The Good

The Crime Syndicate has invaded the DC Universe and we're still finding out what happened between Trinity War and the beginning of FOREVER EVIL. The Syndicate has claimed the Justice League is dead (which we know is only true metaphorically) and are preparing to unleash their reign upon the world. And of course there was the little stunt with publicly revealing Nightwing's identity.

We have an idea what Earth 3 was like. We know everything is pretty much the opposite. That still doesn't prepare us for seeing the Earth 3 version of that fateful night in which Thomas and Martha Wayne met their end. This scene spells out just what this world was like. It also gives us a little more insight into Owlman's motives. So far, he's been the most fleshed out among the Syndicate. We know he has a connection to Dick Grayson because of the partner he had on Earth 3 but how this will affect Nightwing's predicament is interesting.

Another fascinating element of the issue is seeing the other criminal element now that the heroes are gone and the Crime Syndicate is laying out their groundwork. During this portion, we see the New 52 introduction of a character I've been waiting to see return.

I love seeing Doug Mahnke art whenever I get the chance. It's weird not seeing him fully attached to an ongoing and even though we a different art team last month, it's great seeing Mahnke take on these characters.

The Bad

Nothing to really complain about. In this overall story, it feels like we're seeing more developments in this series over the actual FOREVER EVIL issues.

The Verdict

I've been a little lukewarm with the notion of Forever Evil. The Crime Syndicate has always felt like more of a novelty. Geoff Johns shows another layer to them, specifically with Owlman. We may not have seen too much of what Earth 3 was like but we don't have to since Johns is giving us what we need. We're watching the story and fate of Dick Grayson unfold and also get treated to the return of a character that hasn't been seen in the New 52 so far. Mahnke depicts each scene nicely, including the origin of a familiar character we haven't seen lately. I'm really getting excited to see where this story goes.

I enjoyed this issue a lot, especially with the relationship build up between Nightwing and Owlman. I'm really curious to see who Superwoman will side with, though, once the showdown begins between Owlman and Ultraman.

@alak: I'm willing to bet she betrays them both

I'm finding these twisted origins pretty interesting so far. I don't know about everyone else, but I've always found evil counterparts of heroes cool. I found Ultraman's origins interesting last issue, but I loved Owlman's origins here. Seeing a dark twist on the classic Batman origin is both chilling and fascinating. Honestly I wouldn't mind seeing a whole series focus on the Crime Syndicate on Earth-3, prior to Forever Evil, seeing them take over their world and ruling it with an iron fist.

I'm also curious as to how this issues development with Owlman's plan to take down the Crime Syndicate. Seeing him enlist Nightwing's help in his plan's to take down Ultraman make me curious as to how this will all go down in the main Forever Evil series.

who? who? now i have to know who this "new" character is!!

@war_killer: I'm with you. These origin stories are really neat, and thus far I've enjoyed Owlman's the most. I really want to know how Earth-3 Nightwing died, and to know if that in any way impacted Owlman's philosophy on world domination.

@al_capown said:

Ha. I am sure you can know him but don't know his name.

@alak: Read Justice League 23.4: Secret Society. That issue shows how Earth-3 Dick Grayson was killed.

@al_capown:

Question: I've been reading Forever Evil but not Justice League. I feel like I'm missing something because of it, so what's a good jumping on point for this JL arc?

@lamenoire: Wait, was he in this issue?

@kilomac29: JL #24 and #25 dude. Before that is trinity war which takes place over 3 justice league titles (original,america,dark) and is 6 issues long.

How on earth would Owlman take down Ultraman?

@chewblocka: cool thanks! I'm caught up on Trinity War but don't pull any of the JL titles regularly so some of FE was baffling.

If I'm not mistaken, I believe Earth-3 Nightwing's death was due to Darkseid's attack, which is what also destroyed the rest of Earth-3 and lead to the Crime Syndicate coming to Earth-Prime in the first place. I thought Owlman mentioned this in the issue, but again I could have read it wrong.

@maddpanda531: yes. But it is a really brief cameo.

If you read the issue :

He is the one playing with a rubber band. He was shot in the shoulder and doused with a barrel of acid (like PM origin story) during Owlman's attack.

@lamenoire: Oh my god, now I have to make sure to get this. I've been waiting for him to actually debut. But doesn't he already exist in the New 52 as Plastic Man? I thought they dropped his name in JLI. Does the bit in the new issue take place in the present or past?

Didn't buy the book, but I did find scans of it on Tumblr. My jaw dropped :-(

another solid issue of Justice League. 4/5

@colanicole: similarly to how Bruce beats Clark in the Dark Knight Returns? Although, Ultraman probably wouldn't have the moral barrier of holding back that Owlman could exploit as a weakness...

@scumdestroy said:

You're right, but Owlman also doesn't have the moral barrier to not kill Ultraman the way Bruce did. So both pairs of gloves are gonna be off for that tango.

And this issue was fantastic. Between his depiction of Luthor and Thomas, Geoff Johns should have written all of the villains month issues. Man that guys at his best when it comes to bombastic over the top stories and villains.

Was that mobster Plastic Man?

@scumdestroy: Doubt that would be possible as Ultraman is not going to try and talk Owlman down as Owlman tries all his attacks beside he has no weakness to kryptonite. The plan would be more of exploiting the fact that there is a limited amount of Kryptonite which is Ultraman's source of power in this story.

Justice League has been really great with these tie-ins.

@sovereign91001: Yep, Eel should have gave it away

i can't wait to see his redesign

9/10 for me. love the fact that owlman doesnt support ultraman destroy ever thing he touches plan.

So what are the odds of Dick Grayson surviving Forever: Evil? But other wise really cool issue I do wonder how this will be collected in trade form it does not fit the whole 6 issue arc to well.

wowowow this is too good!

Owlman is awesome and I'm excited to see what happens next

Grant Morrison's Crime Syndicate >>> Geoff Johns' crime Syndicate.

Really, anyone who hasn't needs to go pick up Earth 2 by Grant Morrison. Owlman's origin story and dynamic in Gotham alone is more compelling than Geoff's take on each syndicate member combined.

@chewblocka: When was that reveled? Was it in this issue?

@war_killer: no not in this issue. That was in Justice League #23.4 the Secret Society villains month issue.

Really good issue like the development on nightwings status just hate it doesn't tie in to his ongoing

Ah, I didn't read that issue, probably why I missed it then.

Wait he showed up in this issue?

@lamenoire: It's about time they brought him back. Maybe he'll get a solo title soon or something.