Justice League #9 - Mobile Edition

DC Comics
Justice League #9
By Avi Weinryb
November 22, 2016 - 23:08

DC Comics
Writer(s): Bryan Hitch
Penciller(s): Neil Edwards
Inker(s): Daniel Henriques
Colourist(s): Tony Aviña
Letterer(s): Richard Starkings and Comicraft
Cover Artist(s): Fernando Pasarin, Matt Ryan & Brad Anderson; Variant by Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn

Picking up where the previous issue left off, Cyborg has lost control of his own body. The Batcave has turned into a deadly weapon, targeting Bruce Wayne and butler Alfred. And Simon Baz, a Green Lantern, has lost control of his ring. This can all be traced back to a single source, a computer virus, driving this mayhem forward, and only the Justice League can successfully stop it.

This issue was breezy fun, with a lot of action, a few well-placed laughs, and even a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it cameo by Warner Brother’s Animaniacs. The only flaw, admittedly quite jarring, was at the start, when Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth are emerging from a pile of rubble after surviving an attack in the Batcave. Alfred expresses concern about Bruce, asking “Sir, are you alright?”, but Bruce doesn't care about Alfred at all, answering only “I’ll live”. He shows zero concern as Alfred struggles to remove rocky debris from his body and complete disinterest at any point after. He comes off as cold and uncaring about the man who raised him from childhood. This cruelty is reinforced a page later when Alfred asks if anything needs to be stitched or any bones reset. Bruce only answers that he’s fine and has had worse days.

Strange, hollow characterizations aside, Bryan Hitch has thrown together a decent, by-the-numbers story. The artwork, if it can be compared, is stronger than the writing. In the capable hands of Neil Edwards and Daniel Henriques, readers are treated to some cracking scenes of mayhem, all creatively composed. Characters are boldly portrayed in a wide range of action, with all of the Justice League’s heroes flexing their powers in dramatic fashion. The series knows it is a Justice League book and has a good time rotating through the iconic characters and the never-ending drama they face as crimefighters. This issue is a good time, even though Bruce Wayne is a heartless jerk.

Rating: 7/10