Review:
What would happen if the entire Justice League roster consisted of super-powered women? Who would lead? What would their relationships and team dynamics look like? Who would be the brains? the brawn? the heart and soul?
In this book we get a taste of exactly that, and see some answers to those questions. Following the death of all the male members - Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, even Booster Gold and Blue Beetle, all slaughtered by Lady Styx and her unbeatable Scullions - the women are the last members standing.
Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis give us a team that is shattered by the heavy losses, grieving and almost broken. As they lick their wounds and formulate plans, they must first re-forge the bonds of trust and refine their strategies and techniques. The first couple chapters of this collection give them space to do exactly that - less with the super-villain confrontations, more time spent on the stages of team building. Through some strong story-telling on the part of our authors, these chapters stay as interesting and readable as the rest.
Lest the more serious turn tarnish the Giffen / DeMatteis reputation for humor in their stories, they re-introduce one of the goofiest Green Lanterns of all time, G'nort. No longer wearing the ring, G'nort works for the terrifying Larfleeze, the (likely insane) orange-furred king of scavengers. G'nort and Larfleeze carry the lion's share of the comedic bits, while the women of the League battle to figure out how to defeat Lady Styx and the new Eclipso.
A handful of backup stories focus on Ariel Masters and Lois Lane, now that they each have their own body back. Their chapters are over-the-top fun, especially their confrontation with Sinestro - emphasis on "sin"! Colleen Doran's art is reminiscent of an Archie comic with its clean lines, simple flow between panels and wide-mouthed expressions.
This is, sadly, the end of the line for our 31st-century Justice League and its all-women lineup. The timing is unfortunate as, after some rough starts in Justice League 3000, the authors have here strung together a sequence of increasingly strong stories and have clearly rediscovered their magic mojo. But Giffen and DeMatteis do not go quietly, taking lots of pokes at the decision to cancel their book on their way out the door.
I would have enjoyed more time with this promising super-team and their creators. We end with 3.5 Capes.
Description:
TOTAL ECLIPSO!
The war is over. The world is overrun. And the good guys lost.
The legions of Lady Styx have overwhelmed galaxy after galaxy, destroying their defenders and converting their people to her sinister creed. Even the Justice League, the future’s greatest super-team, has fallen before her wrath.
But amid the carnage, there are survivors who still stand against the darkness—and newcomers ready to take up the mantle of the slain. From the ashes, a new Justice League will arise!
But for how long? Sensing the threat, Lady Styx has dispatched her deadliest assassin—the avatar of darkness known as Eclipso—to smother the reborn League in its cradle. Now the stage is set for a final showdown. Who lives? Who dies? And will justice prevail?
Discover the shocking answers in JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 VOL. 2: THINGS FALL APART, from the all-star creative team of KEITH GIFFEN (LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES), J.M. DEMATTEIS (JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA) and Scott Kolins (THE FLASH)!
Collects: JUSTICE LEAGUE 3001 #7-12
Authors: Keith Giffen, J. M. DeMatteis
Artists: Scott Kolins, Colleen Doran
Published By: DC Comics
Published When: Oct. 4, 2016
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN: 978-1401264727
Pages: 144 pages
Comments
Post a Comment