Helena Wayne 40th Anniversary: Looking Back on Earth-2: Society

EARTH-2: SOCIETY
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by BRUNO REDONDO, VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
Writer Dan Abnett (AQUAMAN, TITANS) and artists Bruno Redondo (INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US) and Vicente Cifuentes (BATGIRL) bring the story of the Wonders of Earth-2 to a stunning conclusion!

The heroes of Earth-2 have lost their planet twice—first to the forces of Apokolips, and now their newly rebuilt world has fallen thanks to one of their own. To prevent the all-powerful Pandora Casket from falling into the Ultra-Humanite’s hands, the Wonder known as Fury used it herself in an attempt to recreate their original world.

Unfortunately, Fury and a small band of other Wonders have awakened in a ghost of a world…one that appears to have entirely wiped out and replaced Earth-2 and all of its survivors.

But the Wonders are not alone in this ghost world. Something is stalking them…something familiar, and powerful, and with one all-encompassing mission: to kill the Wonders before they can solve the mystery of this strange new world!
AUGUST 15 | RATED T | $14.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Earth-2: Society #22 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #22
Story: Life After Death
Characters: Batman (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Fury (Donna Troy), Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Flash (Jay Garrick), Superman (Val-Zod), Oracle (Dick Grayson), Robin (John Grayson)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Vicente Cifuentes (artist)
Publication Date: March 2017
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: It's been six months since the heroes of Earth-2 defeated the Ultra-Humanite and now they just want to enjoy their lives and protect their new planet on both a small and larger scale. Over time, they have gained the trust of their new world's citizens, and some have even started new lives.

Silver Lining: An Open Thank You Letter To Dan Abnett

Dear Dan Abnett,

I have to be honest and admit, I was genuinely surprised by the conclusion of Earth-2: Society this week. I similarly admit, it's been a very frustrating comic for me to follow, and even more frustrating for me to review. But I do think you managed to salvage this version of Earth-2 in a way that no one expected, especially given the troubling circumstances with which you inherited the title. I think you've successfully brought this series to a satisfactory conclusion and left the world and characters in a better place for a more successful relaunch if DC so chooses.

Earth-2: Society #22 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #22
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
In this series finale, a new dawn rises on Earth-2. After a terrible struggle, the Wonders have restored their world, better than ever. Can they become the new heroes and caretakers the reborn planet needs to protect it from future threats? And what of the price they paid for peace—what is the final fate of the Earth-2 Batman and his legacy?
MARCH 08 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Earth-2: Society #21 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #21
Story: After the End: The Final Fate of Earth-2
Characters: Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Fury (Donna Troy), Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Flash (Jay Garrick), Superman (Val-Zod), Commander Steel (Henry Heywood III)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Vicente Cifuentes (artist)
Publication Date: February 2017
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: The heroes of Earth-2 put up a final fight against the Ultra-Humanite for the future of the new Earth-2. But is their combined effort enough to ward off the Sandmen Army and the god-like powers of Alan Scott? And what of the Huntress and her team of two? Do they have what it takes to stop the Ultra-Humanite from having complete control over the new Earth? What will the Huntress lose in the final battle against the Ultra-Humanite? The battle for the new Earth-2 ends here in this literal groundbreaking conclusion.

Earth-2: Society #21 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #21
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
The Wonders battle the Sandmen army to free the new Earth 2 from a dystopian fate, but the new world Director has unleashed his terrifying secret weapon. Can Batman, Huntress and John, the weakest of the wonders, shut down the Director’s stronghold? It’s a dangerous, last-minute gamble...and the price may be too great to bear. Final issue.
FEBRUARY 08 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Earth-2: Society #20 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #20
Story: After the End: The Final Fate of Earth-2
Characters: Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Fury (Donna Troy), Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Flash (Jay Garrick), Superman (Val-Zod), Commander Steel (Henry Heywood III)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Vicente Cifuentes (artist)
Publication Date: January 2017
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: The fight for the new Earth-2 continues as the heroes on Team Power Girl continue their battle against the Ultra-Humanite's army of Sandmen. Underground, Team Huntress learns the existence of the new Earth's "governor" that calls himself Central Control. Together with her two male companions, the Huntress goes on the hunt for Central Control and end the conflict once and for all. Central Control, however, has no plans to be defeated so easily. Seeing that the new Earth's heroes are out to get him, the Ultra-Humanite prepares to unleash his most dangerous weapon yet: the imprisoned Alan Scott, aka the Green Lantern!

