Review: Earth 2: World’s End Vol. 2

Quick Summary

Pros: The overall narrative is positive. There are a number of entertaining moments throughout the book. The collection’s conclusion is well done and gives the current saga some satisfying resolution.

Cons: There are a number of small problems found throughout the narrative, which make it chaotic at times. Many of the smaller story arcs are handled poorly. The artwork is lackluster.

Overall: The conclusion of the Earth 2: World’s End series does alright with the big picture but mishandles many elements of the smaller picture. Individual story arcs have problems, there are a couple of plot holes, and some elements are left frustratingly unexplained. However, the larger narrative does well and gives the world of Earth 2 one more epic adventure, with plenty of emotional and action-packed moments along the way. This isn’t a great book but it does provide some satisfying resolution for fans of the series.

Story

Earth 2: World’s End Vol. 2 succeeds in wrapping up the current Earth 2 sage in a satisfying way but stumbles over a number of hurdles while doing so. This is a book with many chaotic moments and some moments that are just downright frustrating. Plus, many of the minor story arcs end up being disappointing, especially in regards to their conclusion. However, the larger narrative stretching across this volume is well crafted and deals with the conclusion of this series in a satisfying way. Plus, there are still plenty of smaller moments that are good for action or emotion. Overall, this isn’t the best volume from the Earth 2 universe but it does manage to get the job done.

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Earth 2: World’s End Vol. 2 is fraught with far more small problems than World’s End Vol. 1 (Review). These range from events that are simply unexplained, like how Dick Grayson ended up flying a ship with Batman, to plot points that are never fully developed, Big Barda’s decision to betray Mister Miracle. Additional problems also come from the segmented nature of the story, which is constantly jumping from minor story arc to minor story arc. This makes for a chaotic reading experience that ends up being frustrating at times.

However, the biggest reoccurring problem is how inconsequential a number of the storylines end up feeling. More often than not, this feeling comes from the sudden conclusion of a minor story arc in a way that prevents it from having any effect on the larger narrative. For example, the entire Dick Grayson plotline and the trouble the refugees face in Atom’s Haven is wrapped up when Batman kicks the villain in the face. It happens so quickly and ends things so suddenly that it takes any impact away from this minor arc’s climax. Similar events happen with the resolution of Helena’s condition, the defeat of the Furies, and nearly everything relating to Kalibak.

Despite these problems, there are still a number of noteworthy moments throughout this adventure. Alan and Sam’s farewell to one another is touching and meaningful, while Power Girl’s ascendance into an Earth-saving hero is epic. Even smaller characters, like Mister Terrific and Jimmy Olsen, have opportunities to shine in various places.

The overall narrative of World’s End Vol. 2 is also very entertaining. The rise and fall of the Avatars, the success in fending off Darkseid’s forces, and the desperate attempt to flee the dying planet are all interesting plot points that help contribute to the end of Earth 2. The conclusion of the collection is also a great subversion of expectations, as it actually has the Earth fall to Darkseid rather than have the heroes come out on top at the last moment, as so many other comics do. Meanwhile, there is still a sense of optimism at the collection’s end, which puts the series in a great position to launch the next major arc.

Another satisfying aspect of this conclusion is seeing someone other than Superman or Batman as the Earth’s ultimate savior for once. Having Green Lantern, with whom this modern Earth 2 saga began, play the largest role in saving the population was a great decision for this series.

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Art

Earth 2: World’s End Vol. 2 sees the return of most of the negatives from World’s End Vol. 1 (Review) but not as many of the positives. There are still some great looking chapters, as artists like Tyler Kirkham and Jorge Jiménez do some excellent work. However, there are also far more chapters that struggle when it comes to visuals. This is particularly noticeable in the volume’s pivotal final chapter, which takes a bit away from the collection’s conclusion. Plus, the artwork here is more inconsistent than it was before, as even more artistic styles are thrown into the mix. The end result is a collection that struggles when it comes to visuals and is one of the worst looking books from the Earth 2 universe thus far.

Continuity

Earth 2: World’s End Vol. 2 continues the story from Earth 2 World’s End Vol. 1 (Review).

The story here continues in Convergence.

This volume also makes references to other comic books, detailed below:

• Brutal’s attack and its effects on the Atom and Project Beyond are mentioned a few times. These events took place in Earth 2 Vol. 5: The Kryptonian (Review).
• The Wonder’s adventure in the Tower of Fate is mentioned. This took place in Earth 2 Vol. 2: The Tower of Fate (Review).