Justice League of America #5 came out this week and featured Supergirl so prominently that I felt I should cover it here.
This new title by the tremendous creative team of writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora. These two brought us Batman/Superman World's Finest and that book was the best on the shelves for some time. When Waid had characters guest star in that book, I would always say that Mora brought such polish to them that he should draw that character's solo book. Now with the Justice League Unlimited, in essence, being every hero in the DCU, I actually get to see Mora's take on the entire universe.
I don't know if I am 100% behind the 'everyone is a Leaguer' idea. Back in my youth, being named to the League was a big deal. Dick Dillin would draw a big scroll welcoming the hero with some sort of certificate. Perhaps a better screening process would stop a traitor from being in their midst, one of the plot points here.
Still, this book has been fun and it does allow both Waid and Mora to allow different heroes to be in the spotlight. As I said, Supergirl is front and center here, as is Impulse, Star Sapphire, and Red Tornado. They wouldn't get a showcase with the big guns unless they are in the League. So there is an upside. Plus, given Waid's love of the DCU, this allows him to do a deep dive. into every nook and cranny. I am convinced he is hinting at something in this book which is one of my great loves.
Plus the League is up against 'Inferno' an evil society they seem helpless against. We learn who they are at the end which only ups the ante.
Add to it all Mora and his jaw-dropping work. I love his work. Mora makes the 'jacket' Supergirl costume work. And the action is stellar throughout.
Some Leaguers are present to protect worldwide delegates at the G20 summit.
Included in the mix, Impulse, the Flash, Star Sapphire, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, and Supergirl.
The Inferno threat is big enough that the League knows they need to be a presence.
Love when Wonder Woman wears more formal wear, like that wrap, when she is in an ambassador sort of role. And as I said above, somehow Mora makes the Supergirl jacket outfit look good.
Despite that, all the delegates and heroes are teleported away by Inferno, dumped in another dimension filled with bizarre monsters and a confusing, clouded sensorium.
This is pure insanity and nightmare fuel from Mora.
A crazy dimension?
If I know Mark Waid, this has to be the Madness Zone from Shade, The Changing Man.
This time I'm right.
While the people on Earth are looking for where the missing delegates and heroes were sent to, the heroes are trying to protect the delegates and find a way home. It is funny how all the delegates are trying to be in charge, meaning no one is in charge.
And check out Supergirl literally wringing the neck of this monster.
This is a sort of Ditko-esque realm ... surely The Madness Zone!
Earlier in the title, we learned that J'onn lost his powers in the Absolute Power powers-shuffle. Perhaps it is J'onn's powers which is being used in by the Inferno group. The J'onn power was traced to Sydney.
Inside the Madness Zone, Impulse sees one delegate just standing around and smiling rather than running around! This person must be responsible for this teleportation. In fact, this person is and they use their powers, perhaps the J'onn power, the mind-wipe Bart.
I am glad that Waid lets Impulse be the one to see what everyone else missed, the one delegate not scared.
Finally, the Flash realizes they are in another dimension and is able to open up a rift in that dimension into another one.
Star Sapphire bubbles everyone up and Supergirl tows the whole group out using Diana's lasso as a tow cable.
Yes, I am sharing this because it is a fantastic Kara moment. She is heroic and brave, heading into another place of existence to save everyone. That top panel, looking up at her with the lasso is an iconic hero shot. And, as I have said and will say again, Mora makes her look good in that jacket.
That is the door to the Phantom Zone jail!
How great to see her bust through the giant doors like a boss. And how cool she tells everyone they need to immediately shut the doors before the Kryptonian criminals bust loose.
Kara is the hero here.
Flash even gives her the 'MVP award'!
We need to hand wave the fact she was solid in the Phantom Zone. But it's okay.
But I hope and pray Kara is in this book a lot. Because Mora draws her wonderfully.
But there is one more twist. Earlier in the issue, the League says that while Inferno feels like The Legion of Doom, it can't be. Luthor has been a good guy in the Superman book. Sinestro is a Green Lantern. The Joker is accounted for.
But the evil delegate turns out to be Grodd in telepathic disguise. He make Air Wave reveal that the young hero is a mole. And Grodd is whisked away to the Legion of Doom HQ where we see all those 'innocent' faces.
The Legion of Doom!!
It is hard for me not to love this issue. Supergirl is the lead hero. I think we have a Shade, The Changing Man reference. And the art is so dang good.
Waid and Mora are bringing the same energy they brought to World's Finest but with a bigger scope and a more current time. It is a fun book worth reading.
Overall grade: A
5 comments:
I loved the fact that the dismissal of the Legion of Doom as Inferno inside had me convinced that the cover was symbolic. I was genuinely surprised at the end. With the looks of a couple and Luthor and Sinestro in play elsewhere, there's a swerve here. Mart thinks they're from the past and he's probably right. As to solid Supergirl, why do I think it's been established that some ways of entering the Phantom Zone do allow a character to remain solid?
At the end of JLU #1 Air Wave makes it clear that he has been sent to the Watchtower as part of a plan to destroy the Justice League. I have to wonder how Grodd blowing his cover affects that. As for Grodd, if Supergirl is part of the upcoming We Are Yesterday saga, maybe she'll have a chance to flatten him again the way she did in JLA v. Godzilla v. Kong.
I also have to wonder if Air Wave is the only mole the Legion of Doom has in the Watchtower.
Thanks for comments!
One, Mart's idea of the LoD being from the past would make sense given the upcoming arc. Love it.
As for the Zone, just recently Waid had some of the Zone be physical. Her 'side door' comment made it seem like 'luck'.
Great review, and yes, Supergirl was on top form here. The last time I recall her working closely with Wonder Woman and Green Lantern, funnily enough, was the Phantom Zone mini-series.
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