Justice League

Justice League #14

/ / Comics

justice-league-new-52-14-coverThe Justice League chases the Cheetah to the jungles of the Congo where Superman becomes infected by the curse and Wonder Woman is faced to deal with truth about the woman she once believed was her friend.

The “end” of the Cheetah story is a little awkward, especially given that it appears the super-villain’s plan was to be taken captive all along (and wasn’t searched for any transmission devices before being put in prison). Superman also take Diana home to Smallville for a little more mid-air smooching, which doesn’t go unnoticed by another member of the team. It will be interested to see where this storyline goes now that Batman knows about their relationship.

The Shazam! back-up story works a little better than usual as it is focused on Black Adam journeying out into the world with Dr. Sivana rather than the truly awful (not to mention unrecognizable) version of Captain Marvel that DC has presented us with as part of the New 52. Seriously, this character is already in serious need of a reboot. For fans.

[DC, $3.99]

Justice League #14 Read More »

News and Notes

/ / News

Joseph Gordon-LevittHitFix is reporting that Warner Bros. is in talks with Joseph Gordon-Levitt to play Batman in the proposed Justice League film tentatively slated for the summer of 2015. If true, it’s unclear whether Gordon-Levitt would play the same character of John “Don’t Call Me Robin” Blake from The Dark Knight Rises (hopefully not) or would take over the mantle of Bruce Wayne as well in a true reboot that would still slyly acknowledge Christopher Nolan‘s films (hmmm….?)

Deadline is reporting Chevy Chase has finally parted ways with Community even though many of the show’s upcoming Fourth Season episodes have yet to be filmed

Ace Showbiz is reporting that Lenny Kravitz has been cast for the role of Marvin Gaye in Midnight Love, the new biopic of the Motown singer from director Julien Temple

Entertainment Weekly is reporting Sherlock won’t return until late 2013 and the Third Season may not air in the United States until 2014

News and Notes Read More »

Justice League #13

/ / Comics

justice-league-new-52-13-coverThis latest issue of Justice League gives us a little discussion of Superman and Wonder Woman’s kiss, but the majority of the issue is focused on the league rallying around Diana to help find the Cheetah. Other than the group’s short battle with Darkseid this marks the first time the New 52 version of the league has taken on a classic villain.

Cheetah may seem like an odd choice but the villain’s magical origin does give her the upper-hand as it seems the New 52 version of Superman has kept the pre-Flashpoint‘s version of the character’s weakness to magic. That said, the character has certainly gotten a power upgrade from the version from my childhood as she fights the entire league to a standstill without breaking a sweat.

It’s not a great story, but it’s certainly better than some issues the comic has delivered over the past year and gives several characters their own moments to shine. We do get some talk behind the scenes discussing the shakeup of the team as well as a back-up story involving Steve Trevor and Green Arrow as a lead-in to the upcoming series Justice League of America. For fans.

[DC, $3.99]

Justice League #13 Read More »

Justice League #0

/ / Comics

justice-league-new-52-0-coverWhen people ask me what issues I have with the New 52 I can point to this latest issue of Justice League which is a microcosm for all that’s wrong with DC Comics’ current direction.

The Shazam back-up story takes center stage as Billy Batson meets the wizard Shazam for the first time and turns into… Booster Gold (with Freddy Freeman standing in for Ted Kord)? Captain Marvel, a character who has delighted comic readers almost as long as Superman as a noble, if naive, paragon of virtue finds the last shreds of his origins shredded.

We’d already seen in the previous issues of Justice League that DC Editorial threw out the original character in favor of a street-tough grifter, and now they do the same with his super-powered alter-ego.

Bestowed the magical powers by the wizard Shazam, who couldn’t be bothered to find anyone worthy of them (sigh, it’s Kyle Rayner‘s origin all over again), Billy is transformed into a immensely powerful figure who, let’s just say, is seriously lacking the wisdom of Solomon.

…

Justice League #0Read More »

Justice League #0 Read More »

Justice League International Annual #1

/ / Comics

justice-league-international-new-52-annual-1-coverThis is an unusual comic, and not only because it’s an annual for a series that’s been cancelled, introduces characters we may never see again, and shows us there’s no hope the team, in any recognizable form, is returning anytime soon in a new title.

In Justice League International Annual #1 Guy Gardner quits (again), and Booster Gold puts together a new team from the ashes of the old JLI by welcoming O.M.A.C., Blue Beetle, and the Olympian. However, the new JLI will last less than a full issue as O.M.A.C., now under control of Brother EYE, goes berserk and tries to kill every other member of the team.

Even if it does feel rushed, and kind of a mess, the story does have some important moments of note including Godiva and Booster’s kiss (I’m sad it looks like these characters won’t be together anymore), Blue Beetle being sent to the homeworld of the Reach, and our the first time Booster’s time traveling for Rip Hunter has been officially made part of New 52 continuity.

…

Justice League International Annual #1Read More »

Justice League International Annual #1 Read More »