Justice League #33 - A Review

With the rest of The Justice League in the clutches of The Dark Knights, if falls to Cyborg to save the day. Yet doing so many require Victor sacrificing what remains of his humanity to fully empower the Motherbox that powers his cybernetics. Will he make the ultimate sacrifice for the sake of all reality?


Despite being largely devoted to explaining Cyborg's powers and setting up the next part of the Dark Nights Metal event, Justice League #33 is an enjoyable little book. Teen Titans fans will be glad to know the story also reaffirms the friendship between Cyborg and Raven (something missing in the Rebirth reality) and there's a sequence I'm fairly certain is a nod to one of the better episodes of Teen Titans Go!  The artwork is equally brilliant, with the colors of Arif Prianto and Jeromy Cox giving the pencils and inks of Tyler Kirkham and Mikel Janin an almost painted appearance at times.

The Final Analysis: 7 out of 10. It would have been higher if they'd confirmed the song Cyborg plays to inspire himself is "The Night Begins To Shine"

Justice League #32 - A Review

Batman is lost. Superman is trapped in another universe. And now The Dark Knights have used Cyborg to trap what remains of The Justice League in "Bat Caves" designed to drag them down before their inevitable deaths!




Justice League #32 is a thrilling piece of filler. There's not much to be found here beyond non-stop action but Robert Venditti's script presents that action well enough as The Justice League faces down their counterparts in The Dark Knights.

Liam Sharp's artwork is as finely detailed and well-presented as one would expect based on his recent work on Wonder Woman. Adam Brown does an equally impressive job on the color art. In terms of plotting relative to the rest of Dark Nights Metal, this issue may not be essential, but it is enjoyable for what it is.

The Final Analysis: 6 out 10.

Injustice: Ground Zero #18 - A Review

With most of her gang turned upon her and out destroying Gotham on the parallel Joker's orders, Harley Quinn is in dire straits. At the same time, Cyborg struggles to commandeer the Watchtower and escape before the Tyrant Superman figures out what he's doing...


This week's Injustice: Ground Zero is an enjoyable comic. Christopher Sebela continues to build upon and around the story of the original Injustice, with his portrayal of a Harley Quinn struggling to break free of her codependency remaining the serie's high point.

The artwork is somewhat weaker this week, with Secret Six artist Tom Derenick delivering some uncharacteristically sloppy work. There's some slight inconsistencies from panel to panel, such as how low-slung Harley's pants are and how high her underwear is riding up on her hips. Still, Derenick does draw some great expressions, such as the forced smile Harley wears in dealing with The Joker that does not match her horrified eyes at all.

Injustice: Ground Zero #17 - A Review

The jail-break to free Batman hits a snag when Cyborg has trouble hacking the Watchtower teleporter, And as Lex Luthor flies off to confront the tyrant Superman, Harley Quinn faces a new crisis. The Joker from another world has freed himself and turned most of her gang against her. Can Harley fight against Mistah Jay AND her own followers?


While Ground Zero has never been a bad book this issue shows a marked improvement on recent issues, where the need to show the action of the Injustice game for the benefit of those readers who haven't played it slowed the pacing a bit. This chapter has no such issues, with the various subplots moving at a rapid pace. Harley's story remains the high-point, however, with Christopher Sebela showcasing a true command of Harley's rich character and internal conflict.


The artwork is just plain fantastic. I've been a big fan of the collaborations between Daniel Sampere and Juan Albarran for a while now and their work here is a prime example of why that is so, Rex Lokus' color art provides the perfect finishes to the pencils and inks

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #34 - A Review

The Resistance has proof of Superman killing innocent civilians! Unfortunately, Superman still has some allies who believe the order he's imposing is more important than justice. And with his final plan thwarted, Batman will have to turn to his most desperate gamble yet.


The action is starting to die down as this series enters into its final issues. Thankfully, the plot here doesn't seem like pointless padding. Brian Buccellato does a fine job of keeping this story moving but there's not much he can do at this point to offer up the surprises and twists that made this series such a delight to read.

