Justice League of America

   After my review of JSA #41 I was happily back on board with the JLA/JSA crossover and both books remained on my pull list.  Well I still was still a bit apprehensive going into my LCS on Wednesday to pick up this and some 15 other books.  Could the dialogue stay as strong as the JSA issue?  Could Bagley's art be as good?  What about that back up?  Well dear readers you have already seen my rating so you know it wasn't as good as JSA 41 but in the abyss that JLA 46 found itself.   
 
Robinson's work here is strong again.  His characterization was spot on and the story was well paced and we have good forward movement in the crossover.  The dialogue was good not wooden or stiff.  I in fact have to say every piece I read out loud could "sound" right and didn't leave me reading it over and over to gleam understanding.  This group, the JLA portion, is coming together nicely as a group that can fill the shoes of the much more know top 7.   
 
Bagley's art is not as strong as in the JSA issue but is not bad or distracting.  Hunter's inks are definitely the problem and Rapmund should be the sole inker for Bagley.  Droopy boats were still to be had which really disappoints me.  This is a small but still a significant issue for me.   
 
The really area of "lack" is the back up.  I don't mind paying $3.99 for a book that is top notch or has good value.  However, with this back up I still feel a bit cheated.  I don't care for either character and that may have something to do with it.  But I do not like the art or the story.  I just can't read the entire thing.  Give me a thick cover with a high quality main story and drop that back up or give me 32 pages of main story for my $3.99. 
 
Over all this is still a good issue and was worth buying and recommending to you to purchase.  However, if you have missed the first 2 parts don't pick this up.

James Robinson's current JLA/JSA crossover story has definitely been his best Justice League work so far. This may be because of his comfort writing the JSA characters, but it really seems to be more than that. Robinson really makes the stakes seem high in this story with his excellent use of guest stars throughout the DCU. We touch on the new Justice League International and some of DC's underutilized magical characters in the beginning of this issue, and it works very well. Robinson avoids bogging the story down with these appearances, giving us just flashes of them to show how big the crisis is everyone is facing. 
 
My favorite is the inclusion of the Shilo Norman version of Mr. Miracle in the story. Both Robinson and Mark Bagley do an excellent job with the character, making me hope that he sticks around with the Justice League even after this story arc is over.  
 
As usual, Robinson's takes on his cast is a mixed bag. His take on Jade is very strong, even if it does lack some of the confidence Judd Winick developed with the character. Recent and current circumstances make that fairly understandable. His Batman is also solid. Unlike some writers' depictions, this Batman is clearly Dick Grayson and not Bruce Wayne. Where characterization really takes a hit is with Donna Troy. Robinson does seem to have a strong grasp of what he wants her personality to be, but the highly aggressive, Xena-like personality he gives her never feels right. This is from someone who isn't even a Donna Troy fan, so I can only imagine how people who care more about the character feel. 
 
The story's biggest problem is sort of timing. Personally, I just want it to end so we can finally get Robinson's JLA team established. After the Blackest Night tie-in, Cry for Justice and the aborted first version of his lineup, it feels like it is taking forever to establish who the Justice League actually is right now. This JLA/JSA crossover isn't very effective when there really is not much of a JLA to speak of at the moment. It reads more like the JSA have teamed up with a random collection of superheroes, and since some are just guest stars, readers would be hard pressed to identify who is and is not Justice League without reading interviews that tell who will be in the final lineup when all this is said and done. 
 
Despite its flaws, the Dark Things is turning out to be one of the better stories we have gotten out of either the Justice League or either Justice Society teams lately.

 “The Dark Things” storyline continues as League member, Congo Bill, finds himself taken out of the equation due to the chaos created by the Starheart possessing Alan Scott, Obsidian, and Dr. Fate. But never fear, Shilo Norma, AKA Mr. Miracle, has pledged to aid the Justice League and Justice Society as six heroes attempt to infiltrate the Starhearts’ moon base and rescue Starman (who’s being held captive). As things progressively grow worse on Earth, the heroes battle their way closer to their target only to be interrupted by a very special guest-star for Jade and Donna Troy. With the JLA/JSA crossover about half way through, things have continued to build steam fueled by exceptional internal monologue from the main players. JUSTICE LEAGUE of AMERICA continues to be my must-read-book every month!  ~ Hype

Well this is an oldish issue but I'd thought I'd review this issue because the cliffhanger in the co-feature was something I was so excited about but in the next issue it doesn't happen. 
DARK THINGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
GOOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
I actually like Mark Bagleys art on this series. James Robinson's wrighting is good the cliffhanger is nice and features one of my favorite characters KYLE RAYNER imo Kyle Rayner is the best Green Lantern!  This also features the battle everyone has been waiting for JLA & JSA V.S. Doiby Dickles and Rex the Wonder Dog!  More like 20 Doiby's and like 10 Rex the Wonder Dogs! 
BAD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
I can't really think of anything the inks the beginning weren't that great but improved twords the end. 
 COGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 
Weird Co-Feature it switches back between different times and it's really confusing the cliffhanger had me hooked until I read the next issue and it wasn't even mentioned again here it is. 
 
"---Trouble is....to give him the help he needs to save himself, I risk  releasing the JLA's WORST foe!"-Cyborg 
TO BE CONTINUED! 
That doesn't even get mentioned in the next issue. So I took a star away from the issue. 
 
4/5

Story:The JLA and the JSA go on the rescue mission of Starman and the plans of the Starheart almost revealed.
 
The Good
This is the best issue of James Robinson on the JLA title and I think that he is more comfortable with the JSA characters and that is why he is doing a almost good arc.He's take on Batman is really nice becasue you can easilly find out that this is Dick Grayson,not Bruce Wayne.He is more comfortable with the team.The action scenes were really strong from both sides.Writing and artwork.The story in the end gets interesting and it would be nice if we see the Satrheart in action.
 
Mark Bagley does every character and scene really nice.His style on Dr. Fate is amazing and when I see him I look at him for two or more minutes.
 
The Bad
The development is really slow and I think that the appearence of Kyle Rayner in the end was really unnescecesary.And I don't think Jade would so easilly go with Obsidian.
 
Overall:The story gets interesting but will it have a good conclusion.
4/5