Arphahat
05-09-2009, 07:08 PM
I have long been a fan of the library, but my interest had been renewed more recently due to the birth of my daughter. Upon discovering that the library has a play area for young children, I started planning nearly weekly outings on the weekends. Repeated visits exposed me to areas of the library I had not known about.
I was surprised to discover that, in addition to the books that you expect to find in a library, a variety of other types of media are available for free checkout as well. Movies, TV series, CDs, console games (Wii, PS, Xbox) and PC games are all available. The final element of cool is that graphic novels / comic collections are also available. This is where I finally got to read the Watchmen.
While browsing through the vast selection available, I came across "Crisis on Infinite Earths." I had always heard how it had been a big deal when it came out and had never had an opportunity to read it, so I decided that the price was right and checked it out.
It starts with a bang: universes being destroyed and introduces us to the key players, including the Pariah, Harbinger and Monitor. It gathers the heroes and villains together, builds the plot and excitement... and then falls apart.
It is clear that this is a collection of the original comics from this series, as the repetition of concepts and conversations is abundant and annoying. There are so many heroes that it is impossible to give them more than a line at a time, often repeating things that they have already said.
The plot starts strong, but then flounders. Villains join forces together with heroes much too easily and with a minimal amount of convincing. Even the villains joining together is forced. Brainiac and Luthor seem an unlikely pair.
Then, there is the general mish-mash of past, present and future being mingled together. How this event is taking place at all times, and yet the final conflict takes place in the distant past is never adequately explained.
The resolution is weak and ridiculous. Heroes and villains alike dying much too easily. I would only recommend this to see what Crisis was all about.
Reading through the preface, it is clear that it was an effort to consolidate the often confusing DC universe(s). The goal was to make it easier for new readers to pick up a Superman comic and know what was going on without having to know that there were at least two other Supermen and a Superboy doing things in alternate universes. In that regard, it succeeded. However, the story could have been more interesting if it didn't need to include every character from every universe and every time line.
I was surprised to discover that, in addition to the books that you expect to find in a library, a variety of other types of media are available for free checkout as well. Movies, TV series, CDs, console games (Wii, PS, Xbox) and PC games are all available. The final element of cool is that graphic novels / comic collections are also available. This is where I finally got to read the Watchmen.
While browsing through the vast selection available, I came across "Crisis on Infinite Earths." I had always heard how it had been a big deal when it came out and had never had an opportunity to read it, so I decided that the price was right and checked it out.
It starts with a bang: universes being destroyed and introduces us to the key players, including the Pariah, Harbinger and Monitor. It gathers the heroes and villains together, builds the plot and excitement... and then falls apart.
It is clear that this is a collection of the original comics from this series, as the repetition of concepts and conversations is abundant and annoying. There are so many heroes that it is impossible to give them more than a line at a time, often repeating things that they have already said.
The plot starts strong, but then flounders. Villains join forces together with heroes much too easily and with a minimal amount of convincing. Even the villains joining together is forced. Brainiac and Luthor seem an unlikely pair.
Then, there is the general mish-mash of past, present and future being mingled together. How this event is taking place at all times, and yet the final conflict takes place in the distant past is never adequately explained.
The resolution is weak and ridiculous. Heroes and villains alike dying much too easily. I would only recommend this to see what Crisis was all about.
Reading through the preface, it is clear that it was an effort to consolidate the often confusing DC universe(s). The goal was to make it easier for new readers to pick up a Superman comic and know what was going on without having to know that there were at least two other Supermen and a Superboy doing things in alternate universes. In that regard, it succeeded. However, the story could have been more interesting if it didn't need to include every character from every universe and every time line.