WARNING: THIS WILL SPOIL THE ENDING OF JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #4!
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Brett Booth
This has been one of my favourite series in the New 52 lately, and it's really been the superior Justice League title. I've also loved seeing the developments of the character's, and overall the build up to Trinity War has been amazing.
Plot
After killing Catwoman, the Secret Society of Super Villains plan to take the rest of the Justice League of America out. Meanwhile Green Lantern (Simon Baz) joins goes to the JLA's Headquarters to discuss joining the team.
Martian Manhunter Back-up
The Martian Manhunter discovers the creature responsible for the destruction of his planet, and goes to seek his revenge.
Review
This was yet another brilliant issue, and although it wasn't quite as good as last issue, it wasn't far behind. Geoff Johns has really been doing a fantastic job on all his series, but this has been the one that has stood out the most for me as of late. The way he's developed this team over the first five issues has been amazing, and even more during this, as with the Secret Society of Villains having already killed Catwoman, the JLA will have to work as a closer unit to defeat them. Johns' also writes the character's brilliantly on their own, as you can always see their personalities, and characteristics, and although I've enjoyed seeing them work together, they've been just as interesting individually. The drama in this issue was also outstanding, as the issue was really deep, and dramatic, as well as suspenseful. The action was also handled superbly in this issue, and it was very exciting, and dynamic, and the dialogue during it was amazing. To be fair the dialogue was brilliant throughout the entire issue, mainly when the leader of the Secret Society was talking, as he's a really mysterious, and interesting character.
The art from Brett Booth was once again outstanding, and I've been extremely happy that he's managed to work on this title for these two issues, and wish it was for longer. I really enjoyed David Finch's art in the first three issues, but Booth's has been simply phenomenal, and much better. His work in DC has been amazing, and I've loved what he's done in both Teen Titans, and Nightwing, and this may just even be better. The detail in Booth's art is simply fantastic, and there are little, to no imperfections, if any at all. The layout of Booth's artwork was also brilliant, and it really added flare, and drama to the issue, making it stand out more, which is always a positive. The best thing about Booth's art however has to be how he handles action, and he showed that in here. The action sequences were simply outstanding, having ton's of excitement, and suspense. Booth also does a great job of drawing all the character's, and I love how he manages to make them all look like they usually look, whilst adding his own subtle changes, and style. Booth also did a fabulous job of showing the character's emotions, and facial expressions, as you could easily tell how they felt, which adds more depth to the story.
This issue would be the first in the series to properly introduce the Green Lantern, Baz Simon into the JLA. Now Baz doesn't do a great lot in this issue, but the fact that he's finally joined the team made me happy, as I loved him in Green Lantern. At the same time I was happy that Johns waited till his Wrath of the First Lantern story in Green Lantern was finished before properly introducing him to this series, as it helps with continuity. I also loved how Baz wasn't alone in this issue, as he was with Agent Fed, and fellow Green Lantern, B'dg, and the interaction he had with these character's was simply amazing.
Now last issue ended with Catwoman being killed. Now I won't go into great detail about how this was developed in this issue, but I will say my thoughts on the matter. The fact that Catwoman was killed last issue was slightly shocking, as although it was already speculated, it was still shocking to see, and was very dramatic, leaving the perfect cliffhanger. I was however not entirely happy with how it was continued in this issue, as although Johns was clever about it, it kind of took away from the amazing sequence, making it feel slightly cheap, which wasn't nice.
The JLA continued to fight the Shaggy Man, with certain other members going after the rest of the Secret Society. Now this sequence wasn't quite as good as the one from last issue, as although it was still exciting, and dramatic, with brilliant dialogue, and art, it didn't have quite as much suspense. I did however love how the team finally worked as a team, and although they weren't the most well oiled unit, they worked pretty well together. I also enjoyed how other members of the Secret Society reacted to certain things during this sequence, especially from their mysterious leader, and I would really love to see more of the Secret Society, and learn more about their leader in the near future (hopefully the villains month for the Secret Society will grant that wish).
This issue also had things that looked to be setting up the Trinity War, and although I won't go into any details, as to avoid spoilers, it has got me even more excited than I already am about the event.
