Justice League #32
Publisher: DC
Writer(s): Scott Snyder & James Tynion IV
Artist: Howard Porter
Colors: Hi-Fi
Letters: Tom Napolitano
Cover: Francis Manapul
Everything about this series has felt huge since the first issue and here we are, many issues later and Snyder and Tynion have maintained that momentum while the universe hurls towards destruction. As the Legion of Doom is waging a war simultaneously in the past, present, and future, things aren’t looking good for the Justice League. Here is where Snyder and Tynion shine as they’ve not only taken the Legion of Doom to new heights with this story but they also show a finely tuned synergy as the JSA are working with Flash and Green Lantern in such a short period of time. Done in several of the best panels in the issue as we speed towards the final battle. Howard Porter and Hi-Fi visually nail the story and make sure the big moments hit with some major impact.
The only portion of the story that seemed to slow down a bit was the meeting of the DC Trinity and the Justice Legion A. Compared story taking place in the past this one didn’t hold as much weight in my eyes and Braniac pretty much going all super-sized just seemed desperate. However, this is still an issue worth grabbing if you’ve been following the storyline and missing the JSA! 3.5/5
Batman #79
Publisher: DC
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Clay Mann
Inks: Clay Mann & Seth Mann
Colors: Tomeu Morey
Letters: Clayton Cowles
Cover: Clay Mann & Tomeu Morey
As we enter the final moments of Tom King’s run, Batman and Catwoman lay the truth out there for each other to see while appearing as a regular couple on an ilsand resort. This rebuilding of the Batman via Catwoman’s help has been a stronger moment as King digs deep into their relationship and really gets to the heart of the matter with some of the most organic dialogue between the two. Now there’s some costumed action along the way for those who just don’t want a straightforward love story but King hits deep to the core of both characters and it makes for a solid read. As they banter with each other you also see how each of then loves Gotham and you just know that Thomas Wayne, Bane, and all the villains running rampant on the streets in this compromised era of peace will have hell to pay when they return.
Clay Mann’s pencils are terrific here and with Tomeu Morey’s colors enhancing the panels they give us a book worth looking at. Disguised Bruce looks like a cross between mustached Henry Cavil and Magnum P.I. on the beach. The two full page fight sequences are a collage of images of the two saving the day where the characters themselves provide natural panel breaks to separate the action. But it’s the quite moments between Batman and Catwoman where Mann and Morey really raise the bar here and help to convey the emotions that King is bringing up in the narrative.
This is a great issue on character development and hopefully this isn’t forgotten as time goes on. The relationship between these two is a DC standard that King has now brought to new heights. Now I can’t wait to see how he ends City of Bane and his run on Batman! 3/5
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