DC All In: The Question All Along the Watchtower #1 - 6

So, after going through Challengers of the Unknown last week, I decided to continue going through the DC All In series I had picked up by reading the Question All Along the Watchtower #1-6.

Written by Alex Segura witth art by Cian Tormey and Romulo Fajardo Jr. (who, I just realised is on his second All In title), The Question All Along the Watchtower follows the second Question (no longer the only Question, as Charlie Sage has somehow returned to life since 52. Who knew?), Renee Montoya as she joins the Justice League Unlimited at the behest of the Trinity as the head of security. Now sporting a new Sheriff-esque outfit, a new Phantom Zone connected gun and the same old hat and face mask (although there are moments I'm sure the former more closely resembles a cowboy hat), the Question, along with a team of allies which includes her former paramour Batwoman, is tasked with investigating the mysterious enemy attempting to infiltrate, take control of, and maybe even destroy the Watchtower and the JLU with it.

Ever since her introduction as the titular Question during the events of 52, I've always had a soft spot for Renee Montoya. Final Crisis Revelations was the main bright spot to come out of that event for me and, along with Renee's damaged and redemption seeking life, her depiction has always resonated. Therefore, upon seeing this first issue on the shelf at my LCS, it felt like a foregone conclusion to pick it up, even if character (and I mean Montoya AS the Question) creator Greg Rucka was not on scribing duties.

Fortunately, I certainly felt that Alex Segura filled those shoes more than adequately when penning this story. While the plot isn't without its holes (I mean, why would a community of Superheroes need a 'Sheriff'?), Segura has written a truly engaging and interesting mystery, one perfect for the Noir-esque Question to sink her metaphorical (because her mask gives her no facial features ... Yeah, I oughta stop with the comedy) teeth into. In fact, when I say that Question is a very crime noir like character, Alex Segura seems to have noticed that too. The whole series, with the exception of the odd scene which still doesn't reveal the villain/heightens the intrigue, comes across as quintessential Marlowe and Spade level crime fiction, as every moment, every piece of dialogue, every moment of narration reads from Montoya's perspective as a gumshoe.

Like I said, though, the story isn't perfect. There are moments where the the story feels too ... crowded (for want of a better word) in both characters and what is taking place. Meanwhile, with the reveal of the main villain, it struck me how much of their dialogue has a very Victor Von Doom style of speech, something I don't think I'd have expected from this character, along with the alteration to their power set. Finally, there is then that suspension of disbelief factor where it seems crazy that saving the day would come down to a nonpowered superhero with the likes of Superman, Green Lantern and Wonder Woman all supposedly residing on this space station also.

That said, I do feel, with the writing, that the good does outweigh the bad,especially with the inclusion of Superman villain the Eradicator, who operates as the villain's main henchman with both a cool look and a nice level of sass.

Meanwhile, I really enjoyed Cian Tormey's artwork, which had this very energetic feel to it, something akin to Iban Coello and/or Ivan Fiorelli's work on the most recent run of Fantastic Four. I will admit that I would have preferred the colours and tone to be a little darker and more Noir-ish, but Fajardo Jr. still offers up a colourful yet grounded pallette to help the pencil's energy pop.

Once again, the ending of this series gave me some pause for thought. However, unlike with Challengers of the Unknown, it was more a case of tone than story conclusion (I always expect an ending much less light and hopeful for a character/s like the Question). Otherwise, the Question was entertaining and engrossing story, a good read that, while maybe not amongst the creme de la creme of my collection, certainly is deserving of a place and a re-read in a couple of years (once I've cycled back through everything else).

So, two down, two to go. Next up is the last of DC All In mini crossover titles (i.e. titles which have ever so slightly referenced each other): The Atom Project.

DC All In: Challengers of the Unknown #1 - 5

Some time back, I had said to myself that I was going to move towards wholly trades, as a way of saving myself space.

Well, it appears that I'm not as patient as I thought I was.

Since the beginning of 2025, I've found myself going (somewhat) all in on DC All In. Four titles have made their way onto my pull list either due to an enticing concept (Black Canary: Best of the Best), an awesome cover (The Atom Project) or something either historically or personally nostalgic (Challengers of the Unknown, The Question All Along the Watchtower).

Well, now they've all finished releasing issues (and I've finally reached the end of a more turbulent time in my life), I figured I'd read each series in full ...

... Starting with Challengers of the Unknown #1-5

Challengers of the Unknown, by Chrisptoher Cantwell, Sean Izaakse and Romulo Fajardo Jr., sees the eponymous team serving as the Justice League's elite investigative team aboard the Watchtower in the wake of Darkseid's (apparent) death. When the League discovers a number of anomalies that could somehow be connected to Darkseid, the core team of Prof, Ace, Red, Rocky and June are sent to investigate with a Superhero partner. However, when each member starts to experience differing, unusual situations when reaching these various anomalies, it becomes apparent that the Challengers, once having cheated death, are now becoming connected to Darkseid and his Omega energy.

