Justice League #23.4 Secret Society Review

Writers: Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates

Artist: Szymon Kudranski

With this being the Villains Month issue that's tied into Forever Evil the most I was really looking forward to it. I was also looking forward to seeing how the Secret Society of Super Villains were built, as well as more of The Outsider's background.

Plot

The Outsider recounts how it was like on Earth-3 and how he would do anything for Owlman.

Review

This was an amazing issue, and one of the best issues from this weeks Villains Month. Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates do a brilliant job of taking us into the word of the Crime Syndicate prior to Forever Evil. The tone of the issue was simply perfect, as Johns and Gates managed to give a very dark story that had a mysterious overtone to it. I also loved how Johns and Gates managed to show how Earth-3 was nearly the exact opposite of the normal DC Universe, with the villains appearing more noble than the supposed heroes. Johns and Gates also did a great job of adding a lot of suspense and drama to this issue, and although this was a fantastic issue I wish it had more to do with the Secret Society.

The art in this issue was simply outstanding, as although I had a few problems with Szymon Kudranski's artwork in last weeks Scarecrow issue, he redeemed himself here. The detail in his artwork was simply amazing, being very consistent throughout. Kudranski's dark style also suited this story perfectly, adding brilliant tone and atmosphere to the issue, and also showed the gritty nature of this word perfectly. I also really liked the layout of Kudranski's artwork, as it managed to add a lot of depth, as well as adding even more tone to the issue. Kudranski also did a great job of showing the characters facial expressions, as they were very realistic, adding amazing emotion to the issue.

This issue would focus quite heavily on Owlman, as with the Outsider telling the story it's only natural that the man he'd die for would be the centre of it. I quite enjoyed seeing this different side to the Batman style character, as with Batman being my favourite character it's natural that Owlman is the character from the Crime Syndicate that interests me the most. I also liked how this issue would show probably the most famous Batman sequence ever but in a different fashion, and found the way it was handled so impactful. I also enjoyed the interaction between Owlman and the Outsider and how other Batman characters were referenced throughout.

We'd also see the Earth-3 version of the Joker in this issue, which was a pleasant surprise. Now I doubt I'm going to like this version over the normal any time soon, but I did enjoy seeing how due to the equivalent of Batman having a different personality, that Joker would too, and that in this universe he is more towards good than Owlman is. Another thing that I enjoyed about this was that besides the attitude change Joker was very similar to the one we know, looking the same, and laughing all the time, just having different goals.

Now although I said that this issue didn't focus on the Secret Society as much as it could have, it still would feature them, showing how the Outsider came to the regular universe and formed the Secret Society. Now this wasn't really anything special, and it actually acted really quickly. I did however still enjoy reading it as it made the title a bit more appropriate as although it still should have been simply the Outsider, it was good to see some connection, even if not much of one. I will however add that I probably would prefer this story over one that focused on the Secret Society more, just that the title wasn't aptly named.

Final Verdict

Although this didn't focus on the Secret Society as much as I hoped it would, it did an amazing job of showing how The Outsider and Owlman lived on Earth-3. The story itself was also very dramatic, being both dark and mysterious. The issue also had brilliant artwork from Kudranski which added the perfect tone and atmosphere that this issue needed. Considering all this I'd highly recommend this issue, especially to anyone who enjoyed Trinity War or is currently reading Forever Evil.

Rating: 8/10

Justice League of America #7.4 Black Adam Review

Writers: Geoff Johns & Sterling Gates
Artist: Edgar Salazar

This was one of the Villains Month issues that I was most looking forward to as having loved the Shazam back-up stories in the Justice League series, as well as liking Black Adam as a villain I was interested to see what this issue would be about.

Plot

Kahndaq was once freed by Black Adam. Now a group named the Sons of Adam try to find a way of brining him back to free them once more.

Review

This was a very good issue, but not quite as good as I hoped it would be. Both Geoff Johns and Sterling Gates do a great job of reminding us how Black Adam freed the Kahndaq people, as well how he battled Shazam (Billy Batson), though I was slightly disappointed that this didn't focus as much on Black Adam as I hoped it would. In saying that Johns and Gates do this for a good reason, and although it downgrades the overall quality of this issue, it made some interesting developments for the future. Johns and Gates also did a great job of adding suspense and drama to the issue, and although the tone wasn't brilliant, the story as a whole was very interesting.

Edgar Salazar did a very good job of the artwork in this issue, as although it wasn't spectacular, being nowhere near as good as Gary Frank's work on the Shazam back-ups, it was still better than a lot of artists. The best part of Salazar's artwork had to be his brilliant layouts, as although they weren't extravagant they did an amazing job of adding depth and drama to the story. The detail in Salazar's art was also brilliant, and the only this that I wasn't a fan of was how he draws the characters mouths, as they looked a bit odd at times, but overall didn't affect it too much. I also really enjoyed Gabe Eltaeb's colours in this issue as I felt they added a lot of vibrancy, also adding a lot of tone to the issue.

This issue would start by showing Black Adam free his people. Now I found it nice that they showed this again, as for anyone who missed the Shazam back-ups it's a nice summary. I did however feel that this showed him as more of a hero than a villain, as although Black Adam has always appeared to believe that he's doing things for the greater good, it's usually in a foul way. It was however also the perfect set-up for the rest of the issue.

The rest of the issue would focus on a group called the Sons of Adam who are trying to resurrect Black Adam to free them once more. Now as I said earlier this wasn't the way that I expected this issue to go, but as I continued reading I found it to be rather interesting. Without going into spoilers I do however question whether it's even right to consider bringing Black Adam back as it wasn't that long ago that he died. I do however find the concept of trying interesting, and enjoyed reading it.

The main character focused on from this group would be a man named Amon, and his sister Adrianna who tries to warn him away from this dangerous situation. Now these aren't characters that I necessarily expect to see again, but I did find them to be slightly interesting, and the interaction between the two was very dramatic. I also enjoyed seeing the passion that both characters had for their individual causes, and how much Amon wanted the people of Kahndaq to be free again.

Final Verdict

This was a brilliant issue and although Black Adam didn't have as big a role as I hoped he would, the story as a whole still managed to be very interesting. It also had plenty of depth and drama, as well as some suspense, having some brilliant developments for the future. Due to this I'd highly recommend this issue, though I'd warn anyone hoping for an amazing Black Adam story to be wary.

Rating: 8/10