Earth-2: Society #20 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #20
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
On the streets of New Metropolis, the Wonders battle the army of Sandmen sent to destroy them. But on this reborn world, no one recognizes the heroes, and their presence sends the citizens into a panic. Behind the scenes, the identity of the world-ruling Director is revealed. And he has a secret weapon that’s equally shocking.
JANUARY 11 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Earth-2: Society Cancelled Again. The End of the False Earth-2 Dick Grayson?

EARTH 2: SOCIETY #22
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
In this series finale, a new dawn rises on Earth-2. After a terrible struggle, the Wonders have restored their world, better than ever. Can they become the new heroes and caretakers the reborn planet needs to protect it from future threats? And what of the price they paid for peace—what is the final fate of the Earth-2 Batman and his legacy?
On sale MARCH 8 • 32 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T • FINAL ISSUE

Apparently, Earth-2: Society #21 is not the final issue as originally solicited, but the March solicitation for #22 seems to be hinting at DC finally dropping the other problem Earth-2 and Justice Society fans have been having with this franchise since 2013:

Earth-2: Society 19 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #19
Story: After the End: The Final Fate of Earth-2
Characters: Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Fury (Donna Troy), Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Flash (Jay Garrick), Superman (Val-Zod), Commander Steel (Henry Heywood III)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Bruno Redondo (artist)
Publication Date: December 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: The heroes of Earth-2 find themselves on a whole new world, but aren't sure of its authenticity. The new world looks real, feels real, and nothing appears out of the ordinary, but it also appears "too good to be true." Is the new Earth the world the heroes remember, or is it some kind of mutated rebirth of their original Earth? If the latter, who's the architect behind it? Did the heroes create this new world with their hopes, dreams, and memories, or is there a more sinister force lurking underneath the surface? While Power Girl, Fury, Hawkgirl, Flash, and Val-Zod try to make sense of their new world, Huntress and her team of two may have stumbled upon the first answer to that important question.

Earth-2: Society #19 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #19
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by BRUNO REDONDO
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
Fury’s gamble has paid off! Earth-2 is born again, but it’s not the world the heroes remember. As outsiders and the only people alive who know what existed before, they struggle to make sense of their new surroundings. On the surface, it seems to be a glorious new world-but from underneath, a hidden menace surfaces.
DECEMBER 14 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Earth-2: Society Has Been Cancelled. What Now?

EARTH 2: SOCIETY #21
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by VICENTE CIFUENTES • Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
The Wonders battle the Sandmen army to free the new Earth 2 from a dystopian fate, but the new world Director has unleashed his terrifying secret weapon. Can Batman, Huntress and John, the weakest of the wonders, shut down the Director’s stronghold? It’s a dangerous, last-minute gamble…and the price may be too great to bear.
On sale FEBRUARY 8 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US RATED T • FINAL ISSUE

Earth-2: Society #18 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #18
Story: After the End: The Final Fate of Earth-2
Characters: Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Fury (Donna Troy), Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Flash (Jay Garrick), Superman (Val-Zod), Commander Steel (Henry Heywood III)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Bruno Redondo (artist)
Publication Date: November 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: In the ghost world of Old Metropolis, Helena Wayne and her two companions are going for a stroll, trying to figure out where they are. Helena is upset that they're in limbo and doesn't believe there is anyone else around. That is until they are attacked by an army of Sandmen, which she and her companions effortlessly defeat.

On the other side of Metropolis, Val-Zod theorises that reality has been completely rebooted and that they've all been changed in subtle ways. He also thinks that the world does exist but is "out of phase" and is "waiting to catch up." Fury decides to test this theory by punching through an invisible wall, revealing a fully realised interior. This attracts the attention of the Sandmen who are still acting the heroes like antibodies attacking a virus that invaded a host body.

The heroes succeed in keeping the Sandmen at bay, but their surroundings go pitch black before revealing a fully realised living Metropolis with a modern retro aesthetic. There to greet the heroes is Henry Heywood III, the third Commander Steel.

