We’re nearly at the end of “Justice/Doom War” as chapter 9 drops today! Written by Scott Snyder and drawn by Jorge Jimenez and David Sempere, this week is all about Lex Luthor versus the Justice League. Yep, Lex is strong enough to take them on and this is a battle we’ve been anticipating since Lex got superpowers from Perpetua. Place your bets now, folks: Lex vs. Justice League, who ya got?!
As is customary in team books when it’s time to fight the big bad boss, every hero gets a chance to take a crack at Lex Luthor. Snyder gives every hero a moment to shine and they shine in their own way. What makes this fun is how each hero gets a blow in, but also Lex gives a devastating blow right back. It makes for a fun pattern as the story unfolds. This was all set up well when Perpetua took the League of Doom members and encased them in a device that would siphon their power to Lex. What we have here then is an example of big-fun ultimate baddy powered up by each Justice League member’s ultimate foe (more or less since Joker isn’t in this one). This battle doesn’t relent, either. When you see what Wonder Woman does you’re going to have your jaw on the floor. It all leads to a somewhat predictable moment, but one that’s perfect, too.
The second half of the book deals with Martian Manhunter. This is a long time coming ever since Lex absorbed Martian Manhunter. Given the anticipation for this moment, Snyder and company do a good job bringing the character back in an earned sort of way. There’s a touching moment in this section that will tug at your heartstrings, paying off on a new character quite well too. Snyder has crafted a satisfying lead up to the final battle with Perpetua.
The art by Jimenez is excellent and he’s given the opening half and big fight scenes to dazzle us with. Superman punching Lex off the page is a highlight and Batman’s team-up with Jarro is delightful. There’s a panel with Superman and Lex staring each other down from across the page that’s a great framing device to visually set up their longstanding feud. The near full-page splash of Wonder Woman attacking Lex Luthor is a stand out page from the series as a whole. She’s a warrior, and Jimenez doesn’t let us forget it! Sempere gets to pop into Lex Luthor’s mind and it’s got a Matrix feel that’s reflective. He does a great job making Lex look alien via his odd head and glassy eyes. Alejandro Sanchez gives the book its colorful pop that hammers home the idea that this is a fun superhero tale and not so much a deep dive into character, necessarily. I said this in my last review, but you need to approach this like the Saturday morning cartoon that it is and you’ll be right as rain. Sanchez helps achieve that.
This is a fun fight comic with a deeper meaning in its second half, but total fun all the way through. Jimenez should be commended for his detailed and dynamic art, never letting us down every fist-to-the-face of the way. If this Lex fight is any indication, we’re in for a world of surprises and excitement in the finale.
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