Justice League Dark

So... 20 pages of nothing happening. Without the bad dialogue of the Justice League from the last issue the dialogue wasn't bad with this issue, but absolutely nothing happened. If you don't read this book you will have missed nothing cuz the one advancement in plot that happened on the last page will be said at the beginning of the next issue. Everything else was just pointless filler that added nothing to the story and was more or less a completely different story than what we got last issue.

The majority of the book is Deadman and Dove and their relationship which has nothing to do with this book.

And a few pages were wasted on Constantine which also has nothing to do with what's going on.

That being said, it was a better read than last month, but still failed to be average or be about what the story let alone what the book is about. I really want this book to be good, but it just isn't doing it.

I can't recommend this book, even if you like the last issue or this title over all because if you skip this issue you will have missed nothing.

This issue doesn't really progress the story that's set up in #1. Enchantress is still nuts, and this is causing weird shit to happen. A variety of mystically themed DC heroes are all being drawn into the mix, and really nothing is actually happening thus far. I'm a little curious to see where this goes, since I get that Peter Milligan is building up to something with June Moon (who is seperated from the enchantress here, not sure if that's always that way or what, not super familiar with the character myself).

The Good

1)I really enjoyed the interaction between Boston (Deadman) and Dawn (Dove). Without spoiling anything, Boston gets himself into a situation that is both humorous and somewhat sad, and I like to see that kind of characterization in my books. This series has kind of a soap opera-ey thing going on this issue and last (with Shade), and I think that's an okay sort of thing for these characters.

2)The art is also on point for the book. While I'm sad that I don't get to see Zee in her classic outfit, her new look is not as horrible as I initially thought.

The Bad

1)Maybe I'm a little dense, but I don't really understand what's going on with M. Xanadu at the end of the book. In fact, the whole story up to this point seems a little muddled. I hope it becomes more clear as the series goes on.

2) Nothing really happens to progress the story in this issue.

The Verdict

I really want this to be a great series. I think Peter Milligan is a good fit for the book, but he needs to get this story moving. I'll stick around because of my affection for the characters, particularly Zee, Deadman and Constantine. Hopefully next issue will advance the plot a little.

Peter Milligan, Mikel Janin, and Ulises Arreola continue their craft in another issue of Justice League Dark. With issue #2, the quality of art hasn't changed, it's still beautiful to watch as ever. But will the quality of the script take a turn for the better? Will there be more flying pieces of bone and other plagues to torment the new branch of the Justice League?
 
!2# eussi fo weiver eht nigeb s'teL (If you don't know your backwards reading, shame on you.)

The Good

Mikel Janin consistently delivers some truly gratifying and jarring art in this book that deserves to glare over again and again. His depiction of Dove, Zatanna, and even Deadman can be seen as works easily worth of its admiration. The coloring by Ulises Arreola is always a nice touch to put on Janin's interior art, and it essentially seems tailor-made for Janin. 
 
Peter Milligan, for his part, uses this issue to further emphasize the presence of Madame Xanadu and the current problem with June Moon and the Enchantress. If his objective was to push Xanadu to the forefront of the JL Dark, then he did his job well. The interaction with Deadman and Dove trying to cope with the unconventional means of their relationship is something that seems lighthearted, yet sinister at the same time, which adds a new layer to the story, for better and for worse. The book is not plagued with that many cameos as it was with issue one, allowing for a more concentrated storytelling of the plot. With that said, there's some progress to the story in this issue.

The Bad

The involvement of Deadman's relationship with Dove, and its consequential effect, while it may help the story, it felt a bit bothersome to include in the plot. The turn of events that relate to said relationship, were also unnecessary. Constantine's appearance, while pleasant, was too short, and didn't explain much as to why is he looking for Zatanna. In this regard, Milligan did good, but overall, it leaves a desire that it could've been a whole lot better.

The Verdict

It's a bumpy ride, but with the impressive visuals of Janin and Arreola on coloring that are vital to Milligan's storytelling, this book has the chops to progress into something much better. While the book does give a story worth investing in, it still needs to find its own comfort zone. If you bought the first issue, get this issue, as it is vital to the arc overall. If you want to jump on this book, it's preferable to start from issue #1, because by itself, it gets rather confusing. 4/5 SOLID BUY

To upkeep the concept of untangle things, Peter Milligan titles this issue "Dark Matter" and dark matter is matter that neither emits or scatters light and other types of radiation.  Symbolically the enchantress is now dark matter.  This comic read after number one felt light this and the first issue should of been a thick issue if 40 pages for it to be a cleaner read.
 
