Justice League of America

This issue felt like it was over way too quickly. We see flashes of combat around the world and a cavalcade of characters. New readers beware, I fall into that category and there's brief scenes that will generate a little head scratching. The bulk of the issue is dedicated to Jade. She's not happy because she's thinking about her dad and brother who are MIA. I just didn't really care enough in this issue. It's a toss up as to whether I'll follow the League or come back for the continuation. Another aggravating factor is that I'm not sure I like the concept of the veteran well-liked superhero going off the rails while under foreign control. I wasn't crazy about the structure of the comic. The story is going to be continued in JSA, and there's a story in the back featuring a face-off between Cyborg and Red Tornado which while entertaining didn't seem to fit. Part of the problem is that I went into this comic with some high expectations, but overestimated this a bit too much. It's the definition of ok.

The first issue of the new "Dark Things" story arc which crosses over from Justice League of America to the Justice Society of America. The Story starts after Jade has returned to Earth(and from the dead) and the Starheart has taken control of Alan Scott (Golden Age Green Lantern) and Obsidian(His son and Jade's daughter).  
 
The Good 
The story starts with the team in small groups taking care of elemental and magical meta humans randomly being affected by the power of the Starheart. These sequences are really nice, well rendered, dynamic scenes that show each characters and their relationship with their assigned partner. These sequences are, for the most part well written and easy to follow although at some points a little quick. The art throughout this book is very high quality with only one panel in the second feature showing a character looking not quite in proportion. I still very much enjoy the multiple thought boxes following each character through their sections. The best things about this issue are the dynamic art, the character interactions and the exciting action sequences. However this issue was not as tightly written as previous issues. It is the first issue of this arc so that may be the main reason but with that being unclear I find it hard to know where i stand. 
 
The Bad 
The first thing I noticed about this issue was that the dialog didn't seem as tight as it had been in previous issues with these same characters. Congorilla's broken interruptions seemed a little overdone and the final sequence with Starman's thoughts seemed very broken (although on re-reading this that may be a plot thing to be picked up on in the next issue). My other concern is that whilst this is the first issue of this arc it isn't a very good jumping on point that you might expect from a crossover title. You really need to have read the previous two issues to truly understand why all these magical/elemental characters are acting violently. This shouldn't be a problem for those who read the Justice League of America series but for those readers who collect only the Justice Society of America and will be picking up only the three issues that tie in they may find themselves a bit lost both in terms of story and character.  The Second feature also felt a little slow and unnecessary it could very well be lading to a tie in with the main story but it still wasn't as entertaining as the main arc.
 
The Verdict - 3.5/5
I have to say I was a little disappointed with this issue as I had been looking forward to this crossover arc for a little while. It just didn't feel as tightly written as the last couple of issues and the dialog seemed a little off in places. Still overall I enjoyed the issue, the action sequences were dynamic and entertaining, the art was crisp all the way through and the character interactions which are one of the best parts of this series for me were solid. It's not a great jumping on point for new readers however and the second feature left a bit to be desired. Not as good as I was expecting but a 3.5/5 none the less. Still looking forward to reading the next issue.

      
 For starters you all need to know that I like the current line up of this JLA.  It is filled with characters that I like and am happy to see in the League.  I am a fan of James Robinson and after the 3rd issue of his Superman I happily followed his work on that book.  The last thing that is pertinent to this review is that I am not a fan of Mark Bagley.  In fact I have been waiting for his removal and it does not appear to be forth coming.  I was happy last issue with his art but well we'll get to that in a moment.  This is DC's premier super hero book and it should be a showcase and with the art it is most certainly not. 
 
So now with my usual preamble done lets get to the review of Justice League of America #46. 
 
Normally I start my reviews with a look at the story but I was so unhappy with the visuals of this book I wanted to start here.   My list of grievances: The relatively nonexistent back grounds, the poorly depicted costumes (Jesse Quick's and Donna Troy's), the odd faces (the women), the droopy boots(Donna Troy).  The book wasn't without some beautiful panels but just not enough.  I had tweeted a numeric value to the art of 3 but after my standard 2nd read through I would actually lower that over all score based on the "co-feature's" art.  Pow Rodix's art left me cold.  Yes, even colder than Bagley's.  I can't even read the co-feature to see if Robinson did a good job or not on the story.  My one real measure for the art of a book is does it add or take away from the intended story and its telling.  In this case it takes some much away I won't read the story at all.  Harsh...yeah but it is how I feel about it. 
 
James Robinson's story has me interested in the next issue and I am on board for the crossover but I have a complaint about the dialogue.  The overall story was good but at times the dialogue didn't flow.  A bit stilted here and there.  By the end it got better but still not anywhere as good as his story over in Superman 700.   
Art- 2.5 
Story - 4 
Dialogue - 2.5 
 
Overall 3 out of 5. 
 
I would still recommend buying this issue but only if you are on board for the JLA/JSA crossover that began this issue.  Other than that buyer beware.  This is an average issue at best.  

 Egh, so Supergirl is officially a member of the Justice League? I guess I see that writer, James Robinson, is creating a dichotomy of the original seven with Dick Grayson as Batman, Donna Troy in place of Wonder Woman, etc, but I have not been of fan of the post-Crisis Supergirl. Maybe Robinson can change that, he certainly changed my mind of, Congo Bill, who has a cool scene with Jesse Quick against, Samurai, originally from “Super Friends” fame. My favorite Leaguer, Donna, and ally, Jade, also have a cool scene as Jade begins to realize that she resents her Amazon friend a lot more than she should (due to an ex-boyfriend that they share). I’m impressed that both Robinson and artist Mark Bagley can handle such a huge cast of Leaguers and Justice Society guest-stars as this first chapter of the team crossover begins. I can’t wait for more!  ~ Hype

Story:The JLA and the JSA are going against the goed nuts heroes and villains and in the same time try to find out where is the Starheart.
 
The Good
Jade is back and this arc is putting the spotlight on her and her family,Alan Scott and Obsidian.She is very worried about her dad and that is the feeling everybody should have if anything happens.Dick may have a little crush on Supergirl,that is what James Robinson is showing us.If they realy have a crush it would be great.I like the new look of Alan Scott who is possesed by the Starheart because he looks a little like Parallax and I like Parallax(Hal Jordan Parallax).
 
The artwork is by Mark Bagley and we all know what he can do.I like his style and his action scenes.
 
The Bad
I don't think this story arc will do something unforgetable for the JLA and the JSA and it won't be really interesting.Even the prelude wasn't that good to set you up for this.And the first issue isn't again setting you up,you jump on some point and the story continues.James Robinson doesn't have a good run for now and for me.
 
Overall:A first chapter and nothing interesting.A bad run from Robinson for now and I hope he will do something bigger and cooler.
3.5/5