We’re back with our continued group review cover of DC’s first big event after the launch of the New 52. Each of the writers/reviews of Comic Bastards will give the issue a score of: Buy, Borrow or Pass along with a short reason for the score. Here’s a quick blurb from DC Comics about the book: The villains have taken over the world! The Teen Titans fight back! Can the inexperienced teen heroes do what the adults could not? (Answer: Nope. It goes very poorly.)

Well it’s not much a description, but it’s better than Infinity’s bullet points. Anyways on to the reviews!

Samantha: BORROW

I was excited to see the Teen Titans take center stage in Forever Evil. Since I didn’t enjoy the first issue, I thought bringing in the young hipsters would add some flare that I crave. The battle between the two groups is totally lukewarm. One minute the Titans are talking and the next time we see them they suddenly disappear after a sad battle. It didn’t really add any anticipation like I was hoping it would.

Lex Luther is the clearly the man of the hour. He is by far the most interesting. I don’t know why the comic just didn’t give him those two extra pages instead of the Titans. He is the reason why I don’t pass on this series all together. I also do wonder where the Evil gang came from, but I don’t want to build the hype up for a letdown, so let’s just stop talking about that.

I think for now most people could be up to speed on the plot. So it is still a “borrow”, but I think Geoff Johns will hit something very hard at us soon. This is all just a waiting game.

Dustin: PASS

This is screaming Infinite Crisis at me. It really does feel as if Earth 2 has been replaced by Earth 3 and that’s it. I wouldn’t be surprised in the least bit if there’s a scene at the end with heroes running towards villains while Luthor and Superman have a conversation. I know that superhero books can be like day time soaps for me, but this one’s laying it on a bit thick. It’s turning into a daytime talk show. I’d actually have enjoyed it more if Maury Povich had shown up and said, “You’re not the father” to Ultraman.

There is a glimmer of hope with this story in that whatever is chasing the evil Justice League arrives and adds some interest, but I think it might just turn out to be DC’s answer to Galactus… which they really didn’t need an answer for. Also DC just isn’t happy unless someone’s fucking traveling through time, maybe that will make Teen Titans interesting now… but I doubt it.

Kevin: BUY

Holy shit DC! Is this book related to the same title that I read last month? Because issue two of Forever Evil was about a million times better than the first. It does a great job of washing the bad taste out of your mouth. How you ask? By giving you all of the sassy Johnny Quick that you can handle because he single handily stole the show. Keep this up till the end fellas and let’s finish this big event strong…for once.

Steve: BORROW

First off, let’s hear it for New 52 Otis! Alas, no Miss Tessmacher, but may at least his brief appearance be remembered fondly. As for the issue itself, Forever Evil #2 came with an expected sophomore slump. There’s a lot going on, which is a good thing, but christ is it cramped! Secret pregnancies, rebelling rogues, infectious rings and both an army and super-team completely (and handily) dismantled by one dude. Well, at least the cover followed through.

This issue felt cramped and jumpy, showing a bunch of things without giving any of it room to breathe. I do enjoy the new Forever Evil “dynamic duo” at the end, and I’m looking forward to seeing the newly suited-and-booted Lex beat some ass with hopefully reckless abandon. I also warmed much, MUCH more to Finch’s art this time around for some reason, finding his “cryo-release” scene especially (and ironically) well-done, and the rest of his action pretty damn good. I say keep up with the story by hearsay for the moment, rather than direct exposure.

Adam: PASS

This comic was an absolute chore to read, and that’s about the lowest form of criticism I’d give to anything.  There was nothing that interested me or even remotely made me want to turn on to the next page.  I feel like I have whiplash after reading this issue because they try to pack so many things into the story that I don’t care at all what happens.  It gets wordy in some spots too which I didn’t care for.  If there’s a reason for this book to exist, please clue me in on it.  I feel like there’s no necessity to this one, it’s just another way for DC to make some more money.  I don’t even care that I sound whiney and I don’t even back up my dislike for this book that much, I don’t think it deserves the waste of breath.  Definitely a “pass” for me.

Score: 2 Borrows, 2 Passes and 1 Buy

Writer: Geoff Johns Artists: David Finch and Richard Friend Publisher: DC Comics Price: $3.99 Release Date: 10/2/13