Earth 2 #1 - Intro to the New 52 Jay

[xBarryxAllenx]

I won't add a full review of Earth-2 here, except to say that I was definitely impressed with the story. I did have to drop all my preconceived notions from all my favorite JLA/JSA crossovers from the 1960's, as well as any JSA stories since. But, the story taken for what it is....it's impressive. The scope of the story is amazing, the action is well done here, and the story took some VERY unexpected twists and turns that will have me back for more. All that being said...

What about Jay and Joan? My guess is we haven't seen the last of Joan, even though that was a pretty clear-cut goodbye (and I'm hoping we see a much kinder Joan later on, because, well, wow)...and I'm hoping our screw-up "everyman" Jay grows up quickly when faced with the powers he now gets from....nah, I'll let you read for yourself to see how he gets the powers. It is certainly a change, and one that hasn't fully played out yet.

Asking us to make a judgment call at this point is tough. I certainly hope issue #2 will give us a better (and more impressive) picture of Jay, particularly since he will be part of the "new" Big Three (or is that the Replacement Big Three, given the circumstances?). I'm holding my judgment for now and crossing my fingers...how about you? What are your thoughts so far about Earth-2 and about the "new" Jay and Joan?

[dillonmania]

Issue #1 wasn't really my thing, but I didn't expect it to be. I'm probably not the audience they're looking for.

But yeah, I definitely share your concerns about Joan, and was rather taken aback by her portrayal.

[speedster]

Joan's portrayal is perfectly understandable given the reasons behind her anger: Jay has a screw-up, go nowhere personality who belittles her new career and is not understanding that he and Joan are broken up. It is clear she was at her wit's end with him and she needed to give him some harsh reality.

And, to be fair, original Joan was a hell of a lot more shallower towards Jay. E2 Joan has legitimate reasons for her anger.

That said, there is still a problem. We never actually see anything that Joan is complaining about. Robinson tells, and doesn't show, Jay's faults. This is a big writing no-no. The result is that it becomes too easy to side with Jay and paint Joan in a bad light.

I also agree that we haven't seen the last of Joan. With Jay getting superspeed and refusing to let Joan go, her being across the country shouldn't prove a problem....

[xBarryxAllenx]

You have an excellent point about not showing the reasons for Joan likely-understandable anger. Hopefully, we'll see something better for (and from) Jay soon.

[speedster]

Also, I think it is safe to say that the character isn't a true Flash unless he has an awful taste in women.