Justice League

Justice League International #12

jli-new-52-12-coverI gave up on this title a couple of months ago but seeing how this was to be the series’ final issue I decided to pick it up. The story Dan Jurgens sets out to tell is a good one, but whether it be his limitations or (more likely) the meddlesome efforts of DC Editorial, the story simply isn’t that well told.

In the final issue of the comic the members of the team (except those still hositalized) gather together to pay their respects to their fallen companion Rocket Red only to be attacked by the brother of Lightwave who blames the group for the super-villain’s death.

Mostly presented through the eyes of Batman (one of the characters not staying with the team) what we get is awkward and hamfisted storytelling that’s rushed and finished in odd fashion as they group make the angered youngster see the error of his ways before coming to the conclusion that they should stick together, regardless of the United Nations dissolving the group.

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Justice League #11

justice-league-new-52-11-coverIf you were wondering who the strongest member of the New 52 version of the Justice League is this issue will answer your question. And, no, it turns out it’s not Superman. Wonder Woman basically takes down all her teammates on live television… when they offer to help her save Steve Trevor? Yeah, it didn’t make a lot of sense to me either, but then logic hasn’t been the New 52’s strong suit.

After surviving the attack from David Graves the team learns that Steve has been taken and the one-time scribe of their adventures turned crazed super-villain is now targeting Trevor’s sister (who, it turns out, is far from Diana’s biggest fan). The team finally gets their act together to follow Terminus’ trail to Mount Sumeru and the Valley of Souls, but it may already be too late for Steve.

Although we’re presented with a reason for Graves’ behavior the logic is more than a little hard to follow. But hey, if you’ve ever wanted to see Wonder Woman beat the shit out of Hal Jordan this is your comic.

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Justice League #10

justice-league-new-52-10-coverThe latest issue of Justice League reveals how David Graves got his power from the godlike beings known as Asuras on Mount Sumeru but still keeps silent on his motivation for wanting the League dead (how, exactly did the League kill his family?), but he still shows up on the satellite to wipe the floor with them by somehow draining the life force out of each member of the League.

One of the weaknesses of the title has been an action without giving us some important character interactions between the League during downtime. We get a little of that here, although the conversations we get (Batman knowing everyone’s secret identities and only really trusting Superman) seem odd in that they take place for the first time five years after the time has been together.

There are some nice moments such as the reveal that Barry doesn’t trust Hal with women after Hal hit on Barry’s last date, and Cyborg lets few secrets slip about some of the more secretive members of the group.

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Justice League International #10

jli-new-52-10The team returns to New York follwing their trip in Paris (which took place, in an apparently completely unnecessary crossover, in Firestorm). No closer to understanding the reason for the bombing that left three members injured and one dead, the team licks their wounds before heading to Washington D.C. to face the Burners.

I’ve really wanted this title to succeed but the team, personalities, and conflicts struggle so much against the new gritty universe of the New 52 that it’s difficult, especially when, ten issues in, the comic isn’t sure who all of these characters are or how exactly they fit together.

Their battle with the Burners, which takes up a good chunk of the issue, works okay. And if how Intersek uses the team’s powers against them to take down isn’t exactly but it gets the job done (even if events feel a bit rushed).

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Justice League #9

justice-league-9-new-52-coverAs Batman calls in Superman and Cyborg to help quash an uprising in Arkham Asylum caused by The Key, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Wonder Woman take down the Weapons Master who was terrorizing Central City. Although they don’t realize it, both attacks are connected to the mysterious Graves who is amassing information about all the league’s members.

Near death and running out of time, Graves kidnaps and tortures Steve Trevor for information about the League and how to get into their satellite. When the torture doesn’t work Graves threatens the soldier’s family to get what he wants.

The return of artist Jim Lee means the overall quality of the art improves, but once again we get odd group shots where characters are presented and posturing at odd angles while in battle or attempting to communicate with each other. The back-up story gives us Billy standing up for his foster siblings (but still being a jerk), and Sivana unearthing a mystical tomb. It’s certainly not great, but for JL fans it is worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

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