DCU Comic Book Reviews

GREEN ARROW/BLACK CANARY #10

A League Of Their Own, Part 2:  Step Up To The Plate

September 2008

Written by Judd Winick

Pencils by Mike Norton

Inks by Wayne Faucher

Cover by Cliff Chiang

Synopsis

Speedy and Dodger have encountered the League of Assassins.  Outnumbered, they attempt to make a getaway.  The run right into Green Arrow, Black Canary, Batman, and Plastic Man.  Together, they defeat the League of Assassins.  Team Arrow demands to know where Connor Hawke is located.  They refuse to tell.  Batman then asks when they last spoke to Ra’s al Ghul.  They say four days ago.  Batman tells them they have never spoken to Ra’s al Ghul and that Ra’s al Ghul claims they are not part of the League of Assassins.  

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Essentially, this was the big fight issue, but it was enjoyable.  Like much of this series, the tone (and the plot) was light, but the characters were engaging and the fight was handled well, with each character getting a moment to shine and show off their abilities.  I like the way Winick writes Batman and they he way he handled the bad guys.  Winick even manages to get a little meta-textual with the “deus ex machina” reference; the little device Dodger pulled out was exactly as he described it. 

For a couple of issues on this run, I have mentioned about the bait and switch tactics that Winick has employed with the story.  He sets up a possibility (such as Ra’s al Ghul) to entice the reader interested in the character, but then doesn’t really follow through.  In some ways, the League of Assassins has been a big bait and switch, making the readers think Ra’s al Ghul or even one of his underlings has been involved.  But that, based on this issue, has not been the case.  And actually I don’t mind.  I like the idea of a bunch of D-list villains or heroes who are duped into believing they are part of the big time.  I mean, if Ra’s al Ghul or Lex Luthor came to you not only would you believe it was him, but you would also not turn him down.  I mean, it's career advancement.  So I like the idea, even if it is part of Winick’s bait and switch for the series.