Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #8

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #8
Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Doug Mahnke
Published by DC Comics
Release Date: October 16, 2013

Justice-League-of-America-8-Preview-Spoilers-art-1In the immediate aftermath of Trinity War, we finally begin to catch back up with the members of the Justice League — now presumed dead by a world ruled by the Crime Syndicate of America. But where are they really? Prison? Heaven? Hell? Another Earth? It’s up to the last two heroes standing, the Manhunter and Stargirl, to figure it all out and strike back against an entire world turned against good.

Matt Kindt begins his six-issue arc on Justice League of America with a chapter focused almost exclusively on the impressions and investigation of J’Onn J’Onzz, the Martian Manhunter. No stranger to sophisticated stories about mind games and control, Kindt delivers a much more fantastic vision of mind prison than one could imagine arising out of Mind MGMT — and it’s damn clever in parts. As Manhunter winds his way through the private “cells” of members of the League, we see Shazam and the Flash, in particular, given exquisitely perfect scenarios to keep each one under the thumb of their new captors. The other scenarios investigated fall along a continuum of overly simple (Superman) to strangely out of character (Wonder Woman), but those two that bear the lightning are brilliant moments in an overall interesting and fun walk through the unknown. It’s actually a real pleasure to get a little perspective on the Manhunter’s relationship to the other heroes as well, because so much of his screen time in the New 52 to date has left the impression simply of a cold and calculating figure within the shadows. Here, we’re starting to see a bit more of the old school hero we’re used to from decades to now.

Mahnke’s pencils are nothing short of his usual expert rendering of the world’s greatest super-heroes, giving each one his or her particular due. His Shazam is every bit the kid glowing through an adult façade, his Wonder Woman a fiercely sharp warrior, and the Flash a man clearly overwhelmed by the vast potential of his powers. Most important to this issue, however, is Mahnke’s handling of the Manhunter, who is both stoic and approachable — the perfect combination for an alien who has our planet’s best interests in mind, even if he can’t relate to each of us individually. Even a very slight furrow in the Martian’s brow communicates so much of his compassion, that intrinsic part of his nature that very few artists seem to be able to consistently capture. Of note, as well, are some of the scene transitions Manhke employs. Once you get into the issue, these little details will likely make you smirk as well.

Overall, a strong issue picking up the threads from two months ago where “Trinity War” left off, Justice League of America #8 is a great character study for the Manhunter, although left me wanting so much more from Stargirl, the supposed co-star of the story arc. If the next issue is as focused on Stargirl as this one was on the Manhunter, then all my worries will have been for naught. But I am as weary of Courtney’s constant second fiddle status in the JLA as she seems to be. It’s high time for her to break out the Cosmic Rod and show us what we know she can do.

The Verdict: 8.5/10

 

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