The Martian Manhunter back-up continues in this issue, with the Martian Manhunter finding the creature responsible for the demise of Mars. Matt Kindt has really been doing an outstanding job with these back-up stories over the last few issues, and although they haven't been the best back-ups stories I've ever read, they've been very enjoyable, and have made me start to like the Martian Manhunter more, as I used to really dislike him. I loved how we got to see some emotion from the Martian Manhunter in this story, and how the goal of getting vengeance fuelled him. I also found the events that would occur to be very interesting, and look forward to seeing any possible development to them. Manuel Garcia, who worked on the back-up story in issue 3 returned to once again do the artwork on this back-up feature, and once again it was outstanding. His style really suits the Martian Manhunter, and he's the second best artist to feature on this back-up, after the late Scott Clark, and I hope he's able to work on it on a permanent basis.
Final Verdict
This was a fantastic issue, and although not quite as good as last issue, it was still amazing. The action was continued perfectly, and the dialogue was perfect. There were also some great developments, as well as hints towards Trinity War, which was brilliant. There were however a couple of things that bugged me, and that's what ultimately dropped the overall rating of this issue. I would however still recommend this issue, and the series so far, and can't wait for the start of Trinity War.
Rating: 4/5
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: David Finch
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.
This issue started with the continuation of the fight between the Justice League of America, and the fake robot Justice League. Now this was a very exciting, and entertaining fight, and although it was nothing compared to what a fight between the two teams would actually be, it was still very entertaining, and fun, and an interesting concept considering the series is in it's early stages. The thing I personally found most enjoyable throughout this fight was the conversation between Vibe, and Steve Trevor, as without going into any details as to avoid spoilers, it really made the fight more interesting, and unique, whilst also making it more fun. I also loved the attitude of certain members of the JLA, and how they couldn't trust everyone.
As I said earlier, the Catwoman part of this story was previously shown, and expanded in the nineteenth issue of Catwoman's solo series, but this much shorter version of the event was more entertaining, and actually made Catwoman #19 slightly wothwhile. Now I'll start by saying that Catwoman itself has been horrible, and Anna Nicotie hasn't done the character justice, but thankfully the character's getting a chance to show he stuff in this series, and it's nice that she's being used the way she is. I also like how she's getting a big part early on, showing that although she's probably the most volatile member, she can also be the most valuable.
This issue also saw Green Arrow (Olive "Ollie" Queen) insert himself more in the series, making himself a proper part of the team. Now I won't go into details as to how Ollie did this, as to avoid spoilers, but it was inevitable that he'd be a proper member, especially considering the fact he's classed as a member of the JLA in his solo series. Anyway I was ecstatic that Green Arrow inserted himself more in this issue, and Johns handled it perfectly, as Green Arrow being a part of the team has been what I've been most looking forward to in this series, and I'm glad it's finally happened.
This issue also saw a quarrel between Stargirl, and Amanda Waller asWaller wants Stargirl to be the press member of the team, not taking action, whereas Stargirl wants to be a proper part of the team. Now I found this development very interesting, and it really showed the type of character that Waller is, as it's typical that she'd manipulate this team into being what she wanted it to be. The argument itself was also very entertaining, and dramatic, and I really look forward to seeing it developed more as the series progresses.
The Martian Manhunter back-up story by Matt Kindt was once again very interesting, and entertaining, and I'm really happy that this is a feature in this series. To be honest at the start of this story I felt it was very slow, and dull, but as it slowly developed, showing more layers to it, I really started to enjoy it, and although overall it wasn't quite as good as the back-up in the last issue, it was still amazing. The art this time was done by Manuel Garcia, as sadly Scott Clark who provided the art for the last issue passed away in February this year. Anyway Garcia did a wonderful job, and although I personally preferred Clark's art, Garcia was a perfect replacement, and his art really suited this story. What I liked most about the story was that although it went into Catwoman's past, something we've seen a few times before, we also get to see some of the Martian Manhunter's past, which really interested me, and made this back-up story as good as it was. I also found it fitting that Catwoman would share the spotlight with the Martian Manhunter in this back-up story, as with her playing a key role in the main part of this issue it was appropriate.
Final Verdict
Although not quite as good as the other two issue in this series, this issue continued to show how good the series was, and the developments of both the character's, as well as the mysterious nature of the story really intrigued me. The continuation of the action from last issue, as well as some new action of it's own also made the issue exciting, and dynamic, and I honestly can't wait to read the next issue. I would highly recommend both this issue, and the series so far, as it's been a blast, and the future, as well as it's involvement in Trinity War shows a lot of promise for this series to get even better than it already is.
Rating: 4/5
