It doesn’t feel like it’s been that long since we last checked in with Justice League. Oh well, a new issue is out and this time, we get to focus on another member of the Crime Syndicate. It appears to be The Grid of all things! What does this mechanical monster have in store for us? Is it good?
Justice League #26 (DC Comics)
The Grid used to be an anomaly, floating around Cyborg’s computer system. Now he is much more than that, and is seeking out a way to feel. How will he do that? By checking into the origins of the members of the Crime Syndicate and see if they have anything in them that could hold the answers he has been seeking.
Well, he could always learn how to be a snoop from Power Ring.
As it goes on, every new issue of Justice League feels more and more like knowledge of the goings on in Forever Evil is a prerequisite. Like with this issue, there are different subplots and elements going on within it that really suggest that this is very essential to the event, instead of just adding more to the experience and filling in some extra details (like how #24 was). That can be a bit frustrating to people are just merely following the main event and no other tie-in. However, that doesn’t make this comic any less fun than it was.
Unlike the most recent issue of Forever Evil, there was a lot of content in here and it didn’t feel remotely padded out. In a single issue, we get the backstories for most of the remaining Crime Syndicate members (except for Superwoman). As before, all of their backstories are twisted and fun takes on the regular ones that the heroes have, especially with Power Ring’s. They are all pretty interesting (if a bit dark to some) and there are elements within them, alongside the story in the present, that seem to be offering hints at upcoming events. Even if it was mostly backstory, there is a lot to get out of the comic that really makes for a good time.
With a crash that bad, I’m surprised they didn’t limp or crawl towards each other.
The artwork is by Ivan Reis again and like you would normally expect from the guy, it looks great. His characters, his action, his layouts, and the energy put in them; it ismply looks spectacular. The true highlight goes to the coloring and inking this time around. We got four inkers and three colorists on this book. That normally sounds like a disaster or a visual mess at the very least, but it’s all done cleverly. Each part of the book gets its own colorist and inker (I suspect two inkers did the present scenes, but it’s hardly noticeable) that gives their section its own flavor. Even though it’s all drawn by the same artist, the colorist and inker pairs give each part (the main and flashbacks) such a different look that you would almost suspect that it was drawn by a different artist all together. It’s impressive and beautiful looking to say the least, adding a lot to the experience.
Even though it doesn’t look like it, I assure you all, every image I used in this review is drawn by the same person.
9.0
- The origins are a lot of fun.
- The writing is pretty strong and engaging.
- The artwork and use of inks & colors made this one of best looking issues yet.
- Cannot stand alone without reading Forever Evil.
- The dark and morbid nature of these origins may turn off some people.
Is It Good?
Justice League #26 was a great issue. The origins, the characters, the artwork, and all the little hints added in truly make for a very dark, but still enjoyable experience. While it would be nice to get back to the Justice League (you know, the title characters) in this book, if it keeps up this level of quality, I won’t mind waiting a little longer.
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