles, writer of fine things like 30 Days of Night and Freaks of the Heartland.  He brings his patented styling’s to the book and it could not be any better with some great characterization, a little action and of course, the supernatural.  Niles draws us in by giving us a mystery in the present to focus upon while showing flashbacks to Frederick’s past which obviously have something to do with what is going on at the moment, though just what it might be has yet to be revealed.  So far, the book is off to a strong start and it should be quite fun finding out just where it is that Steve Niles and Damien Worm lead us.

4 out of 5