JLA #113

[I am MODOK]

Written by Kurt Busiek
Pencils by Ron Garney

The ginormous Justice League is still dealing with three threats. The apocalyptic war machine of Qward, the CSA, and exploring the CSA's alternate Earth. Actually, if you count cleaning up after the CSA, that is a fourth task going on...

In space, we see the more powerful leaguers being dropped one by one. By the end of the issue, it looks like the Qwardians have taken out Power Girl, Lightray, Barda, Orion, and Faith. Green Lantern, Supes and WW are still in the action. In one of the neater tricks of the issue, as the power-leaguers are taking on the Qwardians, it is revealed that Batman is disguised as Martian Manhunter (explaining why J'onn was hiding on GL's spaceship, not out fighting on his own). J'onn is leading the "away" team on Earth-CSA.

This issue popped in on a ton of leaguers, with neat ideas thrown all around.

- The Bats (but really J'onn's) team is learning more and more about the evil world the CSA controls. Neat details and problems there.

- Aquaman getting the cold shoulder from J'onn was really rough. Then you find out it was actually Batman being a prick to the "B-team." I was definitely getting Countdown vibes from the condescending J'onn, but it seems like it was just Batman being an ass, like usual.

- Flash had some nice weirdness interacting with the Construct from Busiek's first issue or two.

All in all, I thought there was some nice characterization inserted into what is a pretty convoluted plot at this point. I am really enjoying this title, but I almost think this should have been a JLA Classified arc. When the whole DCU is revolving around action takenby the JLA in Identity Crisis, it is weird not seeing any of that huge story happening in JLA. Johns' upcoming arc should answe that issue though.

So, this is good, just a surprising choice to have in your main JLA book in these mind-wiping times.

Story: B+
Art: B

[Darth Tigris]

Originally posted by I am MODOK

So, this is good, just a surprising choice to have in your main JLA book in these mind-wiping times.


A refreshing choice.

[aceatkins]

Honestly, I didn't get why Bats and J'onn switched places. It seemed like a trick just to have a trick--it doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense plot-wise. It's also fairly stupid on the League's part, as if GL is taken out of the battle, it's bye-bye Bats.

I had the same reaction to this issue that I've had for most of this run: Meh. I really wanted to like Busiek's take, especailly after the crud we'd been served up in the preceding few arcs. But it's just not exciting at all. It feels both overstuffed and drawn out.

[Darth Tigris]

Originally posted by aceatkins
Honestly, I didn't get why Bats and J'onn switched places. It seemed like a trick just to have a trick--it doesn't make a hell of a lot of sense plot-wise. It's also fairly stupid on the League's part, as if GL is taken out of the battle, it's bye-bye Bats.

I had the same reaction to this issue that I've had for most of this run: Meh. I really wanted to like Busiek's take, especailly after the crud we'd been served up in the preceding few arcs. But it's just not exciting at all. It feels both overstuffed and drawn out.

Isn't it because they wanted to get a bead on how things work in the Anti-matter Earth? The best way would be with a telepath, and they wanted to do it covertly so they had the disguise/switch.