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Justice League Unlimited #21: With the JLU Animated
Series drawing to a close, I don’t know how long the comic series of the same
name will last….probably, not for long, and for a dedicated JLU fan like yours
truly, it’s a downer, because the way this title takes the characters (and their
relationships) from the Animated series and develops them, is something that
pulls me in every time. The last time it was Mary Marvel and SuperGirl, and this
time it’s the semi/is it or isn’t it/pseudo-triangle of Mari-John-n’-Shayera
i.e. Vixen, Green Lantern and (the former) Hawkgirl. Along the way we have a
spattering of the second superhero couple in this issue, that of Green Arrow and
Black Canary. While (sort of) battling the bickering lovebirds, Heatwave and
Killer Frost, Mari also deals with the threat she feels from the ‘always there
even without actually being there’ (the proverbial Elephant in the room) Shayera.
At the same time John, who has been shown in the animated series choosing to
stay with Mari just because he didn’t want to be a puppet of destiny, realizes
that he might actually have true, deep feelings for the
supermodel-cum-superhero. The last page, especially the last panel left me with
a hankering for more about these three (even if John looked eerily similar to
the way he was left standing at the end of ‘Starcrossed’).
Conclusion: Only regret. I was out of town and had
to wait for reading this (and other) comics from this week.
RATING: 8.5/10
More 'Justice League Unlimited' Reviews
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane #5:
Fantasy and Reality…well, Fantasy and ‘comic’
Reality, the two never quite match, and this is what
this issue is about. MJ, having got her dream date
with her ‘fantasy’ i.e. Spider-Man, has turned down
the ‘reality’ i.e. Nerd-Man, Peter Parker, and is
off on her date with the web-slinger. Sadly (for
her), the transformation of the fantasy into reality
brings about a few revelations which MJ didn’t
anticipate. One, once she gets over the whole
‘OOOhh’ factor, MJ realizes that underneath all,
Spidey is just another guy….normal guy. Two,
Liz has been right when she said that this would
happen. Three, she is not starting to have feelings
for nerd-boy. She already has them. And last but not
the least, Liz is right again when she tells MJ to
gather her guts and tell Peter how she feels about
him. However, that is where the already shaky love
life of MJ starts to crumble….and all in a few
pages. And although I not reveling the name here,
the name of the new girl/woman in Peter’s life is
pretty clear even before we reach the end of the
issue. (Hint: What rhymes with ‘WHEN’)
Conclusion: Hey. Its easy reading….and with the
Civilly-Crisis, a much needed breath of fresh air.
RATING: 7.5/10
X-Men - Apocalypse vs Dracula #4: Another Marvel mini to
reach its end (the other one, Sentinel O*N*E, I did not read/buy). Apocalypse’s
trailing Dracula to Transylvania and their showdown isn’t much of that…..I mean
a showdown. Sure they have their moments, but most of it is just one or both of
them just spouting off what they did in the past or what they are going to the
other now. It’s the supporting characters (especially the male *Blink* i.e.
Fredrick) who do most of the work…..though not getting the honors. There is some
hint/tie-in with the ongoing ‘Blood of Apocalypse’ arc of the X-Men title (not
reading that title anymore). Well, with Dracula thrown into the mix, what else
can one expect? The only thing that struck me, and felt seriously out of place
in the dark, dreary mood that this mini seems to draw up, is the lively,
colorful art.
Conclusion: Is it over already? Oh. How about I
take a look at the follow-up in the ‘Adjectiveless’ X-men title. On second
thought….No.
RATING: 6/10
X-Men: The End, (Book 3: Men &
X-Men) #5: I seriously don’t know what this
series is heading towards or what its hoping to
accomplish….nor do I care anymore. (Depending on how
you look at it) a lot of things happen….or nothing
happens at all. As we near the end of this gawd-awfully-long
series, the atmosphere is even more confused and
overtly boring as it was at the beginning of this
volume. The X-Men (or what’s left of them), face off
against Cassandra Nova (or is it Xavier Nova?),
while Bishop and those with him continue to run
through desolate, empty corridors, heading towards
something worthwhile and useful for them….I hope..
As for the election subplot, it also continues its
page filler routine, and no prize for guessing the
way its heading. All in all, I am glad I abstained
for putting down the money for this, flipping
through it at the LCS itself.
Conclusion: “O’ X-Men: The End, when will you end?
For anyone else reading this serie, I honestly pray for thee.”
RATING: 5/10
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