posted 02-20-2001 02:53 PM            

J.M. DeMatteis has some very intriguing looks into the afterlife, such as Abin Sur, the Green Lantern that gave Hal his ring, being cast directly to Hell upon his death, as punishment for giving Hal the ring he eventually misused so greatly. Even though Hal, wouldn't misuse the ring for several years after Abin's death, Abin was thrust immediately to Hell because all of time happens instanteously in the Afterlife.

I also enjoyed how DeMatteis showed that the people The Spectre punishes are actually grateful in death because now they can receive salvation, I think this explains why The Spectre punishes some while letting others live. I think it is because deep down these people know what they've done is wrong and are truly sorry for it, whereas, someone like Lex Luthor, who has no remorse for his actions doesn't deserve a chance at redemption.

While there are obviously interesting aspects to the book, there are some I do not like. I think Hal comes off as a whiny baby, which I think goes drastically against his character. He's always been a strong willed, fearless character, that certainly doesn't show in this series.
Also I'm not a big fan of the artwork by Ryan Sook. I'm sure his style fits with the type of book this is, I'm just not a fan of that style.

Overall, I think this is a series with high potential and I'm gonna stick with it, until I see if it will reach it.

Also, check out my thread about who should be the next Spectre once Hal achieves redemption:
http://www.notnews.org/ubb/Forum8/HTML/000007.html

posted 02-21-2001 12:37 AM               

DeMatteis' ruminations on spirituality work a lot better here than they do in the dialogue he's helping to write for Wonder Woman right now. I just hope this "Hal is troubled by his role as the Spectre. Now Hal heroically figures out a way to do a better job with it. But wait a sec, Hal's still troubled! Lather, rinse, repeat" cycle ends soon. (I'm taking into account the previous Legends of the DC Universe arc, which I believe was originally supposed to lead off this title.)

I do think it makes sense for Hal to be so tormented now, because he's felt so out of control for so long that I don't know if he can be the resolute guy he used to be . . . for now.

I also think you've missed one of the interesting possibilities of this title -- the effort of Hal's brother and former girlfriend to find him, now that they know/believe he's alive. This subplot has potential, if handled right. Who knows? Maybe Carol Ferris has some atoning to do.

It also looks like DeMatteis is trying to work some JLA guest stars into the title. The "no one remembers Hal has become the Spectre" rule is already getting pretty stretched, and will probably have to be discarded altogether sometime soon before it becomes ridiculous. It will be interesting, for sure, to see how other characters, who know Hal's greatest and worst moments, react to him in this new role.

One thing that's interesting, though, is this whole question of redemption. I mean, that's what everyone keeps talking about. "I have to redeem myself." "Hal, ya gotta redeem yourself." "Hurry, Hal, and get to Iscandar to redeem yourself. There are only 257 days left." Now, the man killed a bunch of people. He also sacrificed his life to save a bunch more. Is this some sort of numerical thing? Lives saved > lives destroyed = redemption? If not, what does he have to do? Forgive himself? Teach God a lesson? You can't undo a crime, you can only show remorse for it, and Hal's done that in spades. So really, what's left?

posted 02-21-2001 01:30 AM            

And I can understand Hal being somewhat distraught about his current role but honestly I think it goes against his characterization. It's one thing for him to disagree with what the Spectre is having him do, but to become a big whiny baby because of it is so not Hal. Maybe my problem is the way he's being whiny. If he was upset that what the Spectre is doing is exactly what he is trying to make up for then that's one thing, but it just seems as if Hal is being a wuss because the Spectre-force is making him do things he doesn't want to. The way he's written just makes me want to say "Get over it."

And he came to terms with being "so out of control for so long" in Final Night, so him going through it again in a totally different manner doesn't make sense to me.

Okay, what are the interesting possiblilities of Jack and Carol's effort? I agree it's a natural subplot, but I don't see any great possiblilites coming just from this.

I would definitely like to see a conclusion to how other DC characters see him. And I like the addition of Zauriel to the cast.

And I agree with you 100% on your points about just what exactly needs to be done to achieve redemption. Judging by the scene with the old woman in issue 2 that redemption is achieved when you face your demons, so what does Hal have to do to face his? Confront the people he's killed, betrayed and if they've forgiven him he's redeemed? I would definitely like to know what it takes to become "redeemed."

posted 02-21-2001 01:40 AM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Brian Thomer:
And he came to terms with being "so out of control for so long" in Final Night, so him going through it again in a totally different manner doesn't make sense to me.

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Not that I'm necessarily defending the portrayal, but he might have thought he'd come to terms with it, only to realize the magnitude of it again when he actually reached the afterlife and encountered death and suffering in that fashion. 'Tis a thought.

quote:

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Okay, what are the interesting possiblilities of Jack and Carol's effort? I agree it's a natural subplot, but I don't see any great possiblilites coming just from this.

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Well, for starters, how are the forces of Heaven going to feel about them potentially "blowing Hal's cover"? Is this the kind of thing that Heaven would kill over? If so, how will Hal be able to respond? Or will Heaven just try to make people think they're crazy?

How will other superheroes respond to their claims, if said heroes have the opportunity to find out about those claims? Will they take them seriously?

What if Hal's enemies learn about them? What kinds of tests and tortures might they be subjected to? Granted, this is something out of the secret-identity schtick, but we're talking about spiritual forces here -- what kind of havoc can they raise?

posted 02-22-2001 11:38 AM            

Well you're right there are interesting possibilities with these two, but I don't really see anything new and innovative, like you said alot of it is out of the secret identity schtick. I seriously doubt heaven would kill over this, no one knowing Hal is the Spectre is quickly fading and will probably be dropped shortly, I mean Superman and Batman are already suspicious. And I don't think God (DC Editors) would kill them off. :-) Plus people knew Jim Corrigan was the Spectre, why can't they know Hal is?