JUstice League of America #19 (Spoiler)

[LordAllMighty]

After a couple of quick conversations (you can read in the previews), the JLA flies to the prison planet. After landing, the JLA find no evidence of the exiled villains near the landing site. Hearing a desperate telepathic call from Martian Manhunter the heroes split up into three teams. Each team is lured into a chase with a exiled villain, who then turns out to be illusion. The entire team is soon captured by a strange energy beam (with the exception of Hawkgirl).

The beam wraps them in a energy cocoon and takes them to Kanjar Ro, who wants to sale the JLA's DNA to the intergalactic black market. He explains to the JLA that the weapon used to captured them, draws it power from the fabric of space and time. The JLA soon find out that villains have actually been transported/rerouted to a different planet by an unknown source.

Hawkgirl tries a sneak attack but is quickly taken down by Kanjar Ro. Hawkgirl lands on Roy and her Nth metal weapon disrupts Roy's energy cocoon. Roy quickly throws an arrow though Kanjar's hand, forcing him to drop his weapon, thus freeing the JLA. Green Lantern captures Kanjar and the heroes fly back to Earth, via John's power. It ends with Batman talking about how bad it will be when the villains return.

3 out of 5. A very average issue, which is pretty much what I give Alan Burnett's entire arc.:)

[Gloom Cookie]

How does a telepathic call have a direction?
I wasn't aware Rick Flagg was still alive. When was his death in Suicide Squad retconned?

[titanfan]

I wasn't aware Rick Flagg was still alive. When was his death in Suicide Squad retconned?

Someone hasn't been reading the (very good) Suicide Squad mini-series. :(

I can't believe the villain in the final part of this arc turned out to be Kanjar Ro. For a moment I was worried that it was going to be to be continued, but the league fortunately defeated him easily once freed.

[Hawkman]

Kinda fizzled at the end, I thought. The arc was good on the whole, and this issue itself even started out pretty well, but ultimately it turned out to be very anti-climatic.

Ah, well, at least Hawkgirl got a few shining moments. I wonder, though, if McDuffie will follow the Cheshire-obsessed Roy plot thread, or attempt to develop the relationship further. I still don't believe for a second that it will last longterm, but I also feel using Cheshire as a springboard for a break-up is far too predictable to be the route the writer will choose to take to end it.

[David Atkins]

The beam wraps them in a energy cocoon and takes them to Kanjar Ro, who wants to sale the JLA's DNA to the intergalactic black market. He explains to the JLA that the weapon used to captured them, draws it power from the fabric of space and time. The JLA soon find out that villains have actually been transported/rerouted to a different planet by an unknown source.

<Speculation> So that's how Libra gets his army. </speculation>

Lame plot twist.

[K26dp]

3 out of 5. A very average issue, which is pretty much what I give Alan Burnett's entire arc.:)

Yet sadly, this is the best JLA has been since Kelly's "Trial By Fire" arc. :(

[K26dp]

<Speculation> So that's how Libra gets his army. </speculation>

Lame plot twist.

It was shown in Salvation Run that it was Desaad that had been diverting the villians.

[David Atkins]

I'll bet it still plays out the way I mentioned, since Salvation Run is actually supposed to be relevant to Final Crisis and all.

[Gottaluvit]

Kinda fizzled at the end, I thought. The arc was good on the whole, and this issue itself even started out pretty well, but ultimately it turned out to be very anti-climatic.

Ah, well, at least Hawkgirl got a few shining moments. I wonder, though, if McDuffie will follow the Cheshire-obsessed Roy plot thread, or attempt to develop the relationship further. I still don't believe for a second that it will last longterm, but I also feel using Cheshire as a springboard for a break-up is far too predictable to be the route the writer will choose to take to end it.



QFT. The issue started out well then fell flat. I really don't know if the writer has read anything with Roy in it over the last 7 or 8 yrs, but the Cheshire issue was dealt with long ago and he's had absolutly nothing to do with her since he decided that he was doing more harm then good to Lian by having her in contact with her mother. I dislike the use of Chesh as a break up tool. I'd actually like to see a little more of Roy and Kendra before the predeicted breakup happens, not because I want them together longterm, but because theres a whole heap of unplayed potential to stir with others in the DCU over this relationship, hexk, we haven't even seen Ollie's reaction to it yet and I would have like to see if his reaction after Hals comments when Roy initially showed interest in Kendra.

