RIP Murray
Writer: Brandon Thomas
Artist: Ronan Cliquet
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: November 24, 2021
I didn't know what to make of the first issue of this seven-issue series, but of course, Brandon Thomas has a whole lot of time to explain things still. However, in an oversaturated market, you need to come out swinging and show the reader why they need to keep reading your book. He does benefit from featuring two characters that no longer have solo titles, and having them do a Freaky Friday switcheroo is a cool concept, but for me, that's where the positives end. For me to continue, I need some semblance of a story and more information. Do we get that in this issue? Let's find out...
The issue opens with our heroes coming to terms that they didn't do this themselves. They are on a Queen Industries plane and are heading to STAR labs. I don't know which location that is because they are leaving Seattle and are somehow over the ocean, but we will go with it. I have had many people tell me that this sort of thing is just nitpicking and I should have fun with the story, but that's not why I'm not having fun. Brandon Thomas isn't telling us shit about anything so far, and when things get wonky, it worries me a lot.
That fear continues when Dr. Dinosaur's troops attack them. I know it's General Anderton, but that's not as cool, so I'm going with it. Oliver (Aquaman) gets on top of the plane, spins his trident like Jason Mamoa, and hits them with water spouts, and yells, "Game Over!" While that's happening, Arthur (Green Arrow) is fighting ninja troops inside the plane. There isn't anything good or bad about it, but it lasts for almost eight pages which is way too long for the bad guys to leave because Arthur realizes they are trying to capture, not kill them. Now, I get what they were trying to do, but they succeed in doing it by actually failing at what they are doing. This pops up again in this book, and I don't know what Thomas is thinking!
What do I mean? Well, for another large chunk of the book, Arthur is trying to save the plane's co-pilot. It's a series of mishaps that shows that both Arthur and Oliver are heroes who think of others first. I love that, but it feels like Thomas realized Murray didn't fit the story and has him killed most bizarrely after all those pages. RIP Murray, we hardly knew ye!
The story ends in a very familiar place for everyone but our two main characters, and again, I question where the hell they are because it's a stretch to think they could end up here that quickly. Besides that, it's just another fan-service trope added to the many we've seen from Thomas, mostly coming from the movies and television so far.
There isn't much of a story here besides Oliver and Arthur talking about concurrent memories. We still have many issues, but as I said at the beginning of this review, nothing so far makes me want to continue. The mystery is just a lack of information so far, and throwing in Dr. Dinosaur, and his time-traveling shenanigans isn't that intriguing. Of course, that's just my opinion, and if you are willing to stick it out, more power to you, but right now, I have better things to buy and read.
Bits and Pieces:
Brandon Thomas continues not telling much of a story while giving readers a mystery based on the lack of information. The art is good, but I'm still trying to figure out why I need to read this after two issues.
5.0/10
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