JUSTICE LEAGUE #19

Who'd dare use Kryptonite against Superman? Would it be Batman or someone like Aquaman? I have an idea. It might be someone from Ikea. Who likes to camp out in a caravan! Yeah. One purchase for them by the Writer: Geoff Johns; the Artist: Ivan Reis; and the Publisher: DC Comics, in March, 2013.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 5 questions about this STORY entitled 'War Games'.

WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Whilst Batman, Aquaman, and Cyborg, search for the masked-saboteur who stole Kryptonite hidden within the bowels of the Batcave, both Superman and Wonder Woman kick ass in the politically turbulent country of 'Khandaq'.
ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Well, yes and no really. Whereas the loving couple partly accomplish what they set out to achieve on foreign soil, the rest of the League... errr... don't.
ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Firestorm and the Atom wait at League H.Q. for their eventual inauguration.
HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With Batman saying it out how it is, and with Despero asking the League for some help.
WHAT'S THE BACK-UP FEATURE ABOUT: As soon as Billy and his gang venture underground to search for the Wizard, he learns from his magical Ipad (kind of) the origins of Black Adam.

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

Without a shadow of a doubt, the standout scene for me in this issue would have to the one where Bruce told Diana and Clark how he saw it. Not only was it rather refreshing that Bruce wasn't the spoilsport for a change. But in many ways their bold actions justifies his precautionary measures.

Here, without giving too much away, please check this out...

WONDER WOMAN: Government sanctions may prevent others from coming here, but not us. Nothing can stop us, Clark.

BATMAN: You don't want to say that. Super-villains say that, Diana.

SUPERMAN: You know that's not what she meant.

BATMAN: I do, Clark. But a lot of people wouldn't.

And then, dear reader, the Dark Knight delivers one hell of a zinger, ha!

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) From my point of view, folks, the different team formations depicted in this story were a right sight for sore eyes. Batman, Cyborg, and Aquaman. Firestorm and the Atom. And let's not forget the trinity either. I mean, wow or what! It was like watching a row of brightly coloured cakes through a shop window. You don't know which one you want to sink your teeth into first.

(+) As I've alluded to up above, I did get a right kick out of the ethical dilemma posed in this adventure. Well, come on, let's face facts. The thought of two super powered heroes, such as Clark and Diana, doing whatever it is they want to do, is a very thought provoking aspect to explore. Alright, I know that this concept has been done to death many-many times in the past. Nonetheless, this 'new love' version of Superman and Wonder Woman, do seem very 'bull in a China shop', right?

(+) Wasn't it a nice change of pace to see Red Hood and Alfred in this yarn. It's a shame they both got clobbered though. Still. Never mind.

(+) I loved reading the 'Black Adam' origin sequence in the Shazam back-up feature, plus how this tale was conveyed through a mystical mage projecting this narrative upon an Ipad.

(+) Ivan Reis is an amazing artist. Keep him on this book, DC. Please.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) My only slight gripe with this tale is how most of the Atoms / Firestorms scenes, felt a lot like filler compared to the rest of it. Listen, I'm not trying to saying that they were pants. No. Of course not. Rather, that they seemed a mite redundant in retrospect.

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two WELL KNOWN MOVIE STARS.

GERARD BUTLER AS SUPERMAN: Alright. I know that he's Scottish. And every time I see a picture of him, I want to yell 'THIS. IS. SPARTA!' at the top of my voice. Nonetheless, I still think Gerry would do a pretty decent job on Clark, especially if he's banging...

LENA HEADEY AS WONDER WOMAN: ... his old misses from '300', Lena. Oh! 'ME. NEED. COLD. SHOWER'!!!!!

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity' -- Martin Luther King, Jr.

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

GOOD INTENTIONS BY RANDY TRAVIS: No. I haven't compared this story to this song just because it gives me the excuse to write the word 'randy' in a sentence. Instead, I feel that this tale and this tune share a number of tangy and taciturn tones in common. Just think about it.

ANYTHING Else?

As soon as I finished reading this issue of the 'Justice League', I put it down, I scratched my head, and then I said to myself "I'm confused. For a change I like the main tale better than I did the Shazam back-up feature. Yet I still liked the back-up feature as well".

Yeah. No word of a lie. I actually enjoyed this comic book more than usual. It was like watching a very dynamic episode of 'Jerry Springer', just with more personality, better art, a cast of characters I really care for, plus a lot of shooting to boot. Furthermore, another thing I got a kick out of, was how Batman came across like a very prudent and caring person too. Gone are the days where his stratagems are frowned upon. And here to stay is a more humane Bruce Wayne.

Wow! Will wonders never cease!

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If This Comic Book Was a Profession, It Would Be a Stripper. Bold. Daring. And Very Pleasant To Look At.