The use of Tarot cards is a lot less in this issue and that was part of the problem I had with it.  Another problem I had with this comic was that John Constantine is on the cover and again they play on his classic DCU minimal interaction, but build up up for great reveal.  I don't like the use of Constantine this way, since he left the DCU so he could be a star.  Having him on the cover and then having him for now two pages is clearly trying to sell this comic to his true fans, but then not give his true fans what they want, which is more Constantine.  Dove and Deadman should of been on the cover since they served the plot more, the cover was clearly a marketing stunt.
 
Overall I enjoyed this comic, not loved it, but enjoyed it.  Like a good Grant Morrison story, the monthly read is hard because the wait for information comes at a slower rate then trade.  A good advantage to the monthlies in this type of meta is that each issue can be dissected and digested individually.  However I don't think the average reader likes to think deeper and want things given to them, so I would really warn people this book is more of a Vertigo book then a true DCU book.
 
Cheers
- Silkcuts

The Story: 

Dove and Deadman are having a bit of a rough patch int heir relationship while at the same time, Madame Xanadu continues to pull strings from the dark. 

My Thoughts:

Peter Milligan hits a bit of a bump with this second issue. I would have figured he would have continued rolling off the events of the first issue but the pacing of this issue slowed down incredibly. It was basically the Dove and Deadman soap opera. It had it's pros and cons and took up the majority of the issue. At times their dialogue became a little boring and felt like it dragged on leaving me anxious for the bigger story going on to start happening. At other times their dialogue was a little humorous especially when it came to the part about their lack-of-sex obstacle that Deadman so "chivalrously" tried to fix.

I don't know if it's just me or perhaps my inexperience with John Constantine, but what purpose did his two pages serve? I felt like Milligan could have went into a little more detail. I know Constantine mentions Zatanna and mystical signs, but what exactly does he need her for? This can be part of the reason I like reading stories in trade better than single issues because I do understand the writer wants some sense of mystery to shroud the story, but it can be a little frustrating at times. Other times it can be fun when you're eagerly awaiting and anticipating a comic issue. I guess it all depends on the characters and writer.

Once again the art by Mikel Janin is outstanding. I definitely love his style and find it a great fit for this series. So far I'd say the art has been the one consistent part of this series. The interiors are incredible especially when Dawn Granger turned into Dove. Ulises Arreola's colors are phenomenal. They definitely play a big role in making Janin's pencils just flourish. On a side note; that cover by Ryan Sook was also incredible.

This series strikes me as something better read in trade format. I'm sure when it's all read together everything will flow much better and be a little more enjoyable. I'm still going to continue picking it up each month as I do have high hopes this series will be something spectacular.  

Rating: 3/5

I remember reading a review of this issue when it came out and the review pretty much hit the nail on the head with just one sentence.....
 
"How do you know that someone is a good writer? When they write a comic book story where nothing happens, and yet you still really like it." 
 
That sentence pretty much sums up this entire issue. Nothing really happens, it's all just filler for the next issue. The first issue set up the series and the rest of the arc, the next issue is obviously when the action is going to start, this is just stuck in the middle. Although that's not to say this isn't a good issue. This is filler that focuses on the characters, mainly with Deadman and Dove. Although John Constantine and Zatanna get a few pages to shine as well. Peter Milligan really seems to understand these characters and how they work which can only mean good things to come.  
 
I didn't read a lot of Zatanna before the DCnU, although I did know enough about her to get the basic gist of things. I like the new additions they gave her in this series, the motorcycle is a great fit and the costume works. Someone pointed out she looks like a goth version of Katy Perry.....to which I say.....what's wrong with that?  It's sad that so many people think that DC is turning their female characters into nothing but sexual objects (Starfire and Catwoman), yet this book has a strong female character who isn't showing skin for the fanboys. People just seem to focus on the bad and ignore the good.
 
The issue doesn't really have a lot of action. Zatanna fends off an attack from Enchantress and that's pretty much it. The rest is all about the characters. My complaint with the first issue was it was all set up with only little tidbits of who these characters are. Well this issue fixes that, we get a much more clear idea of who these characters are and why they are so interesting to read. I know little to nothing of Deadman but his relationship with Dove is interesting. What would you doing if you were in love with someone you can't touch. It's an interesting premise that shines in the issue, although a little more Constantine and Zatanna would have been nice. The next issue's cover has John on a motorcycle with Zatanna fending off Enchantress' ghouls, so they'll probably finally run into each other in the next issue. Heck maybe Johnny boy is going to come to Zatanna's rescue. 
 
