Justice League #16 Discussion/Spoilers

[Superman Priime]

1. Johns' Atlanteans are immensely strong. Aquaman knocked Supes a fair distance.

2. Ocean Master used the trident to manipulate the weather and hit them with some powerful lightning. He used it kind of like mjolnir

Since it's established Atlanteans are stronger than before, I can accept them--or at least Aquaman--being able to knock Supes back. But taking Supes out with some lightning? Can't get with that, but oh well. Supes tends to get massively played down in team books, much like Thor does in the Avengers.

[comicfan11]

This is a new rebooted universe.
Johns is putting AQ on a very high tier for all to see (although Morrison and Peter David already did that before to an extent).
A quote from Johns interview on IGN: "And you look at Aquaman – I think he's one of the most powerful and regal characters in the DC Universe."

[kylesgirl]

Since it's established Atlanteans are stronger than before, I can accept them--or at least Aquaman--being able to knock Supes back. But taking Supes out with some lightning? Can't get with that, but oh well. Supes tends to get massively played down in team books, much like Thor does in the Avengers.

Oy maybe it's the Trident? And I don't want to read Supergod anymore than I want to read Batgod.

[Superman Priime]

Oy maybe it's the Trident? And I don't want to read Supergod anymore than I want to read Batgod.

And I don't want to see Superman jobbed.

But I'm dropping this subject. Haven't read the book yet (still at work), but I'll reserve further judgement until then.

[nosocialize100]

Since it's established Atlanteans are stronger than before, I can accept them--or at least Aquaman--being able to knock Supes back. But taking Supes out with some lightning? Can't get with that, but oh well. Supes tends to get massively played down in team books, much like Thor does in the Avengers.

I totally agree. That seemed incredibly stupid to me. The guy can flipping fly into the sun!

[nosocialize100]

I don't mind the power boost to Aquaman, but I really dislike the heroes fighting hero stuff. We all know everyone will forgive and forget next issue, which makes nearly the entire issue pointless. I said as much in my review here, but seriously Cyborg needs more pages. I don't need to see the heroes punch each other for the majority of the book.

[ShaggyB]

Well, since Vulko was able to knock him back, he should have expected it with Aquaman.

Would you not be shocked if a person you called friend suddenly became violent with you?

And as far as being able to benchpress a planet, I'd guess that would make you damn near impossible to manhandled by a lower tiered (power-wise) character.

again, thats if superman was actively trying not to be hurt. Like I said, this is a character that often gets manhandled due strictly to his nature. He doesnt have to dodge bullets even though he could... so he a rarely does. Hence why the kryptonite bullet rarely fails to hit him.

[ShaggyB]

Since it's established Atlanteans are stronger than before, I can accept them--or at least Aquaman--being able to knock Supes back. But taking Supes out with some lightning? Can't get with that, but oh well. Supes tends to get massively played down in team books, much like Thor does in the Avengers.

it would depend on if the lightning is magical or natural. Magic lightning is still a big weakness for him, at least until they say magic doesnt hurt him in the Nu52

[Ood Omega]

So do I need to read Aquaman #14 & #15 first then read Justice League #16?

[Rakzo]

So do I need to read Aquaman #14 & #15 first then read Justice League #16?

Aquaman #14 is mostly a prologue, not that necessary but still good to know more about Ocean Master.

Aquaman #15 on the other hand, it's necessary to undertand what's happening here.

[nosocialize100]

So do I need to read Aquaman #14 & #15 first then read Justice League #16?

Honestly you really don't as the plot is incredibly simple it shouldn't be too hard to follow.

[thepenguin]

So do I need to read Aquaman #14 & #15 first then read Justice League #16?

Throne of Atlantis starts officially at JL #15, then AM #15 then JL #16.

[HXHAlex]

1) Damn, what the hell are they feeding Atlanteans these days that they can knock Superman around? A Superman, I might add, who can benchpress the weight of the Earth while being out of sunlight for 5 days straight.

You need to remember statements like this don't matter. Super power heroed characters' strength fluctuates depending on the story and what needs to happen

2 issues ago batman was smacked down by Cheetarah and then Superman was held down by cheetarah. If cheetarah was strong enough to hold down "bench pressing the earth ten times over" Superman, when she smacked batman, batman should have popped

[DochaDocha]

Superman has to deal with the Worf Effect this issue. Think of it as less Superman's jobbing and more that Johns is just proving that the bad guys are tough.

I would say, though, that Superman seems to be the first guy taken out of the fight in each of the first few story arcs, and it's getting kind of goofy.

You need to remember statements like this don't matter. Super power heroed characters' strength fluctuates depending on the story and what needs to happen

2 issues ago batman was smacked down by Cheetarah and then Superman was held down by cheetarah. If cheetarah was strong enough to hold down "bench pressing the earth ten times over" Superman, when she smacked batman, batman should have popped

Cheetah. That wasn't the Superman/Thundercats crossover.

I don't think Cheetah held him down, I think she just dodged and bit him.

[HXHAlex]

LOL thats right, CHeetah

Still if Superman can bench press the earth multiple times over, he wouldn't need WW to assist him in lifting that submarine last (or was it an air carrier?) last issue

Trying to give these super strength heroes legitimate rules of strength level to go by will only hurt your head.