Guarding the Globe #4
And finally, Image Comics proves that they’re just like everybody else. The company has been riding a really strong string of releases, with Multiple Warheads (a must read if there ever was one) and BlackAcre (pretty damn close) along with may others, but they’re not infallible. Because Guarding The Globe #4 is not a very good comic book at all.
The first three issues were alright. And that’s really what they were. Forgettable, but non-offensive, and a fine way to fill the almost necessary group-superhero quota from which Marvel and DC have been making millions of dollars for years.
But #4 is not alright, #4 is bad. It’s jumbled and unfocused, too many very important things happen, and none of them are given the proper time or weight to hit home as they should have. It feels sloppy and half-hearted.
And to put it bluntly, if the writer doesn’t seem to care much about the book, the reader isn’t going to be able to, either. And that’s where I am. The characters are close enough to the big gun heroes (Avengers, Justice League) to have familiarity but different enough to be new and interesting. Their dynamic, by nature, intrigues me and group books offer a great number of opportunities (albeit a similarly long list of limitations) for the writer.
But none of this comes to fruition. It’s like the team has built as this moment, but the batter just strikes out looking. I’m not saying it’d be better to try and fail, but not trying at all isn’t exactly working. Potential doesn’t do much good if nobody cultivates it.
The art is good, the team is good, the stories are okay, but the little things need to be done better. The way the characters carry themselves, how they handle guilt, stress, joy and whatever other emotions, all of it needs more power. Right now it builds to a climax by casually walking, and once at the destination, it hangs out for a second, gives an affirming nod, and moves on.
I know Phil Hester & Co. can offer more than that. But it hasn’t happened yet.
A Look Inside
