Comics Bulletin logo
Search
  • Columns
    Random
    • Marvel Month in (P)review: October/November 2008

      Jamil Scalese
      November 4, 2008
      Columns, Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    Recent
    • Revisiting the Witchblade/Fathom/Tomb Raider Crossover

      Daniel Gehen
      February 8, 2021
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 2

      Daniel Gehen
      December 4, 2020
    • The Full Run: Usagi Yojimbo – The Wanderer’s Road Part 1

      Daniel Gehen
      October 30, 2020
    • What Looks Good
    • Comics Bulletin Soapbox
    • The Full Run
    • Leading Question
    • Top 10
    • The Long-Form
    • Jumping On
    • Comics in Color
    • Slouches Towards Comics
  • Big Two
    Random
    • Collecting Profile: Swamp Thing

      Jamil Scalese
      May 23, 2020
      Big Two, Collectibles, DC Comics, Miscellaneous Comic Book Content
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

      Daniel Gehen
      January 22, 2021
    • Retro Review: Detective Comics #826 Remains a Holiday Classic

      Daniel Gehen
      December 3, 2020
    • DC Comics
    • Big Two Reviews
    • Marvel Comics
  • Indie
    Random
    • Image Announces "LITTLE BIRD" Miniseries

      Jamil Scalese
      December 21, 2018
      Image, News, Press Release, Previews
    Recent
    • 4.0

      Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past

      Stephen Cook
      March 3, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Reviews
    • Archie Comics
    • Boom! Studios
    • Dark Horse
    • IDW
    • Image
    • Oni Press
    • Valiant
  • Reviews
    Random
    • 4.0

      Jobnik! #7

      Jamil Scalese
      April 13, 2009
      Reviews
    Recent
    • 3.0

      Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

      Daniel Gehen
      February 22, 2021
    • 4.5

      Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • 2.3

      Review: SAVAGE #1 Needs Taming

      Daniel Gehen
      February 16, 2021
    • Singles Going Steady
    • Slugfest
    • Manga
      • Reviews
    • Small Press
      • Reviews
      • ICYMI
      • Tiny Pages Made of Ashes
  • Interviews
    Random
    • Lea Hernandez: Vampires, Demon Hunters and Otherworldly Things

      Jamil Scalese
      June 18, 2012
      Interviews
    Recent
    • Interview: Jon Davis-Hunt Talks SHADOWMAN

      Daniel Gehen
      June 8, 2020
    • Interview: Becky Cloonan talks DARK AGNES and Her Personal Influences

      Mike Nickells
      March 4, 2020
    • Simon Roy

      Interview: Simon Roy on His Inspirations and Collaborations on PROTECTOR

      Mike Nickells
      January 29, 2020
    • Audio Interview
    • Video Interview
  • Classic Comics
    Random
    • Classic Interview: Sal Buscema Part 2

      Jamil Scalese
      October 23, 2015
      Classic Interviews
    Recent
    • Countdown to the King: Marvel’s Godzilla

      Daniel Gehen
      May 29, 2019
    • Honoring A Legend: Fantagraphics To Resurrect Tomi Ungerer Classics

      Daniel Gehen
      February 15, 2019
    • Reliving the Craziest Decade in Comics History: An interview with Jason Sacks

      Mark Stack
      January 2, 2019
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade
    • Classic Interviews
  • News
    Random
    • Boom for 7/29/15: The Circle of Life

      Jamil Scalese
      July 29, 2015
      News, This Week in BOOM!
    Recent
    • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 19, 2021
    • Image Comics and TMP Announces SPAWN’S UNIVERSE

      Daniel Gehen
      February 18, 2021
    • SAVAGE DRAGON IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH THIS MAY

      Daniel Gehen
      February 17, 2021
    • Press Release
    • Kickstarter Spotlight
  • Books
    Random
    • Classic Comics Cavalcade: 'Grave Business' by Graham Ingels

      Jamil Scalese
      September 25, 2015
      Books, Classic Comics, Classic Comics Cavalcade, Columns
    Recent
    • Collecting Profile: Disney Frozen

      CB Staff
      November 22, 2019
    • Collecting Profile: NFL Superpro

      CB Staff
      August 31, 2019
    • “THE BEST OF WITZEND” is a Wonderful Celebration of Artistic Freedom

      Daniel Gehen
      September 15, 2018
    • Review: ‘Machete Squad’ is a Disappointing Afghan Memoir

      Jason Sacks
      July 31, 2018
    • Review: ‘Out of Nothing’ is the Antidote to Our Sick Times

      Jason Sacks
      July 23, 2018
    • Review: ‘Bizarre Romance’ Shows Rough Edges in the Early Days of a New Marriage

      Jason Sacks
      July 10, 2018
What's New
  • Review: Beast Wars #2 another chance to change the past
  • Collecting Profile: Blue Beetle
  • Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia
  • Collecting Profile: Kraven the Hunter
  • Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good
  • TIME BEFORE TIME—A HIGH STAKES TIME TRAVEL SCIENCE FICTION SERIES SET TO LAUNCH THIS MAY
  • RSS Feed
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Google+
  • Contact Us
  • Write for us!
  • Visit Video Game Break!
Home
Reviews

Review: 'Forever Evil' #2 is packed with fun imagery and unbridled mayhem

Jamil Scalese
October 7, 2013
Reviews

If the first issue was "introducing the players" then the second is assuredly "setting the board".

