Review: Mr. Terrific: Year One #1
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Al Letson
Art: Valentine De Landro and Edwin Galmon
Colors: Marissa Louise and Edwin Galmon
Letters: Lucas Gattoni
Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd
Summary
Mr. Terrific reflects on the events of the days before he put on the “Fair Play” costume in light of the events of the DC All In Special #1.
Positives
With retellings of origins, there’s always the fear that the new writer will alter something critical or add something pointless. So far with Mr. Terrific: Year One #1, Al Letson does not make such an error- but something is hinted at. The things readers like about Mr. Terrific are still here. The strength of the issue is Michael Holt’s emotional state at having lost his wife and unborn child.
There’s a decent set up of industrial espionage with some corporate environmental pollution that launches Michael Holt into action and gets him out of his depressive funk. He’s spurred by a friend who does more to move the plot in Mr. Terrific: Year One #1 than the titular character.
The recap of Mr. Terrific’s history is appreciated as both the Justice Society and The Terrifics are both acknowledged. Hopefully, these parts of Michael Holt’s past will be incorporated effectively as this series progresses.
Negatives
It’s easy enough to ignore certain things if necessary. Letson’s addition to Mr. Terrific’s origin may be something that needs to be ignored depending on how this story plays out. With the suggestion that Darkseid is behind the death of Michael Holt’s wife and child it raises questions of an over-connectivity. It’s like Batman ’89 making the Joker (Jack Napier) the killer of Bruce Wayne’s parents. It’s understandable in a movie that this sort of circular connection can work, but it’s not necessary in comics. Since the details don’t play out in this issue, it’s hard to judge. It’s possible Letson could rely too heavily on this and really send this series into a downward spiral.
Connecting this series to the DC All In Special #1 continues to demonstrate DC’s belief that the events of that special are and exciting event and overall draw. Unfortunately, it’s not the case. Quite the opposite, connecting so many things to that special is just contrived. It’s a plot point that is underwhelming and just kind of boring. The possibility that Darkseid has anything to do with Michael Holt’s origin is the biggest negative of this issue. You can’t tie everything to Darkseid and the All In Special, and it’s exactly what DC is trying to do.
Verdict
As a fan of Mr. Terrific, Mr. Terrific: Year One #1 is a comic I am rooting for. The story of Michael Holt’s past and journey to becoming a hero is intriguing. So far so good on those points. The elephant in the room is how great a role Darkseid and the events of the All In Special will play. Right now, it’s a sign of trouble, but we have to give Al Letson room to tell his story before judging it.