There are so many unanswered questions at the end of this story, I'm a little tired of unanswered questions. I actually rang my LCS and took this off my pull list last month...then rang back two days later to put it back on again. :o I'm a sucker.

[BYC]

We're all missing the point. How many ass shots were there in this issue?

[4thHorseman]

We're all missing the point. How many ass shots were there in this issue?

What's funny is, I was actually looking for this at first. I was disappointed that there wasn't a good juicy ass-shot by page 2.

[mgs]

The arc was good on the whole, and this issue itself even started out pretty well, but ultimately it turned out to be very anti-climatic.

I agree. While I like this book, it seemed to wrap up pretty quickly at the end there. But, I still enjoyed it and liked that it basically, was not one of those, neverending type stories and kinda finished in one book. :)

[CBikle]

Burnett's arc seemed to be filler and as far as filler goes, it was ok.

I would have been very surprised if the JLA arc dovetailed into the Salvation Run storyline; it's just too early, I knew Burnett would cheat on this.

On a side note, there are a ton of villains on this planet; wouldn't the JLA have needed a bigger group of heroes just to rein the villains in ?

[Gottaluvit]

We're all missing the point. How many ass shots were there in this issue?


Thats one of the first things I noticed. Diana's butt-shots consisted of more pants and less butt.

[Suzanne]

What's funny is, I was actually looking for this at first. I was disappointed that there wasn't a good juicy ass-shot by page 2.Not that I search out ass shots (not on the ladies anyway :p ), but the art seemed messier than usual. No offense to Burnett, but I'm looking forward to Dwayne jumping back in the saddle.

[Bored at 3:00AM]

Ugh.

There needs to be a serious course correction of this book very quickly. JLA is now late-90s X-Men bad.

This should be one of DC's flagship titles. Allowing stories this mediocre to be published in JLA just devalues the entire franchise.

[Deus ex Chris]

I haven't read the issue, but Wonder Woman is immune to illusion!!!

Of course, that is the least of this book's problems. I wish it would get better.

[elise]

Bleh. This title sucks these days. Just dropped it yesterday after reading #19.

[COMIC GEEK]

Ugh.

There needs to be a serious course correction of this book very quickly. JLA is now late-90s X-Men bad.

This should be one of DC's flagship titles. Allowing stories this mediocre to be published in JLA just devalues the entire franchise.


While I have yet to pick up the issue, cause it was the only one I would have collected this week and no sense wasting the gas for just one title.

I agree with you 100%

[Bored at 3:00AM]

While I have yet to pick up the issue, cause it was the only one I would have collected this week and no sense wasting the gas for just one title.

I agree with you 100%

Frankly, this should be a source of embarrassment for Dan Dido. I can't understand how anyone at DC Editorial could have read that script and thought that this was a story worthy of publishing in one of their top-selling books. This is filler. What's worse, this is poorly written, dull filler.

[COMIC GEEK]

its sad, cause as long as there are good sales for this or any title, there would be no reason for them to do a "makeover" on the title.

[SensorBoy]

Wonder Woman: "Glad you could join us, John. Black Lightning is staying behind to supervise our recent prisoners."

John Stewart: "Oh, I see. You'd have been down your token minority male, right? What, was Steel busy?"

[HeckBoy]

Kinda fizzled at the end, I thought. The arc was good on the whole, and this issue itself even started out pretty well, but ultimately it turned out to be very anti-climatic.

Ah, well, at least Hawkgirl got a few shining moments. I wonder, though, if McDuffie will follow the Cheshire-obsessed Roy plot thread, or attempt to develop the relationship further. I still don't believe for a second that it will last longterm, but I also feel using Cheshire as a springboard for a break-up is far too predictable to be the route the writer will choose to take to end it.Yeah, the pacing of the story early on made me think that it was going to get a "To be continued..." but then it just really sped up after the "big bad" reveal and things wrapped up really quickly. All and all, the arc was really average.

[Greg Anderson]

Wonder Woman: "Glad you could join us, John. Black Lightning is staying behind to supervise our recent prisoners."

John Stewart: "Oh, I see. You'd have been down your token minority male, right? What, was Steel busy?"

Was that really said?

[elise]

Was that really said?

Wonder Woman's line was.

[Johnny_Luck]

I really, really, really hope that the don't break up Roy and Kendra as they rock together.

[Gottaluvit]

I really, really, really hope that the don't break up Roy and Kendra as they rock together.

