General Information
Title: O.M.A.C. #1
Author: “Krackling” Keith Giffen and “Daring” Dan Didio
Illustrator(s): Keith Giffen (pencils), “Sensational” Scott Koblish (inks) and “Sky High” Hi Fi (colours)
Cover Date: November 2011
Cover Price: $2.99
Buy the digital edition.
Premise
A superhuman creature goes on a rampage through Cadmus Labs, which clearly has secrets of its own.
High Point
Cadmus labs are quickly established in the new continuity.
Low Point
The 1950s style excessive narration. At least they weren’t canary yellow…
The Scores
This is a new and original look for O.M.A.C., to the best of my knowledge. The writing style is very much a retro style, harkening back to the 1960s, with Kirby-esque art to match. I give it 5 out of 6.
The artwork is like Jack Kirby’s: dynamic, great for storytelling, but not always on model and with a somewhat uniform look to the characters. It feels dated. I give it 4 out of 6.
The story entertains somewhat, but is inconsistent. (Kevin can’t even remember if he was in his office or the bathroom two panels apart, and it doesn’t sound like disorientation.) In short, the structure is lot like Kirby would have used, but Kirby averaged 9 panels per page. This averaged 3.7. We get the action-packed and bombastic Kirby opening, but we don’t reach the revelations that drive the story after that. It feels like the first part of a Kirby story, and not a Kirby story itself. I give it 3 out of 6.
The characterization is the supporting cast is better than that of the stars. I still don’t know what Brother Eye wants or what exactly O.M.A.C. is all about. This may have a solid first arc, but I can walk away from the title after this first issue with no regrets. I give it 3 out of 6.
The emotional response is wanted because the issue ends before we get to see what’s going on. I give it 3 out of 6.
The flow is smooth. This is basically following the rampage of O.M.A.C. through Cadmus, with a brief diversion to “overhear” the Vice President assure someone on the other end of his cell phone call that 90% of Cadmus employees are unaware of the project that he’s discussing while surrounded by 90% of his employees after an emergency evacuation. I give it 5 out of 6.
Overall, this is not terrible, but I doubt it’ll be strong enough to survive the first round of cuts when the “midseason replacement” titles like Morrison’s “Batman, Inc.” or James Robinson and Nicola Scott’s “Justice Society” launch in a few months. I give it 3 out of 6.
In total, O.M.A.C. #1 receives 26 out of 42.
The New 52
Here are handy links for the reviews of all 52 new #1 issues:
- Action Comics
- All-Star Western
- Animal Man
- Aquaman
- Batgirl
- Batman
- Batman and Robin
- Batman: The Dark Knight
- Batwing
- Batwoman
- Birds of Prey
- Blackhawks
- Blue Beetle
- Captain Atom
- Catwoman
- DC Universe Presents
- Deathstroke
- Demon Knights
- Detective Comics
- The Flash
- Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
- The Fury of Firestorm
- Green Arrow
- Green Lantern
- Green Lantern Corps
- Green Lantern: New Guardians
- Grifter
- Hawk and Dove
- I, Vampire
- Justice League
- Justice League Dark
- Justice League International
- Legion Lost
- Legion of Super-Heroes
- Men of War
- Mister Terrific
- Nightwing
- O.M.A.C.
- Red Hood and the Outlaws
- Red Lanterns
- Resurrection Man
- The Savage Hawkman
- Static Shock
- Stormwatch
- Suicide Squad
- Superboy
- Supergirl
- Superman
- Swamp Thing
- Teen Titans
- Voodoo
- Wonder Woman