Here are today's "Guest Reviews" by John McCubbin from Imagination Centre. Included are DC's; Justice League Dark #19, Justice League of America #3, and Justice League #19. I have also added my rating after each review. If you have any questions about my rating or want to discuss anything just leave me a comment.
Justice League Dark #19 - Horror City, Part 1: The House of Mystery
The House of Mystery is under seige—can special guest star The Flash help Justice League Dark battle this unexpected threat?
Preview
What's Happened to the House of Mystery?
I only caught up with this series recently, having gotten every issue since Jeff Lemire took over writing, and I'm glad I have as it's been phenomenal, and although since Ray Fawkes became co-writer it's not been consistently phenomenal, it's still been outstanding, and had it's moments of brilliance.
Plot
After getting blown up at a race course
John Constantine has lost his connection to The House of Mystery, and after telling the rest of the
Justice League Dark about this he summons
Swamp Thing (Alec Holland) for help. Steve Trevor also tries to enlist the help of
Deadman.
Review
This was an amazing issue, and although it started a little slowly it was the perfect start to what I'm hoping will be a phenomenal filler before Trinity War starts. Jeff Lemire, and Ray Fawkes once again show why the Dark side of the
New 52 is more interesting, and now that they've basically brought my two favorite Dark series
(this and Swamp Thing) together, whether it's a one of thing or not is brilliant, and makes it all the more interesting. Besides the fact that this story's already oozing with interesting possibilities, it also continues to show the mystical side of this series perfectly, also adding for more drama, and excitement. Lemire, and Fawkes also continue to write the characters perfectly, showing their characteristics brilliantly, and they've also done a terrific job of writing Swamp Thing, and I'd happily see either writer have a shot at writing Swamp Thing sometime in the future, although not soon as Charles Soule is doing a very good job after his first issue on that series. This story also had some brilliant character emotions in it, and Lemire, and Fawkes handled them well, making it very dramatic.
Mikel Janin continues to amaze me with his artwork, and although Lemire, and Fawkes give him phenomenal scripts to work with, it's his art that I love the most about this series. His style of art is amazing, and the smooth, crisp lines are what I like the most about his art, as although there are fabulous artists out there that use a more rougher style, I always love when an artist is able to show as much detail, whilst also making the finished work neat, and smooth. The way Janin lays his artwork out is also brilliant, and I really love the way it's bordered, as like most New 52 series it gives it it's own unique style, and tone. The thing that really stood out to me from Janin's art in this issue was the way he drew Swamp Thing, as it was brilliant, and I'd be more than happy if he ever worked on that series, but even more so if Swamp Thing became a current feature in this series as well. Janin also draws the little action that's in this issue, and the character's emotions brilliantly giving more drama, and suspense to the issue. Jeromy Cox's colors were once again amazing, and gives the right tone that this series needs.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 3/5
Layout & Flow - 2/5
Story - 3/5
Verdict - 3 - (Buy Justice League Dark #19)
Justice League of America #3 - World's Most Dangerous, Chapter Three: The Forest and the Trees; Missing Pieces
A new Secret Society is forming-—but which of its members has the power to attack the Justice League from within?
Preview
The Inside Woman
In this short time this series has been very interesting, and exciting, and is shaping up to be one of the best series in the New 52. The way Geoff Johns has expanded the Justice League from one team, to two has been amazing, and I can't get enough of it, with this book slowly starting to trump Justice League.
Plot
After dealing with the Secret Society of Super Villains' fake Justice League, the
Justice League of America plan on infiltrating them by having
Catwoman infiltrate their group.
Martian Manhunter Back-up
The
Martian Manhunter probes Catwoman's mind learning about her life, and that she's trustworthy, whilst Catwoman herself gets a look in to the Martian Manhunter's past.
