Customer Reviews

JLA: Kid Amazo

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Let me start by saying that the costume that `Kid Amazo' is shown wearing on the cover in no way resembles the costume he wears in the comic. Also, `Kid Amazo' is a college student old enough to drink which means he's not a kid, not even close.

It turns out that Professor Ivo decided to go beyond the original all robot design for Amazo to create a human/robot cyborg (somehow full grown despite the fact that he apparently was born of a human). Unaware that he is in fact the son or next generation of Amazo, Frank Halloran leads an otherwise normal life as a philosophy student at Berkley. Most of his memories were implanted by Ivo to give him the illusion of a past. When Amazo literally crash lands in Halloran's vicinity the impact somehow stops his metastasizing into a full fledge JLA hating `Kid Amazo'. He required two years to, uh, bake, into his intended form. There are ALL sorts of problems with this already. Why would Kid Amazo need two years to have his programming kick in and how was he not aware that he had the powers of six JLA members and why did Amazo's mild shockwave (referred to as an earthquake) end Halloran's programming cycle? Actually, after a second look it appears as if there may have been a natural earthquake earlier in the story but it appeared to be extremely mild which still doesn't make any sense because it implies that Halloran, in nearly two years, never experienced a physical jolt more powerful than a mild earthquake. The two year cycle is a clear and blatant plot contrivance created to give Halloran time to create a life just so it can be destroyed. We learn the identity of Halloran's mother but are we to assume that Amazo is his father and how is this possible

There was potential in this book. A philosophy spouting geek who suddenly acquires the full powers of the Justice League is an idea that you can run with but it's killed by plot holes and an unpleasant ending. Frank Halloran was the best part of the story and you could sympathize with his plight but the author just keeps adding garbage to the story and the worst part of all is the JLA itself. DC Comics has had a problem in the past with creating one dimensional heroes but Peter Milligan tries adding depth by having them bicker for no good reason. In one part Batman goes off on The Martian Manhunter for doing a little personal reconnaissance on Halloran to get in his head but Batman is furious that he's not acting as a team player. No one on the JLA has proven himself more that the Martian Manhunter and Batman's tantrum just seemed ridiculous and tacked on. There were more than a few of these random squabbles. I would rather have the old cardboard heroes than read pointless gratuitous arguments to give the JLA fake depth. Speaking of cardboard heroes I was not much of a fan of the drawings of the JLA. They always seemed to be standing in superhero poses and the action shots looked very stiff and unnatural.

I remember a story from Bizarro Comics where Linda Lee (Supergirl) and Mary Marvel sit down in a diner to have lunch and a chat. THAT was an example of creating character depth. Having superheroes bicker for no good reason while standing in dramatic super hero poses is not a way to create depth. Peter Milligan isn't the first writer to fail when trying to create character depth but his failure is so acute that it becomes a cautionary tale on how not to do it. As a final coup de grāce the ending is terrible. There was an Amazo story written by Grant Morrison where Amazo kept acquiring the powers of the JLA even as new members were added. In order to beat Amazo, Superman disbanded the league robbing him of all his powers. THAT was a dumb ending and although this ending is perhaps not as stupid it's in the same vein. Obviously I can't recommend this book. It's not terrible but it's just not very good and there is more than enough other good stuff on the market to spend time and money on this one.

A story originally appearing in JLA: Classified, Kid Amazo focuses on the "son" of old JLA foe Amazo, who is unaware of his true nature and what he really is. Naturally, the lad's world comes crashing down upon discovery of his heritage, with the Justice League naturally on the receiving end. Written by gifted and underrated scribe Peter Milligan (it wasn't that long ago that he and Mike Allred turned heads with X-Statix was it?), Kid Amazo focuses more on the philosophical musings of everyone involved instead on the potentially interesting developings of this new character, and the JLA's response in which just doesn't go anywhere. Carlos D'Anda offers some solid artwork, but as a whole, Kid Amazo just wastes potential. All in all, Kid Amazo is worth a look for Justice League fans or fans of Milligan, but what you'll find is sadly wasted potential.

"Justice League of America: Kid Amazo"
(DC Comics)
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This is a good, entertaining and slightly offbeat comic in which the Justice League confronts a new menace -- Kid Amazo, the cyborg "son" of one of their oldest, goofiest enemies. Writer Peter Milligan crafts a witty tale that features a college student whose philosophy-major musings lea him to consider Nietzsche's concept of Man and Superman (oh, the ironies!) in a way that is both painfully obvious and pleasantly tantalizing. Some of the team stand out more than others -- the triumvirate of Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman dominate, but others get short shrift, particularly The Flash, who is pretty wimpy, overall. Still, I liked this one - it was fun. I' like to see more JLA stuff by Milligan; he's got a nice touch. (Joe Sixpack, ReadThatAgain book reviews)