JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #4

[ THIS SALE WILL BLOW YOUR MIND ] 

Say hello to the nice lady named 'Xanadu'. Who has a very nice looking hair-do. Now the reason it's so nice, is that to give it some spice, Xanadu washes her locks in poo-poo. True story - no messing - as it was told to me by Writer: Peter Milligan; Artist: Mikel Janin; and Publisher: DC Comics in January 2012.

So what’s the story morning glory?
Now it pains me to say that all of the members of this darkly hued non-team, have found themselves in a right devils cauldron of woe - one, by one, by one.

• Deadman and June Moone just about manages to fight off a clone of the Enchantress.
• John Constantine goes in search for Deadman only to find a disgruntled Dove instead.
• Shade has a strange confrontation with Mindwarp.
• Madam Xanadu is plagued by strange visions of the future.
• And finally, Zatanna's battle with the real Enchantress, leaves her running away with her tail between her legs.

So what can these guys and girls do next, to rectify this strange turn of events? Correct - unify - starting off with Zatanna meeting Shade - John meeting Madam Xanadu - and Deadman and June Moon meeting... ooops... the known face of evil?  

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

I did enjoy reading Madam Xanadu's mad rant, particularly her filmic reference of "Across the country, gentlemen no longer prefer blonds. With all the insane June Moones running around, several blond people are shot on sight".

Well, it is perversely funny if you think about it.

Was the story any good?

Fractured is what I would call this tale, as it did have that jagged quality to it, which was not as flowing as previous issues wares. Please note, I am not trying to imply that this issue was naff in any way shape or form - just that it was more like a collection of unified scenarios, which only seemed to come together at the end of the tale.

Was the art any good?

I am very happy to say that artist, Mikel Janin, left me a short but sweet message in my comment system last review, thanking me for what I have said about his previous work.

Though, in all honesty, it is us fans who should be thanking him.

As always, Mikel has done a very nice job on this comic book, and I particularly liked his rendition of Zatanna - very 'Vampire Slayer'. Moreover, colourist, Ulises Arreolsa, has a vibrant way of complementing Mikel's layouts - a very bold and powerful use of Photoshop if ever I saw it.

However, if I did have a slight gripe with Mikel's work, it would have to be that some of his inking does feel a little bit diluted in certain panels - only a few though - making certain compositions come across a tad flat in comparison.

What is the best thing about this issue?

Character is the key to Peter Milligans writing, and in this issue I did like his 'ladies sections' - Zatanna for her 'new take' - and Xanadu for her surreal perspective. Also, I did enjoy the scene where John and Xanadu bitch slapped each other - I thought that was funny in a strange sort of a way.

What is the worst thing about this issue?

Personally speaking, I was not that keen on the fractured style of this issue. The tale just jumped around from one place to another, and I was not really sure where I was, or who this issue was supposed to be focused on.

If you could sum up this issue in a phrase or saying, what would that phrase or saying be?

I have to say it - 'I am the Eggman, WOOO! We are the Eggmen, WOOO! I am the Walrus, CUCKOO-KA-CHUUU' - damn you John Lennon, you and your funny way with words.

If this issue were a movie, an object, or a piece of music, what would that be and why? 

I am sure that you will agree with me when I say that this issue was very surreal in tone, yes? Then I am also sure that you would agree with me when I say 'Light My Fire' by the Doors, does mirror this same sentiment, both in composition and in style. 

What do you think would have made this issue better than it was?

Apart from a more focused tale - overall this was a very nice read.

Oh! One minute! What about a scene where Deadman tries to have a three-way with a couple of the cloned Junes? It would be in character, right?

Final thoughts...

So 'the band' are on the brink of finally coming together next issue, and I have to say that I am stoked as a chimney to see how this will all play out in the future. Will they have a headquarters? Will they all get along? And who will Deadman hit on next? John Constantine?

Ha! Time will tell my friends. Time will tell. 

Marks out of 10? 8