DCU Comic Book Reviews

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #18

Sanctuary, Part Two

April 2008

Written by Alan Burnett

Pencils by Ed Benes

Inks by Sandra Hope with Ed Benes

Cover by Ed Benes

Synopsis

At the Justice League of America, The Key and other villains have decided to request asylum to save themselves from being transported to another planet by the Suicide Squad.  When Amanda Waller hears about the request of asylum, she sends the Squad visit the league to retrieve the villains.  The league, however, has granted the asylum and transfers the villains to the watchtower.  Meanwhile, Waller determines that because of its distance from Earth, the protection of asylum does not extend to the watchtower.  As Waller explains this to Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman, the Squad attacks the Watchtower.  Batman, however, realizes Waller’s subterfuge and tells the others of the impending attack.  They return and stop the squad.  Batman also tells the squad that he knows the location of the prison planet.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

Do I smell a Salvation Run crossover?  Can I assume that DC is going to screw up the continuity between the two books?    Will this title know that the Martian Manhunter has been on Hell Planet making regular reports to Batman?  Will villains who have been killed on Hell Planet inadvertently appear in this book?  In other words, will this all make sense when it is all said and done?  My confidence is not very high that it will. 

Regardless, this issue suffered from the middle-issue syndrome in which the story continues onward but does not end yet fails to offer anything of interest to the overall story other than a nifty cliffhanger that will lead to the finale.  Essentially, I think you could read the previous issue and the next issue and not really miss much in terms of the story or the plot.  Granted, there are a few nice moments, such as Batman figuring out Waller’s stalling tactics or the reunion of former lovers Bronze Tiger and Vixen, but these are canceled by a few lame moments such as Black Lightning’s assertion that The Key and others are “10 of the worst criminals this world has to offer” or more nonsense with the romance between Red Arrow and Hawkgirl.  And the fact that for the second issue in a row someone was able to break into the Justice League headquarters.  I suppose what it means is that overall the issue wasn’t bad, but nor was it good.

Meanwhile, Back At Owl Creek Ridge...

Written by Dwyane McDuffie

Art by Jon Boy Myers and Mark Irwin

Synopsis

After an attack by the Injustice League, Red Tornado’s body has been rendered out of service, with his mind existing in a computer.  Leading scientists are working hard to return Reddy back to his body, although there is a chance that if things go wrong, Reddy’s mind could die.  Reddy’s family don’t want him to take the chance, but Reddy is determined.  If he can’t live in his body, he doesn’t want to live.

Review by Binkley (e-mail)

What happened to the cliffhanger from last issue in which Vixen was trying to use the Green Lantern powers with the use of the ring?  I cry foul.  This story is fine for what it is, but it is odd to have a cliffhanger from the previous issue not even addressed in this story, let alone not the actual story.  Worse, not only am I not a Red Tornado fan and don’t really care for his recent developments, but I was curious to see where the Vixen developments were leading.  I can’t imagine they would keep her powers the way they are currently, so at some point she will revert back to the animal totem; it is just a question of how.  Of course, if they don’t actually finish the story, I guess we’ll never know how it will finish.   

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