The artwork is stronger this week, but still seems a little rushed at times. Tom Derenick still has some issues with over-inking certain panels, though his pencil-work is much stronger in this chapter. And Rex Lokus continues to amaze with his color art.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #33 - A Review

The race is on for both The Regime and The Insurgency. As Batgirl desperately tries to hack Cyborg's memory banks and find some proof of Superman murdering unarmed protesters, The Regime works to find Batman's team and to save the life of a poisoned Superman. And even now The Flash can't help but wonder if he's chosen the right side...


This art in this issue is uncharacteristically weak. I'm quite fond of Tom Derenick's work - both here and on Secret Six - but there are a lot of panels here that just look off, whether it be due to the proportions of the characters, some oddly chosen angles or the overly heavy inks. Every artist has their off days and this is definitely not one of Derenick's better pieces of work.


Thankfully the writing is as strong as ever. Brian Buccellato makes The Flash our point-of-view character again - not surprising his long history of writing the character and Barry Allen's status as a man in the middle in this story. And the scene in which he confronts Lex Luthor with his fears is a dramatically ironic one, given that Barry is totally unaware of Lex's own secret campaign against Superman.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #32 - A Review

Hawkman has returned to Earth and he is out for blood! Abandoning Batman's plans to peaceful bring Superman to heel, he's laced his mace with Kryptonite. Unfortunately, that won't help anyone when the rest of The Regime show up...


The action in this issue is amazing. Marco Santucci and Rex Lokus do a stellar job in portraying Hawkman in all his savage fury and create a number of amazing visual effects, such as the golden glint of Hawkman's helmet. The emphasis may be on the action this week, but the script by Brian Buccellato still allows for some brief character moments, such as one panel where it seems that Barry Allen seems conflicted over the fight and is seriously pondering stepping in to change things... one way or the other.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #31 - A Review

As Hal Jordan begins to share Barry Allen's reservations about what they've come to represent and what Superman might be doing in the name of peace, Batman and Batwoman take the fight to Cyborg and Hawkgirl at the Hall of Justice. Meanwhile, Superman seeks the unlikeliest of guides in finding Raven...


There's quite a lot going on in this issue of Injustice but Brian Buccellato does a fine job of keeping all the plates spinning.No one sequence seems overly long and the fight between the Bats and the Regime team is a thrilling centerpiece for the issue. And props to showcasing a relatively obscure Titans character as Superman's point of contact for finding Raven.  It's little touches like this which have made this book such a delight for DC Comics readers even as we witness the horror of Superman gone bad.


I've enjoyed Marco Santucci's artwork in the past and, for the most part, I enjoy his work here. That being said, his depictions of Batwoman and Hawkgirl are textbook examples of Escher Girls. While not the most egregious example of this sort of thing, it was still distracting enough to take me out of the story. At least Rex Lokus gave his usual stellar job on the color art but it's still disappointing as Santucci is capable of much better work.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #30 - A Review

As Superman continues to roam the globe, checking up on those few super-beings - such as Aquaman - he has allowed some degree of freedom since taking over the world, what remains of Batman's resistance launches a desperate raid on the Hall of Justice. Meanwhile, in the depths of space, Hawkman seeks the last piece of Kryptonite in the universe - a prize he will have to battle the warlord Mongul to claim!


This chapter of Injustice: Year Five is largely concerned with moments of transition. Apart from the fight between Mongul and Hawkman, there's little action. Yet Brian Buccellato's script is full of tension and we get a number of great character moments throughout.


Xermanico's artwork proves a perfect partner to Buccellato's writing. There is a subtle complexity to Xermanico's style and a lot of fine detail worked into the backgrounds and - in the case of the bones in Mongul's throne room - foregrounds. And Rex Lokus' colors are as stupendous as ever.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #29 - A Review

In the wake of Barry Allen's rebellion against Superman following Alfred Pennyworth's murder, questions are being asked in both The Regime and The Resistance regarding their leadership's actions. As Hal Jordan investigates Zsasz's escape from Sinestro's super-prison and Batman enacts another desperate plan, Superman begins to check in on those few superhumans he has allowed some degree of autonomy, staring with Black Adam.


Xermanico's artwork is well-suited towards depicting this chapter where a dark world becomes a shade dimmer, with what little trust still exists between Superman and his followers eroding even further. Xermanico boasts a Film Noir aesthetic of heavy inks and deep shadows that capture the mood of this chapter perfectly. Rex Lokus colors the final art appropriately to match, with even the usual bright golds and reds of Superman and Black Adam's costumes seeming somewhat more shaded than usual.

