Justice series. Spoilers

[Green Lantern wannabe]

I've just bought Justice #2 (http://www.dccomics.com/graphic_novels/?gn=6450), which is a collection of Justice 5-8, which I've been waiting for since I bought the first issue. I think the story line is a bit weak, because I don't find the plot line credible. Basically, it comes down to the villians ganging up to save the Earth and, at the same time, do away with the JLA.

I like the idea of non-JLA heroes coming in to save the day, notably Captain Marvel coming in to rescue Superman from the combination of Bizarro, Solomon Grundy, and Metallo, or the Metal Men hanging around while their creator tries to put Red Tornado back together, but I don't buy the main plot.

I mean, if the villains wanted to gang together to save the world, why would they do away with the JLA? If they wanted to save the world to rule it themselves, well, that's logical, but not very interesting or surprising. I'll wait to see if there're any twists, but there's one coming that seems quite obvious, so it isn't a twist.

I think it's a bit simplistic. What do you think?

[Kid Kyoto]

I have my issues with the second 1/3. I thought the first 1/3 setting up the traps for the JLA were very well done and genuinely scary. The scene with Superman being beaten to death in an alley was chilling, he seemed to be in a lot more danger than he ever was with Doomsday.

But I didn't like the second 1/3, I thought the idea that EVERY JLA member surivived, usually due to some deus ex machina like Aquaman's newly discovered fishy healing factor, totally undercut the threat established in the first volume. Now it's almost impossible to convince me anyone is any danger.

It's still a fun ride and I'm still buying both the monthly and the collections but it's not the classic I hoped for.

[Gingold]

I think it's a bit simplistic. What do you think?

It's Alex Ross doing "Challenge of the Superfriends". It's not going to be particularly deep or complex.

[shaxper]

I'll be honest. It's so hard for me to remember what came before when we're getting these issues two months apart. However, I've enjoyed most of the individual installments. Ross's amazing artwork aside, I love that absolutely every character (good and evil) is given a moment to stand out where their characterization comes through beautifully. The creative team clearly thought long and hard about who each of these characters is deep inside, and they bring that out beautifully. Ollie's treatment in the most recent issue was absolutely quintessential.

Regarding the actual plot, I don't think the villains really want to save the world. Remember that Brainiac seems to have control over all or most of the villains and, while Luthor genuinely wants to be humanity's hero, Brainiac could certainly care less. This is all a deception with some larger goal in mind.

Yes, there are way too many conveniences in this story, but let's remember that it's a story of the Silver Age Justice League. A few deus et machinas are absolutely appropriate in such a story since the solutions to those old JLA stories were almost never logical.

[Kid Kyoto]

Yes, there are way too many conveniences in this story, but let's remember that it's a story of the Silver Age Justice League. A few deus et machinas are absolutely appropriate in such a story since the solutions to those old JLA stories were almost never logical.

However this book has a very serious tone, the Cheeta does not wear a fur suit, no, she killed and skinned two great cats and is wearing their fur as a costume. Wonderwoman is walking around with great bleeding wounds on her body. Green Arrow and Black Canary were almost killed after having sex. Etc. Etc.

So this 'this is a silver age style book' doesn't wash with me. And besides, this is a book to be enjoyed. and deus ex machinas hinder my enjoyment.

(That being said I'm buying reading and enjoying it, unlike 99% of the other books out there, I couldn't being to say what I dislike about the new JLA or other books, with Justice it's that one thing)

[lonewolf23k]

But I didn't like the second 1/3, I thought the idea that EVERY JLA member surivived, usually due to some deus ex machina like Aquaman's newly discovered fishy healing factor, totally undercut the threat established in the first volume. Now it's almost impossible to convince me anyone is any danger.

I'm sorry, you wanted some of the heroes to die? Sorry, I just can't see that happening in what is, essentially, a Silver Age superhero story. I knew the heroes would make it out alive, but it doesn't mean I wasn't afraid to see them suffer.

[Kid Kyoto]

I'm sorry, you wanted some of the heroes to die? Sorry, I just can't see that happening in what is, essentially, a Silver Age superhero story. I knew the heroes would make it out alive, but it doesn't mean I wasn't afraid to see them suffer.

yeah.

yeah I still do.

If there's no risk to them then they're not too heroic are they?

Or if they must live, Krueger could have set up and come up with better rescues than 'oh Aquaman has a healing factor and no one noticed' or 'and then Phantom Stranger (who we've not seen in this book at all) comes by and saves Green lantern'.

[shaxper]

However this book has a very serious tone, the Cheeta does not wear a fur suit, no, she killed and skinned two great cats and is wearing their fur as a costume. Wonderwoman is walking around with great bleeding wounds on her body. Green Arrow and Black Canary were almost killed after having sex. Etc. Etc.

So this 'this is a silver age style book' doesn't wash with me. And besides, this is a book to be enjoyed. and deus ex machinas hinder my enjoyment.

(That being said I'm buying reading and enjoying it, unlike 99% of the other books out there, I couldn't being to say what I dislike about the new JLA or other books, with Justice it's that one thing)

I get where you're coming from. It's a semi-inconsistent balance of grounded seriousness applied to a campy and unrealistic subject. The inconsistency doesn't bother me personally, but I can see your point that it exists.

[Green Lantern wannabe]

Yes, I can see Brainiac wanting to destroy all natural life forms, while Luthor wants to save them - but this tension wasn't developed well enough, so that detracts from the story.

I can see the Phantom Stranger coming along to save GL, but I have been wondering if he could have gotten inside the ring, and how he found GL, when Sinestro pushed him via boom tube to a place even the Guardians didn't know of. That should have been explained.

And I don't buy the Silver Age angle either, because this is the 21st Century - whatever age this one is.

By the way, actually, there was some interaction between GL and the Phantom Stranger in my fan fic, "Emerald Genesis" in the Never Ending forum. Anyone read it? I've been wondering if I should continue it.

[Raker616]

Justice IMO is the greatest JLA story ever, Ross and co. have done a great job showcasing why the world needs the Justice League and why the classic line-up is second to none. They also showcase the supporting cast well and the villans are scary and dangerous. This series has everything that I want to read in the current JLA, epic story great art, and heroes who act like themselves. This is a Silver Age story with a current age sensibilities and I have no problem with Aquaman getting healing powers because in the current DCU i've seen enough death. I want the heroes to win and the villans to lose but it's the way that they do it that is interesting and Ross and Co. have crafted an amazing comic book that I hope they revisit and that the current DCU takes lessons from becuase it's a great comic.

[Billage]

Best Jla Story Ever.

[chrismileslord]

I really like this. It's good, a lot of great characters, wonderful art. But I just wish it would be a little deeper

[Kara Zor El]

I think it's great and the Villains are all being controlled bar Luthor and Luthor and Brainaic have openly agreed that they will double-cross each other.
The art is Ross's best to date I think.
It's a modern day take on the Silver Age, which works fantastically well.
Can't wait for the Batman battle-suit figure:)