1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
2.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing much to see here, July 18, 2008
This review is from: Infinity Inc. VOL 01: Luthor's Monsters (Paperback)
Spinning out the events of 52, Infinity Inc. finds John Henry Irons, AKA Steel, discovering that all is not well with the survivors of Lex Luthor's Everyman Project, including his niece Natasha. Soon enough, he learns that the youngsters weren't quite exactly depowered, and before you know it, trouble is a brewin'. Written by Peter Milligan (X-Statix, Human Target, Enigma, X-Men), Infinity Inc. is a fairly by the numbers yarn that certainly doesn't display just how talented a writer Milligan is. At his best, Milligan's offbeat and unconventional runs on X-Statix and Human Target are what made them so great, but when he appears to be restrained (as he does here) the end result is just stale and boring. Max Fiumara provides some pretty good artwork though, which in itself is a big plus. All in all, if you were compelled enough by the Steel plot point in 52, Infinity Inc. is worth a look at the very least, but for everyone else, there isn't much to see here at all.
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1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
"The u-underpants s-seem to be leading us to that house.", June 21, 2008
This review is from: Infinity Inc. VOL 01: Luthor's Monsters (Paperback)
I think I'm just gonna have to adapt a wait-and-see attitude with this one. This trade, INFINITY INC. Vol 01: LUTHOR'S MONSTERS, collects the new series's first five issues and, while it's not horrible, neither does it generate that good old comic book thrill. At least, I wasn't feeling it. But I'm curious enough that I'll probably keep checking out further issues, hoping I can soon get on board.
Okay, some bits of background: First, this isn't at all the generational team that was so closely linked to the Justice Society. This incarnation of Infinity Inc. debuted in the DC series 52, with the team assembled by Lex Luthor, who had developed a metagene-based program called the Everyman Project which granted super powers to non-meta-humans. Luthor took six of these converted persons and formed Metropolis's newest superhero team. But, because bastards will be bastards, it wasn't too long before Luthor showed his true colors. Turns out Luthor can also take away what he giveth. On New Year's Eve, he pushed a button and effected a comprehensive metagene shutdown on his test subjects, resulting in devastating fatalities (for example, all the specimens with flight capability instantly plummeted to their deaths). Thanks in part to John Henry Irons (Steel), Luthor got his comeuppance.
INFINITY INC. opens up about a year and a half later, and things aren't good for the survivors of the Everyman Project. This series catches us up with several of the ex-Infinitors, Natasha Irons (formerly Starlight), Erik Storn (formerly Fury), and Gerome McKenna (formerly Nuklon). These guys are still traumatized, still trying to cope with the loss of their powers. Therapy doesn't seem to be working. John Henry Irons is worried about his niece, Natasha, who is drifting away from him. And, then, shockingly, she evaporates in front of his eyes.
Seeking answers, John Henry tracks down two of her ex-teammates, Erik and Gerome, who don't have a clue. Meanwhile, a life-force leeching vampire (Kid Empty) begins to make his rounds. Himself a product of the Everyman Project, he begins jonesing for that extra rush only derived from victimizing fellow meta-humans. He's soon tussling with what's left of Infinity Inc. And if these shrink-seeing crime-fighters don't have it tough enough, waiting in the wings is a psychotic shape-shifter. And Kid Empty's metahuman groupie. I think the theme here is that the good guys will end up going against other, even more twisted survivors of the Everyman Project, against more of Luthor's monsters.
You didn't think that these kids would remain without powers, did you? Turns out that when Luthor did the shutdown, the metagene was supressed but not eradicated, meaning that, in time, it finds a new way to express itself. Meaning, new abilities for the test subjects.
Writer Peter Milligan has built a rep for churning out offbeat, nonmainstream comic book stuff (100 BULLETS, THE HUMAN TARGET, SHADE THE CHANGING MAN, ENIGMA). Here, his penchant for unconventional storytelling and for quirky, even controversial themes holds true. While the story arc comes with its share of action, Milligan does take time to delve into the Infinitors' messed-up psyches, which happen to be, by the way, directly linked to how their new powers manifest. For example, there's a rather disturbing explanation for Erik's stuttering. Then, there's the spectacularly self-absorbed Gerome, whose vanity figures into his new talent.
So, plenty of psychology here, played out to varied success. I dug the respective neuroses Milligan inflicts on Natasha, Erik, and Gerome; it's all interesting stuff. Erik's alter ego, in particular, is a pretty cool character, a direct contrast from his normal timid, awkward self. But I wasn't feeling Kid Empty, who is deeply troubled and Goth and horribly dull. I wasn't feeling this Big Bad at all. And, since Kid Empty plays a pivotal part in the plot and is in much of the story, there were plenty of times where I was pretty much in a disconnect mode.
But here's some sugar. Although readers of 52 would initially get more out of this new series than fledgling readers, these characters look to be strong enough to stand up on their own. As stated, Erik (or, rather, his other persona) has quickly become my favorite. Natasha, who used to lead Infinity Inc., has potential, but really hasn't had a chance to shine yet in these five issues. Gerome, to me, is like Flash Thompson, but with powers. Look for John Henry Irons to stay on as mentor of the team. And, as Infinity Inc.'s purview is in Metropolis, don't be too surprised if a certain Man of Steel shows up. As well, a certain chauffer and bodyguard to Lex Luthor. And she has an interesting proposition.
This trade isn't a bad read, but it didn't knock me over, either. It has potential, and I do like enough of the characters. One thing going against it is that five issues seem awfully skimpy. Milligan gives us a nibble, instead of a good-sized bite. It'll either whet your appetite for more or lend you the sense that the story feels a bit scattershot (I don't think that the Persona sub-plot meshed in too well). Primary artist Max Fiumara is solid; Matthew Southworth, who pencilled the "Persona" side stories, is not. So if I'm not exactly going out of my way to act all Joe FanBoy over this one, well, at least, I'm still recommending it.
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