Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #5

JUSTICE LEAGUE #5
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jim Lee & Scott Williams
Release Date: January 25, 2012

The flagship title of the DC line returns for issue #5 and I can say that I’m finally getting more of what I’m wanting from it. Johns dialogue has never been bad in this series – he writes these characters well, but we are finally getting past the introductions and into some meat of the story. This issue continues a story that is massive in scope and fitting as an origin story for why the heaviest hitters in the DC Universe would all decide to fight together. Unlike the past couple of issues I feel we’re finally moving much closer to some sort of conflict. In this issue we get to see just what a badass villain Darkseid really is, and why this isn’t just someone Green Lantern or Superman can punch and call it done. There are some great moments in this issue between Batman and Green Lantern, and Johns continually proves that nobody writes Hal Jordan like he does. The bravado of the Green Lantern is on full display in this issue and leads to some fantastic panels. This is the best scripted issue of Justice League yet, and while we aren’t in full on battle mode yet, we’re finally getting close.

The art in this issue is simply amazing. Jim Lee’s art has been the star of this series so far and while the script is picking up nicely, Lee’s art is still doing it’s part. As good as they are, there aren’t as many double-page splashes to slow the pace of the story and the issue as a whole is much stronger for it. Lee is showing with each issue of Justice League that he has not lost a single step as an artist since becoming co-publisher of DC. He is, without a doubt, one of the top artists in comics and this issue is a great visual experience.

Pros: Story is driving forward again, and the art is fantastic.

Cons: While we are moving forward again, the pace is still a little slow, especially if this is a 6 issue arc.

Verdict: 9.0/10