Justice League of America #43 – Review

By: James Robinson (writer), Mark Bagley (artists), Rob Hunter and Norm Rapmund (inker)

The Story: Green Arrow is defending the JLA satellite at the same time that the rest of the JLA (plus hangers-on) are duking it out with a bunch of villains. The JLA aren’t doing well because they’re not working like a team. Dick Grayson (the guy who seems to me the most likely to eventually emerge as the leader) doesn’t have time to try to make them work better together because the villains get away. Then they find the JLA satellite trashed and Green Arrow gone hunting. They have lots to do, but their experienced, heavy-hitters have other things pulling them away. Is this JLA roster going to be dead on arrival?

What’s Good: Robinson is on his game. I trampled his work on Cry for Justice, but liked his work on New Krypton. He’s got a grip on most of his characters here, has clear personal challenges for each and has obvious (if occasionally overly-obvious) external obstacles for the heroes. This is a story about people growing into big shoes, either overtly (Dick Grayson and Donna Troy filling in for Batman and Wonder Woman on the JLA) or more subtlety (Congorilla and Starman getting to the idea that they’re good enough to be on the Justice League). And the dialogue was crisp and fun. Check out Congorilla’s deadpan lines like “I feel like I’m sixty all over again” and “Now all I need to do is make people understand that apes aren’t monkeys.”

On art, Mark Bagley gave us a mixed offering. The action sequences that require a Kirby-esque dynamism were on target and he makes flying characters look effortlessly graceful. He also did a fine job of keeping a 31-page comic with about 20 characters pretty clear. And his work on faces and expressions was excellent in close-up.

Weekly Comic Book Review’s Top Picks

Alex’s Top Picks

Pick of the Week: Uncanny X-Men #522 – If only all of Fraction’s issues of Uncanny were so good.  The book shows what Fraction is truly capable of with the X-Men.  It’s unfortunate that we’re heading into a big event now, as I wouldn’t mind having a Kitty arc ASAP.

Most Anticipated: Madame Xanadu #21 -Amy Reeder Hadley returns again on art!  And no more flashbacks!  The best arc since the series’ first continues in earnest.  For anyone reading Xanadu, this should be at the top of the pile.

Other Picks: Fantastic Four #577, Blackest Night #8, Detective Comics #863, Unknown Soldier #18, Justice Society of America #37, The Sword #23

DS’s Top Picks

Best of the Past Week: Green Lantern #52 – Johns book knocked it out of the park! What a great way to set up the conclusion to Blackest Night!

Most Anticipated: Blackest Night #8 – I’m waiting for this issue to deliver a knockout punch reading experience in my very worthwhile investment in the Blackest Night event. And given how flawlessly Blackest Night has unfolded, I think my faith will be rewarded!

Other Top Picks: JLA #43, Wonder Woman #42