Forever Evil is merely a bunch of cool-looking accessories on a poorly-manufactured car. There are kernels of exciting story, but it's not put together yet, like a LEGO set sitting in the middle of your living room, eagerly waiting to scar your bare feet.  

Forever Evil #2

I'm a huge fan of villain-centric comics so I convinced myself to grab the first post-New 52 mega event. Am I disappointed so far?  I can't say yet, because not much has happened. Lex Luthor is the de facto good guy but he's far removed from the that stars of the show, the always intriguing Crime Syndicate. Truthfully, in light of DC's recent drastic efforts in attracting new fans it's a little odd to publish an event that features nearly no mainstream heroes, but hey, I ain't complaining. For the first time it's feels like we've taken a step out of the introduction phase of the semi-reboot.

Much of the time in Forever Evil #2 is spent on introducing the members of the mirrored Justice League, centered mostly bloodthirsty and deliciously maniacal Johnny Quick/Atomica couple. Also spotlighted are moments looking at the twisted doctor/patient relationship of Deathstorm and Power Ring, the secrets of Superwoman and Owlman and the mysterious hooded prisoner introduced at the end of Trinity War.

Forever Evil #2

Geoff Johns aptly balances both the practical and indulgent duties of a core crossover series; however, it's the balance that holds the issue back. It's pretty clear the bits with the Teen Titans, the Rogues and Ultraman will probably be followed up outside this series. With both this and Marvel's Infinity event  I feel like I'm only reading a portion of the story, and that barely make sense since they're effectively miniseries.  We gotta fix that, Comics.

DC never fails to throw sick looking art at its bigger projects, a benefit of being able to pay for the best. The workings of David Finch are of typical high quality. Finch operates well in the darker realms, and his style fits a punchy script that jumps around a lot. There are some inconsistencies but that's made up for with insane rendering. The book is cramped, slimy and little scary, and there is a feeling as if we're actually stuck in close quarters with this possibly psychopathic cast. Finch is paired with the rest of the team from the early Batman: The Dark Knight run, Richard Friend and Sonia Oback, and together they deliver a tightly packed, shadowy story that revels in the violent and appalling moments. Exhibit A: The energetic madman Johnny Quick.

Forever Evil #2

Even with all the fun imagery and unbridled mayhem Forever Evil possesses, it's mainly worth reading because of its elevation of Lex Luthor. James Robinson worked a fresh angle by featuring Luthor in Action Comics just preceding the New 52 and the atmosphere is the same here. Lex is a "ends justify the means" kind of guy, and let's be real, post-Heisenberg we need someone to take up the bald, quasi-protagonist role. Sadly, whatever machinations Johns has planned are fuzzy, but apparently they involve the iconic green and purple war suit and Bizarro, who gets a brand new origin because, hell, why not?

Villains Month is over. It was a victory "on paper" but not on the paper, if you get me. Yet, Forever Evil is a different animal as it will be around for several months  and affect many of the core books in the line. There is a great idea brewing underneath the foggy set-up of this issue, but I'm not very optimistic we'll get the story I think we're all looking for.

Carlos MangualDavid FinchDC ComicsGeoff JohnsJamil ScaleseSonia Oback

Share On:
Tweet
Does DC Care?
Combined Review: ‘March’ and ‘Nat Turner’ are a fascinating contrast to each other

About The Author

Jamil Scalese
Jamil Scalese

Jamil Scalese would rather watch reruns of Frasier than catch up on media he's tragically behind on. Follow his weak tweets @jamilscalese

Related Posts

  • Comictober 2020: WITCHBLADE #67 is Unnerving

    Daniel Gehen
    October 9, 2020
  • The Full Run: Final Crisis Tie-in – Rogues Revenge

    Daniel Gehen, Jason Jeffords Jr.
    August 22, 2019

Latest Reviews

  • 3.0

    Review: X-MEN LEGENDS #1 Delivers A Dose of Nostalgia

    Daniel Gehen
    February 22, 2021
  • 4.5

    Review: THE LAST RONIN #2 Hurts So Good

    Daniel Gehen
    February 19, 2021
  • 2.3

    Review: SAVAGE #1 Needs Taming

    Daniel Gehen
    February 16, 2021
  • 4.3

    Review: RADIANT BLACK #1 Shines Brightly

    Daniel Gehen
    February 12, 2021
  • 2.7

    Review: DEEP BEYOND #1 Can’t Commit to a Premise

    Daniel Gehen
    February 4, 2021
  • 2.0

    VINDICATION Falls Short of its Lofty Goals (Review)

    Daniel Gehen
    February 1, 2021
  • 4.5

    DCeased: Dead Planet #7 Presents a Hopeful Future (Review)

    Daniel Gehen
    January 22, 2021
  • Review: The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Cartoonist

    Daniel Gehen
    December 14, 2020
  • Retro Review: Detective Comics #826 Remains a Holiday Classic

    Daniel Gehen
    December 3, 2020
  • 4.5

    TMNT: The Last Ronin #1 Lives Up to the Hype (Review)

    Daniel Gehen
    October 29, 2020
RSSTwitterFacebookgoogleplusinstagramtumblr

Comics Bulletin is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, audible.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, Comics Bulletin earns from qualifying purchases.

All content on this site (c) 2018 The Respective Copyright Holders