At face value, DC: Mech might seem like a cash grab integrating giant mechs with DC Comics’ best superheroes. After reading DC: Mech #1, however, it’s quite clear there’s been a lot of thought put into the backstory for why heroes are using mechs and the design of each one. DC: Mech #2 is out this week, further complicating the heroes’ lives and leaning into Batman.
So far, the series has featured Batman, Flash, and Superman, but this issue comes right out of the gate with Green Lantern and Wonder Woman. As the preview shows, writer Kenny Porter and artist Baldemar Rivas want to get the Justice League together as quickly as possible. This issue juggles a couple of conflicts like Green Lantern maximizing his suit’s mech, Lex Luthor realizing a missing piece of his tech is with Superman, and Batman hating Superman. These elements keep the ball rolling while Darkseid plots another massive attack.
This issue reads a bit more for a younger audience than the first issue. That’s partly due to Batman’s irrational anger at Superman and his stubbornness to not let go and move on like the rest of the heroes. You get a strong setup that working together is always better, and it feels like a message is for a younger audience. Likely it’s all a build to see our heroes work together and figure out their differences, but Batman’s anger is too simplistic. His expressions always seem way too angry, as if he’s always lost his temper. It’s an odd touch that doesn’t suit the character.
His anger seems oddly misplaced, as if we’re missing a key scene to explain it. Maybe we will in a future issue, but as it stands, it’s unearned to have the level of rage and mistrust he’s exhibiting. It comes off as if Batman needs to sit one out.
War games.
Credit: DC Comics
Pair that with Green Lantern struggling to use his powers, and we have some simple heroes in crisis that’ll likely figure things out at the opportune time for the narrative. It’s not all that complex or interesting.
What is interesting is the Pacific Rim vibes of this issue and the glorious mechs. It’s hard to resist Rivas’ art which is loud and super fun. Each mech is unique, and it’s great to see cutaways of the heroes controlling them from within. The fact that the heroes can feel the damage to themselves adds a fun layer to the fights. The fights look great, too, with good choreography and energy effects with colors by Mike Spicer.
Another great scene is a montage of Superman’s heroic acts before getting to Earth. Batman rather rudely asks why he’s only getting to Earth now, and Superman explains he’s been making his way there, trying to do good along the way.
One misstep with the art is facial expressions that don’t seem to match the dialogue. In one scene, Hal Jordan has his hand on his head, and he looks crazy, but he’s simply supposed to be determined. Later, a new leader character pops up who has a devilish smile but is talking about what they need to do next. It throws off each scene and makes you question what the characters are feeling and thinking.
DC: Mech had a first issue that believably explained the entire premise. DC: Mech #2 is way too loud with character emotions that are turned up way too high. Throw in some obvious setup for the heroes to overcome before the villain arrives in the last act, and you have a book that younger audiences may dig. While adults might enjoy the mechs and over-the-top nature, the emotional story is starting to feel too simplistic.
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