Field Test
This issue has a pretty decent 'first issue' kind of cover, where the focus isn't a flag, and the characters are all pretty well balanced. The flipside is that this is definitely among the weaker of David Finch's artwork. It looks incredibly rushed and heavy and just not like what I'm used to from him.
The secret society is definitely getting some interesting setup. The opening scene appears to reveal the leader, but not his actual identity. He shares a few disappointing design similarities to The Joker and Greaves, but the impact of the scene is still pretty effective. But the opposite is said for the implications that Dark Archer was a long term plan. Last issue was the first time we saw it, and it was right on the tail end. It would've worked a LOT better if it was something we had seen earlier to make us wonder.
There's definitely too much overlap between this series and Vibe. I can understand them being closely related, since Vibe is fresh to the superhero scene AND is dealing with a lot of A.R.G.U.S. secrets; but for the first two issues of both series have repeated scenes? That's just lazy. But at least it's only part of the League's first meeting that's repeated, because overall its much more suited to this series, and overall a damn good scene. We get to see how each character thinks, and how they interact with each other. Catwoman has a perfect bit right at the end that starts out humorous, but ends up a bit melancholy.
There's some definite problems with Martian Manhunter's access into Green Arrow's memories, especially since he wakes up soon after and negates the need for that scene. But if Martian Manhunter saw him fighting a CLEARLY robotic Batman, they would know to prepare for that. But what really bothers me is that last issue established that Green Arrow knows who leads the Secret Society of Super-Villains. So why doesn't Martian Manhunter find out to tell Steve? Or why doesn't Steve ask Green Arrow when he wakes up? It's all because Geoff Johns doesn't want to reveal it yet, but the way the story is, we SHOULD know. It makes it a bit frustrating.
The highlight of this issue is the Martian Manhunter backup. Matt Kindt NEEDS to be given the helm of a Martian Manhunter ongoing series, because this is BRILLIANT. If the co-feature here was, on it's own, a $1 10-page comic by itself? I'd give it a hands down 5/5 no hesitation. Scott Clark's art is amazing, at it's peak, and the story is magnificent. It all appears to be leading in a very dark direction, obvious but still very subtle. But the end has such a masterful clicker that nails Martian Manhunter and general psychic psychology it just... it blew me away and makes me want J'onn to have his own series all the more.
In Conclusion: 4.5/5
Like the first issue, this wasn't without it's hiccups, but at the core, it's still an extremely solid series, has a lot of Geoff Johns' usual tropes done right. The character work is strong, and the larger plot is building beautifully.
