Justice League of America

Tag : Single Spandex
The struggle between Amazo and the Justice League continues in Justice League of America #23. I almost feel bad for the Red Tornado. He has been putthrough the wringer over the course of this series' relaunch.However, he has become a better, well-rounded character for it. Iabsolutely loved what Brad Meltzer did in his initial storylinewith Reddy, and I'm glad McDuffie is picking up the pieces ofReddy's psyche here with this story after all the editorialmandated tie-ins (Tangent Universe, seriously!?). However, unlikeMeltzer's personal story, McDuffie goes the route of "let's solveall problems with punching furiously."

That is my main problem with issue #23 of JLofA , it's all fighting. About two weeks ago I reviewed Mighty Avengers #16 and had the exact same complaint. Issues dedicated towards onegiant brawl are not entertaining. They take no time at all to read through, makingthem hardly worth the three dollars. And quite frankly, they bringnothing to the table in regards to brain stimulation. They simpleare. Truthfully, I consider my three bullet rating pretty high forthis type of issue, and that's simply because I like DC'scharacters more than Marvels.

However, there is a shining point to this issue, warranting it ahigher score than simply containing my favorite fictionalcharacters. That would be Dwayne McDuffie and Ed Benes' handling ofFlash. I love Wally West. He is one of my all-time favoritecharacters. So in this single issue we get a well written and drawnversion of Wally which is awesome for a fan like me.

Let me start with the writing. Back in issue #20 of JLofA , McDuffie did a spotlight issue on the Flash teaming up withWonder Woman to take down the Killer Bee. While the plotdisappointed, the Flash's voice in that comic was spot on. He wasfunny and entertaining, all the while getting the job done. Well,that streak continues here in issue #23 with McDuffie providingsome great monologue narrations for the Flash as he deals with theAmazo threat. He shows that while the Flash can be the joker of theleague (though his kids have toned him down in recent years), hestill uses his brain to assess situations and deal with themaccordingly when it's time to buckle down and be serious.

Then there is Ed Benes' handling of the Flash in his art. His Flashlooks awesome. It's really that simple. While Benes loves to drawmuscles pulsating out from under spandex, he handles the Flash'sstreak lines excellently. Throughout this issue the Flash is inconstant motion, searching for a solution to the intruder, and it'scool to see Benes effectively draw that, making every panel theFlash appears covered in gold and red streaks.

So there you have it. Justice League of America #23 is exactly what the cover depicts: a big fight. I know a lotof comic readers look for this for their weekly fix, so JLofA might be a 5 Bullet comic to them. However--and I feel like I'mbeating a dead horse here--it was just boring to me. Let's hopethat McDuffie delivers a more emotional, grounded chapter to thisstory next month for people looking for some substance to theirJustice League.

Oh, one last thing, kudos to McDuffie for making a jab at the"Brand New Day" of Amazing Spider-Man with Zatanna's line about "magic." Whether that was intended ornot, I got a good laugh out of it.

What did you think of this book?
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