JL 3000 #4 (belated review)
I know, I know I said when I reviewed the last issue that the estimated time that I'd review the next issue would be, "3/12/14", but at least I'm here right? Anyway, the JL of the future finally find out their origin stories! Written by Keith Giffen and J.M. Dematteis with artwork by Howard Porter.
The Good
The series is still very enjoyable. The JL of the future being cloned to work for Cadmus and fight their war is very interesting and has led to the heroes expressing hate towards one another. However, with this issue, origins are finally revealed and it looks like the JL 3000 might not actually be clones?!
It turns out that the JL 3000 are actually average people that have had their D.N.A. totally eradicated with the original Justice League's D.N.A. It turns out that making clones of the heroes would only lead to them becoming mentally insane and eventually die out. So already things have gotten more interesting with this fact.
The writers did a good job working up to this aspect of the series because the Wonder Twins (Terri and Terry) have always been talking about how the JL "are/aren't people or can/can't be replaced." This has been very confusing because it seems they want to win the war against Ariel and her allies, but don't want to have to keep making more-and-more JL because they get killed following orders. So all of this drama that has come from the Wonder Twins has finally payed off as we get a clear understanding of the JL we are working with. So well done on the writers part for finally making things clear and setting up for future issues with this revelation!
The artwork by Howard Porter is really awesome! I like his style of art because it really captures the strange new world that the JL 3000 live in. If you look at the design of any of the characters, they are totally different from their modern world counterparts and it really says something about the world. Good job Mr. Porter!
The Bad
So in issue 2 (or 3, I think), Barry Allen was totally killed off. I mean really badly, by the godlike character named, Locus. Locus as a character is interesting, however bringing back Barry Allen was a bit premature. Sure, I don't really care for any of the JL members because they are (sorta kinda, not really) clones, but still if this is going to be the routine of JL members dying then coming back two or so issues later; it's going to be an old habit that dies hard. However, with the introduction of a new hero, Firestorm, I guess it makes up for it -- just a little. It doesn't make much sense for the story to introduce another new hero because more than likely we (as readers) aren't going to care whatsoever for the next set of heroes. It also begs the question as to, why The Wonder Twins won't reincarnate more heroes to join the Justice League? I mean they could easily add the Justice League of America heroes (Catwoman, Vibe, Simon Baz, Katana etc) as well. The adding and taking away of heroes concept, to me, just doesn't make much sense.
The Verdict
It's more Justice League, if you can handle it!? Things are really left to question with the logic of (not) cloning more heroes and brining them back from the grave, but other than that, it's a great series. The creative team on this title are really good at what they do and I'm looking forward to see what the JL's next move will be after finding out their origins! 3 out of 5.
JL 3000 reviews:
P.S. for some crazy reasons the links might not actually link to MY review but the "reviews" page for that specific comic (a.k.a. the review pool). Mine is the one with the SUPER-MAN 23 handle, just saying yo.
My reviews:
(some of) The reviews I've done for this week (and links to last week) (so far, a.k.a. "daily reviews").
- Moon Knight #2 "....BAM...." (5 out of 5)
- Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Ep.#18 "We are not Agents of Nothing!" (4 out of 5)
- Wolverine #1, #2, and #3 ("You have a future NOW, It's a team-up (kinda), and More guest heroes/villains and the origin of the new Wolverine suit. (4 out of 5, 3 out of 5, and 3 out of 5)
- X-O Manowar #23 "Aric hates the circumstances...." (5 out of 5)
- X-Men #12 "Things are looking up for the women of the X-Men" (1 out of 5)
- Wonder Woman #29 "Wonder Woman's army!" (5 out of 5)