Brian Buccellato continues to find new drama, even as this series enters into its climax. It's good to see that in spite of how much things have changed, Sinestro is still Sinestro and enjoys needling his former, fallen student for his own sick amusement. And the battle between Black Adam and Superman is one of the best in the series to date.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #28 - A Review

Barry Allen sought out Iris West seeking solace, only to find that she wanted nothing to do with him anymore. What is more, she's now part of the resistance fighting The Regime and she'd just been caught and cornered by King Shark and Girder - two brainwashed villains now in Superman's employ. But even if The Fastest Man Alive can save the woman he loves, is there still any hope of reconciliation?


I was hard-pressed to choose an image for this review because there's so much about this story I don't want to spoil. The creative team of Buccellato, Derenick and Lokus continue to fire on all cylinders as we approach Injustice's conclusion. It may be a bit late for me to encourage new readers to give this series a shot, but if you haven't been reading this series you are missing out on one of the best things to come out of DC Comics in the last decade.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #27 - A Review

Five years ago, Barry Allen made a choice to join Superman's Regime in the hope that he could steer his friend's grief towards productive ends. It was a choice he'd come to regret, even before a psychotic Superman declared him a traitor and tried to kill him! Because that choice also cost Barry Allen the love of his life... and it may cost him more yet.


Despite a number of comics in the past which focused on The Flash and his moral conflicts while acting as the angel on Superman's shoulder, we haven't had any stories discussing Barry Allen's life outside of being The Flash in the Injustice universe. Brian Buccellato's script for this issue corrects this oversight and while more is hinted at than stated outright, what we see is heartbreaking. There's also an excellent fight scene between Superman and The Flash for those more concerned with action than emotion.


This action is once again ably illustrated by Tom Derenick and Rex Lokus. If pressed to pick a favorite creative team among the many wonderful artists to work on Injustice, they would probably be my choice for the best. Lokus always finds the perfect palettes to enhance Derenick's pencils and inks and it's always a good issue when they're at work on the art.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #24 - A Review

Alfred Pennyworth is dead and serial-killer Victor Zsasz has been revealed as the culprit. The question of just how Zasaz escaped from Superman's super-prison has yet to be answered. More pressing is the concern that an enraged Batman may expose himself to a wrathful Superman... or maybe even go over the edge in dealing with Zsasz.


The artwork for this issue is astonishing. Marco Santucci's visuals are amazing and the Gothic architecture of Gotham City has rarely seemed so foreboding. Rex Lokus completes the art perfectly with a muted palette of purples and grays.


Brian Buccellato's script proves equally enjoyable. Buccellato is known for his witty dialogue but this issue - largely taken up by a silent sequence in which Batman pursues Zsasz - shows that Buccellato is equally capable of telling a story without words. The whole story is amazing well paced, leading up to a tense cliffhanger in its conclusion.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #20 - A Review

Bizarro's quest for answers regarding his creation has led him to The Fortress of Solitude, where a brainwashed Doomsday is waiting for a target. As Superman races to discover the mystery of his strange doppelganger, Lex Luthor is left with a moral quandary - should he take advantage of this situation to deal with an increasingly despotic Superman?


This issue is good for what it is - an old-fashioned, beat-em-up brawl. There's none of the humor Brian Buccellato is famous for, though the action is well written. Mike S. Miller's artwork is serviceable, though oddly stiff in some panels. J. Nanjan's colors remain bright and thematic throughout.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #19 - A Review

At long last, "Bizzaro am home". This proves quite the pickle for his "daddy", Lex Luthor, who had told Superman that he had destroyed all of the Super-Clones he had made back when Superman was presumed dead. This leaves Lex with two problems - how do you destroy a Superman clone quietly and how do you do it with an increasingly impatient Fastest Man Alive on your doorstep?


This issue is light on action but high on the screwball comedy that Brian Buccellato excels at. Things don't quite descend into a full farce but it is ironically amusing to see a heroic Lex Luthor hiding evidence of his "treachery" from an evil Superman. Mike S. Miller and J, Nanjan illustrate all this with their usual aplomb.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #18 - A Review

The partnership between The Trickster and Bizzaro comes to a sudden and violent end. Now, as Bizzaro turns to the only other friend he has seeking a way to save the funny man who introduced him to cheeseburgers, Superman scours the globe looking for his "evil" counterpart.


