JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #22 REVIEW

[Adam Chapman]

Reviewer: Adam Chapman adam.chapman@sympatico.ca
Quick Rating: Very Good
Story Title: The Second Coming Chapter One: The Widening Gyre

Red Tornado is waiting for a new body...

Writer: Dwayne McDuffie
Artist: Ed Benes
Letters: Rob Leigh
Colours: Pete Pantazis
Assistant Editor: Adam Schlagman
Editor: Eddie Berganza
Cover Art: Benes w/ Alex Sinclair
Publisher: DC Comics

Justice League of America has really struggled to find its way ever seen the conclusion of its first year of stories. The past year or so has been a true struggle, with ups and downs, with this book feeling like its lost its way, and didn't know what to do with itself, as it had storylines that ultimately felt like they didn't really go anywhere.

This issue is a return to form. I actually really dug this issue, the writing was sharp, the characterization was spot-on, the villain was interesting, the developments were believeable, the script was good, and the art was fantastic. Reading a great issue like this one just makes it all the more clear that its been a while since this book read this well, since I was this entertained and thrilled by Justice League of America. I say, its about time.

Red Tornado prepares for another attempt to put his "soul" into a new Red Tornado body, as Batman and Steel look over one of his discarded bodies. Vixen goes to an old friend for help about her situation, and what to do about her lying to her teammates. Superman and Hal give Roy some dating advice.

There's a ton of stuff going on here, and what's interesting is that it manages to do all this without seeming crowded. There's a lot of great characterizatoin here, moving individual stories forward, with Red Tornado, Vixen and Roy Harper especially, with other characters getting great spotlight moments as well. I'm a tad concerned that we're already having a villain return when their last appearance wasn't long ago, but at the same time, this book is actually really interesting and enjoyable again, so I'd rather have a villain used too much and the book be interesting than a new villain and a dull book.

The art by Benes is absolutely spectacular, its nice to have him back on the book. The linework is very crisp, very solid stuff. My one comment is that, as always, the artwork although looking phenomenal is still static, much like Jim Lee's art, whose visual style is similar. The artwork looks fantastic but there's no real sense of fluid movement in the art.

A great new issue, its about time I read a Justice League of America issue and was actually entertained and impressed, and excited for the next issue. Recommended!

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[Jason Kanno]

Why is the quick rating "average"?

[Adam Chapman]

Originally Posted by Jason Kanno

Why is the quick rating "average"?

Simple mistake.

[Magnus2k]

Awesome issue, once again involving Red T.

It must kill Jigga that the best arc of this relaunch, and what has started off as the second best, is centered around Red Tornado!

[Mark Blicharz]

Fantastic issue. Fun, interesting, and a great show of leadership from Canary.

[jonsnow]

Great issue. About time JLA was not simply fodder for whatever event DC had going. It could be a great book when McDuffie gets to actually use his imagination.

[Ben Lehnsherr]

Originally Posted by jonsnow

Great issue. About time JLA was not simply fodder for whatever event DC had going. It could be a great book when McDuffie gets to actually use his imagination.

Talented writers can make it work. Just look at all the fantastic tie-ins in monthlies to the Secret Invasion event. McDuffie is just a plain overrated writer. Glad to hear more people are enjoying it with this issue, but I had been waiting since issue #11 or so for this title to get good again. That was too long.

[Mark Blicharz]

Originally Posted by Ben Lehnsherr

Talented writers can make it work. Just look at all the fantastic tie-ins in monthlies to the Secret Invasion event. McDuffie is just a plain overrated writer. Glad to hear more people are enjoying it with this issue, but I had been waiting since issue #11 or so for this title to get good again. That was too long.

You are aware that McDuffie didn't write half of the issues between 11 and 22 right?

[Ben Lehnsherr]

Originally Posted by Mark Blicharz

You are aware that McDuffie didn't write half of the issues between 11 and 22 right?

Yeah......

[Dino1963]

I almost picked up this issue but then I saw who the villian was, and I was like, didn't we just go there. But I guess if I remember, I will try and pick it up and give it a shot.

[jonsnow]

Originally Posted by Dino1963

I almost picked up this issue but then I saw who the villian was, and I was like, didn't we just go there. But I guess if I remember, I will try and pick it up and give it a shot.

You and Ben both make very good points here, as the last several issues have been pathetic and the

Amazo/Red Tornado merger kicked off the series

, but the way this issue runs it feels like somebody finally got it in their head to take this book back to where it began and run with those plot threads instead of using a flagship title as a tie-in special month in and month out. This looks to resolve and build on where this title began and so far looks like it will do so very well.