Greetings.  I'm the guy that bashed Secret Invasion since issue two.  So, you're probably thinking, "Hey, Tork... if you hated Secret Invasion so much and you said you have zero confidence in Dark Reign, why pick up this one-shot?"  For one, I've loved Maleev's art since Daredevil and anything with Doom is worth at least taking a look at.  If anything, I was hoping the team might hit that qualitative level that they reached in Daredevil. 

So... what happened?  I don't really know... For one, there's the glaring problem of Namor as played by Dave Attell.  I don't know why Maleev did it when he's drawn Namor normal before.  Is it to signify he's evil now?  He's hit the chip bag since Atlantis exploded?  Yeesh.  Also, Loki looks odd from time to time.  Still, Doom looks good so I can't complain too much.  And I don't care what anyone says, everyone should adopt Maleev's design of Norman Osborn because that sideways red cornrows thing he usually sports is #$%&ing stupid.

The characters act a little odd beyond Doom whose still a bada$$..  For one, the interaction between the Hood and Emma seems a little random and forced. A lot of the villains act a little less regal than I'm used to such as Emma and Namor.  The scene with Swordsman also feels ridiculously forced and oddly paced.  And then there's Norman's plan.  A lot of it makes no sense.  He JUST got the job and now he's going to release a war criminal back to his land and escalate superhuman crime?  People aren't going to care that Doom is playing pattycake when he should be behind bars.  Neither are they going to care when crime skyrockets under his regime over this "everyone walks" crap.  There's no way Osborn's going to be able to even start to maintain the level of corruption he's talking about without everyone and their mother knowing. And what EXACTLY is Norman Osborn going to do to help Loki?  I suppose that remains to be seen but Loki?  Really, you're now in a position to benefit a NORSE GOD?  Also... guy behind door?  My guess is Purple Man.

Nevertheless, I don't think this "Dark Reign" stuff is going to go well.  The premise seems rushed and a little too soon after Secret Invasion.  I understand Dark Reign is just the "after event" banner for Secret Invasion but this kind of Anti-Illuminati idea needs to be developed more and fleshed out better to work as a good story.  Osborn arising to power needs to happen over time organically.  This assembly of villains needs to happen over time organically.  If not, as here, it becomes very half-baked and wasteful of the admittedly good idea.  To use as just a post-Secret Invasion thing is a little weak and kind of a waste.  If this sadly disappointing one-shot (to quote Josh during every bad movie review podcast, I really wanted to like this a lot) is a signal of what's to come, I don't think I'm going to be happy.

But, yeah, Final Crisis was pretty good this week, eh?  Eh?