JLA: Primeval
Dan Abnett &
Andy Lanning, writers,
Ariel Olivetti, artist
(DC Comics, 1999)

A superpowered nutcase we've never heard of before suddenly begins appearing in cities around the world, causing major natural disasters and, when the good guys show up, zapping them with some sort of lightning which doesn't actually hurt. Then he vanishes.

Soon, the good guys start to de-evolve. Superman becomes a super-neanderthal. The Martian Manhunter becomes a green blob. Wonder Woman reverts to clay and then, oddly, a walking and talking ghost. Zauriel, a seraphim, turns into a cute little apple-throwing cherub. Aquaman becomes, um, Godzilla. And so on. Fortunately, the good guys all believe in themselves, so everything turns out OK.

There are a lot of good books on the shelves of your local comic book store. This isn't one of them. Pass it by.

[ by Tom Knapp ]
Rambles: 8 July 2001