Justice League

• Title: Justice League #5
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Geoff Johns
• Artist: Jim Lee

Wow. This was just… Wow. If you could sum up the trainwreck DC’s New 52 has become in a single issue you might choose Justice League #5 as a prime example.

Writer Geoff Johns delivers more of Hal Jordan being brave but completely useless and Batman doing maybe the craziest thing the Dark Knight has ever done (and that’s saying something from a guy who trained a street kid with no scruples to become a lethal fighter and let a mentally unstable assassin for God run around in the Batsuit for the better part of a year).

Batman, in the middle of the battle takes off his cowl, exposing himself to Green Lantern, proceeds to tell Hal his life story… and then runs away.

Seroiously DC, WTF? I know Geoff Johns is capable of writing better dialogue and stories than this. However, I’m growing less and less sure that “artist” Jim Lee (and I use that term loosely) is capable of putting a panel of the Justice League together that doesn’t look completely half-assed and photoshopped. An early contender for worst comic of the year – Pass.

[DC, $3.99]

• Title: Justice League International #5
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Dan Jurgens
• Artist: Aaron Lopresti

Issue #5 gives us the big showdown between the Justice League International and Peraxxus, the weird Galactus-lookin’ spice miner planning to blow up the world with four giant robots and sell off the mineral debris to the highest bidder.

Honestly, the story arc could have been wrapped up last issue, but things work out well here as the team comes together to save the planet and prove that this whole JLI thing might not be such a bad idea.

No, it’s still not as good as Keith Giffen‘s fabulous run on the title, but writer Dan Jurgens is starting to put these pieces together and focus on the relationships in this hodge-podge of heroes from many nations. He’s even got me caring about August General in Iron and Godiva. Now if someone could retrofit Booster Gold‘s costume to its pre-New 52 days!

The opening arc hasn’t been great, but it hasn’t had the huge ups and downs of the less consistent Justice League, either. The final panel makes me thing we’ll soon see another old friend from the Giffen days as well. Worth a look.

[DC, $3.99]

• Title: Justice League International #4
• Comic Vine: link
• Writer: Dan Jurgens
• Artist: Aaron Lopresti

The team, split up into pairs, attempted to do reconnaissance and stop the giant menacing robots looming around the world. They were unsuccessful, as was Guy Gardner who attempted a solo run on Peraxxus‘ ship in orbit above the Earth.

Now reunited, the team comes together for one last ditch effort to stop the alien from destroying the planet merely to plunder its remnants. Issue #4 works well, but the story does feel a little drawn out. The story arc could easily have finished by the end of this issue and moved on to new business, like the team members getting better acquainted, in issue #5.

Writer Dan Jurgens does give us some fun moments (hell, he’s even getting me to change my mind about Godiva) and the art by Aaron Lopresti fits the story well, even if Peraxxus’ design is far too reminiscent of Galactus) including a full-page spread of the team jumping back into action. Worth a look.

[DC, $2.99]