SPOILERS AHEAD
Reading how different writers approach a story is fascinating. I've gotten more in depth with it before when several writers took on Booster Gold around his second volume but styles and quirks do tend to pop up. Exposition is also extremely important and some times more so when entering an event. I have not been following the lead up which makes this vital if I want keep up with the plot. There's also a means to connect these stories in three chapters written by Snyder, Bendis and Tynion. Each tackles a different part of Year of the Villain/Event Leviathan.
Snyder hasn't wowed me since Black Mirror and I've been getting increasingly less interested in the stories he presents. But I will say that I think his section was the best written out of the three writers. Lex Luthor extracting information from Amanda Waller and blowing himself up in order to enact his plan? That's the kind of concept that's bound to make a reader interested. Snyder manages to get the arrogant Lex Luthor but I don't think he quite got others. Waller seems almost passive when she sees the Legion of Doom. Where's the "screw you" attitude? In it's place she's stating the obvious that the plan will "change everything"? Maybe a mix of the two would have felt more on point to me. Admittedly she's not in this very long.
I was very confused with how Brainiac was written. Did I miss some change in his character? Because his portrayal just comes out of left field for me. His shock, concern for Lex and exclaim of "my god" don't seem like the emotionless being that puts knowledge above all else. Did he gain some humanity? Another confusing bit for me was the page with the King plots which as far as I know isn't linked to these stories in anyway. Something I think would confuse new readers who see Thomas Wayne Batman but assume it's the normal Batman hanging out with Bane.
Getting the villains side is fun and Lex is a character that can drive a readers' interest. Having him believe in something more than himself enough to forsake all else for it is an idea that I like. That said it still does remind me of Underworld Unleashed even if Lex is limited by what offers he will be able to extend to who. The art is beautiful, especially the two page splash with all those Lex intends to approach (although I'm still not sure how Oracle fits into this.)
Bendis' chapter has the most unexplained and confusing parts. The gritter art serves his style although it would shine on it's own. It's funny but it took several glance over the page with the Batgirl logo to even notice the partly hidden Green Arrow logo. The dialogue and characterization is just awkward. We don't know where Ollie goes after Leviathan shows up and has a talk with Barbara. The points Leviathan makes are valid even if the bits with her saying "what's in my face?" and calling him a liar feel off. Is she asking why her face feels numb? He says it's to prevent her from trying to remove his mask so I assume she's can't move thanks to some injection. The liar part just feels very childish. Then comes the "reveal" page where Damian suggests Red Hood is Leviathan which I'm going to have a lot to say about.
This scene just doesn't have a good understanding of current canon or characterization. Bruce and Damian aren't on the best of terms right now yet their portrayed like they have no conflict. Bruce gives an order expecting his kid to just obediently do as he says? There's no tension between them? The same son that has no trouble telling Alfred that he thinks the way Bruce handles things is foolish and has been living elsewhere to do things his way?
Damian also sounds too much like Tim. The way he explains what he's thinking is how Tim would try to rationalize a logical approach being at odds with something he doesn't want to believe. Which makes sense as Tim is the brother Jason is (was?) closest to. There's a history there with Tim looking up to Jason and not wanting to stir trouble for the family in general. This is how I'd see him discussing this matter with Bruce when he no longer has any other option but to ask for help.
While I think it's possible for Damian to have some reluctance in accusing Jason after he personally screwed up their work relationship I don't think he'd sound like this. He might be hesitant because he wouldn't know how to bring it up and wouldn't want to mention his own mistake. But wouldn't he try to act like he wasn't lacking confidence but still sounding a little stiff when bring it up? Maybe something like: "I know things are tense with Red Hood and you right now. Despite what you may think I do not wish to cause further conflict. That being said I can not shake this feeling I have."
The way Damian brings this up just feels so off for him. "...Isn't the Red Hood of Gotham." How many current Red Hoods are around? This phrasing makes no sense and neither does the follow up statements that clarify who he means like Bruce is too dense to figure it out on his own. I get that this is trying to explain these bits for new readers but there has to be a way to make it flow better. Like maybe have Bruce turn to look at the Robin case and whisper "Jason" while looking upset. Readers can make the connection especially with visuals.
It seems a little odd if Jason would suddenly attempt to hide his involvement since he's never outright lied about anything he's done. At most he phrases things intentionally like telling Batman that he didn't have anything to do with where Penguin went and took advantage of the situation. Which is true, Penguin hid in the panic room and Jason took over. The closest he came to lying to them outright was when they discussed Penguin surviving Jason shooting him. Jason literally can't face Bruce when he echoes Bruce's words that it wasn't for lack of trying and we later learn that Jason wasn't actually attempting to kill Penguin. He's never had a reason to lie. Even during his return as Red Hood he never attempted to hide who he was and knew Bruce already suspected him.
I'm not really sure how Leviathan connects to the Year of Villain stuff with Lex.
The Tynion section was the one I had the hardest time getting into, I just found it incredibly boring. Perpetua is supposed to be "the original mother of all things" that wanted a more villainous universe and was imprisoned in the source wall. They figured out that Lex is her minion and that the Legion of Doom are attempting to raise her. Superman believes they should increase their ranks and ask who they should call in. Batman says everyone and suggests they go to war. We see that Lex Luthor is being transformed by Perpetua. Those are the only important parts as everything else is filler to showcase upcoming villains showing up in other titles.
While it connects to the first story better than the second chapter it does have pages that I feel are totally unneeded. Such as the page describing and building up Perpetua before she checks on Lex. The art is gorgeous, the coloring really attracts the eye.
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