JUSTICE LEAGUE CLASSIFIED #2 REVIEW

[T.C. Johnson]

Reviewer: T.C.Johnson tjohnson127@cox.com
Quick Rating: Decent
Title: Master of LIght

The Ultramarine Corp falls under Gorilla Grodd’s control as the Justice League hunts Black Death.

<a href="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/media/754/jlaclass2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.comixtreme.com/gallery/data/thumbnails/754/jlaclass2.jpg" align="left" border="0"> </a>Writer: Grant Morrison
Pencils: Ed McGuinness
Inks: Dexter Vines
Colors: Dave McCaig
Letters: Phil Balsman
Editor: Mike Carlin
Cover Art: Ed McGuiness
Publisher: DC


Review: Many times reviewing a single chapter of a story arc is like the blind men examining an elephant. We may look at the first part of it and declare it a snake or a very smelly cave, but we do not understand the shape of the story. The first issue seemed to be a bit confusing and missing some key information to make it a great issue. This issue does not exactly improve the first but the whole of the story is in much better shape.

Justice League Classified #2 is a very mixed bag. There is a lot to enjoy about it, but there is also a lot of missed opportunities. Grant Morrison introduces many great little things, like pixy like creatures that controls people’s mind and the fledging universe of Qwewq. The lesser known characters, like Squire, Knight and Jack’O’Lantern are fun to read with great wit, and his take on Batman is probably one of the best ones out there. For some reason it is refreshing for Batman to make a simple “heh” sound. Still, there are some concepts in this book that were missed opportunities. The Justice League in a world where there are no super heroes and they cannot use their powers is a great concept, yet it is only briefly explored. The robotic Justice League could have made for some great action, yet they are barely used.

Despite all that, it is a book I would recommend. The story structure is unique for a comic and Grant Morrison pack as much as possible into the pages. Ed McGuiness’s art alone is almost worth the price. While not as detailed as some other artists, his art is clean and sharp. The action is easy to follow and the Dave McCaig’s colors are just beautiful.

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[Terry Verticchio]

What troubles me the most about this series is that Grant is only on it for three issues. That's hardly enough time to make any of us care what is happening and there is so much going on. There is the kernal of greatness in this story unfortunately it will never have the time to germinate and grow.

I like the art. Squire is an interesting character (who reminds me of Spoiler for some reason) and the general story line is enough to peak my interest.

Grant is a great writer for making something out of nothing really. Why he decided on such a thin format is beyond me.

Great review TC.

[Gabriel Sosa]

I think this issue was extremely good, much better than the first one, because of the reasons T.C. exposed.
Grant is doing a great job, and yes it is sad that he is only doing three issues, and the problem is that those three issues tie-in directly to his JLA-run, so I am pretty sure people who did not read his run or did not like it that much, won't really care for this arc.
I like all the New concepts, but that is once again one of Grant's biggest problems, he needs many issues to exploit his ideas to the limit, and here we just get an exposition. (Maybe more?)
I really want to see how all this ends ;) .
Does anybody know when We3 #3 is out??

[Sloat]

I'm loving this! Consider me a Van Morrison fan! (The first thing I read by him was "Fantastic Four: 1234", just a couple days ago, and I was so impressed I rushed out to buy the first two issues of this new series.) But back to this issue -- the opening scene with Clark Kent was perfectly apt. Squire is likeable and cute. Batman is funny and efficient. I am loving this!