New 52 Review – “O.M.A.C. #1”

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:

  1. Action Comics
  2. All-Star Western
  3. Animal Man
  4. Aquaman
  5. Batgirl
  6. Batman
  7. Batman and Robin
  8. Batman: The Dark Knight
  9. Batwing
  10. Batwoman
  11. Birds of Prey
  12. Blackhawks
  13. Blue Beetle
  14. Captain Atom
  15. Catwoman
  16. DC Universe Presents
  17. Deathstroke
  18. Demon Knights
  19. Detective Comics
  20. The Flash
  21. Frankenstein, Agent of S.H.A.D.E.
  22. The Fury of Firestorm
  23. Green Arrow
  24. Green Lantern
  25. Green Lantern Corps
  26. Green Lantern: New Guardians
  27. Grifter
  28. Hawk and Dove
  29. I, Vampire
  30. Justice League
  31. Justice League Dark
  32. Justice League International
  33. Legion Lost
  34. Legion of Super-Heroes
  35. Men of War
  36. Mister Terrific
  37. Nightwing
  38. O.M.A.C.
  39. Red Hood and the Outlaws
  40. Red Lanterns
  41. Resurrection Man
  42. The Savage Hawkman
  43. Static Shock
  44. Stormwatch
  45. Suicide Squad
  46. Superboy
  47. Supergirl
  48. Superman
  49. Swamp Thing
  50. Teen Titans
  51. Voodoo
  52. Wonder Woman