Earth 2 #15.1 - Desaad #1 review

Desaad's been featuring in Worlds' Finest for awhile, matching wits and weapons with Power Girl and Huntress. The Apokolips sadist stars in this Villains Month one-shot, all three characters are on the cover - so obviously, it's solicited as an Earth 2 tie-in, a great way to ensure the people most interested in the special may miss it, while a few of those who buy it expecting something relating to Green Lantern and co will be annoyed. Sure, it's linked to Earth 2, with Kara and Helena originating from there, but it has bugger all to do with James Robinson and Nicola Scott's book. Happily, as well as solicitations, I read both Earth 2 and World's Finest, but still, any complaints DC receives are on their own heads.

We start with the 3D cover, which doesn't work brilliantly, unless we're meant to believe that Desaad keeps his head about a foot behind the rest of his body, and Power Girl never stops vibrating. Sheesh. It's a shame, as Ken Lashley's composition is decent, and Jason Wright's colours are excellent - dig that Kirby Krackle.

You might expect those famous dots in a book starring a character created by legendary artist/writer Jack Kirby. What you won't expect is a cameo by Kirby himself, but here he is, as illustrated by Yildiray Cinar and coloured by Wright. Stranded on Earth after Darkseid's aborted invasion of Earth Prime, Desaad's spent five years making monsters as he plots to return home. Levitz shows us how Desaad becomes interested in humans, and eventually, fascinated by one man in particular - 'The Artist'. The unnamed guy is so wrapped up in his comic creation that he doesn't even notice Desaad boom tubing in behind him, doesn't see the outline of evil (click on image to enlarge).

We don't learn what Desaad wants of the man, but the mystery adds spice to what otherwise would have been simply a well-crafted expansion of things we've already seen in Worlds' Finest - Desaad being cruel, Desaad trying to steal Michael Holt's experimental tunnel between worlds, Desaad cackling ... now, I can't wait to see what's next.

Nul points to DC for ending this issue with a direction to the Earth 2 series - back next month after its Villains break - when it might have also mentioned Worlds's Finest, where the storyline here will actually play out.

I like Levitz's script, which paints Desaad as an insidious creature (and one surprisingly well versed in Jewish tradition). He's a little one-note, but he's a Kirby archetype, there to push stories forward with his evil scheming and fascination with fear.

It's a shame DC's New 52 revamp has done away with Kirby's classic design, but Cinar does wonders with the cliched monster he's been saddled with. Desaad slinks through panels, his death mask terrifying, his flowing robes and cowl acting as points of dynamism. He chooses a rougher line than in his super-shiny work on Legion of Super-Heroes - again with Levitz - and Wright further softens the look with his tones. Sometimes said colours are muted, at others it's fireworks a-go-go. The Kirby - sorry, 'Artist' - panels remind me of the great Gene Colan's shot-from-pencils' work on Nathaniel Dusk ... I'd love to see Cinar and Wright produce an entire comic in this style.

And while I may be imagining Easter eggs, Desaad's HQ might amuse Legion fans. C'mon Yildiray and Paul, you can't call that accidental!