Writer: Scott Snyder / Artists: Jorge Jiminez / DC Comics
Yo, the scope of the conflict in this comic is huge, man. In this issue the Justice League face a John Stewart gone mad, an ominous alien barrier mutating everything in its path, a tiny Luthor, and a giant sentient black sun. Not necessarily in that order. I haven’t seen cosmic craziness done on this level… maybe ever.
First, we gotta talk about the Ultraviolet Corps and the Invisible Spectrum. Last issue, John Stewart came to Earth in some new purple threads and decided he wanted to kick the League’s ass. What we learned about this issue — without going into too many spoilers — is that you can control the emotional spectrum (will, hope, fear, rage), but the invisible spectrum controls you. In a theme that seems to be consistent with Snyder’s JL so far, we’ve got a direct opposite of a concept that we’re already familiar with. It seems like he’s trying to create checks and balances for a universe without stability. So, unfortunately, even though John Stewart looks dope in purple; it’s not really a good thing for him or anyone he comes into contact with. I’m excited to see where Snyder goes with the Invisible Spectrum, because new lore is always fun. It’s directly linked to the conflict, so I’m happy Stewart has something to do.
Among all the interesting groups in this issue, my favorite is Cyborg and John Stewart: black heroes in excellence. I’m not a 5-inch DC Encyclopedia, but it wouldn’t be a stretch for me to say that these characters haven’t had much interaction in the past. What I like about their paring is that it’s teeming with mutual respect. You can attribute that to their general knowledge of one another, their shared black experience beyond the capes, or both. Either way, it’s good stuff, and I’m happy.
One thing quickly becoming my favorite aspect of this series is the way Snyder weaves in little moments that convey the diversity of the League. Sure, it’s epic and the stakes are high; but it’s the small moments where you read a line of dialogue and nod, smile, or bust a gut that make it feel authentic. It’s incredibly hard to give characters distinct voices, but Snyder seems to be so tapped into each of the Justice League individually their actions and dialogue feel both distinguishable and accurate.
Justice League continues to make my 10-year-old self happy, while delivering a complex story filled with authentic character-driven moments. Snyder and Jiminez are delivering their best work twice a month without missing a beat. What more could you ask for?
9.5 Young Sinestros out of 10
Reading Justice League? Find BNP’s other reviews here.
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