‘Shadow War: Alpha #1’ Review (DC Comics)
Written by Joshua Williamson | Art by Viktor Bogdanovic, Daniel Henriques | Published by DC Comics
I think the days of ongoing monthly books are numbered, judging by just how many monthly books these days from Marvel and DC are one-shots, limited series, or big event books. That’s not necessarily a criticism, because a good story is a good story, but for continuity fans like me these are different times indeed. This book certainly enticed me in, with the premise being interesting, and a great choice of writer in Joshua Williamson. Yes, the Bat Family books are pretty much everywhere at the moment, but quantity is fine if the quality is there. Let’s hope this justifies the shelf space.
Let’s take a look.
We get a little visit of all to The Demon Palace in Nepal. As Damian Wayne duels with his mother Talia al Ghul, in a not-serious-but-actually-serious way, Ra’s al Ghul looks on. Ra’s is of course one of the greatest villains/ anti-heroes/ influential forces in world history, but today he is just feeling old. And sick. Things are going to change today it seems. Now off to Gotham, as these first issues need to set up their world-building after all, and a brief cameo from uber-vigilante Lock-Up. Batman takes care of business off-panel, Lock-Up’s such a lightweight.
No rest for the wicked, though, as Oracle gives Batman a piece of news he never thought he would hear. Ra’s and Talia are giving themselves in to the American authorities, in return for a press conference. Say what now? Judging by the raised voices back in Nepal, this was not a decision reached by consultation. Ra’s made it alone. Talia, naturally, assumes he’s turning senile and refuses to hand herself in. Ra’s just asks her to trust him. He gives a good ‘the children are our future’ speech, but can you really trust him? Talia decides to, and off to Washington they go. As everyone looks on, the press conference starts… ( I’m waiting for an evil laugh and Ra’s telling everyone his master plan started 30 minutes ago).
I’m wrong. Ra’s actually gives quite the impassioned speech, about saving the planet, about the mistakes and errors in judgement he’s made down the years, and the need to come together to save the planet. um…okay. What’s more, he wants to give up the secrets of the Lazarus Pits, the very things that give him his immortality. Then, with shades of JFK in Dallas, a sniper’s gun rings out, and Ra’s falls down dead. Not just any sniper, but (although Deadshot may disagree) the best in the world, Deathstroke. Although shot dead, Ra’s can be reborn of course, if his body is taken to the Lazarus Pits. That’s probably why Deathstroke blew up the body with a grenade then. Yikes. Ra’s al Ghul is really dead. Deceased. No longer with us. The drama of Damian racing against the clock to try and save him is superbly done.
This obviously has deep repercussions throughout the DC Universe, but the initial impact is more close to home. Ra’s is dead, and Damian in part blames Bruce, just as Bruce blames Damian for what happened to Alfred (spoiler alert, he’s dead). A Deathstroke-sized rift has been thrust between them. Talia has made it back to Nepal, and she’s assembled the full power of the League of Assassins and the super-powered wing, The Demon’s Shadow. Their single mission. Find Slade Wilson, Deathstroke, and kill him. Find his family, his friends, and kill them all. The mood in Deathstroke, Inc HQ is a little fraught as you can imagine, and no one is more put out than Slade Wilson himself. Seems it wasn’t Slade that performed the hit at all, just somebody dressed up as him. Why? Who? Whatever the reason the set-up has worked, and Talia and her forces start their assault on Deathstroke’s base.
A superb set-up issue. Although I think I do know what is going on, despite Williamson, trying to keep things mysterious, it’s well constructed and well told and has the promise to shake up the status quo. The art is also excellent, with some great layouts and pacing keeping it all frenetic and kinetic. Loved it.
Someone, somewhere, has upset Talia al Ghul, Deathstroke, and Batman. I hope they know what they are doing.