Quite the unusual plot breakdown, huh? To be honest, the story itself is quite a convuluted tale, so much so that it's difficult to break it down without going too in depth and spoiling it. That said, this difficulty shouldn't be marked against the series, when it has plenty other good (and bad) points.

As mentioned, I picked this series up due to the name, as Challengers of the Unknown are something of a concept precursor to the Fantastic Four. In fact, so much was the series a character only draw, that as I write this I've realised that the great Chris Cantwell (Star Wars: Obi-Wan, but also Fantastic Four: Road Trip) and the tremendous Sean Izaakse (Fantastic Four. Other stuff too, I'm sure, but predominantly FF) created it.

And, for the most part, this wonder team certainly lives up to its reputation. I felt that Chris Cantwell has written a truly engrossing mystery, making it all the more interesting by finding a subtle connection between the Challengers and Darkseid. Cantwell has really made the Challengers feel like a major player in the DC universe with this story, especially by bringing in other, smaller teams like the Sea Devils and many other non-powered characters under their umbrella to make the Challengers a multi-layered, multi-talented operations unit.

Meanwhile, Sean Isaakze and Romulo Fajardo Jr. knock it out of the park on art duties, giving Challengers of the Unknown this colourful, adventurous vibe which doesn't feel too over the top for this mystery-esque tale. Everything about the panels here are beautifully rendered and perfectly coloured, giving the whole thing this Ed Benes look (from when he was on Birds of Prey) or even a Paco Medina or R.B. Silva vibe (which given the all worked concurrently on Fantastic Four and I'm pretty sure I've said previously that their styles look so identical, certainly makes sense).

However, this Challengers story is ruined for me by two things. First, to a lesser extent, is the depiction of Mr Terrific and (maybe the Justice League as a whole). While this is a Challengers story and they are the heroes, it makes sense for an 'ally' to be the antagonist during an event where there is no real villain. However, it really felt that Terrific was almost intentionally trying to destroy the Challengers and obstruct their mission every which way, to the extent that I kept turning pages expecting a panel of some villain ripping off a Terrific mask, Mission Impossible style.

For me though, the biggest issue I had was the ending, or rather the story's lack of same. While the rest of Cantwell's story feels like it has been fully fleshed out, the story ends like there is still an issue or two left in the tank. However, rather than giving us those issues, we are directed to elsewhere under the 'All In' banner, a tactic which reeks of corporate meddling to make an extra buck and annoys me no end.

So, as a result of the last page revelation, the sour taste left in my mouth makes this an ok read in my book (though only barely). I do feel Cantwell, Izaakse and Fajardo Jr. Have poured some tremendous work into this series, but the non-end really puts a dampener on what came before it.

Ok, rant over. Now onto something (hopefully) a little more positive; The Question All Along the Watchtower.

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1 - 3

This past weekend I finally got to read in its entirety a series that could be the longest delayed comic I've ever picked up (possibly beating Where is Jake Ellis?, although I'm not quite as confident when it comes to Lazarus).

Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor sees Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch tell the story of the Man of Steel as he frantically attempts to save the life of his greatest nemesis, whose body is dying after being exposed to Kryptonite (again?) during a laboratory accident. This odyssey for a cure will take this pair of lifelong enemies from bottle cities to other-dimensional prisons, deep underwater to the far future, all the while allowing Superman to think back to the earliest days of their relationship as he attempts to prevent the loss of his greatest opponent.

I've always loved Mark Waid's work. From my first encounter with his writings on the Fantastic Four to Superman: Birthright and even his own series' Irredeemable and Incorruptible, I've always felt he is one of the industry's greatest writers. However, I've struggled to connect with his work in recent years (Invisible Woman probably being the exception). Therefore, I was greatly relieved when I read the first issue of this series way back when. Waid's famously (seemingly) unlimited knowledge of comics and Superman in particular works to this titles advantage as he writes a Superman who never gives up, never goes against his own personal code and, despite the lifetime of animosity between them, gives up on the idea that Luthor could be better.

In fact, it's Waid's characterisation of the two leads which truly makes this story. Their dynamic is so well known but Waid seems to really push deeper into the reasons for both men having acted the ways they have throughout history, using the plot of trying to save Lex Luthor's life as a magnifying glass to their real feelings and why, for over 80 years, they have been at odds. Unfortunately, the final issue's twist and finale seem like a complete about face to the more character focused story of the first two issues, entering a third player to force these two even closer together. However, I do find myself wondering how much of that is truly the story and how much is the conditioning comics has performed on me that the status quo must never be messed with.

On the art side, Bryan Hitch feels like he was a prefect choice to bring this series to life. Hitch's ultra-realistic style (which, admittedly, I've never always gotten on with), works so well with Waid's script as it brings the two main characters so incredibly to life, while also showing every emotion and interaction with such incredible detail that I felt it really helped enhance my commitment to the story.

Despite an incredibly long hiatus between the first issue and the rest of the series, Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor is a really great series. It is a great insight to one of the greatest rivalries in comics as well as fantastic representation of the Man of Steel.