Posted by Neil at 209.245.186.235 on January 16, 2001 at 18:39:23:
I read the preview edition of GA #1. I wish it had been the complete issue, but what the heck?
First of all, the art is great. I don’t care what anyone else has to say, to my eyes, that is phenomenal portraits of these characters and I want that to be my first statement.
On the characters portrayed. Batman and Superman are spot on, in my opinion, and I love that conversation on the roof of the Daily Planet on Final Night.
Roy, which was almost the biggest test for me, was handled great. I loved the bittersweet quality of his memories and the flashback to Green Arrow & Speedy was wonderful.
I’m ambivalent about her portrayal. At times it came across as a little cloyingly “female” instead of just a character. I might see if my girlfriend has the same reaction. It wasn’t unrealistic or out-of-character as much as it was jarringly self-conscious.
Connor was again a little off. I’m sure the people who knew and loved Connor more than me will be able to capture that better than me, so I’ll leave it as an acceptable but slightly off characterization of Connor.
What I liked the most, however, was the overall portrait of Oliver Queen that all of these memories and thoughts put together. I thought Kevin really managed to demonstrate who Ollie was as a man and show it through the eyes of those who knew him. That’s very good writing and a good sign of things to come.
How close he can make his portrayals of Dinah and Connor probably don’t matter a lot if he’s not using them regularly, and I’m sure our critiques – if they remain polite and constructive – can only help guide him to a future where they match closer to what we imagine… or he’ll disagree and write it the way it pleases him, whatever.
I think it’s an intriguing and very promising start to the new series and I’m, if anything, even more excited to see what lies ahead… and, in the end, what else matters for a serialized story?