DCU Comic Book Reviews

THE OMAC PROJECT INFINITE CRISIS SPECIAL

The Lazarus Protocol

May 2006

Written by Greg Rucka

Pencils by Jesus Saiz

Inks by Jesus Saiz

Cover by Jose Ladronn

Synopsis

[This issue picks up immediately after Infinite Crisis, issue #6]

Thanks to Batman and his team, The Brother Eye satellite falls out of the sky and to the Earth below, specifically Saudi Arabia.  Brother Eye is still alive and captures two solider and turns them into one large OMAC unit.  Elsewhere, John Stewart (aka Green Lantern) deposits Batman’s team to the ground and the relays a message to Sasha Bourdeaux:  destroy the satellite.  Meanwhile, President Horne receives the news of the satellite.  He makes Amanda Waller acting Black King of Checkmate and orders her to destroy the satellite.  While the Saudi Arabians attempt to acquire the satellite with no luck, the Chinese, Israeli, and Russian governments all give orders to get the satellite and bring it back to their homeland.  Waller, along with Beatriz DaCosta (aka Fire), has flown to the Swiss Alps to take over Checkmate operations.  In Qatar, Sasha suddenly feels the presence of Brother Eye trying to get control of her.  She is able to resist and reach a safehouse where she contacts Checkmate.  Waller tells Sasha to return to headquarters, but Sasha refuses.  Waller then commands Fire to go after the satellite as well.  Sasha parachutes into Saudi Arabia to find Chinese, Israeli, and Russian agents fighting the large OMAC.  Fire and Checkmate soon follow.  Brother Eye continues to attempt to initiate the Lazarus Protocol with Sasha, who is able to make it inside the satellite.  Fire tries to stop her, but then lets her go when Sasha shows her the explosives.  Inside, Brother Eye tells Sasha that her “change” was done by Brother Eye as a safeguard in case something were to happen.  In the event of a shut down, Brother Eye would use Sasha to serve as an emergency back-up.  Brother Eye tries to interface with Sasha, but she reaches the detonator and everything explodes; Brother Eye has been destroyed.  Shuffling through the wreckage, Fire finds Sasha remarkably still alive.  Her nanobot shell must have protected her from the blast, although it is now falling off.

Review

Of all of the mini-series that were designed as the precursor to the Infinite Crisis series, the OMAC Project was the best of them.  And, now, so far out of all of the specials that have so far been published (Villains United is next month) the OMAC Project is the weakest.  While the Day Of Vengeance and Rann/Thanagar War specials were truly special in that significant developments occurred that impacted the Crisis as well as the DCU in general, the OMAC project really accomplished nothing other than to set the stage for the Checkmate monthly.  Other than that, I don’t see what kind of impact this special had on Infinite Crisis.  Granted, the Crisis is almost over with only one issue to go, but still...there was really nothing important here.  Having said that, I will say that I enjoyed what I read and found it engaging, but I was really left with a hollow feeling afterwards.  I think a lot of that is my fault because I was expecting a little more earth shattering than Checkmate, issue #0.  This was a good read and up to Greg Rucka’s standards (and Jesus Saiz is an excellent choice for this); definitely a good read.

At the very least, this issue accomplished the task of removing the shell from Sasha’s skin. for which I am imminently grateful for.  I found the entire thing, especially that eye, to be too weird.  Now, at least, she looks more human, although I really hope all of the shell disappears rather than the bits and pieces that seem to be left on her for the final panel.  Hey, maybe now Batman and Sasha can get busy...if you know what I mean.  *cough* ahem.  Anyway, it was nice that their romance hasn’t completely been forgotten and I am curious to know if this subject will be brought during the Checkmate monthly.  I say that because you just know Sasha will be part of the new Checkmate in whatever for it will take.  Greg Rucka (who created her) likes her and since he is writing Checkmate, it stands to reason she will be there too.

I am not that up to date on the comings and goings of Superman-related characters, so I am not really sure what Amanda Waller has been up to since Lex Luthor vacated the presidency.  Last I remember seeing her, she was in jail.  I just can’t recall the book or the issue.

And I was amused that Brother Eye’s resurrection protocol is called Lazarus, especially when you consider the creator was Batman (see:  Ra’s al Ghul).-- MRB

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