Justice League #4 from DC Comics is the issue that unites seven of the DC Universe’s most powerful super heroes into a group that will soon be known as the Justice League. Geoff Johns and Jim Lee are retelling the origin of DC’s premier team of heroes and with Aquaman and Cyborg joining, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and the Flash the league is at full strength just in time to face the villain who has wreaked the havoc that united them.
Writer Geoff Johns creates a compelling team origin. Throughout the story he introduces information about each character that helps you know who they are without slowing the pace of the story with unnatural, expository dialogue. Batman is laughing when Green Lantern reveals too much information about himself when he comes in contact with Wonder Woman’s magic lasso of truth. Quick moments like this add humor and insight into the characters.
With each issue in the Justice League series Johns has been increasing the action in this series, and issue four is no exception. The heroes are not only facing demon hordes from another dimension but also the US Military that has orders to shoot anything with powers. The heroes face the calamity with a brave face showing why they are the top heroes of Earth.
The penciled artwork of Jim Lee is exquisite and he teams with inker Scott Williams to make the action jump off the pages. There are amazing action scenes that Lee and Williams capture perfectly from the Flash running up a wave in the ocean to jump into a helicopter to Wonder Woman furiously flinging her wrists to stop oncoming bullets to Aquaman commanding sharks to jump out of the water to attack the flying demons Lee and Williams provide so much detail that make these scenes come to life.
The art team also shows provides great detail to little things like Cyborg discovering his new abilities and how that looks on the page. The look of Aquaman is more rustic than his more modern appearance with mutton chops and face stubble. These details add to the subtext that this is the origin of this super team taking place a few years ago.
The decision: Justice League #4 is where this series all comes together. The heroes are united and the greatest threat they have ever faced has been revealed. It is only fitting that the flagship team of DC Comics has such a dynamic creative team working on it in Johns, Lee and Williams.
This issue contains some fun extras as well with the employee dossier from S.T.A.R. Labs and character designs for the Flash by Francis Manapul and Jim Lee.
You can purchase Justice League #4 at Comic Paradise in Pasadena where you can become a member of their subscription service for free and save 10% on every comic. There is also a Graphic Novel Club where 20% of every graphic novel you purchase can be applied to your next purchase or saved for one large purchase. Check out their website for more details at comicsandcards.net.
If you can't make it to Comic Paradise you can find this issue at any Los Angeles comic retailer or where ever you might be. Just click here to use the comic shop locator.
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