And Then I Read: JUSTICE LEAGUE 6

Images © DC Comics, Inc.

Here's the conclusion of the first story arc in this flagship title for The New 52. We have a group of seven familiar heroes, but all of them new, revamped versions joined almost against their will to fight the menace of Darkseid, who has appeared among them making the usual sorts of threats. Darkseid is also on a mission here, as we find out in this issue. He's looking for someone. While much of this issue is spectacular fighting, there are a few other things going on. We have a framing sequence of sorts about an ordinary man who finds himself in the midst of the fighting, and is writing about it. Back in Darkseid's home we have Superman being tortured until he is freed by Batman, with some interesting hints about what Darkseid's minions are doing with Superman's tortured flesh. And as an epilogue we have a sequence featuring the mysterious woman in red, titled "Pandora," with all that name implies, apparently. There are some nice character bits along the way, as I've come to expect from Geoff Johns, and he gives Cyborg, the sort of new member of the group, the heroic moment at the center of the fighting, though Superman also gets a good one.

What's different about this Justice League? For one, they don't get along very well, and each seems to have a personal agenda. At this point they're only a team because everyone thinks they are, I guess. Sort of a dysfunctional team, the kind that Marvel and WildStorm have been doing for years. We can assume they'll stay together, but a real team seems a way off. And on the final page we have a new threat, the kind that a team is probably needed for, so there's that.

The art by Jim Lee and a trio of inkers is terrific, no surprise there. I particularly like the sass and energy he gives to Wonder Woman, but all the characters are well done. And of course, Jim is great at action, of which there is plenty here.

Recommended.