JLA Classified #52

I know many people have issue with John Byrne. Heck, I was reading the "Savage Dragon Archives Volume 1" and chuckled at Erik Larsen's not so subtle dig with his character Johnny Readbeard. I must confess that I truly love his art. He is shining in the closing "JLA Classified" arc and I'm enjoying it. Roger Stern's story continues to impress me with its great characterization of each hero. He gives each hero their own voice, motivations, etc. He knows these guys and gals very well. While the bad guy hasn't been that compelling the team work displayed is outstanding. You can see that the team members care about each other and have a good understanding of the tactical employment of each hero's powers.

I think if "JLA Classified" had been at this creative level that it would be continuing. If you haven't checked out the Stern/Bryne story arc, jump on and get the last couple of back issues. It is a great read.

JLA Classified #51

For those of you out there that want to see Barry Allen as the Flash, Arthur Curry as Aquaman, and a classic representation of Oliver Queen, then this is your book. Writer Roger Stern goes old school with the JLA this issue going back to when the team was just forming its identity. It is a classic lineup with Black Canary, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Martian Manhunter alongside the previously mentioned heroes. Both Superman and Batman also make a showing. Stern provides a good story with a powerful protagonist and a good reason for the JLA to get involved. John Byrne's penciling is top notch providing good characterization and detailed panels. Mark Farmer handles inking Byrne's pencils quite well. While the alien bad guy looks a bit silly, he comes across as very powerful due both the Stern's direction and Byrne's depiction of him in action.

I was very satisfied with this issue. Both Stern and Byrne are a power team and really compliment each other here. I should note that my LCS owner commented that he was selling more "JLA Classified" now and he wondered why. When I pointed out the team of Stern and Byrne he nodded his head in agreement. It is good to see that the comic buying public doesn't forget the greats.

Justice League of America #17

I've been reading "Salvation Run" and was wondering if the events from that miniseries would be shown in regular DCU books. This month brings both "Justice League of America" and "Catwoman" with tie-ins to "Salvation Run". Regular writer Dwayne McDuffie steps to the back in this issue with a tale of Vixen while Alan Burnett takes on the primary writing duties. I liked Burnett's story chronicling the affect of "Salvation Run" on the villains in the DCU. The art for this story struck me as very dark. I don't know if it was the inks or the coloring but the book looked like a movie shot at low light.

The backup story by McDuffie attempts to explore the problems with Vixen's powers. Penciller Jon Boy Meyers' art has a cartoony quality to it that didn't seem to fit with the JLA. McDuffie's story was decent but I'm not really sure I care that much about Vixen as she isn't the most exciting character for a solo story.

JLA Classified #50

I heard that Roger Stern and John Byrne were getting together to do an arc in "JLA Classified" and figured I had to check it out. I grew up with Byrne's "Uncanny X-Men", "Fantastic Four", and "Superman: Man of Steel". I've always liked his art and, at times, his writing. I loved seeing the JLA drawn by Byrne. I enjoyed Roger Stern's work at Marvel in the 80s including "Captain America", "The Avengers", and "West Coast Avengers" as well as his writing in "The Death of Superman" extravaganza in the 90s.

So, when these two legends get together I expected a great effort. I was not let down. Byrne's art is crisp and clean here showing an eye for anatomy and proportion that you don't see in some of the hot artist out today. Stern's script is good with excellent pacing and action. I usually don't get "JLA Classified" but will be getting the next four issues to complete this story.

Justice League of America #16

Taking a break from torturing myself with the "Countdown" weekly releases, I decided to dive into something good, namely, "Justice League of America". I thought the cover was interesting showing the Tangent Universe heroes with Tangent Flash leading the way. I found the issue pretty pedestrian in its pacing. McDuffie does a decent job with Red Arrow in this issue and I like that he is giving him more to do than just pose in the background. We finally get to see Black Canary as a mission leader and people actually listening to her. I liked the team mix presented but McDuffie leaves most of the action off panel. Joe Benitez' art looks like he is channeling old school Todd McFarlane with the curling hair, long faces, and jutting jaws. I like his art, but he needs to tone down the big chins. Tangent Flash looks a bit too much like Supergirl for my taste.

I was disappointed in this issue as a whole. I've looked forward to the next few month's solicitations and it looks like this plot line won't be picked up in those issues. This issue was all setup and the payoff looks not to happen for quite some time.

Justice League of America #15

Writer Dwayne McDuffie pulls out the stops on an all out action packed issue of "Justice League of America". McDuffie infuses humor and great dialogue into the wrap-up issue for the InJustice League story. Artist Ed Benes is also in top form producing some great page layouts and action sequences. Ian Churchill's cover was very reminiscent of late 70s and 80s JLA covers - especially seeing Lex Luthor in full battle armor. I liked McDuffie's use of Firestorm here and the comments of the more experienced heros on his use of his powers. It was also nice to see Hal Jordan pop in and the situation with his absence getting comment. McDuffie has a good ear for dialogue and, while there isn't a ton of character development here, he does inch some of the subplots forward during the melee.

