Justice League Volume 2: The Villain’s Journey (The New 52!) by Geoff Johns, Jim Lee and Scott Williams (graphic novel review).
The second volume of the New 52 Justice League, encompassing issues #7-12, begins with what appears to be a series of catch-ups, drawing from the various adventures detailed in their individual titles. This is hinted at in the notes at the back of the graphic novel. While these initial parts are not essential reading, they do provide context for the various team-ups. The narrative gains momentum when the team members gather in the same room, where their bickering takes center stage.
In this volume, the Justice League operates from a space satellite headquarters. Steve Trevor serves as their liaison, albeit his romantic relationship with Wonder Woman has come to an end. Access to this space station is primarily through a motherbox, which Cyborg can readily utilize, especially after combatting villains. A notable point of contention within the team is their reluctance to accept new members. This is particularly evident in their dismissal of Green Arrow, whose primary skill is archery.
A significant portion of the story is devoted to the build-up of facing a new adversary, David Graves. Graves, a dying and mutating author, blames the Justice League for the death of his family. Although indirect, his accusation holds some truth, as it is revealed that his family was infected by material dropped by Darkseid’s forces. Graves, having written books about the individual members, possesses intimate knowledge of their weaknesses, which he exploits.
While the volume takes time to establish its pace, it eventually gathers momentum. One intriguing aspect is the question of why Graves chose to confront the Justice League instead of Darkseid, presumably due to his lack of knowledge on how to access Darkseid’s realm. A key theme that emerges is the team’s growing understanding of the responsibilities that come with their alliance. This is exemplified by Green Lantern’s decision to leave the group upon realizing that he has been a central figure in their conflicts and needs to attend to his duties in his designated sector.
This narrative presents an interesting contrast to the original JLA of the 1960s. In that era, the lack of distinct individual personalities among the team members became noticeable only when they were grouped together. The current rendition, with its array of egocentric personalities forced to coexist, naturally brews conflict and complexity, offering a fresh and engaging take on the dynamics within the Justice League.
GF Willmetts
December 2023
(pub: DC Comics, 2013. 192 page graphic novel softcover. Price: varies. ISBN: 978-1-4012-3765-3)
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