JLA: Riddle of the Beast

Rating:
Summary: Could've been an epic but it's not.
Review: Riddle of the Beast is a pretty interesting Elseworlds story but it could've used an extra issue or two. While the use of DCU characters as classic fantasy archetypes are quite enjoyable and intriguing, the overall story seems to be underdeveloped. Though they used different artists whose work appear in Magic: The Gathering cards for that epic fantasy look, the whole graphic novel reads like an outline, far from the aforementioned epic fantasy feel this work aims to project. The build-up feels rushed and the characters introductions are done in a hurried fashion. It's as if there was a general feeling that the creators wanted to cram as many DCU characters as possible, sacrificing the overall pace of the book. Characters like Flash, Green Lantern and the Atom were just given cursory glances even if there was a lot of build-up to Robin and Zatanna's journey to the three men's City at the Center. Only a few panels and off to another setting. In fact, the main battle scene, after pages and pages of build-up and repetitive captions, amounted to just one page. Heck if only they devoted more space to it just like what they did to the world map which appeared three times or more! After reading this book, you could've wished that the bosses at DC could've followed the lead of the fantasy epics they aimed to ape by doing a trilogy at least.

Rating:
Summary: Could've been an epic but it's not.
Review: Riddle of the Beast is a pretty interesting Elseworlds story but it could've used an extra issue or two. While the use of DCU characters as classic fantasy archetypes are quite enjoyable and intriguing, the overall story seems to be underdeveloped. Though they used different artists whose work appear in Magic: The Gathering cards for that epic fantasy look, the whole graphic novel reads like an outline, far from the aforementioned epic fantasy feel this work aims to project. The build-up feels rushed and the characters introductions are done in a hurried fashion. It's as if there was a general feeling that the creators wanted to cram as many DCU characters as possible, sacrificing the overall pace of the book. Characters like Flash, Green Lantern and the Atom were just given cursory glances even if there was a lot of build-up to Robin and Zatanna's journey to the three men's City at the Center. Only a few panels and off to another setting. In fact, the main battle scene, after pages and pages of build-up and repetitive captions, amounted to just one page. Heck if only they devoted more space to it just like what they did to the world map which appeared three times or more! After reading this book, you could've wished that the bosses at DC could've followed the lead of the fantasy epics they aimed to ape by doing a trilogy at least.

Rating:
Summary: JLA does myth and magic
Review: Riddle of the Beast is an Elseworlds' tale that drops your favourite DC characters into the world of fantasy storytelling. A young lad (Tim Drake) and girl (Zatanna) must gather all the kingdoms together to fend off an attack from the beast (Etrigan the Demon). Despite some amazing artwork, the story still follows the conventions of your typical fantasy adventure. Once you take away the novelty of seeing DC superheroes in their new roles, there's really nothing new here (however, the chapter with weakened King Kal'El was pretty good). It's worth a look, but not worth the money for a hardcover purchase.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun and Entertinaing Fantasy Elseworld
Review: Riding on the hype and legendary "Lord of the Rings" resurgence, I was skeptical about purchasing this book, thinking that it may be a quick exploitive means to cash in on the fantasy regrowth. While this book has many of the recurring fantasy themes found else where, the contributors to this graphic novel have produced a fun, can't-put-it down comic.

The story centers around the person Robin Drake as he journeys to warn the other inhabits on "earth" of the return of the Beast, a villian the others thought had died fifteen years ago. Many of the superheros are cleverly introduced and united under the banner of saving the "world." Some heros take more proding than others, which aids in the story telling. It was interesting using Robin as the central character - considering he has always been a sidekick (even on his own, Nightwing has never really broken out of Batman's shadow).

This move gives the story more force and gives a "Frodo" of the Lord of the Rings" trilogy feel to the book, without copying the material too much. The formula also works well, so why change a genre that works so well - an unlikely hero, who saves the world.

The art is outstanding and many great artist contribute their unquie talents to provide pertinent images as the story progresses. A must for graphiic novel fans, who just want to read a good story, view some great art, and have a nice evening.

Rating:
Summary: A Fun and Entertinaing Fantasy Elseworld
Review: Riding on the hype and legendary "Lord of the Rings" resurgence, I was skeptical about purchasing this book, thinking that it may be a quick exploitive means to cash in on the fantasy regrowth. While this book has many of the recurring fantasy themes found else where, the contributors to this graphic novel have produced a fun, can't-put-it down comic.

The story centers around the person Robin Drake as he journeys to warn the other inhabits on "earth" of the return of the Beast, a villian the others thought had died fifteen years ago. Many of the superheros are cleverly introduced and united under the banner of saving the "world." Some heros take more proding than others, which aids in the story telling. It was interesting using Robin as the central character - considering he has always been a sidekick (even on his own, Nightwing has never really broken out of Batman's shadow).

This move gives the story more force and gives a "Frodo" of the Lord of the Rings" trilogy feel to the book, without copying the material too much. The formula also works well, so why change a genre that works so well - an unlikely hero, who saves the world.

The art is outstanding and many great artist contribute their unquie talents to provide pertinent images as the story progresses. A must for graphiic novel fans, who just want to read a good story, view some great art, and have a nice evening.