JUSTICE LEAGUE #48 Review
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jason Fabok
Colors: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Publisher: DC Comics
One thing you can depend on is unbelievable action, suspense, and artwork in “Darkseid War.” It smacks you in the face on the first page with a supercharged Superman holding Kryptonite. I absolutely loved the opaque coloring effect on Superman by Brad Anderson. At least I’m calling it an “opaque” effect. Superman full of whites and shadows, along with the radiating green piece of Kryptonite in his left hand. Great way to attract the reader’s attention.
Lettering is something that can be easily overlooked. But with such a large cast, Rob Leigh has the opportunity to make speech and caption balloons distinct. Leigh and Anderson team up to have color coded captions for heroes and villains alike. Matching emblems distinguish who the caption belongs to.
Geoff Johns once again has Wonder Woman as the narrator. Having her voice as the point of view is a welcomed change. “Darkseid War” has felt like a Wonder Woman story from the beginning. It would be easy to have Superman or Batman be the lead. This shows that Wonder Woman deserves her place right beside them in the Trinity.
Even with the overflowing cast that Johns has to play with, he makes sure every person gets a line in. Everyone isn’t prominently featured, but you’re not left wondering where Shazam or Steve Trevor are.
Speaking of the sprawling cast, it doubled last issue when the Crime Syndicate of Earth-2 were introduced. Jason Fabok is a master of tense moments, and seeing the Justice League and Crime Syndicate squared up in a two-page spread falls under the “tense” category. Every three or four pages increases the level of intensity in the story. Fabok brings this out with his cinematic-level artwork. Our heroes and villains are larger-than-life under his pen strokes.
The Justice League and Crime Syndicate working together to defeat Mobius aka the Anti-Monitor allows us to see the doppelgangers work together. Wonder Woman and Superwoman. Superman and Ultraman. We’re deprived Batman and Owlman teaming up, but that doesn’t mean Owlman doesn’t have some scene-stealing moments. He’s cold and calculating as he negotiates with Wonder Woman regarding offering their services to the Justice League.
Cold and calculating describes Mobius perfectly. We really get to see him cut loose in battle. He revels in being a God and what it affords him.
I mentioned earlier how every couple of pages brings a new surprise, but this bears repeating. Johns and Fabok bring jaw-dropping moment after jaw-dropping moment. One in particular is a two-page spread of Hal Jordan’s “backup.” That clue alone should let you know who show’s up.
Timdogg
#ComicBookChronicles @CBChron founder. Editor-in-Chief of @thekliqnation. Comic book reviewer, podcaster #RABBLERABBLE
