The Justice League is facing Armageddon as its members are quitting or plotting to create a new team. Will the remaining members be effective enough to maintain the ship or will it all crumble?
This issue had me asking the eternal question. Does she or doesn’t she? Is Black Canary a founding member of the Justice League or not? Since Infinite Crisis and the 52, series, it has been hinted at that she was a founding member of the team, along with Wonder Woman who she originally replaced. In this issue, this origin is again challenged which helps the story make more sense, but also complicates other matters. Writers and editors at DC Comics should make up their minds once and for all and move on. The only way the undermining of leadership can be fully grasped, is if she is not a founding member and thus has no weight. I did like how the second trinity at DC Comics imploded (Green Arrow, Green Lantern and Black Canary) in the face of the implosion of the first one consisting of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. This is probably the best characterization Black Canary has had since Gail Simone left the Birds of Prey series a few years ago. Here, it was shown that there is indeed a cast in the DC universe and that apparently some characters, such as Black Canary are on the losing end. I liked how Superman and Wonder Woman were shown as jerks full of themselves and not really team players, when Batman was not around. It had been a while since something interesting happened in this series and I’m glad changes are in the stores, even though the series was just finally cemented last year.
The artist for this issue is probably the best that has worked in it since this series began. Unfortunately, Sandra Hope’s pencils don’t enhance his work as she tries to turn him into another Ed Benes clone.
This issue contained the worst characterization of Black Canary that I have ever read. She physically abuses her spouse, and it was not humorous. After that her behavior is a horrible stereotype of women: she is overly emotional, easily handled by alpha males, flippant, and she changes her mind repeatedly as she essentially begs people to help her before finally giving up because she feels like a woman not up to the task. It was degrading. Downright misogynistic.
And as for that rest of the issue, I will not even go into detail because it was just as terrible, on so many levels. McDuffie really was making a statement with this issue. He got screwed over by editorial after Final Crisis, but instead of standing up to the plate, he just gave up on his job as writer of JLA completely, and he took the entire book down with him. He ought to be ashamed.
Action Comics #883
Nighwing and Flamebird make their public debut and start the hunt for Zod’s most dangerous sleeper.
Blood and Water
Vampire stories are all the rage these days. Most are silly teenage romances, but every once in a while a vampire tale comes along that doesn’t, um…suck.
Secret Six # 15
Deadshot tries to come to terms with his homicidal impulses.
Blackest Night #4 (of 8)
Barry Allen does his best to rally the heroes, but will they be able to stand against the arrival of Nekron?
Superman: World of New Krypton #9
Jemm storms New Krypton’s High Council Chamber demanding an audience, Kal-El and Zod meet, and the first murder on New Krypton is committed.
Madame Xanadu #16
The return of series artist Amy Reeder Hadley also marks the start of a new, creepy, and great Matt Wagner story.
Superman #693
General Lane makes Mon-El an offer he has to refuse, but an unlikely ally might just save Mon-El’s life.
The Brave and the Bold # 28
The Flash travels back in time to World War II where he joins forces with the fabled Blackhawks.
Northlanders #21
A settlement along The Volga River in Russia deals with the onslaught of a plague in the start of a new story arc.
Superman: Secret Origin #2 (of 6)
Young Clark Kent experiences a bit of a super identity crisis, but manages to get by with some help from his parents and some new friends…Long Live The Legion!
Superman/Batman #65
The Scarecrow takes Superman, The Batman, The Joker, and Lex Luthor on a fear gas induced Halloween nightmare ride.
Azrael #1
The new Azrael’s ongoing series debuts with the death of a major character…
Supergirl #46
The Metropolis Three finally capture Reactron, Thara and Kara make up, and some more light is shed on Lana’s mysterious condition…