I would have liked to see the relationship play out a little longer only because it had potential stories to tell. We've yet to see the reactions of GA or Hawkman etc, which was the main reaon this particular Arrow/Hawk pairing fascinated me, seems a waste that its really gone nowhere.

However, there's supposed to be a new Hawk title released towards the end of this year, so the split is inevitable.

[HaroldAllnut]

I still nurse a strong desire for a JLA without the Big Three, led by Martian Manhunter. JLI came damn close.

Anyhow...

I'm still sort of waiting to see how McDuffie will handle JLA once he doesn't have to deal with gigantic crossovers mucking him up.

That being said, I dodged this issue, but I'm picking up #20.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

I really, really, really hope that the don't break up Roy and Kendra as they rock together.

Roy and Vixen make more sense....sorry...they shared a better experince and nearly died. But I suspect theres some kinda thinking at DC... we can't make them an interracial couple...which sucks. Since the 2 would really be good and have shared tons more panel time than what Hawkgirl and Roy has....

I do think its funny to see how fast Kendra went from Roy's bed notch to where she's now watching and playing mom type to Roy's daughter. Thats comical....

[LordAllMighty]

Roy and Vixen make more sense....sorry...they shared a better experince and nearly died. But I suspect theres some kinda thinking at DC... we can't make them an interracial couple...which sucks. Since the 2 would really be good and have shared tons more panel time than what Hawkgirl and Roy has

I agree, Vixen/Roy relationship would have been a tad bit more interesting.:)

[Gottaluvit]

I agree, Vixen/Roy relationship would have been a tad bit more interesting.:)

I was very surprised that Brad used Vixen and not Hawkgirl in the 'Walls' issue. Mari is consederably older then Roy though, she's closer to Dinah's age, not that age makes a huge difference in many relationships though, but I just don't see them together (although I really struggle to see Roy and Kendra's relationship as viable either).

The Roy/Kendra stuff could have been made more interesting if Meltzers original idea's had come to fruition, but nothings really been done and the pairing is just boring now.

[Hawkman]

I don't know. Age aside, I like Roy and Vixen together a lot, especially when contrasted against Roy/Kendra. "Walls" was easily Meltzer's best issue of his run, one that even most of the haters appreciated. If nothing else, I would've liked to have seen a strong friendship form between them thereafter, but even that doesn't seem to have taken shape.

As for Kendra taking so quickly to playing "mom," she did have a daughter (coincidently named Mia), after all. But, as I so often point out on these boards, Meltzer unceremoniously killed her off-panel, presumably to fast-track this relationship. The result it had on me, though, is I'm reminded of said death and thereby annoyed that much more every time I see them together, especially when playing house with Lian. Wonder how Brad would've felt if someone had killed her off-panel.

[Gottaluvit]

I don't know. Age aside, I like Roy and Vixen together a lot, especially when contrasted against Roy/Kendra. "Walls" was easily Meltzer's best issue of his run, one that even most of the haters appreciated. If nothing else, I would've liked to have seen a strong friendship form between them thereafter, but even that doesn't seem to have taken shape.

As for Kendra taking so quickly to playing "mom," she did have a daughter (coincidently named Mia), after all. But, as I so often point out on these boards, Meltzer unceremoniously killed her off-panel, presumably to fast-track this relationship. The result it had on me, though, is I'm reminded of said death and thereby annoyed that much more every time I see them together, especially when playing house with Lian. Wonder how Brad would've felt if someone had killed her off-panel.


Has there actually been a confirmation that Kedra's daughter is dead? I haven't seen her death mentioned anywhere else and it's not unusual for editors to fail to do their job so it's quite possible that it was simply a mistake.

Other then that one story together, I just don't see what Roy and Mari would have in common, Roy and Kendra though, they do make sense to me even though I dislike the way the've been written. They both have had traumatic teenage years, both have had trouble 'finding themselves', both come from Native American backgrounds, both had children at an early age and then there's the whole 'forbidden' factor that might stem from the fact that Ollie, Dinah and others are none too pleased about them being together, a touch of the forbidden can spur some relationships on. ;)

[Hawkman]

Like I said, I presume it was Meltzer's excuse to get the relationship up and running right away, instead of using all the well-thought out similarities you addressed to gradually bring them together. I know he had a limited run, but if he couldn't do it right I really wish he would've just laid down the seeds of attraction for the next writer(s) to tackle.

