[Editor’s note: This review may contain spoilers.]
Writer: Bryan Hitch
Artists: Bryan Hitch, Daniel Henriques & Alex Sinclair
Summary
In order to face a giant threat, this current Justice League must learn to trust each other.
Positives
The cover by Bryan Hitch and Alex Sinclair is cool. All of these covers do a good job of showing the Justice League in a bad situation. It’s well drawn and it’s an inviting cover. I want to know what’s going on.
The art features pencils by Hitch, inks by Hitch and Daniel Henriques and colors by Sinclair. It’s quite good; there is not a lot of action so the art has to rely on emotion and atmosphere. What little spectacle there is looks fantastic. The faces are nicely expressive and the team does a good job of making the book feel claustrophobic and dark. I like it a lot.
I like the idea that this team does not quite work because major changes were made. The New 52 Superman and Hal Jordan were important members of this team, and two of the originals, so replacing them would be tough both for the replacements and for the remaining team members. The newbies don’t know how to fit and the team doesn’t know how to trust the newbies. They have to find a way to work together and be a team. Their interactions are pretty great. I love Cyborg telling the Green Lanterns to quit their self pity parades.
Negatives
Some of the interactions don’t make sense. Superman points out that the Batman of his world had files on how to beat every member of the League and New 52 Batman reveals he does as well. That’s fine and it makes sense; Bruce justifies it well. The problem is that Kal does not point out that his Bruce’s files were hacked and it nearly killed the entire League. That’s an important aspect of that story.
I feel like this story should have happened by now. It’s the fourteenth issue. These problems have been present but I feel like this resolution could have given the stories more impact. This is a one-shot to solve these characters’ issues in a nice and easy way.
Verdict
I enjoyed getting a character focused issue. It’s nice to see the League just talk. There are sweet moments in which Flash talks about their Christmas party and Batman even references Star Wars. It’s nice to see the characters portrayed in such a human way. It’s fun and interesting. I have little quibbles but this is pretty good. I recommend reading the issue.
