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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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Shades of Divinity - Justice League the Darkseid War: Power of the Gods

Cover of Justice League Darkseid War: Power of the Gods

Review:

This book brings together the special one-shot tie-ins to Justice League: Darkseid War, including stories focused on Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Superman, Shazam and Lex Luthor.

Each chapter has a different take, a different focus on our heroes and their new powers. And usually a different tone to the art and narrative.

Batman's tale, written by Peter J Tomasi and drawn by Fernando Pasarin, has Batman now seated in Metron's omniscient Mobius Chair, giving him infinite knowledge. He sees what was, what is, and what is to come, and he can therefore intervene before a crime occurs, a chance to alter and prevent that outcome. But this new approach raises deep philosophical questions, and Commissioner Gordon struggles with the ethics and morality, not of vigilantism - he has long ago reconciled to that approach! - but to preemptive justice. Their dialog stitches the action together in a very compelling way. Pasarin's art makes great use of Gabe Eltab's colors, the saturated blues mixing with the electric whites popping from the page.

In contrast with the all-knowing Batman, Flash has become the God of Death. It is an intriguing choice, given the often tragic and melancholic history of the Barry Allen Flash, and how death of loved ones has haunted him throughout his comics history. Rob Williams delves into this history with a powerful tale of overcoming fear and embracing mortality and the reality of death. And I love the twist of Flash chasing and killing the Black Racer, the previous embodiment of the God of Death. Who, it turns out, also fears death! Jesus Moreno brilliantly fuses the two costumes and their lightening and skull motifs into a visual treat. A highly enjoyable chapter!

As God of Strength, Superman, on the other hand, seems petulant, selfish and disinterested. Francis Manapul and Bong Dazo give us a charming tale in which Jimmy Olsen has to call on his innocence and friendship with Superman in order to reconnect the God of Steel to his humanity and to what matters. One slice of pie at a time, if necessary.

Doc Shaner's art is what stands out most in Tom King's moving and tragic tale of Green Lantern becoming the God of Light. Hal Jordan wrestles with history, destiny and death before finally embracing his new role and absorbing all Lanterns and rings into his power. Its images are perfectly attuned to the movements in the narrative; gritty in the hopeless and ferocious battles; simplified lines in Green Lanter's recent history; stark and sepia-toned in Hal's deepest memories. Beautiful!

Other chapters provide less interesting takes on less interesting characters, and ultimately do not hold up to these four strongest entries.

Description:

A CROSSOVER WITH GEOFF JOHNS' DARKSEID WAR!

When a god falls, new gods are born. Darkseid has been defeated, killed by the Anti-Monitor. Out of this monster's death, a new set of gods has risen - Earth's Justice League, transformed by new abilities they've never imagined.

Life and death, all the knowledge and power in the universe are the Justice League's tools to wield. They can reshape the world with just a thought, but their new gifts come with a hefty price. If Earth's greatest heroes can't find their way back to their humanity, they may bring about their own destruction!

An all-star creative team featuring Peter J. Tomasi (SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN), Tom King (GRAYSON), Steve Orlando (MIDNIGHTER), Francis Manapul (BATMAN: DETECTIVE COMICS), Rob Williams (MARTIAN MANHUNTER), Doc Shaner (CONVERGENCE: SHAZAM), Scott Kolins (LARFLEEZE), Fernando Pasarin (GREEN LANTERN CORPS), Jesus Merino (FUTURES END) and more presents the Justice League like you've never seen them before - with the power of gods!

Collects: Justice League: Darkseid War issues: Batman, Green Lantern, Lex Luthor, The Flash, Superman, Shazam!

Authors: Francis Manapul, Steve Orlando, Tom King, Peter J. Tomasi
Artists: Fernando Pasarin, Jesus Moreno, Bong Dazo, Doc Shaner
Published By: DC Comics
Published When: Nov. 22 2016
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN: 978-1401265243
Pages: 200 pages


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