Black Adam: The Dark Age #2
	Writer: Peter Tomasi Penciller: Doug Mahnke Inker: Christian Alamy Colorist: Nathan Eyring Letterer: Nick J. Napolitano Asst. Editor: Harvey Richards Editor: Michael Siglain Cover by: Doug Mahnke Published by: DC Comics
	Reviewed by: Bruce Logan

EXCLAMATION: “Man, that’s some nose Faust’s got!”

EXPLANATION: Continuing from where the last issue left off, this month’s installment of Black Adam: The Dark Age starts off (as expected) with a reunion between Teth and his recently departed and even more recently resurrected wife, Isis. It i.e. the romantic reunion doesn’t last long, coming to a rather heart-wrenching and bloody end. This sets off Adam towards finding another, more permanent (and healthy) way to get Isis back. Leaving a trail of bodies and discarded ‘power’ words in his trail Teth tracks down and enters the tower home of Dr. Fate. Searching for the good doctor he instead finds someone else. This person, left from the Ralph Dibny plot of 52 is still incarcerated in the tower. The two strike a deal and just as the issue is to draw to a close, Black Adam makes a return (and I do mean Black Adam, as in the ‘powered up’ version). Also making (minor) appearances are Batman, Superman, the new Shazam, Mr. Terrific, Wildcat and Atom Smasher.

EXAMINATION (Story): One thing I’d like to give this title kudos for is its tight continuity. Now this might be due to writer Peter Tomasi’s past work as an editor, from 52 to the first (new) JLA arc to The Trials of Shazam and maybe a couple of others too, Tomasi’s story slots along quite well to the established continuity. Teth and Isis’s meeting here is played off quite well with their past (as shown in 52). Same goes for Shazam i.e. Freddie and the way his powers differ from Billy’s and how they are still as much a mystery to the JSAers as they are too Freddie. Even the (as mentioned earlier) Faust and Neron angle are done quite well.

If there is one thing that didn’t work as well as the others it is the Superman and Batman subplot. This is most probably because while the other parts draw from previously occurred events this one is brand new to/for this series. If the solicits for upcoming issues are anything to go by, this will be developed and dealt with in the coming months.

EXAMINATION (Art): Doug Mahnke Rocks!! There, that is all I am going to say about the artwork of this series. Well, almost. Although the pencil-work is just about perfect I do have a point of contention with the inking and colors. Although consistent (always) and expressive (also always), the colors of Black Adam: The Dark Age are, well, a bit too dark. Not always mind you and in many cases it works for rather than against the story but there are instances when the large expanses of black do tend to be a drag. This is compounded by the simple (visual) fact that instead of being a ‘brighter’ black (which would add a bit of ‘movie studio’ flare to the visuals) the black here is of the ‘darker’ grim & gritty variety (ala an ‘indie’ venture). Still, the end result has more positives than negatives.

PROCLAMATION: Though it doesn’t seem it will turn out that way I’d like to see Isis make a ‘proper’ return to the land of the living and be with Teth. I sure as hell don’t want a Nora ‘Lazura’ Fries pulled on her.

RATING: 3.5/5 (Almost 4)