Review
This was an amazing issue, and although not quite as good as the previous two it was still very well written, and has kept me interested in the series. Geoff Johns once again shows why he's one of the best writers in the business today, as although like most of his individual issues this isn't perfect, its still to the very high standard that you expect from Johns. The way Johns has handled this series as a whole has been amazing, but the way he managed to continue develop the characteristics of the character's, whilst also keeping the story suspenseful, and entertaining was brilliant, and although this at times slowed the issue down, it made it so much more realistic, whilst also adding more depth. Johns also handled the action, and mystery in this issue perfectly, and knew exactly how to keep each to the right proportion, by having enough action to make it exciting, whilst still having the mystery want you returning for more. I also loved how Johns made the events of
Catwoman #19 slightly worthwhile, as his writing of the sequence that lead into the main events of Catwoman #19 was much more interesting, but I'll talk more on that later. I also loved how Johns continued the development of the team as a whole, as Johns makes it clear that they've been put together quickly, and it shows.
David Finch once again amazed me with his artwork, and I'm really glad that he's back to doing what he does best, as his stint as a writer on Batman: The Dark Knight really didn't do a lot for him. The detail in Finch's art is simply amazing, whether in the character's, or the backgrounds, and although Finch still has a small problem when it comes to facial expressions, it doesn't take much away from the rest of his brilliant art. The way Finch draws the character's is also once again phenomenal, and this time I even like how he drew Catwoman, as although it's still a little too revealing, it wasn't quite as revealing as in the previous issues, and it looked much more realistic. I did however have a small problem with how Finch drew Blockbuster, as he didn't really look like the same character that
Nightwing (Dick Grayson) used to tangle with, but as I don't see Blockbuster having a huge role in the rest of the story, it's easily forgettable. I also loved how Finch handled the action, and this is the thing that really makes Finch's art stand out, as he draws some of the most explosive, and dynamic fight sequences I've ever seen.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking - 4/5
Layout & Flow - 3/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 3.9 - (Buy Justice League of America #3)
Justice League #19 - War Games; Shazam! Chapter 11
Who is the one person dangerous enough to use Kryptonite against Superman?
Preview
Tower of Babel All Over Again
This has been an amazing series, and although it's not always hit the top mark quality wise, it's always been interesting, and overall the series is amazing. Also with the upcoming Trinity War which will also include Justice League of America, and Justice League Dark it's a very exciting time to be a
Justice League fan.
Plot
Someone breaks into the Batcave, and steals something. Also
Superman, and
Wonder Woman travel to Kahndaq to help the people, and
Firestorm, and Atom (Rhonda Pineda) wait for the Justice League in the Justice League Satellite.
Shazam! Part 11
Billy Batson travels with his friends to try and get rid of the power of Shazam! but Francesca tells him the origin of Black Adam.
Review
This was a brilliant issue, and the series is back to being brilliant again. Last issue was a little poor, and although it was interesting it let the series down, but thankfully Geoff Johns has managed to bring the quality back up to what I expect, by producing an amazing issue. Johns did an amazing job of giving something that was not just exciting, but interesting, as there was plenty of action in this issue, but also mystery, and drama. There was also fun moments in this story as well, which was nice, as it added another layer to the overall tone of the issue. I also loved how Johns has managed to continue previous story plots like the development of Superman, and Wonder Woman's relationship, as well as introducing new elements. This issue however wasn't quite perfect, as at times it felt a bit slow, and it also felt like too much was going on at once, but overall it was still amazing.
The art was amazing, and I was ecstatic to see Ivan Reis back on the series. Now I know that it was only one issue that he was absent for, and Jesus Saiz didn't do a bad job of filling in, but it was solicited that Reis would be doing the art for the last issue, and I was disappointed when it wasn't the case, also questioning if the solicits for the following issues were also true or not. Anyway, Reis did a phenomenal job of the artwork, and he really seems to suit this series, as I've never seen a bad piece of art from him so far. I also love how Reis is able to draw vast amount of characters in one sequence without losing any detail, as the detail is amazing, with everything looking perfect. Reis' art is also very dramatic, as the way he lays it out, it really gives more depth. The emotion on the character's expressions are also fabulous, as he even manages to show emotion on
Red Hood (Jason Todd), and considering he's got a helmet covering his face that isn't easy.
My Rating
Cover & Solicit - 4/5
Art, Colors & Inking -43/5
Layout & Flow - 4/5
Story - 4/5
Verdict - 4 - (Buy Justice League #19)
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