That said, I can't see him doing it accidentally. Mia wasn't exactly in Kendra's life, but it was pretty well established that she was alive and well. Then in the span of a few pages we have... Reddy, I think it was, pointing out that Kendra "lost" her daughter, right before she discovers that Roy happens to have one. Seems pretty obvious to me what Brad was doing.

However, there is one out I'm willing to give the guy (and, Dwayne, if you're reading this, please make it happen, buddy.;)): Kendra had Bruce fake the records to protect Mia. Her secret identity is fairly well known, unlike a lot of heroes, so I could easily buy her faking her daughter's death as a ruse to keep her safe. I'm holding onto hope that this will come to fruition, but until then, like most comic readers, I'd rather just whine about what's currently being presented as fact.:D

[Gottaluvit]

Like I said, I presume it was Meltzer's excuse to get the relationship up and running right away, instead of using all the well-thought out similarities you addressed to gradually bring them together. I know he had a limited run, but if he couldn't do it right I really wish he would've just laid down the seeds of attraction for the next writer(s) to tackle.

That said, I can't see him doing it accidentally. Mia wasn't exactly in Kendra's life, but it was pretty well established that she was alive and well. Then in the span of a few pages we have... Reddy, I think it was, pointing out that Kendra "lost" her daughter, right before she discovers that Roy happens to have one. Seems pretty obvious to me what Brad was doing.

However, there is one out I'm willing to give the guy (and, Dwayne, if you're reading this, please make it happen, buddy.;)): Kendra had Bruce fake the records to protect Mia. Her secret identity is fairly well known, unlike a lot of heroes, so I could easily buy her faking her daughter's death as a ruse to keep her safe. I'm holding onto hope that this will come to fruition, but until then, like most comic readers, I'd rather just whine about what's currently being presented as fact.:D

Oh, I agree. Brad rushed this in the end and as a result it felt forced and cheap, something that could have made for very good stories was thrown to the wind IMO. I like the suggestion about Mia, that would make me very happy indeed.

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Like I said, I presume it was Meltzer's excuse to get the relationship up and running right away, instead of using all the well-thought out similarities you addressed to gradually bring them together. I know he had a limited run, but if he couldn't do it right I really wish he would've just laid down the seeds of attraction for the next writer(s) to tackle.

That said, I can't see him doing it accidentally. Mia wasn't exactly in Kendra's life, but it was pretty well established that she was alive and well. Then in the span of a few pages we have... Reddy, I think it was, pointing out that Kendra "lost" her daughter, right before she discovers that Roy happens to have one. Seems pretty obvious to me what Brad was doing.

However, there is one out I'm willing to give the guy (and, Dwayne, if you're reading this, please make it happen, buddy.;)): Kendra had Bruce fake the records to protect Mia. Her secret identity is fairly well known, unlike a lot of heroes, so I could easily buy her faking her daughter's death as a ruse to keep her safe. I'm holding onto hope that this will come to fruition, but until then, like most comic readers, I'd rather just whine about what's currently being presented as fact.:D


I'd wish McDuffie would drop the whole Roy/Kendra storyline since it sucks. And do a an inter-racial romance with Vixen and Roy since DC doesn't seem to have that at all. Marvel has it with Cage and Jessica Jones...so why not Vixen and Red Arrow ?

They've shared more panel time and have developed a friendship instead of the utterly forced to appease a Hollywood Writer relationship.

[Sean Whitmore]

I'd wish McDuffie would drop the whole Roy/Kendra storyline since it sucks. And do a an inter-racial romance with Vixen and Roy since DC doesn't seem to have that at all. Marvel has it with Cage and Jessica Jones...so why not Vixen and Red Arrow ?

They've shared more panel time and have developed a friendship instead of the utterly forced to appease a Hollywood Writer relationship.

Did you just forget that Meltzer started the Roy/Kendra thing, or are you calling Meltzer a Hollywood writer?

It's a cute throwback to Ollie and Dinah, and you wanna end it because DC doesn't have an interracial couple? That's insipid.


SEAN

[SUPERECWFAN1]

Did you just forget that Meltzer started the Roy/Kendra thing, or are you calling Meltzer a Hollywood writer?

It's a cute throwback to Ollie and Dinah, and you wanna end it because DC doesn't have an interracial couple? That's insipid.


SEAN


Its about as much as Ollie and Dinah as Ollie and Dinah are written now. You honestly think this relationship is any good at all beyond Roy winking at her issues ago ...which led to sex ?:p

[CBikle]

Did you just forget that Meltzer started the Roy/Kendra thing, or are you calling Meltzer a Hollywood writer?

