Justice League Task Force #16

Triumph is like a bad penny- he just keeps showing up. And, he’s brought back the strange alien menace from the revised Justice League origin (See Justice League America 92). Only this time nobody’s willing to trust Triumph and his claims of alien invasion and founding of the JLA after the recent decent by Max Lord and the U.N. Plus, Triumph’s recruitment drive is in shambles because Leaguers are quitting in droves.

There’s just too much going on here. Triumph’s more annoying in this 2nd chapter of 'Return of the Hero.' He’s a poor man’s Guy Gardner and nowhere near as entertaining. It’s a very negative vibe going on here with everyone fighting everyone else. What is this, Marvel?

If not for a few entertaining barbs from Ralph Dibny and Crimson Fox, this issue would suck rocks.

Rating: 5 out of 10 stars.

Justice League Task Force # 15

No matter what you threw at the Martian Manhunter, he was always the rock of the Justice League and it’s many incarnations. Now with the League in absolute shambles, the faith of the Last Martian has been tested to beyond belief.

Allies turn enemy, friends depart, and stuff explodes.

A very powerful issue that focuses on perhaps the most vital but underappreciated member of the League.

Great storytelling. Fantastic art.

  

Worth Consuming!

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.

Justice League Task Force #14 (Judgment Day, Part 5)

Under the influence of the Doomsday entity, Ice has set the perfect trap for the League. This sets up a meeting of former partners Fire and Ice. As the clock continues to fall to zero, Fire tries to convince Ice to turn away from her evil ways and the reason as to why this alien spector has chosen Earth for destruction is finally revealled.

The action and the story is the highlight in this chapter and it’s actually the art which is poor. I don’t know if a substitute artist or inker was used, but some of the characters look too goofy than usual, with extremely small heads and way too buffed up bodies. It’s like Rob Liefield got his hands on the JLA. I’m not a fan.

Thankfully, the story is better (than in previous chapters) and makes this book Worth Consuming.

Rating: 7 out of 10 stars

Justice League Task Force #13 (Judgment Day, Part 2)

The raid on the Mt. Everest fortress didn’t go well. As a result, Booster Gold is near death and being rushed to STAR Labs for immediate emergency surgery. It appears Gold’s plan that he saves the day as foretold in the history books of the 30th Century isn’t going so well either.

Now the timetable for destruction Earth has been moved up and will be even more immediate should any more metahumans get involved. Thus, the UN has banned the League from any further involvement. This causes a rift between League members that splits the team into a passive and an active league.

In the middle of this fracas, has anyone noticed “Where’s Ice?”

I love the in-fighting of this group. If it’s going get restructured, well then all greivances need to be aired. It’s very un-DC and I love it. I can’t wait for the next chapter.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 9 out of 10 stars.

Justice League America #89 (Judgment Day, Part 1)

In a massive cross-over involving the Justice Leagues America, Europe, and Task Force; recent events have unfolded in which it appears to be Judgment Day, as foretold in prophecy. Meanwhile, a power struggle between Wonder Woman and Captain Atom have caused the United Nations to lose even more faith in the Super Human community. That’s resulted in the threat of disbandment and thus, all 3 teams have been summoned together in an attempt to get the Leagues under control or else trim the fat.

With that problem on the horizon, a super-powered alien has taken over Mt. Everest as it’s command post and given the world a week left to exist. Thankfully, because he is a time-traveller, Booster Gold knows what’s about to happen next and it involves him being the hero to save the day for once. 

  In other words, the earth is doomed!

I understand the League’s gotten too big and reading previous editor’s note’s in the letter sections, I’ve been ready for this. But, the editor seems to not like his books and his missives seem like sour grapes. Thankfully, the writers and artists of these titles don’t seem to feel the same way and have put out a very good opening chapter to this epic.

Worth Consuming.

Rating: 8 out of 10 stars.