Earth-2: Society #18 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #18
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by BRUNO REDONDO
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
Earth 2 as they knew it is gone, and a ghost world is all that remains. The surviving heroes have failed in their effort to save the world. As they struggle to accept the disaster they have caused, something in the phantom mist begins to hunt for them. In the Ghost World, no heroes can be allowed to exist.
NOVEMBER 09 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Writer Dan Abnett Talks About the Future of Earth-2

Yesterday, writer Dan Abnett gave an interview with Newsarama discussing his current story arc for Earth-2: Society and the future of the series. From what I can gather, Earth-2: Society will not lead to the Justice Society's Rebirth, and I think it's safe to say that unless DC changes their mind at the last minute, the Earth-2 characters will remain a separate entity from the Prime Earth Justice Society.

Earth-2: Society #17 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #17
Story: After the End: The Final Fate of Earth-2
Characters: Fury (Donna Troy), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Flash (Jay Garrick), Val-Zod
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Bruno Redondo (artist)
Publication Date: October 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: Earth-2 has been erased from existence. The Flash, Hawkgirl, Power Girl, Fury, and Red Tornado all find themselves in a ghost world that resembles the Metropolis of their old Earth, but nothing concrete. No where in sight are the Huntress, Green Lantern, Sonia Sato, or even the Ultra-Humanite. As the heroes try to figure out where they are, how they got there, and where the rest of their friends are, a new menace appears ready to exterminate them. No it isn't the Daleks, but an army of Sandmen who look like the newly deceased Wesley Dodds.

Earth-2: Society #17 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #17
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by BRUNO REDONDO
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
Earth-2 is dead! Following the climactic battle with Ultra-Humanite and his super-powered army, a handful of the Wonders awaken in a twilight limbo. Are they the only ones to have survived? Has their desperate gambit to save their world ended in total disaster?
OCTOBER 12 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Earth-2: Society #16 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #16
Story: A Whole New World
Characters: Fury (Donna Troy), Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Flash (Jay Garrick), Val-Zod, Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Sonia Sato, Doctor Fate (Khalid Ben-Hassin), Captain Steel (Henry Heywood Jr.)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Angel Hernandez (artist)
Publication Date: September 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: The Ultra-Humanite has taken control of the Green Lantern and begins to move in on the Justice Society in order to recover Fury's Pandora casket. He wastes no time using the Green Lantern's immense power to take out the four most powerful members of the team: the Flash, Power Girl, Val-Zod, and Red Tornado. Fury takes on the mind-controlled Green Lantern next, but is unsuccessful at stopping him as he overpowers her.

Earth-2: Society #16 Preview

EARTH-2 SOCIETY #16
Written by DAN ABNETT
Art by ANGEL HERNANDEZ
Cover by BRUNO REDONDO
The Amazonian casket has the potential to remake Earth-2 and end the years of struggle and survival, but is using it too great a risk? The Ultrahumanite doesn’t care. In a last stand, the heroes must stop him from using it to shape a new reality where he is in control-or annihilate Earth-2 entirely. Don’t miss this turning point in Earth-2 history!
SEPTEMBER 14 | RATED T | $2.99 | PRINT | DIGITAL

Earth-2: Society Annual #1 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society Annual #1
Story: Legacy
Characters: Huntress (Helena Wayne), "Dick Grayson," John Grayson
Publication Date: August 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: Helena Wayne has rescued John Grayson from Grief, the Ultra-Humanite's deadliest assassin. As John recalls the Huntress' fierce fight to liberate him from the Ultra-Humanite's control, he details to his father how the Ultra-Humanite exploited his fears and loss of family to turn him into one of his destructive agents. "Dick Grayson" then reflects on Earth-2's past battles and how they particularly resulted in the deaths of two Batmen: Bruce Wayne, the original, and his father Thomas. He also thinks about his place in that legacy and whether or not he actually deserves it.

"Dick" thinks about how all the Waynes have a natural skill and ability to them that he lacks, and questions whether or not he has what it takes to succeed them. He even thinks about whether or not he still needs Batman now that he has his son to live for again, and is no longer driven by rage or loss. Through words of encouragement from his son, "Dick" finds a new reason to continue on as Batman. If he no longer needs rage and loss to motivate him, desire to keep his son safe from harm is all that he needs to keep going. Deciding to put on the costume one last time, he joins the Huntress to attend an emergency Justice Society meeting to protect the fate of the world against the Ultra-Humanite. He doesn't know if he'll die in the process, but he knows he'll try to stay alive for his son.