JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #17

[ PROBING FOR BARGAINS ] 

Is technology a very bad thing? Can you get angry at a machine that goes ping? Constantine thinks not. Frankenstein doesn't give a jot. And Timothy is just happy at playing King. Yeah, baby, yeah! Just ask the great creative team of Writer: Jeff Lemire; Artist: Mikel Janin; and Publisher: DC Comics, in March 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this THIRD PART of 'The Death of Magic'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Whilst Zatanna, Timothy, and his minions, prepare to go to war with Epoch, the rest of Justice League Dark try their best to escape from their perculiar confinement.
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Yeah. In part that do. John and company break free until.... THOOOM! Whereas Tim and company commence their battle until... RRROOOORRRMM!
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Tim's Dad prepares himself to enter the Kingdom of Epoch, with the intention of saving our world from being blowing up by magical forces.  
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With an all out War.

Overall, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

By in large most of the dialogue presented in this tale was fairly easy and enjoyable to read. Yet, the stand-out for me; has to be when Frank said to his captors...

'>TT<. Doctors. Ever the same. "This is impossible". "That is impossible". Ever you register your surprise while you remain blind to the truth. NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE'.

And then he kicks their heads in one at a time, BANG-BANG-BANG! Thus giving me a right buzz in the process!

Ha! Thanks for that, Frank.

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) As I mentioned, I loved the scene where Frank kicked his way out of his cell, and forced one of his captives to tell him where he should go next. Not only was this segment very funny in tone, but the way Mikel drew Franks face was very well crafted too. Like if he was J'onn J'onzz half brother or something.

(+) When Tim's Dad stepped up to the place and demanded to save his son from Epoch's kingdom, honest to God, a shiver shot right up my spine because I just loved the sentiment behind his actions. That's what I call heroic. Correct?

(+) Although I didn't like the sight of Xanadu's decrepit and withering fame, in the same breath, my own repulsion just illustrates how moving this harrowing aspect is to a tale such as this one. Emotional by default.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) I suppose my only slight gripe with this issue would have to be how the 'Epoch' scenes felt slower in comparison to the rest of the scenes. Personally speaking, this is most probably due to the fact that the amount of weighty exposition in them weighs them down quite a bit -- like a melodrama starring a lot of underpaid actors. Know what I mean?

Pick TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and compare them individually to a HONG KONG ACTION STAR.

TOSHIRO MIFUNE AS FRANKENSTEIN: Because Toshiro is such a legendary actor of our time, I'm nigh on positive that he could pull off a 'Hrrr' with the best of them. Look at his picture! He's doing it now.

TONY JA AS CONSTANTINE: Oh, come off it! The anti 'Jar Jar Binks' will defiantly do a far better job at playing Johnny-boy than Keanu Reeves ever did!

What WORD or PHRASE could you use to sum-up this story?

'Formerly, when religion was strong and science weak, men mistook magic for medicine. Now, when science is strong and religion weak, men mistake medicine for magic' -- Thomas Szasz

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'COULD THIS BE MAGIC' BY DONNA SUMMER: Last month I compared this comic book to Barry Manilow's version of the aforementioned song. So I thought to myself this month, 'Why not something more funky for a funkier issue'?

ANYTHING Else?

Overall this issue of 'Justice League Dark' was a fairly so-so yarn. On the one hand the art was great, and the story-line progressed a couple of steps' in the right direction. Whilst, on the other hand, I would have liked to have seen more of John and Company than Epoch and company, plus I wasn't very keen on the lop-sided nature of the tale as a whole.

Still, never mind, huh? You can't win them all. Out of curiosity though, what do you folks like the most out of this book? Maybe I can send your missives to my buddy Mikel, he might be able to do something with them.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was a Form of Medication, It Would Be Something That Could Keep Me Stimulated Long Enough For the Duration I Desire. Hint-Hint!