JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK
Issue # 1-6
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Mike Janin
DC Comics
Review by Darryll Carter
Wait, what time is it? It’s review time again gang with YTC. This week is special and each one of us here at the CBC chose a JLA title to review. I chose Justice League Dark.Do you know why I chose Justice LeagueDark? One word, Zatanna.
Getting on with it, JLDgets the gears turning right away from the moment you open issue number one. We are promptly introduced to one, June Moone and an army of her doppelgangers being massacred by metropolitan traffic. It’s nasty stuff.
Enter the Justice League: Superman, Cyborg and Diana arrive outside of Enchantress’ shack believing she is the cause of all the mayhem that has befallen the world. But the three heavy hitters fail to purge the witch’s defenses. This part of the story makes perfect sense, the JLA aren’t equipped to deal with every situation and this event builds toward the premise that the world is in need of another JLA one that is equipped to deal with magic and the occult. However, for new readers they may be left dumbfounded as to how Superman is being cut by teeth and bullets bouncing off him are a normal occurrence. Magic is one of Clark’s lesser known weaknesses.
The Justice League need not worry however cause Zatanna is on the case and with some help from Madame Xanadu, Deadman Boston Brand, Shade the Changing man, Mindwarp and john Constantine they put an end to the madness. But whether or not this ragtag group of miscreants remains bound together, the weak bind that it is, remains to be seen.
The story behind JLDis intriguing but in the end it seemed to sell itself short. The opening story arch boils down to a cliché and somewhat predictable end. Once you hear Enchantress utter a certain phrase it pretty much reveals the endgame of the plot. Intentionally or not, it stole some of the suspense from me that made the story so riveting. There was also an awkward inclusion of Madame Xanadu stating that some politicians were blaming the insanity unleashed on the world by Enchantress on new age taint: video games and single mothers. While I thought that was hilarious, it took away from the tone of the tale. Would Xanadu really give a crap to mention that in her internal monologue? When she says it, she sounds serious, which is why it’s sort of a failed joke. Other than that little knit pick it was a solid and very interesting read. The tone is set apart from Dc’s frontline. Deadman was awesome, he seemed to have carried over some of what he learned while under the lead of the White Lantern. At the same time he retained the toolish side of his personality. Having said that, you have to give a guy props for trying to patch things up with his girlfriend by alluding to her having sex with him while he possesses another woman’s body. That takes stones.
The art work and coloring helps to support the characters and tone of the overall tale. They did a good job distinguishing a world of magic and mysticism being separate and foreign from the shine and silver lining of the traditional JLA. My only true major upset is the loss of Zatanna’s tuxedo, tails and top hat. That was classic, while there was a small homage paid to that in issue one on the magician tarot card, I really hope that they at least bring the hat back… But for the time being I’m stuck with a seemingly younger, motorcycle jacket of Zatanna. The almost stole Black Canary’s outfit and gave it to Zatanna. At least they let Z keep the fishnets… somewhat.Tux and tails aside JLD gets a 4 out of 5.