McDuffie won me over with this issue. I'm looking forward to a long run.

Justice League of America #13

The new team on "Justice League of America", writer Dwayne McDuffie and artist Joe Benitez, start their run after the "JLA Wedding Special" in a big way. Changes are happening in the JLA with John Stewart stepping in for the absent Hal Jordan and the newly reformed InJustice League making their presence known. While some don't care for Benitez's art, I found he did a great job here. He captures the various players emotions really well and his action sequences were very good. I was really impresssed with his Gorilla Grodd.

I like what McDuffie has done with Vixen given here situation from the Meltzer run. Her convesation with Superman regarding her powers was a nice touch. I appreciate that McDuffie is willing to take on the issues left by Meltzer and not just ignore them. All in all this is a very good start to the new team's run and I'm looking forward to McDuffie's action packed style.

Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding Issues

So, I'm a sucker for DC books. I bought all three of these and believe they each had varying degrees of success. I liked the "JLA Wedding Special" the most. Writer Dwayne McDuffie establishes his post-Meltzer JLA right off the bat by bringing in Firestorm, John Stewart, and the Injustice League Unlimited. I love McKone's art and hope that he can get a monthly title to work on for DC. I enjoyed Meltzer's 12-issue run, but I am looking forward to McDuffie bringing an action packed view to the Justice League of America monthly. I would recommend this to anyone looking to jump onto this monthly title.

My girls liked the "Black Canary Wedding Planner". I thought it was a bit girly for my taste and was a bit provacative in a few of the panels. The art was fair and the read was breezy. It wasn't anything to phone home about, though.

Finally the "Green Arrow and Black Canary Wedding Special" starts out great. Amanda Conner's art is spot on. I really like her style. The center spread wedding shot is very good showing all most of the heroes of the DC universe. Of course, the wedding happens, although not as planned, with fighting and mayem. This was a great read right up until the last four pages. The final "shocking" panel just left a sour taste in my mouth.

DC put a lot of effort to create a special event that celebrated joy. The tie-ins, crossovers, and one shots were all fun and funny with the right amount of action and story. However, the last four pages of this "special" were almost unforgivable. I'm not a big Green Arrow fan. However, DC has already killed him off once. With "Green Arrow: Year One" looking quite good and a new Green Arrow/Black Canary monthly coming out. I just have to wonder what the editors are thinking. Death is having a good year in the DC Universe. Whether it serves the story or not.

JLA Movie

Superherohype.com is reporting that Warner Bros. is aggressively going ahead with the big screen adaptation of the Justice League of America. It is generally accepted that Christian Bale (Batman Begins) and Bradon Routh (Superman Returns) are not going to be attached. The lineup looks to include Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, and Aquaman. I expect a Green Latern thrown into the mix as well. Sadly Bryan Singer's "Superman: Man of Steel" is taking a backseat to this production. The report says that Warner executives are very keen on the JLA script by Kieran and Michele Mulroney. It has also been rumored that one of the heroes will die.

I'm hoping that this picture takes place after the formation of the JLA and dispenses with the origin stories. If a hero is going to die, I'm hoping they have the Barry Allen Flash sacrificing his life for the team. I'm sure that if a Green Latern makes an appearance it will be John Stewart to give the team some ethnic diversity. However, I wouldn't mind seeing Black Lighting show up. I'm a little leery of the director George (Happy Feet) Miller. I'm hoping that this is not a campy take on the JLA and that they get the right tone.

I am a big fan of both "Batman Begins" and "Superman Returns". I know a lot of fans did not care for Singer's Superman but I thoroughly enjoyed the film. DC & Warner have done a good job of ensuring quality production in their films (Catwoman is a huge exception) and I'm tentatively looking forward to seeing this hit the screen.

Justice League of America #12

Both my son and I had the same reaction upon seeing Justice League of America #12, "Wow!" The cover is absolutely amazing. I hope that the DC Direct team has plans to make the cover a poster. I would buy it!

This issue is Brad Meltzer's last of a 12-issue run. I know that in my previous posts I have had some strong critiques of the editorial decisions from DC. However, with Justice League of America, I believe that DC Comics has done an excellent job of putting together a great book. Brad Meltzer has done a phenomenal job of reestablishing the Big Three (Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman) and bringing along a lot of familiar faces. "Monitor Duty" shows the different members of the team taking their turn as team monitor. While there isn't any action in this issue - besides Hawkgirl and Red Arrow having fun - I think Mr. Meltzer ended his run on a very good note. This issue serves up notes on each team member that will hopefully be fleshed out by the oncoming Dwayne McDuffie.