DC continues its week of Earth 2 previews with glimpses of that world's Robin, currently known as Huntress and future co-star of Worlds' Finest and Wonder Woman, set to star in the ongoing Earth 2 series beginning in May.
Details revealed about these two characters paint a better picture of the new Earth 2, revealing it to be a darker place than most were probably expecting. Is this going to be a trend with the rest of Earth 2's cast? Is Earth 2 not only a world where familiar heroes are older but a world where they have also lived notably tougher lives?
To start off, James Robinson and editor Wil Moss introduce us to Helena Wayne in her former life as Earth 2's Robin.
“Helena Wayne has been taught how to be the perfect Robin,” said James Robinson, writer of EARTH 2. “Assured as a detective, fighter, scientist, pilot and all around crime-fighter she’s been groomed by Batman to be the perfect caped manhunter (or should we say manHuntress) when she grows up.”
“Before coming to the main DCU Earth and taking up the mantle of Huntress, Helena Wayne fought crime alongside her father as the Robin to his Batman on Earth-2!” said WORLDS’ FINEST editor Wil Moss. “But how did she come to be on this Earth? And why did she decide to become Huntress? You’ll get some clues in next week’s HUNTRESS #6, but for the real scoop, pick up WORLDS’ FINEST #1!”
Interestingly, this one was designed by Kevin Maguire rather than Jim Lee. I'm actually fond of it too. I think what i like most is that it is just a Robin costume and not a "girl Robin" costume. No skirt, no cleavage, no midrift. It's a respectable costume for a Robin. In the same vein, it's great that Helena was a Robin and not a Batgirl.
It sounds like this version of Helena will be featured in flashbacks in the Worlds' Finest series, where she will star as Huntress along with Power Girl. Robinson and Moss don't reveal much more about her than that, though it is interesting that it sounds like Earth 2's Bruce Wayne put more effort into grooming a sidekick than raising a daughter.
Next, DC unveils more of the Wonder Woman of Earth 2.
“Due the events that open the saga of EARTH 2, Wonder Woman is already the last Amazon of this world and she is determined to avenge her sisters…at whatever cost,” said EARTH 2 writer James Robinson.
“How did Wonder Woman come to be the last of the Amazons?” asks EARTH 2 editor Pat McCallum. “It’s one of the mysteries we’ll be getting into with the series. While there will be recognizable faces and settings on EARTH 2, don’t for a moment think you’re on familiar ground. Do that, and you let your guard down…and then you’ll end up like the rest of the Amazons.”
I have to say -- I'm not as impressed with this design as I was with Robin's and Batman's. This is mostly due to it looking like just a busied up variation of Wonder Woman's usual appearance. There doesn't seem to be a real concept behind it beyond slapping on overly intricate pieces of armor. It's not awful, but it's a less interesting design than what has been shown so far.
What we do get from this is confirmation that the darkness of Earth 2 isn't limited to Batman and the loss of most of his family. This Wonder Woman is apparently the last of the Amazons and out for vengeance. That's a notable difference from the Wonder Woman we are all used to and falls right in line with a Batman who may now be willing to kill. So what comes next? Is Earth 2 Superman a "might makes right" tyrant who forces Earth to follow his rules of what's right and just?
