DCU Comic Book Reviews

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #9

The Lightning Saga, Chapter Three

July 2007

Written by Brad Meltzer

Pencils by Ed Benes

Inks by Ed Benes

Covers by Michael Turner and Phil Jimenez

Synopsis

[Continued from Justice Society of America, issue #5]

At the Justice League of America headquarters, members of the league and the Justice Society examine the time-displace members of the Legion of Super-Heroes.  In Africa, Vixen, Green Lantern, Jay Garrick, and Wildcat visit Gorilla City in search of another member of the legion:  Timberwolf.  On Thanagar, Red Arrow, Power Girl, Hawkman, and Hawkgirl track down Dawnstar, but learn that she has already returned to Earth.  In the future, Per Degaton, Ultra Humanite, and Despero agree that timing is everything for their plans.  On Earth, the legion members get together.  In order to carry out their plans, to save some unknown person, they must sacrifice themselves [Continued in Justice Society of America, issue #6]

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

On the one hand, I can’t complain about this issue as Meltzer deftly manages to handle the large cast of characters with ease that gives all of them a panel or two while at the same time progressing the plot slowly forward.  Granted, it is moving slowly, but with essentially 3 teams and nearly 30 characters, it would be difficult to move it any quicker without completely losing who’s who in all of this madness.  On the other hand, Meltzer’s narration from Vixen was bordering on cheesy and cliché and the whole thing about her powers being stronger was oddly situated in the story.  I mean, I get the reasoning behind it, but did it actually do anything for the story? 

I like the idea of each of the legion characters becoming lost in our time in a specific hell created just for them.  In the case of Timberwolf, he is a pack creature lost within a social tribe.  Sadly, Meltzer doesn’t do that great of a job getting that point across.  In fact, Vixen states, “this wolf’s finally found his pack,” which is wrong on so many levels, not only in the assessment of Gorillas, but coming from Vixen (who should know better) just makes it worse. 

I love metatextual comments.  In this case it comes from Red Arrow regarding the nature of team ups.  I am curious to see if this is just a sly comment on other stories or a nod to what is about to happen in the next issue.  But I do love comments like that. 

I don’t buy the Hawkman and Power Girl romance for two reasons, assuming the romance was supposed to happen in the missing year.  First, Hawkman remained on Thanagar immediately after he and Kendra consummated their relationship.  Carter does not strike me as someone who would cheat on the love of his lives after he recently hooked up with her.  Second, Power Girl does not strike me as the type to lust after Carter Hall.  I am not really sure why I think that, other than the fact that she is a powerful, strong person and I would think she would be secure on who she is not to get involved with someone who feels his destiny is with another woman. 

However, it was great to see Power Girl put Red Arrow in his place for his reasons for being on Thanagar.  I also like her comments to Red Arrow about why he should stay away from Kendra.  That type of warning seems true to her and what she says as a strong ring of truth for the Hawk characters. 

It was a nice touch for Vixen and Flash to have a run together, but there is no way a cheetah could ever hope to keep pace with Jay, even if he is no longer part of the speed force. 

Finally, this issue provides a tip of the hand to DC’s upcoming plans.  The Karate Kid mentions that he arrived soon after the middle crisis.  First there was the original, then there was Infinite Crisis just about a year ago, and then I will assume Countdown will lead to the Final Crisis.

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