[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]
Writer: Scott Snyder
Pencils: Greg Capullo
Inks: Jonathon Glapion
Colors: FCO Plascencia
Summary
The Justice League have split up into different search parties to search for the Nth Metal. Â Superman and Batman have reached the Forge and discovered it has, unfortunately has gone dark. Even worse, Hawkman has been consumed by the darkness and is now attacking them both.
Aquaman and Deathstroke reach the center of the Earth and discover ancient Atlantean technology before encountering Aquaman’s greatest enemy.
With the help of an old friend, Green Lantern and Mr. Terrific escape their incarceration and set out to find Plastic Man.
Wonder Woman battles Black Adam but then comes across the Batman that Laughs.
Positives
Greg Capullo’s artwork is always great but his pages with Wonder Woman really shine in this issue. Whether she is battling Black Adam or confronting the Batman Who Laughs, Capullo’s dynamic artwork and moody lighting really add extra depth to the page.
As in all of the previous issues, Snyder incorporates so much from the DC Universe that you can never anticipate what hero, villain or easter egg will pop up next.
Negatives
At the beginning of this issue, Superman seems to be somewhat out of character. He keeps trying to convince Batman to fallback and regroup, but how it is done feels as if Superman isn’t Superman. Superman isn’t a defeatist; he goes even when there is no hope. That is what Superman does: he creates hope. He doesn’t fold when there doesn’t seem to be any. This can still play out by the end of it all, but as of now it just seems like a mischaracterization.
As much as I am enjoying the mini-series overall, I feel as if they are stretching it out too much. This issue and last issue might actually have been more powerful if they were condensed into a single issue. Of course, you would lose some of Capullo’s beautiful spreads, but I think the story could be stronger for it.
Verdict
This has been a fun mini-series to this point, but I’m actually ready for it to end. Perhaps it’s due to some of the issues being shipped late or perhaps the story is being stretched out too much, but it’s beginning to feel as if it’s been going on too long.
But this issue had some great elements and surprises and I can’t wait to see how it all ends.