It's a cute throwback to Ollie and Dinah.


I thought it was more of a throwback to the tempestuous Green Arrow-Hawkman feud back in the "Satellite Era", except that their analogs (Roy & Kendra) are romantically involved.

[Sean Whitmore]

I thought it was more of a throwback to the tempestuous Green Arrow-Hawkman feud back in the "Satellite Era", except that their analogs (Roy & Kendra) are romantically involved.

Yup, that too. Though my favorite aspect of it is that Roy found his own "pretty bird".


SEAN

[Deus ex Chris]

I think the Roy/Kendra stuff was probably the most interesting aspect of Meltzer's run.

[Sean Walsh]

I thought it was more of a throwback to the tempestuous Green Arrow-Hawkman feud back in the "Satellite Era", except that their analogs (Roy & Kendra) are romantically involved.

That was Meltzer's point, IIRC: to hook up the GA/Hawkman proteges. And I believe while he was still on the book Brad had Ollie and Carter talk about it too (I wanna say Carter was fine with it, while Ollie was happy but also delighted that Carter might not be so "fine with it").

[Hawkman]

Actually, I don't recall Carter ever addressing it under Brad's run, nor Ollie. Or even under any other writer for that matter, which is disappointing. In fact, the only confrontations I can think of are when Hal basically tells Roy hands off when Hawkgirl first shows up, and when Dinah sorta gives Kendra the third-degree in "Monitor Duty."

I think this is why Gottaluvit and I are frustrated with the whole thing. Not because the concept isn't decent, but more because it's just sort of there, while none of the neat little subplots that could have come out of it have even bothered to be explored, either in this book or others.

[Johnny_Luck]

I think the Roy/Kendra stuff was probably the most interesting aspect of Meltzer's run.

Me Too. I love the roy/Kendra relationship and unlike everyone else on this page have thought it to be great from day 1. Its one of the best thing this book has had going for it for a long while and while RA, HG and Vixen are IMHO the best three on the team right now writing wise I really wouldn't have liked a Vixen/Roy relationship. They just seem way to different then each other and I cannot see Vixen liking the being a impromptu mom thing right off the bat.

Roy and HG are fine the way they are and I rather they stay together for as long as possible then break them up.

I also don't want a Vixen/John or John/HG storyline either like Mcduffie might try to pull on us.


I also have to say with the art and overall story of Walls it was easily, easily the worst of Meltzers run and I liked Meltzer's stuff. I mean I didn't much care for the Saga, but it still had more entertaining moments then Walls. Plus Walls should have had someone who could at least do decent artwork to go with the story they were trying to provide.

Oh and By the way SuperFan I find it completely ridculous that you trying to pull a race card for the Vixen/Roy thing when theres nothing there to support that theory at all. Its completely ridculous and it seems your just trying to find ways to back up what you wanted, rather then what was right and done. May I remind you that Roy has a child with an Asian woman, so they are definately not afraid at all to put races together especially when it comes to Roy's history.

[Hawkman]

I also don't want a Vixen/John or John/HG storyline either like Mcduffie might try to pull on us.
I wouldn't worry about that. Not long after the Wedding Special came out, Dwayne said himself on these message boards that he had no intentions of going that route. "Ever," as he recall him putting it. And even if he hadn't come out and said it, I have more faith in the man than to believe that he would attempt to wedge a rehash of a JLU subplot into this book.

[Kintales]

This issue is pretty average but i still enjoyed it. Interesting that Kanjar Ro's scepter turns up here and Roger Stern's awesome JLA Classified #51 and #54... Could be a set up to something?

[Pyro]

I'm catching up on the JLA books because McDuffie's run is turning out to be better I than I thought it was (I was not impressed with the Wedding Special start). Burnett's arc here wasn't bad, I thought. But it really felt like an episode of the animated series in a lot of ways which I am kind of ambivalent about. For some reason the elements that were awesome from the cartoon come off as really forced into the comics.

Wonder Woman: "Glad you could join us, John. Black Lightning is staying behind to supervise our recent prisoners."

John Stewart: "Oh, I see. You'd have been down your token minority male, right? What, was Steel busy?"That's exactly what I was thinking when I read that scene. I don't know if John or Black Lightning will ever feel like anything other than token characters in the comics. It's sad because animated John Stewart was awesome, (though completely different in personality).