JLA: The Obsidian Age

[Syphre Zero]

I took advantage of a relative lull in new titles to pick up JLA: The Obsidian Age. Overall, I was very pleased with the story; it was refreshing to read a recent narrative where the BatDick hadn't quite emerged. I was also quite impressed with the League assembled in the past; the "heroes" of 1000 B.C. were diverse and well crafted. The story is complex enough to make you pay attention without getting unnecessarily confusing, and we get to see a few heroes showcased that otherwise don't get much game time.

Thoughts and criticisms on this title?

[Mothmonsterman]

I've been getting JLA in TPB format, and Obsidian Age is the only modern arc I haven't bought. For some reason I think the fact that it spans two TPBs has turned me off of buying it.

[nuclearman]

The obsidian age got me back into reading the JLA.. I thought the concept was good and I enjoyed the idea of evildoers going back in time to change the future of Atlantis. The implications it had on Plastic Man were interesting too.

Best part was when "the bag of bones" Batman says "I love magic"

Only criticism was that it may have been drawn out a little too long but I didn't really mind that either.

[Tequilamokinbrd]

A great read. Batman has the best lines.


"I Love Magic, let's get to work"


"Aqualad is tearing a hole in time with a magic harpoon, we're well beyond normal."


"...Not smart enough to keep us away from that armor you rely on" -I love this line because Batman finishes a sentence that he started in his head and Plastic Man notices and calls him on it!





But other than funny little quips, it really had some nice character moments. I loved everything with Nightwing, especially the conversation between him and faith where she tells Dick that the way Batman spoke of Nightwing to her she just assumed they were father and son, and how Bruce said that Dick was "The only thing he ever did right".




Not a timeless classic or anything, but certainly a good solid read that I've come back to more than once.

[dancj]

That storyline was the one that made me stop buying JLA. Just really bad.

Dan

[The Humanist Hero]

I didn't like it. Of course I didn't like the vast majority of Kelly's run on the book.

[K'Nort]

It was unpopular with a lot of people, but I really enjoyed it. I didn't like most of Kelly's arcs, both before and after, but this one was fun and exciting and introduced some really interesting new characters.

[Lex]

I thought the first half had some fun moments and cool elements, but I thought the ending really sucked. Like the big, weird, absorby monster and the idea that Plastic Man spent thousands of years at the bottom of the ocean in millions of pieces and was now a "dark, tragic hero" and some other stuff I thought was dumb. But, still, the beginning was decent (I remember enjoying the Aztec Batman guy).

[drnocturne2]

I haven't read it yet, but I would like to. I have two other Joe Kelley TPB's (Golden Perfect & Trial by Fire) and I thought he did a very good job with the League. He even made me appreciate Plastic Man.

[TheOnlyXTremeFan]

One of my favorite story arcs. I loved all the little character moments.

"Come back into the light, Batman!!!"

"It's not over, don't call me that."

The Batman/WW kiss.

"Your father told me."

"Ahh Tezumak (Aztek Batman)...the brightest among us, and yet...the darkest. I hope your faith holds a special place for you in the next world."

Tezumak pointing at Batman right before he has to retreat.

Nightwing leading the JLA.



I enjoyed Kelly's run on JLA. Everything after that hasn't been that good, IMHO.

[CaptMagellan]

Kelly's run was my favorite, and Obsidian Age was my favorite of his run.

Batman's fever ridden monologue about beating death was great.

I loved his characterization of everyone and the complexity of his stories.
It all went downhill after that.