Justice League #27 – James Tynion IV, Writer; Javier Fernandez, Bruno Redondo, Artists; Hi-Fi, Colorist
Ratings:
Ray – 8.5/10
Corrina: It’s Tough When An Alternate Future Son Shows Up
Ray: James Tynion IV has been switching off with Scott Snyder since the start of Justice League, and while Snyder’s big arcs are the epic backbone of the series, I find Tynion’s character-driven interludes add as much to the overall picture. In Justice League #27, the Justice League is scattered ever since they returned from the 6th dimension, and with Lex Luthor making his move against the world getting their forces on the same page is more important than ever. Their leader, J’onn J’onnz, is preoccupied with redeeming Lex due to the connection they forged as children – an interesting wrinkle that I actually like much more than the Superman/Luthor bond in Smallville. The opening segment follows up on last issue’s cliffhanger revealing a seemingly insane Lionel Luthor, but I was a bit disappointed with the resolution – it’s Professor Ivo in disguise, there to lure J’onn into a trap and get his DNA to clone an army of warriors for Luthor’s scheme. This leads to some great battle segments but doesn’t have the game-changing potential of the original reveal.
The good news is, everything surrounding that big reveal is excellent. Hawkgirl showing up to rescue J’onn and take on an army of defective Amazos with him was a lot of fun, and the odd developing relationship between these two has been a highlight. I like that she’s the only one who seems ready and willing to call him out on his weird avoidant behavior in this run. Their “son” Shayne, who has been at base, has a great interaction with Starman as the little boy tries to make sense of who and what he is. The big development happens as many League members including the World Forger head to deep space to meet with the Monitor and recruit him for the coming war against Perpetua. This segment has a lot more direct callbacks to Crisis on Infinite Earths than before, especially where Flash is concerned. The art this issue is a little wonky, as the shifts between Fernandez and Redondo are incredibly noticeable, but it’s overall another strong issue in a great run.
Corrina: The plot threads running through this run need a spreadsheet. There’s the recruitment of the World Forger and the Monitor, the Multiverse, the Source Wall, Perpetua, Luthor’s mysterious plan to bring down everyone but save the world, and the pocket dimension son of two people who’ve never been partnered romantically. (The idea that the World Forger is basically using his power to create a fanfic universe where he decided to ship Hawkgirl/Martian Manhunter is kind of hilarious.)
There’s so much going on that it’s hard to track from issue to issue because none of the issues are stand-alone and the over-arching plot has been going on for over twenty-seven issues. It will likely read better in trade.
What I found enjoyment in Justice League #27 centers on J’onn and his quest to save a child now grown to manhood. Or is J’onn simply feeling guilty because he couldn’t save himself all those years ago? I would like to see how the brilliant Martian Manhunter series fits into this but I don’t know if it’s even meant to fit in.
Meanwhile, I do feel for the poor pocket dimension kid who’s lost his whole world and wants a relationship with two people who aren’t his mother and father, not as he remembers, and who may not ever get together.
But the best moment of the issue was Hawkgirl swooping to J’onn’s rescue and getting snarky about people who keep underestimating her.
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Disclaimer: GeekDad received this comic for review purposes.
