“Make the most of the time you have left.”
DC’s next big event is here, and it’s a doozy. As the world’s heaviest hitters go toe to toe in the Omega tournament in DC K.O., heroes on the ground are struggling to corral the chaos around them as evacuees and minor villains run amok. Meanwhile, Mr. Terrific unites the nine remaining time-displaced heroes with a mission hell—literally—in mind, urging them to make peace with their new destinies in this very different world. What ensues is a character driven narrative focused on remnants of the past and future carefully considering new roles.
One of the most effective things to give a team is someone that represents its beating heart, someone whose life is inherently linked to the team. Another is a brain, someone who always thinks on the fly for the well-being of those surrounding them. Michael Holt represents both the heart and brain nowadays. Having been shaken by the loss of Air Wave several issues before, the man called Terrific has been troubled to the point of having his emotions clouding his ever sharp mind, which has been a dynamic focus point with him being the team’s constant voice of strategy and priorities. Though by now he’s more level-headed than he’s been, small moments like him attempting to comfort his time-displaced guests while dumping the reality of their situation makes for a strong characterization that keenly focuses the story.
DC
What is perhaps the most notable thing about this issue is in how, even though it’s tied to an action heavy event, it takes the time to wrap up some lingering plot threads that make the premise a slam dunk. Characters such as the ’90s era Aquaman and Guy Gardner: Warrior are left to their devices to learn of their fates in the present. These throughlines distinctly and simply characterize their headspaces going into Terrific’s mission as heroes out of time that are living on borrowed time.
And sure, perhaps drama between Guy and Ice can be played out. However I believe the subject being a version of a Guy that hasn’t experienced the same growth of his future self and never will makes the interaction a tinge more unique and tragic.
Though not all the Terrific Ten—a fun and familiar concept—are given their own private moments, particularly Batman Beyond, Superman Blue, and Alan Scott, the ones we do get tell us all we need to know: the world is different, and things will change, but we are defined by how we embrace reality around us. This is especially prevalent for the Power Girl of the past, who takes the time to leave a message for her future self that in learning that her time is short, she finds comfort in that certainty. That even moments in our past can reflect a happiness that we one day hope we can find for ourselves.
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Mora and Bonvillain have become known for their incredible action sequences and ability to pack as many characters to the page without skimping on detail. That hectic goofiness has been a staple of both this title and World’s Finest, however the action is rather minimal here and there is room for character work that the book often doesn’t have time for, making the cast less dense and actually able to visualize proper quiet moments that say enough with said visuals. The result? An uncharacteristically meditative issue that allows past selves to look at their futures, some bleak and some bittersweet, and lets them react accordingly. Even if these characters are technically ghosts that will disappear when time is fixed, it doesn’t mean they are portrayed with any less humanity.
As an arc opener, and an event tie-in no less, Justice League Unlimited #12 stands as a surprisingly poignant character-oriented tale. Though the series has definitely had its ups and downs with its crossovers and spin-offs, it is nice to see it resolve its own immediate plots instead of simply being completely absorbed by the gargantuan event. Extra points for such a thing happening in the publisher’s flagship title. Whatever’s in store for the Terrific Ten will surely be more action heavy, but taking the time beforehand to get us reinvested in the history-spanning snapshots of our beloved Leaguers will no doubt make it a worthwhile emotional adventure.
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