As usual, DC promises that every event will be “a game changer,” and that the universe “won’t be the same.” To this end, Beast World features violent mass murder and trauma throughout that world. Most importantly, our optimistic changeling, Beast Boy, is now dead. Before the DC Universe can mourn the lost hero, they must stop Amanda Waller and her plans of “game changing” genocide.
The Days In The Shadows Are Over
Traditionally, only the victors get to write history. To this end, Amanda Waller takes no time in taking control of the narrative. After an emergency State of The Union address, the president formally introduces Waller to the American people as their savior. Of course, this includes spinning Chester’s involuntary death into heroic martyrdom. In fact, distorting the truth is the only thing Waller and the members of Tom King’s Bureau of Sovereignty are capable of. In a way, it feels like commentary on the state of information as a tangible issue in the real world. Regardless, the next step of Waller’s plan is to double down and murder each and every beast victim in the world. Something Tom Taylor is eager to remind us, includes millions of curable innocent people. Naturally, this prompts the Titans to strategize a solution against a worldwide drone strike in under two hours. As mentioned before in previous issues, Cyborg and Oracle easily wield an unimaginable capacity for technological overreach. Yet, because the American government is backing Waller, the Titans understand that hacking them isn’t a simple choice. Even still, Nightwing can’t risk fully taking away the option, regardless of if it plays into Waller’s hands. In this sense, Tom Taylor opens up an interesting discussion about unilateral action. For the Titans, it isn’t a question of using their abilities to uphold law and order, but moral rights and wrongs. Unlike the Justice League, Nightwing believes that finding moral common ground with Waller will solve the no-win scenario.
Sorry For Your Loss
It is ironic that Taylor’s Titans begins with Beast Boy finally growing his eyeball back from the last crisis, only to die a few issues later in another event. No one is less happy about Beast Boy’s constant abuse and sacrifice than Raven. As far back as Lazarus Planet: Reborn, the couple have become a symbiotic support system for each of their individual issues. While Raven deals with her “demon side,” Beast Boy also struggles with his abilities and limitations. Without him, Raven feels broken and angry. However, she is uncomfortable with being the bigger person, despite knowing that it is something Garfield would desire. Additionally, Donna helping to eulogize their friend and his impact felt warranted. While characterizing Beast Boy as a saint or a paragon of virtue is an exaggeration, only the best lessons matter when someone dies. At long last, Waller finally embraces a full heel turn and becomes a supervillain. Usually she calculates every move she makes for the greater good, so Nightwing assumes this is an issue of similar goals but not methods. Meanwhile, Waller has zero remorse for her actions. Unfortunately, it takes a stand-off with her to realize that she genuinely wants all these innocent people to die. In addition, this encounter bookends with the craziest ass-pull reveal for Dr. Hate’s secret identity. Readers will remember that Waller recruits the sorcerer in the Knight Terrors event, and has been hinting at being some kind of double agent familiar with certain heroes. Moreover, Beast Boy recognizes their face when Dr. Hate takes off the helm in Beast World #1. Now, before Raven can get vengeance on Waller, Dr. Hate taunts the heroes with their confusing truth.
Cool Crisis, Bro
I have several observations. Firstly, the third act fight against Peacemaker felt cinematic. The illustrations in many of the action panels are remarkably explosive, despite the quips and tonally silly conclusion of Peacemaker’s fight. In contrast, many of the backgrounds and depictions of the crisis feel unclear and apocalyptic. For instance, the depiction of generic green tanks as “drones” is especially questionable. Not to mention, all of the rooms feel strangely dark and claustrophobic. Furthermore, a lot of the color and ink is fairly inconsistent at a distance. There are panels of Donna appearing almost as if her character is wearing a completely different outfit. While personally fixating on these concerns, I don’t believe any of the artwork distracts from the overall story. Secondly, writing a story like this requires a certain level of trust with the audience like a joke or good magic trick. Consequently, Garro sucks us in, the Beast World raises the stakes, and hopefully the finale will bring the themes home. What’s more is, what this story lacks in originality, it makes up for with fertile emotional and political territory. All the readers expect is that you don’t treat them like they’re stupid, except Taylor honestly has. Nothing about Dr. Hate’s reveal or the Titan’s first event feels organic. The smokescreen of Dawn of DC is actually just a way to scapegoat the Titans. Lastly, a mentor of mine says to “write the story that your audience fears.” Therefore, the concept of the heroes losing doesn’t bother me, but no one wants to see them crash the car the first time they get the keys.
Recommended If…
You are happy with Beast World thus far!
You’ve been waiting for a big Titans story with enormous stakes.
Dr. Hate is your favorite character.
Overall
In conclusion, Beast World is capable of much more than it’s going to give. Frustratingly, the lead characters have spent most of this event playing defense or the backseat. Worse of all, Waller’s actions and the Dr. Hate reveal continuously makes them look incompetent. On a positive note, this story has gripping ideas and decent artwork. Frankly, the ethical conversations and wild concepts around the role superheroes play in their society are carrying the book. Yet, various details unravel the good will Taylor earns with this humiliating direction. Still, as the penultimate chapter, Beast World #5 accomplishes this necessary phase of the magic trick. I truly hope it finds a good place to land, despite the embarrassing cliffhanger. Score: 7/10
DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purposes of this review
COMMENTS
Source link