Cramped: Justice League of America: The Lightning Saga

Review:

Justice League. Justice Society. Legion of Super-Heroes. Three of the biggest teams in the DC universe, possibly in all of comics. Not only for their A-List credentials and history, but also for the sheer number of members. And dozens of these heroes, from different comics eras and - in DC continuity - different centuries, make appearances in this massive cross-over event.

The plot centers on an attempt by a group of seven Legion members to travel back from the 31st century to present day, in order to resurrect a dead hero. But things go awry, they get separated and mentally affected by the process. Can they clear their minds, reunite and complete the mission? Will the Justice League of America and Justice Society of Anerica allow it, or stop them?

The story alternates between the two ongoing series, and writers Brad Meltzer (JLA) and Geoff Johns (JSA) do a solid job passing the narrative back and forth, slowly revealing and unpacking the true scope of Brainiac 5's grand plan.

Art duties are handled by Ed Benes and an assortment of other pencillers, with occasionally pronounced differences in style. Fernando Pasarin's lines and colors in chapter two, for example, are reminiscent of the Silver Age heyday of some of these heroes, while in Ed Benes' work the women are all smoking-hot, calling to mind the body lines and clothing cuts of the 1990s-era books.

But the most astounding artwork in this collection is Gene Ha's beautifully claustrophobic and disorienting rendering of Vixen and Red Arrow trapped and buried in rubble in Brad Meltzer's "Wells" standalone tale. A (literally) breath-taking story, both visually and in the strong characterizations and overwhelming sense of fear and regret throughout. Powerful!

Description:

#1 New York Times best-selling novelist Brad Meltzer joins forces with legendary comics writer Geoff Johns for this incredible graphic novel bringing together the DC Universe's top super-teams!   

Two of DCs biggest crews of superheroes--the Justice League of America, featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and more--and the Justice Society of America, including Hawkman, Wildcat and others join forces in this stunning graphic novel! The JLA has discovered that several members of the Legion of Super-Heroes from the 31st century are in the present. With the help of the JSA, Superman and his team must track down all seven Legionnaires to discover why these heroes of the future have traveled back in time!

Collects: Justice League of America #0 and #8-12 and Justice Society of America #5-6

Authors: Brad Meltzer, Geoff Johns
Artists: Ed Benes, Gene Ha, Fernando Pasarin
Published By: DC Comics
Published When: Jan. 27 2009
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN: 978-1401218690
Pages: 224 pages