DCU Comic Book Reviews

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4

Tornado's Path, Chapter Four:  Being Human

January 2007

Written by Brad Meltzer

Pencils by Ed Benes

Inks by Sandra Hope & Mariah Benes

Covers by Michael Turner and J. G. Jones

Synopsis

In the batcave, Black Lightning, Hawkgirl, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman investigate the Starro on the back of Trident.  An examination reveals it has been rewired so that all of the Starro’s are linked together.  So they plan to trace the signal back to its source.  Meanwhile, Red Tornado continues his flight to the Rocky Mountains to find his former android body.  In the Rocky Mountains, Green Lantern, Red Arrow, and Black Canary confront Dr. Ivo about the android.  They learn the body has been upgraded, given the abilities of the Justice League of America like Amazo.  And they shell is meant for someone else:  Solomon Grundy. 

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

“I’ll get my mace.”

I have come to the conclusion that this entire first arc will probably read better in the trade paperback.  All of the little bits tossed into the story, such as Hal’s internal monologue about Roy, will make much better sense when read all at once.  Here in the monthly format, when read 4 or 5 weeks apart, it is somewhat annoying.  The monologue seems to exist outside of the main story.  The same could be said for the one-page appearances of Vixen and Geo-Force.  Yes, they will eventually return (I hope) to the main cast when the league battles the new Amazo, but here it breaks the flow of the narrative, especially in the case of Geo-Force whose sudden introduction is startling.  These odd little points aside, this issue continues the trend from the previous issue, with plenty of action and more clues that help to put together the pieces of the puzzle.  I am enjoying this storyline so far, but I think I will like it much better when I get the chance to read it in one sitting. 

Why is it Superman, the one with the enhanced strength, has such a difficult time pulling out the star in Trident, but Roy Harper, the one with normal strength, can shoot it out with an arrow?  The only way it makes sense is if Superman was not using his fill strength for fear of breaking it and Roy just has perfect aim so that the tip of the arrow manages to pull it free and not break it. 

Why didn’t Reddy go after his old body when he saw it leave the cabin?  Why go down to confront Dr. Ivo?  Unless, because the android was moving so fast, he never saw it.

How is it that Vixen is able to use her animal powers (she’s flying) without having the totem.  Did I miss something; was it explained somewhere and I missed it?

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