The art is still looking really good, Mikel Janin is becoming a name to look out for. I'd like to see what his artwork would look like with a new colorist. The colorist isn't bad, some pages are great. Other pages just look sloppy and not really put together. I'd also recommend that Mikel shake things up a bit with how he layers his panels.....but this is all just nit picking.
 
There really isn't much more too say. It's a issue of filler, but it's filler that just so dang entertaining to read. 
 
Also what the heck was up with that ending? It's going to be torture waiting for the next issue.

This is one of the most disappointing issues of the month after a decent lead-in from the first issue.  There is still some stuff to get behind here, but more than half of the issue is taken up by a very bizarre look at the state of Deadman's relationship.  After Shade's actions in the first issue where he creates his own superhero, this is by far more weird.  For some reason in going for edgy, the creators have decided to portray the male characters as either obsessive or perverted, which I do not think does justice to the characters or to the series.  There were some good moments here, mostly with Zatanna and Constantine (not together though.)  It was actually kind of cool to see Zatanna riding a motorcycle as she is usually depicted using magic to get around.  Overall though this issue put all the focus in the wrong place which really detracted from it overall.  

Review for Justice League Dark #2.

The Story: Zatanna escapes into a protective shield, John is trying to find Zatanna and we see Boston and Dawns relationship and how it works.

The Good: In this issue we get a very good twist to the team forming arc, it seems that Madame Xanadu is influencing Enchantress to be more crazy in order to create the team and to fight whatever will destroy the world. Also Milligan seems to know what makes for compelling situations for stories because he is doing in this issue what Sterling Gates should be doing in Hawk & Dove, wich is the fact that if Boston and Dove want to have an actual relationship Boston will have to take over other men (or women in this one hilarious bit) and it does cause trouble. We also get some John in here and we get to know him a little, it seems that he is ready to be beaten to a pulp in order to perform a spell, he is a dedicated magician and the art on the panel with him performing the spell is my favorite panel of the issue. The art continues to be dark and moody that fits very well with the tone of the book.

The Bad: The cover is so very misleading. Also it is filler but as all the positive reviews have been saying it is still entertaining.

The Verdict: This issue might have slowed down a little but we do get to explore the Dove & Boston relationship in a logical that isn't being done in Hawk & Dove. This is a buy.

Synopsis: Enchantress continues to make her move against those who oppose her.

-What's Good?

My problems with the last issue are addressed in #2 with Peter Milligan focusing more on Zatanna and Constantine, along with the relationship between Deadman and Dove. I still get a different vibe from this series compared to the other titles out there, almost like with Batwoman when she's dealing with supernatural beings. I kind of agree with Madame Xandu's statement that everyone else besides Enchantress is a threat to themselves. Magic and the supernatural is a dangerous element that seems to be true in this new universe compared to the old one.

The artwork is just as beautiful like the previous issue. Character models just look amazing and I love the way each central character have a distinctive look. The same goes for the environment, especially for the spread in the beginning. I also consider Dove transforming a bonus just because how beautiful it looks. I hope Mikel Janin and Ulises Arreola stay on board with this series for a long time.

-What's Bad?

The pacing is still slow, but slow is good. I like that Peter Milligan is taking his time establishing each character.

I'm a bit surprised on Deadman's character this time around. Now he's back to his old self before Brightest day? Dove is one of the sweetest characters, but Deadman suggesting that they take their relationship to the next level by using someone else's body and later implying for sex in another woman's body/semi-threesome? I'm not going to lie, that was pretty funny to see Dove pissed off at him, but I kind of thought Deadman changed for the better after Brightest Day.

Overall:

 Now that the cast have been introduced mostly, the book should pick up more in the next couple of issues.

Justice League Dark #1 left me confused and wondering what was happening through the whole book, but I'm happy to say that this answers a lot of question and makes you excited for the future. 
 
THE GOOD:
I really like the art. It gives you a misty feel and have a lot of detail that you can notice when you reread it. I really liked the story in this issue. We get to see Hawk and Deadman interaction and I think that it's amazingly written.  You get to see how hard it is for them to be lovers when he can't even really feel her. I like everything that is going on in the series currently and I think Zatanna's part in this was small but really cool. 
 
THE BAD:
I don't really like Madame Xanadu. I like reading this series but it's her part in the whole thing that is confusing me. Are these cards suppose to have a secret meaning. I also want to see these people together. I don't want just to see three or four people an issue, I want to see them all fighting together.
 
THE VERDICT: 4/5 (Great)
I really think that I would like this series if it was a little more simpler to follow. I get confused reading it sometimes and I really don't know why. If you like reading comic books that will all make sense once you have all the issues, then maybe you should get this. If you like stories like that but don't want to wait for the collected edition.

