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Of Embassies and Origins - Justice League International Part 2 (Eaglemoss Collection v77)

  Review: Since we are doing a series of reviews focusing on Booster Gold over his nearly 40-year history, we include this one as a collection of some of his earliest appearances, dating to late 1987. That places the original publish date of these tales while his original solo series was still going strong.  This book is a beautiful, glossy hard-cover with smooth and heavy-stock paper inside, although the sometimes-low print reproduction quality leads to blurred and hard to read word balloons on occasion. It is also a rare book here in North America, as Eaglemoss Collections targeted UK fans with this series. At this point in the history of the 1987-rebooted Justice League, they have gained official United Nations recognition and sanction. To ensure their reach truly is global, they rebrand as Justice League International (as does the title of the series!) and they open new headquarters buildings around the world: New York, Paris and Moscow are included here. As this is a product of 19
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Dark Indeed: Superman/Wonder Woman Vol. 4: Dark Truth

 

Cover of Superman / Wonder Woman volume 4: Dark Truth


Review:

Issue #18 of the ongoing Superman/Wonder Woman series brings the start of its take on the cross-title "Truth" storyline. Lois Lane has exposed Superman's secret identity as Clark Kent, at a time when his powers are fading (or gone, or not - it seems to depend on the narrative needs of the moment).

None of these developments were on the radar in issue #17, so author Peter J Tomasi and artist Doug Mahnke need to bring up to speed any readers who are not following the other Superman titles. Which they do brilliantly in a touching and tender 3-page bedroom reflection as Diana watches Clark sleep.

That quiet moment over, our couple must solve the mystery of the disappearance of Clark's circle of family and friends; battle the Suicide Squad (which feels decidedly one-sided even with a depowered Superman), initially fight and later join forces with Parasite, and ultimately struggle with issues of trust and betrayal in their relationship.

The whole premise and arc of "Truth" is one of the most frustrating and uninteresting Superman developments in years. Trauma and PTSD can scar and alter one's outlook and personality. But this Clark Kent is all bitterness and rage, with little of the recognizable character we've watched evolve over its 80-year history. The actions and choices he makes in these stories are far beyond the boundaries of the character, even with the most generous of error-bar ranges. A mental health check is in order, as he is stuck in a very angry state of grief.

Tomasi's version is promising, with a stronger relational anchor in Wonder Woman, compared to the other Truth-infected titles. Yet even here the extreme edge, the metaphorical giant Kryptonite chip on the shoulder, ultimately dooms those relationships and drags these tales down with it.


Description:

Superman, deprived of most of his power and outed to the world as mild-mannered reporter Clark Kent, is in trouble. Someone is targeting his human friends and hometown. Lana Lang has disappeared. The Kent family home has vanished. And graves have been desecrated within Smallville. With Wonder Woman at his side, Superman flies home to investigate.

Frustrated with Wonder Woman’s growing vigilance over his weakened state, Superman leaves her behind in an effort to protect her when he realizes that whoever is targeting his friends and family might soon move on to her. But it is Wonder Woman who discovers the key to unlocking the mysteries plaguing Smallville: an imprisoned Lois Lane.

Collects: Superman / Wonder Woman #18-24

Authors: Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Doug Mahnke
Published By: DC Comics
Published When: June 14 2016
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN: 978-1401263225
Pages: 192 pages


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