Justice League of America #17: Alan Burnett (script), Ed Benes (art)
The top pantheon of DC heroes finally find themselves connected to the Salvation Run storyline as the Justice League stumbles upon a number of C-list villains fleeing the Suicide Squad. Also, McDuffie adds a Vixen-centered side story with some serious implications for the power balance of the team.
Alan Burnett and Dwayne McDuffie were both writers for the well-received cartoon series Justice League Unlimited. They are now coupled with story duties for the Justice League in the comic book medium, a move with unfortunately mixed results. After Metzler’s novel-like directional writing, the book has become unfocused; throwing one-shots, sporadic character studies, and the occasion tie to the DC Universe as a whole at the reader on an ever-changing monthly basis. The flailing nature of McDuffie and Burnett’s initial attempt is surprising keeping in mind the unique focus on tight continuity the stories on JLU seemed to follow: a trend perhaps due to executive producer Bruce Timm’s stylistic influence on the show.
Should the writers rediscover the complex and emotionally charged superhero drama of JLU, Justice League of America could return to the must-read Metzler had established in the months following Identity Crisis. As goes, Ed Benes’s pencils remain the only reason to flip through what should be DC’s biggest book.
Wolverine Origins #21: Daniel Way (script), Steve Dillon (art)
Who other than a shadowy figure would risk contracting a nut like Deadpool out to finish Marvel’s most persistent mutant? The merc-with-a-mouth faces off with Wolverine in an exercise in forced zaniness in issue #21 of Wolverine Origins.
Way has set a grave tone for Wolverine Origins, especially in his well-done previous story arc dealing with Logan’s experiences in WWII alongside Captain America and Bucky. The expectation for this book to deliver a more “grown-up” read than other, more violent and juvenile Wolvey titles creates an uneasy feeling around Deadpool’s antics throughout the issue. Way goes for a few cartoony gags that don’t take off in light of the solid spy versus spy battle surrounding the central characters. Dillon’s art continues to satisfy while not dazzling with simple lines and an eye for details, without reaching a preposterous early-90s extent.
Wolverine fans will pick this book up and digest it without thinking twice. For the more temperamental reader however, wait for the last story arc’s trade to be released to get your Wolverine fix.
The Sword #4: The Luna Brothers (script, art)
Dara, the paraplegic-turned-epic hero, finally finds a voice as she runs from interested parties, protects the weak, and wields the sword in increasingly impressive ways. This book has been a dead sprint from halfway through the first issue on; issue #4 is no exception to the rule.
With its first three issues The Sword has established itself as another of the Luna Brothers’ hidden gems alongside Girls and Ultra. Their dialogue and cinematic framing create the feel of a Tarantino film, especially as they bash quiet scenes with jarring bits of violence to thrilling effect. Likewise, the entire story has leaked just enough clues to keep interests piqued without yet lifting the shroud of mystery surrounding the origins of the villains and the sword.
This series has been planned as a 24-issue maxi and therefore should not lose focus or momentum any time soon. With only four issues having hit the stores, it is not too late to catch up with what should be one of the top stories of 2008 and 2009.
