Comic Book Review: Justice League Dark #9
Image via dccomics.com
I’ve been pretty outspoken about my thoughts that DC Comics‘ New 52 initiative has for the most part been pretty weak. Though they promised bold new direction I’ve seen a lot of the same-old-same-old and some pretty whacky decisions to boot. From the twenty-something New 52 books that were on my pull list six months ago, there are only three that I continue to read.
So what could possibly draw my attention and wallet back to a comic that I gave up on after the first two issues?
Jeff Lemire.
Of the three New 52 books I continue to read, Lemire writes two of them: Animal Man and Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. I’ve learned to trust Lemire as a storyteller to be exciting and fun and he hasn’t let me down yet.
So on to Justice League Dark #9, Lemire’s first issue.
What works:
Image via dangermart.blogspot.com
Mikel Janin’s art. Every panel is a piece of art in its own right. Having said that, it doesn’t mean that the women are posing like porn stars and all that stuff we’re getting from DC’s superhero books right now. It just means each panel and page drives the story forward and serves its purpose.
John Constantine. Lemire writes him like a champ. I’ve never really been a fan of the character and really know next to nothing about him, but now I’m eager to learn more.
Deadman and Zatanna are great Constantine sidekicks. Yin and Yang. Deadman is funny and brings a light edge to the dark team, while Zatanna seems to be more no-nonsense. The two opposing attitudes gel well together.
The story. In general, the Indiana Jones style adventure of the story really tickled my fancy. We don’t see enough of this in today’s comics.
What doesn’t work:
Black Orchid and the I, Vampire guy. I didn’t feel that they brought anything to the story. As a matter of fact, they could have not even been in the comic and it wouldn’t have changed much at all.
Image via tumblr.com
Giant Spider Monsters. I’m as big a monster fan as anyone, but for some reason I just wasn’t fussed. Yes, they were cool and all, but I think the story would have been served better with something else. I’m not sure what other mystical monsters Felix Faust has access to, but it just didn’t grab me. I know, the cover by Ryan Sook even shows one of them, but I was expecting more.
I know I’m not familiar with these characters and I’m happy to be educated on it all if I’m way off.
Overall:
What we have here is a pretty good comic. Lemire’s take on Justice League Dark is as different to Animal Man and Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. as they are from each other. It’s a good read and I will be following along for the time being.
Image via fyeahzatanna.tumblr.com
But Jeff? Do me a favor: drop Black Orchid and I, Vampire and make it a three character team.
Or better yet, add Blue Devil to the mix. You know you want to.
