Justice League Volume 3: Throne Of Atlantis (The New 52!) by Geoff Johns, Ivan Reis, Paul Pelletier and Tony S. Daniel (graphic novel review).
Continuing with the New 52 Justice League series, Volume 3 compiles Justice League issues #13-17 alongside Aquaman issues #15-16. The narrative doesn’t commence straightforwardly; it unfolds as the League intervenes after Wonder Woman is rendered unconscious by the Cheetah, whom she is endeavoring to apprehend. Initially resistant to their involvement, Wonder Woman eventually accepts their assistance in uncovering the source of Cheetah’s power, traced back to the San Tribe in the Congo. The plot, however, thickens with complexities.
Adding to the intrigue, a separate crisis emerges as colossal tides strike Gotham, Metropolis, and Boston. Despite the Justice League’s efforts, these massive waves inundate civilians. Aquaman identifies the culprit as his brother Orm, alternately known as either the Black Mamba or the Ocean Master, depending on different scenarios. Orm’s motive is clear: he yearns for Aquaman’s return to the throne of Atlantis and views his aid to the surface dwellers as a betrayal. Notably, Mera, significantly more powerful and capable of controlling water, supports her husband in these tumultuous events.
The ensuing battle is epic, spanning both terrestrial and aquatic terrains. Cyborg, on the cusp of undergoing surgery to replace his organic lung for underwater adaptation, summons ten individuals regarded as superheroes for assistance. This includes Hawkman, whose prowess with a club is highlighted by writer Geoff Johns, suggesting a likely lethal outcome for some Atlanteans. Hawkman, like Green Arrow, seems an unconventional choice for the Justice League, a sentiment echoed by other members who are unsettled by Cyborg’s unilateral decision to call for backup.
The storyline delicately balances the introduction of characters familiar from previous DC Universe iterations, maintaining suspense and avoiding major spoilers. These characters’ true natures and intentions remain shrouded until their actions unfold. The artwork, while consistently engaging, encounters some challenges, particularly with Batman’s depiction underwater.
This volume intriguingly portrays Atlantis, a realm previously considered mythological by surface dwellers, as a formidable and potentially dangerous entity. It leaves readers hopeful that Aquaman might eventually bring Atlantean representation to the United Nations.
GF Willmetts
December 2023
(pub: DC Comics, 2013. graphic novel softcover. Price: varies. ISBN: 978-1-4012-34698-3)
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