Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Justice League of America #12


By Herve St-Louis
September 16, 2007 - 20:41

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It’s monitor duty day for members of the Justice League. As each of them takes turns to monitor villain activity and crises around the planet, readers discover about the inner workings and relationships of the various Justice League members. However, in the background, shadowy figures are observing the Justice League members and commenting on them. Are these figures new foes for the Justice League?

As Meltzer’s last story on Justice League, he focuses entirely on what he does best, characterization and character profiling. He also attempts to fix any resolving issues his work may have generated since he wrote Identity Crisis. As usual Meltzer thrives when it comes to narrating the personal the interconnections within a team. I like the conflict he gave Black Canary and Hawkgirl, regarding Red Arrow. It makes sense, given their past histories.

However, there are some serious continuity issues making this story less enjoyable. For example, the senior Aquaman is involved in the story, but based on recent events in the Aquaman series and events since the One Year Later reboot of all DC Comics’ series, he should not be available at all. This is one of the problems publishers like DC Comics have when they invite “super stars” to write their books.

A good editor would have told Meltzer that Aquaman is not available for this story. His whereabouts and current state are not obscure events. The series that bears his name, Aquaman, has gone to great length to establish that he is not available. But for the sake of a good story, and the fact that this was Meltzer’s exit story, no one vetoed the use of Aquaman here. Mind you I did enjoy what Meltzer had to say about him, but it also contradicts everything else published by DC Comics these days. And this is not the only contradiction. It was said, in the 52 series, that Black Canary was an original member of the Justice League. Based on Meltzer’s interpretation that is not true. I wish DC Comics would not rewrite its history so soon. It detracts from the overall enjoyment.

I didn’t understand the inking this issue. Part of it seems inconsistent with Sandra Hope’s regular work. It was thicker and darker. I did prefer these pages to the usual scratchy work, as it covers the weaknesses of Benes’ pencils. I’m glad that the editor got an artist who could really pull of the classic comic book style, instead of asking Benes to try his own interpretation. However, the classic look made the characters look younger, but not so retro.


Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12

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