Road to Justice Society Rebirth: What We Know So Far, Week 07 (Spoilers Ahead)

Picking up where Dark Days: The Casting #1 left off last month, Dark Nights: Metal #1 begins to show the consequences of Bruce Wayne opening a portal to the dark multiverse.

Once again, not a whole lot is revealed in this first issue regarding the Justice Society that we didn't know already. However, opening that portal to the dark multiverse does draw the attention of some of DC's magic-based characters such as the Justice Society's Doctor Fate and Vertigo's Dream of the Endless. Another group of characters the dark multiverse attracts are the Blackhawks, whose leader--Lady Blackhawk--is revealed to be former Hawkgirl, Kendra Saunders.

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.

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 #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 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 #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 #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 #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 #15 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #15
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), Tony Harris (artist)
Publication Date: August 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: "Dick Grayson" has reunited with his son, John, but John is under the control of the Ultra-Humanite. John recognises his father's face and wants to be back at his side, but the Ultra-Humanite will not accept betrayal and seeks to destroy John. "Grayson" is powerless to run after his son and capture his abductor and pleads with Helena Wayne to recover his son.

Earth-2: Society #14 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #14
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), Federico Dallocchio (artist)
Publication Date: July 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: At Justice Society headquarters in Neotropolis, Huntress, Power Girl, Khalid Ben-Hassin, and "Dick Grayson" propose to Fury and Hawkgirl that they use the Pandora Vessel to revive the previous world that they lost. Fury is against the idea because the vessel has never been used at such a capacity and worries about what could go wrong. This angers "Grayson" who then starts to argue with Fury, though the situation is quickly defused by the intervention of Huntress, Power Girl, and Fury.

Earth-2: Society #13 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #13
Story: A Whole New World
Characters: Fury, Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Flash (Jay Garrick), Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Val-Zod, Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Sonia Sato, Doctor Fate (Khalid Ben-Hassin)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Federico Dallocchio (artist)
Publication Date: June 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: Hawkgirl returns to Neotropolis after spending months venturing into the wilderness, looking for any signs of life. There to greet her are the Flash and Power Girl who tell her that she 'sounded off' alarms with her arrival. Hawkgirl confirms that she didn't arrive alone and introduced her friends to Fury.

Earth-2: Society #12 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #12
Story: One Nation Indivisible
Characters: Fury, Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Flash (Jay Garrick), Huntress (Helena Wayne), Kara Zor-L (Power Girl), Val-Zod, Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Sonia Sato, Captain Steel (Henry Heywood Jr)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Iban Coello (artist)
Publication Date: May 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: Ark Home Colony and Erebus City are on the brink of war, and the World Army moves in on both cities prepared to take any measures necessary to keep civilians safe from hostile combatants. Huntress, Power Girl, and the Flash are against killing their own people (including the combatants) which puts them at odds with Captain Steel who is very prepared to kill if necessary. Huntress, Power Girl, and Flash only agree to help out with the war on the condition that they resort to killing only as a last ditch resort.

Earth-2: Society #11 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #11
Story: One Nation Indivisible
Characters: Fury, Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Flash (Jay Garrick), Huntress (Helena Wayne), Kara Zor-L (Power Girl), Red Tornado, Sandman (Wesley Dodds)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Federico Dallocchio (artist)
Publication Date: April 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Thoughts: It is increasingly getting harder and harder to review this comic every month. In part because the story is taking too long to pick up pace as a consequence of a limited page space and the fact that there are essentially three storylines happening within this limited page space. The other thing that's frustrating me about this comic is the premise and how that's negatively affecting the individual characters. Since these characters are burdened with restarting their civilisation entirely from scratch, not only do they feel too far removed from the characters we associate with the Justice Society (even by Elseworlds standards), but it severely limits their opportunities for meaningful character development if they are constantly preventing war for reasons that range from limited resources to people simply not agreeing with the way things should be.

Earth-2: Society #9 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #9
Story: One Nation Indivisible
Characters: Fury, Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Flash (Jay Garrick), Captain Steel (Henry Heywood Jr), Doctor Fate (Khalid Ben-Hassin), Sonia Sato, Sandman (Wesley Dodds), Superman (Val-Zod), Batman (Dick Grayson)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Jorge Jiménez (artist)
Publication Date: February 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: In the new technologically advanced city of Amazonia, Kendra Muñoz-Saunders watches as the new Amazonian queen, Fury, trains the new Amazons in the ways of combat in preparation for impending war. Kendra asks Fury if she plans to start a war and Fury answers that she doesn't, but would like to end it should one arise. Fury then asks Kendra why she's always alone and Kendra responds that she prefers solitude to having people stare at her for her giant wings. Fury sympathises, but Kendra has questions of her own: why is her city hidden from everyone else? Fury responds that it is due to the Amazons' status of being feared and not wanting to subject them to the same fear and corruption that is destroying the other colonial cities. Kendra believes that they must all work together to create a more unified society, but Fury doesn't believe neither the Green Lantern nor the World Army has what it takes to lead. She believes that the survivors of Earth-2 need the Amazons to guide them, given their culture is rooted in wisdom and have experience in governance. Kendra then asks what happened to the survivors of her ship. Fury says that they all died and the new Amazons took their place. Exactly what this means isn't entirely clear.

Earth-2: Society #8 Review

Title: Earth-2: Society #8
Story: One Nation Indivisible
Characters: Hawkgirl (Kendra Muñoz-Saunders), Huntress (Helena Wayne), Power Girl (Kara Zor-L), Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Flash (Jay Garrick), Captain Steel (Henry Heywood Jr), Doctor Fate (Khalid Ben-Hassin), Sonia Sato, Superman (Val-Zod), Batman (Dick Grayson)
Creators: Dan Abnett (writer), Jorge Jiménez (artist)
Publication Date: January 2016
Available In: Print | Digital

Summary: Starting a brand new era of Earth-2: Society, Dan Abnett begins his first issue with four main storylines that can be best grouped as the following: (1) Hawkgirl and Fury, (2) The World Army, (3) Huntress, Power Girl, Green Lantern, and the Flash, and (4) Dick Grayson in New Gotham.