It’s not looking good for the Justice League. They are split up. On Earth, the Trinity is dealing with an explosive threat that could kill all life as we know it. Over on Thanagar Prime, Hawkgirl is being choked out by the Savage Hawkman while Jon Stewart and Martian Manhunter can do nothing. Yep, not looking good for the greatest superhero team ever.
So what’s it about?
Read our preview.
Why does this matter?
One of the coolest aspects of Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV’s run on Justice League is how it never holds back. Each issue is packed with action, character drama, and plot development, but most importantly great ideas. The 15th issue is out this week and they don’t let up on the gas.
Fine, you have my attention. What’s good about it?
Great opening panels to draw you in.
Credit: DC Comics
I was a bit down on the last issue due to it stretching out the drama between character dynamics and doing little else. It appears Tynion and Snyder intended for this 15th issue to do that and more. This issue lays down a ton of cool ideas and plot development. There’s not one, but two huge concepts introduced in this issue, one of which suits the darker path Tynion has been taking with Justice League Dark. Both ideas are tied to Thanagar Prime and how they rose from nothing, though I’ll avoid spoiling them here. There’s a mystery uncovered thanks to the work of Martian Manhunter, Hawkgirl, and Jon Stewart after Thanagar Prime doesn’t pass the smell test. I could see Tynion utilizing one of these big ideas (it’s a bank, but so much more) on many levels be it a space-faring action story, or a smaller horror tale.
There’s also a deep secret starting to unravel thanks to Starman. It ties very well to the antics on Thanagar Prime, connecting both stories on the last page. It’s made clear Snyder and Tynion are delving into some deep canon-busting storytelling that’ll change the multiverse possibly forever. That adds a huge amount of weight even though it’s practically only whispered in this issue. Like a dark secret you hide, there’s something huge brewing.
Jim Cheung and Stephen Segovia pencil this issue with Mark Morales and Segovia on inks and Tomeu Morey and Wil Quintana on colors. Cheung draws the opening and closing pages with Starman amping up the energy of the character as well as the threat based on the reactions of the Trinity. The opening is excellent in drawing you in with three succinct location panels. Segovia draws most of the issue since most of it is focused on Thanagar Prime. His work is excellent, utilizing the double page layout well, filling panels with many characters in some instances, and pulling off those big ideas I mentioned with wide sweeping landscapes.
Love the transformation panel.
Credit: DC Comics
It can’t be perfect, can it?
The Savage Hawkman was the big cliffhanger last issue and is reduced to a kind of mindless drone here. There’s a hint that there’s more to what is going on with him, but it’s still a bit of a letdown how he’s used. Maybe it’s another element being held back for a future big reveal.
Is it good?
The DC Universe is made richer from this series. I’m on board for what is to come because its creators don’t hold back. This is far and away one of the most exciting comics on the stands today.
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