The Good
INJUSTICE: YEAR TWO has come and gone, but that doesn't mean there aren't more stories to tell! In this case, writer Marguerite Bennett (Tom Taylor helped with the plot) gives us just a little more time with Jim Gordon and his daughter, Barbara. Given what went down in second volume, it's nice getting one final adventure with James and having him work with his daughter is a totally fitting addition. While the emotional beats didn't resonate with me, this tale does introduce another character to the Injustice universe and it sheds a little more light on the Gordon family tree (no, the son isn't involved!). The initial twist is something DC does often, but odds are you won't see it coming. Unfortunately, the rest of the twists are a little more obvious, but given the fact Barbara doesn't receive much time in this world, it was refreshing to see her (along with her father) take the lead and even kick just a wee bit of butt.
The second story reveals why Hal Jordan is fine being on the same team as Sinestro and it even offers a little more insight into why Hal's so loyal to Superman -- you know, aside from the fact he's Superman! To me, the selling point of this part would be artist Jheremy Raapack and colorists David Lopez and Santi Casas' pages. The character work is consistently strong, as is the attention given to all of the effects, backgrounds, and exotic locations. There's two splash pages and one double-page spread in this story. Each are a real pleasure to gaze at and are definitely deserving of the extra focus. The first story jumps between several artists and it's a jarring ride, but these visuals were really impressive and by far the highlight of the entire issue.
The Bad
Maybe my expectations are just too high when it comes to the Injustice franchise, but unfortunately nothing about this annual left an impact. I wasn't moved by the more emotional scenes; I wasn't fascinated by the time Sinestro and Jordan were forced to spend together; Harley Quinn didn't make me laugh (which is the most heartbreaking thing of all!); and none of the twists dropped my jaw or left me stunned. Technically, a lot does happen, but none of it really resonated with me or kept a firm grip on my interest. I don't mean to be harsh, but I found it to be a very mediocre issue. For example, the second story should be about the dynamic between Hal and Sinestro, but it feels like the alien world they're exploring is more intriguing and the "I can't trust you" relationship is a little too heavy-handed. Seeing as this issue has a $4.99 cover price and it takes place in one of the most exciting and emotionally gripping timelines DC has to offer, that's pretty disappointing.
The first story, Closing time, has a total of 4 artists (to be fair, Rex Lokus' coloring is consistent throughout)! Usually I'm cool with visual changes if one style flows well into the other or if they're used for different settings, but the difference as we switched from artist to artist was pretty distracting. I'm a fan of what Mike S. Miller and David Yardin have brought to the franchise, but the experience of throwing them and two others into one story just didn't work well for me.
Minor gripe: I'm no Clayface expert, but it seems like he was brought down way too easily. Seems a bit odd to have the wheel be the attack to drop him and not the Canary Cry.
The Verdict
As a huge Injustice fan, I have to say that I'm pretty letdown. It's not a "bad" issue, but it doesn't pack the same kind of energy, character, and compelling conversations that we're used to seeing in the digital comic. The last annual was a brilliant and thrilling ride, but this just feels very average. The visuals in the second story, however, impress a whole lot. If you're looking for another hugely entertaining trip into the Injustice universe, odds are you'll feel a bit disappointed as well. But, if you're feeling a little curious about the Gordon family and why Hal is suddenly cool working with Sinestro, it's worth considering. Again, it's not "bad," but it's not nearly up to par with what we usually get from this universe. At least INJUSTICE: YEAR THREE #1 was really good, right?
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