The Good: The beginning of this issue is just so cold and dark. Zatanna wanders in, and everything is so still and dead, I can actually feel death's dusty breath upon the nape of my neck. And then Enchantress speaks from a cold mechanical soulless machine. Everything wrapped together here works so well.
There's a lot to be said about what goes on between Deadman and Dove here. Basically this entire scene proves that keeping their relationship from Brightest Day canon was a great idea. We get some truly deep and soul wrenching sorrow sewn int otheir interactions, the couple facing relationship adversity none of us could even concieve the difficulty of, and yet, everything is done in such a way that it can pull delicately at the soul of anyone's who's had a strainted relationship. I have no idea how one would even being to experience with what Deadman is going through, and yet somehow I feel I can empathize with him.
And for both of these aforementioned scenes, Mikel Janin's soft and subtle art works wonders for bringing the haunting hammer of realism to this incredibly magic comic.
I am in love with John Constantine now, and I HAVE to read some of his series. Reccomend me a good place to start, someone.
I-I was a c-crooked house. GOD that phrase keeps popping up in my nightmares now.
WHOA? WHAT? Why is Madame Xanadu....? Whose side is she on!?
 
The Bad: Ryan Sook's cover art is great in and of itself, but absolutely nothing about this cover really excites me. 
 
In Conclusion: 4.5/5
It didn't hit me at first, but this issue was just so spectacularly done. The cover doesn't work, and honestly should've at least been switched with the next issue's cover, but whatever. The depth and the balance of real emotion to magic beyond comprehension is simply stellar, and if you like your team comics deep, you definitely could not go wrong with Justice League Dark.

Well I said, "Lily.
Oh, Lily, I don't feel safe.
I feel that life has blown a great big hole through me."
And she said, "Child.
You must protect yourself.
You can protect yourself.
I'll show you how with fire." - Kate Bush, "Lily"

Story/Writing

This issue mostly follows Zatanna, Deadman, and Constantine while Madame Xanadu narrates. Peter Milligan continues to examine how the characters are "damaged goods" primarily by focusing on how they inevitably destroy all that is innocent, including their love lives, in the Deadman portion of the story. There's been a lot of back-lash against Deadman for acting like an insensitive jerk, but upon a closer reading of the issue, I can see that it has a purpose and is meant to show one example of how their love-lives aren't easy. As Dove says, when quoting Joan Armatrading, "I'm not in love...but I'm open to persuasion." But Deadman can't do the persuading, as much as Dove desires his Love and Affection. We see more of how their love-lives are troubling in the previous issue when Rac Shade's subconscious momentarily re-creates Kathy, his dead love. And in the next issue, we'll see more of Zatanna and Constantine's relationship. It's a very good issue and I particularly liked the scenes with Zatanna in the beginning and end of the book. I just find it very beautiful, how she shields herself in a halo of energy to protect herself from the darkness.

Art

The panel lay-outs in this issue are masterfully done with a lot of attention given to negative space and Ulises Arreola's colours are used to great effect and create a wonderful sense of atmosphere. I particularly love the scenes in which Zatanna shields herself in a halo of protective energy amidst the wave of Enchantress's dark influence and when Dove flies out into the eerie dark.

Summary 
 
The Good  
 
This issue takes a little step back from all the action to concentrate both on Dawn Granger's and Deadman's strained relationship and also John Constantine's search for Zatanna. The bulk of this issue concerns the former, delving into how difficult it is for two abnormal people in love find it to keep together, especially since one of them is incorporeal. Milligan is as comfortable writing relationships as he is bizarre action here it appears, so were are now starting to get some depth from some of these characters as well. :) 
 
We also get a great little scene from Constantine, which I though was well thought out. The reader is shown some of the madness that goes into his occult rituals, and quite frankly it is quite amusingly morbid how he goes about it. Lines such as "I've also stubbed my big toe, which is always a bad omen" made me smile. Superstitious in the extreme!
  
There's also a big spoiler at the end of the issue, which I think takes what you though will happen and spins it on it's head. I look forward to seeing how this develops. 

The Bad  
 
There isn't really any action in this issue. John Constantine gets chucked out of a bar and Zatanna comes across a place devastated by Enchantress' dark dabblings, not exactly what I'd call action! Hopefully next issue there will be a whole lot more kicking-a and all that. :p
 
Conclusion 
 
Character development for Dove and Deadman take precedence over more general action and violence this issue. I still thought it was a great read and I eagerly await #3!