Much as I want to grouse over just how the heck The Trickster could ever fall to his death (Air-Walking shoes, anyone? It's his main gimmick!), I still enjoyed this issue. Brian Buccellato draws off of both Frankstein and Of Mice and Men in his portrayal of Bizzaro to rich effect. And the artwork by Tom Derenick and Rex Lokus is equally impressive.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #16 - A Review

Fresh from confirming that Catwoman is well and truly done with The Insurgency, Batwoman and Harley crash a meeting of the so-called Joker Underground. An army of people willing to stand up to Superman no matter what would be a boon to Batman's resistance. Unfortunately, Superman just learned where they are meeting...


This issue of Injustice is relative light on action. Thankfully, Brian Buccellato writes a quiet character-building scene like few others can. There's some great bits of drama here, with a clearly conflicted Harley struggling with her own conflicted feelings about The Joker in talking down a group of people whose anger at Superman has prompted them to hold elevate The Clown Prince of Crime into a saint - something that would no doubt amuse The Joker to no end.


The artwork is as great as the script. Since this series started, Bruno Redondo has become one of my favorite artists and this issue shows precisely why. His characters have a wonderful sense of definition and there's some poster-worth scenes here, such as the above image of Harley on a playing card backing. The inks of Juan Albarran and Rex Lokus's color art perfectly complete the picture.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #15 - A Review

Under the leadership of Jason Bard, a new organization has begun to fight against Superman in the name of The Joker. Batwoman aims to put a stop to this before Bruce (who is celebrating his birthday as best he can) finds out. Unfortunately, she runs into another missing ally at The Jokers rally - Harley Quinn!


Oh, how I long for the days when a trench-coat and a fedora were all the disguise a superhero needed. But that's not the only thing about Brian Buccellato's script for this issue that has me feeling nostalgic. Seeing Jason Bard - the Marine turned detective with the bum knee, who was once engaged to Barbara Gordon - was a pleasant surprise. And the scene between Alfred and Bruce is one of the sweetest things I've ever read involving the characters.


The artwork for this issue is magnificent. Bruno Redondo is one of the best artists in the business and I hope he'll find a title worth of his talents when Injustice comes to a close. His work is perfectly enhanced by the inks of Juan Albarran and the color art of Rex Lokus.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #8 - A Review

Katar Hol does not wish to get involved in Superman's battle for Earth. His wife, Shiera, has other ideas. They shall settle their conflict in the manner in which all Thanagarians settle disagreement - with bloody air-borne mace battles!


There's not a lot of plot to this week's Injustice: Gods Among Us but there doesn't need to be. Doubtlessly continuity buffs will be pleased to finally know which version of Hawkman and Hawkwoman we have in this reality and to know why Hawkman hasn't shown up in the story until now. The rest of us will enjoy an action-packed issue filled with one of the best battle sequences in recent memory.


All of this is ably illustrated by Iban Coello.  Whatever else you can say about Coello as an artist, he draws a damn good fight scene.  The battle here is a vivd one, with blood flying everywhere, and Coello captures the intensity and passion of The Hawks conflict perfectly.

Injustice: Gods Among Us - Year Five #3 - A Review

Superman receives some unexpected help in his fight against Doomsday from the criminal mastermind known as Bane. It seems The Man Who Broke The Bat wishes to prove his worth to The Man of Steel and proposes an alliance to deal with their mutual enemy. It is an offer Superman has little time to consider, however, because The Parasite is also on the loose and about to destroy Hal Jordan and Cyborg!


This issue will probably be the one that marks the turning point for Injustice. Both as the moment when Superman passed the point of no redemption and the point where the series itself became more focused on serious drama with little comedic contrast. In any case, while there's little of the humor that has made this series a fan favorite in this chapter, Brian Buccellato's writing remains as strong as ever.


The artwork this time around proves serviceable but not quite outstanding. Tom Derenick's inks are a little too heavy at times, though his character designs as well as his command of visual storytelling and panel placement remain excellent. And Rex Lokus' colors are as well-chosen and as skillfully applied as ever.