Earth-Prime #1 is published by DC Comics. The main story is from Batwoman writer Natalie Abrams, co-written by Kelly Larson. Art is by Clayton Henry with colours by Marcelo Maiolo and letters by Tom Napolitano. The backup story is written by Camrus Johnson with art by Michael Calero and colours by Matt Herms. Main cover art is by Kim Jacinto.
Earth-Prime #1 is available in print and on digital today where all good comics are sold.
Synopsis
Ever since the tech that created many of Batman’s rogues hit the streets, Ryan Wilder has been running herself ragged trying to contain the new villains popping up around Gotham City. But when Clayface’s (making his CW debut) mud binds itself to a local high schooler, Batwoman will need help from an unexpected source to contain this muddy foe! Also, follow how Luke Fox balances his life as a super hero and a boyfriend!
Review
It’s been almost a full decade since the so-called Arrowverse first debuted on our screens. Back in October 2012 none of us could have predicted we were seeing the beginnings of a shared TV universe. With six shows, animated spin-offs and innumerable crossovers later, character from the Arrowverse are making major splash in comics.
That’s not to say there haven’t been Arrowverse tie-in series before. But this time around DC is giving these characters their own title, Earth-Prime. Over the course of the next few weeks Earth-Prime will explore a new crossover on the page and introduce several of the series’ biggest characters to the page.
Up first is Ryan Wilder’s Batwoman, played on screen by Javicia Leslie. The book even features a backup story focussed on Camrus Johnson’s Luke Fox and written by Johnson himself. But DC isn’t simply approaching Earth-Prime as a way to cash in on the success of the franchise. Writers from the series are stepping behind the comic to bring in-cannon stories to readers.
For Batwoman that means taking on another of Gotham’s citizens who has come in contact with one of the stolen Batcave trophies. “Flesh and Mud” takes place after the events of season 3 episode 7 of the Batwoman series. With Mary infected by Poison Ivy, on the run from her friends and Ryan first squaring off against her brother, Marquis.
Series writer Natalie Abrams works with Kelly Larson to craft the story of “Flesh and Mud”. The setting feels like the perfect spot in season 3 to base the story. Allowing Earth-Prime to tug at several plot threads from the show without requiring the reader to have intimate knowledge of the series’ trajectory. DC is no-doubt aware that launching a series like Earth-One will bring new readers to comics, but it can’t ignore that some readers may pick up the book as an entry point to the series.
Abram’s and Larson’s story feels authentic to the show. Most importantly the character voices reflect their on-screen counterparts. With considerably less dialogue and exposition it would be easy for the book to go off-piste but that simply isn’t the case. The world of Batwoman remains entirely in-tact.
Behind Kim Jacinto’s outstanding cover art is a main story drawn by Clayton Henry with colours by Marcelo Maiolo. Henry does a respectable job of bringing the casts faces to the book. Each of the characters is recognisable to their on-screen counterpart without ever becoming a caricature or slavish portrait. The Batwoman suit looks great in comic form and it wouldn’t surprise me to see it impacting on other interpretations of the character.
Camrus Johnson’s backup story is a cute nod to the world of Luke Fox and the tightrope he walks between superhero backup and everyday friend and boyfriend. Once again the character voices and appearance are relative to the series and the story is organic to the character and his personality.
Verdict
The debut of DC’s Earth-Prime feels like a lost episode from Batwoman season 3. The tone and the writing from the show translates brilliantly to the page.
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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