JUSTICE LEAGUE #14

[ FIERCE SAVINGS ] 

What happens when the League goes feral? Will they all turn into my good friend, Big-Beryl? Likes to have a drink. Never clicks on a link. And smokes until the air turns sterile. Oh! That reminds me. I have to call the very dapper creative team of Writer: Geoff Johns; Artists: Tony S. Daniel and Gary Frank; plus Publisher: DC Comics in December 2012.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Now what would you say was the most harrowing scenario played out within this second part of 'The Origin of the Cheetah'? Would it be:

1. When Batman, Cyborg, and a hidden tribe, all try to cure Superman of his untamed possession?
2. How Wonder Woman, Flash, and Aquaman, attempt to track down and apprehend the villainess known as the Cheetah?
3. The manner in which Wonder Woman finds out that the Cheetah isn't the person she thought she was?
4. Superman's and Wonder Woman's first date in Smallville?
5. Or Batman's television habits?

Go on. Have a guess what's worst. Trust me. It's as surprising as a crazy cat wanting to be caught for her crimes.

Meanwhile, in the Shazam back-up feature, Doctor Sivana introduces Black Adam to corporate America, whilst Adam introduces Sivana to one of the seven deadly sins in turn.

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

The only piece of dialogue that stood out for me in this issue is when Cheetah said out loud 'Just tell me when Black Manta arrives'.

Wow! What a surprising twist to this tale! She knew what was going to happen to her, and is now waiting for further instructions from 'unnamed sources'. 

But who I wonder? Black Manta. Sure. Plus I bet my bottom dollar that it's somehow connected with next issues 'War For The Throne Of Atlantis'.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Personally speaking, I did enjoy reading the second half of the Justice League tale, where Superman and Wonder Woman had a date together in Smallville. Granted, on a certain level, it was a bit cheesy to follow. But what more than made up for this fact, was on the last page, where you could see Batman spying on them from afar.

A-Hoi-Hoi! I wonder what the Dark Knight is playing at, huh? And could this possibly be somehow connected to the Justice League International Annual sub-plot? Hmmm.

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

Now if you take into consideration to what I've just said in the previous section, can you hazard a guess as to what I didn't like about this issue? Yes. That's correct. The first part of the Justice League tale, where the League had to capture the Cheetah and save Superman.

OK, admittedly, it wasn't that bad a read all in all. Both story strands were neatly spliced together, and did make some sense within the confines of that particular tale. Nonetheless, it would have been a lot more imposing as a read, if it did not come across as if 'The Teletubbies' made a mess on the carpet.

Too must candy-floss. Not enough earth.

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Now to be completely honest with you, as much as I didn't mind the update on 'The Cheetahs' new origins -- finding it rather innovative in places -- by in large I wasn't that keen in the manner it was presented in this book. No fanfare -- purely exposition -- and not even creative exposition at that.

ART: Honest to Rao, I'm somewhat confused with my own findings on the art in this issue. Well, the artist I like -- Gary Frank -- drew the worst panel in this book -- the one where the millionaire goes splat. Where as the artist I'm so-so with -- Tony Daniel -- drew the best panel in this book -- the one where Aquaman gets his hand of the Cheetah. 

Do you see what I'm getting at, dear reader? Still, I suppose you can't win them all, can you?

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?

SUPERMAN: To continue with this month's comedic casting-call theme, I'd have to choose the man with the plan, Jon Stewart, to play the man of steel, Kal-El, because I hear that they've both been circumcised.

Jon told me so.

WONDER WOMAN: Just have a look at Wendy Liebman; and tell me she doesn't own an invisible plane and force men to tell her truth by tying them up.

Jon told me so.

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

What's The Worst Thing For The Man Of Steel? Being A Pussy? Or Getting Some?

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

OK, so conceptually this is a tale of two half's. With one part an adventure, and the other part a budding romance. So why not compare it to anything starring Ben Stiller -- like 'The Heartbreak Kid' for example -- just without the sex-scene or the hidden agenda. 

FINAL thoughts...

Dear People at DC Comics Who Do Things.

Now I thought that it would be a nice gesture on my behalf if I'd let you know I forgive you for your sins. Yeah. Me -- forgiving -- you. Firstly, I forgive you for making this issue and last issue a steeping-stone story leading into next issue. Secondly, I forgive you for taking away and then bringing back the 'Shazam' back-up feature. And thirdly, I forgive you for evolving this book into something I'm starting to like for all the wrong reasons.

Well? Superman and Wonder Woman dating? Cyborg written out of Teen Titans continuity? Batman acting like a peeping Tom? And let's not even mention how much work the overall team dynamics desperately needs!

Granted, to juxtapose this stance a tad, the Shazam back-up feature is a great new addition; and I'm very happy to see it every month because of the retro take it has on an old school classic. But this is not enough DC. No avid comic book fan would buy a book just for the sake of its back-up feature. The main feature needs to show some more character and personality to it, without too much 'new for new'.

Please, try to keep this in mind comic book pals.

Love, Light, and Peace -- The Reviewer

 MARKS out of 10? 8.7