Comic Info
Comic Name: Justice League (Volume 2)
Publisher: DC Comics
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Doug Mahnke/Jason Fabok/Ivan Reis/Scott Kolins/Keith Champagne/Scott Hanna/Christian Alamy/Mark Irwin/Ray McCarthy/Joe Prado
# of Issues: 10
Release Date: 2015
Justice League (2) #31
Reprints Justice League (2) #30-39 (July 2014-April 2015). The Justice League is still recovering from the attack of the Crime Syndicate and faced with a new threat in the Power Ring who has discovered a new host in a woman named Jessica Cruz. As the ring seeks its own purpose, the Justice League are hit with a deadly infection that could threaten the world…and the only hope could be the Justice League’s newest member: Lex Luthor!
Written by Geoff Johns, Justice League Volume 6: Injustice League is part of DC Comics’ New 52 line-up. Following Justice League Volume 5: Forever Heroes, the collection features art by Doug Mahnke, Jason Fabok, Ivan Reis, Scott Kolins, Keith Champagne, Scott Hanna, Christian Alamy, Mark Irwin, Ray McCarthy, and Joe Prado. The collection is divided into “Injustice League” (Justice League #30-34) and “The Amazo Virus” (Justice League #35-39).
I liked Grant Morrison’s run on JLA, but Morrison’s approach to the Justice League was unorthodox. I can see Johns taking a similar approach in this book with the freedom that New 52 unleashed and I do like some of the things he’s done.
Justice League (2) #36
I don’t know that this volume really should have been two different stories because it almost feels like one story, but by having two different plotlines, it feels choppier than it needs to be. The story is really about Lex Luthor joining the Justice League. In the first half, he manipulates himself into place by helping stop Power Ring and in the second story he cements his location by teaming up to stop a virus that he is responsible for. It is nice set-up (I always like villains on superhero teams) and it also works to develop Captain Cold as a superhero which is also fun.
Despite Luthor being the thrust of the volume, the biggest addition in this collection is Jessica Cruz who has gone on to become a fan favorite as part of Green Lanterns. The introduction of a new character is always tricky and the logic of including her in the second half of this collection doesn’t make much sense since she’s so volatile, but I do like that she starts to develop here before becoming a major player in DC’s Rebirth titles. I think for a new character to really grasp hold, you either need a big name writer or gradually insert them into the “universe”…or you face an uphill battle that isn’t often won.
Justice League 6: Injustice League is a bit episodic, but it does feel more wordy and thought out than other comic book titles nowadays which is a nice thing. You can see Johns is building to something, but the stories do hold together independently which is important. Justice League 6: Injustice League is followed by Justice League 7: Darkseid War—Part 1.
Related Links:
Justice League 2: The Villain’s Journey
