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Mild Mannered Reviews - Justice League Adventures

Justice League Adventures #3

Scheduled to arrive in stores: January 9, 2002

Cover date: March 2002

Writer: Fabian Nicieza
Penciller: John Delaney
Inker: Randy Elliot

"The Star Lost"

Reviewed by: George O'Connor (mo442@nyu.edu)

Beyond Jupiter, a distress signal alerts the Justice League to a damaged space transport vessel. Superman, Hawkgirl, J'onn J'onnz, and Green Lantern ferry the transport to dock with the Watchtower and from there the Flash speedily inspects the craft's interior, discovering a gigantic room filled with bodies.

The Scarlet Speedster soon locates four survivors from the planet Daxam. Inside the Watchtower, the trio is greeted warmly by all members of the Justice League... except for Batman, of course.

Later, as the press attempts to take pictures of the Daxamites, the group overreacts in anger and, to their surprise, melt the cameras with heat vision. A minute later, the Daxamites realize they can soar in the air as well, and share all the other powers that Superman possesses. The female Daxamite takes particular interest in the Man of Steel, flirting with Superman as her fellow Daxamites boldly plan to help turn Earth into a paradise. Superman flinches slightly at the way in which they speak of performing such a task.

Meanwhile, in the Watchtower, Batman and J'onn learn that the members were held as prisoners aboard the ship and that they were rebel leaders and criminals on their planet. Batman wonders whether their revolution was against evil tyrants or if the revolution was only a bid for power.

Along with Superman, the four super-powered individuals help to improve places all over the world and, at the end of the day, Superman attends a Justice League meeting in the Watchtower, where he becomes angered by Batman's consistent paranoia.

Later, Wonder Woman reminds the Man of Steel that he must not allow his new friendship to cloud his perceptions on the true intent of the Daxamites.

The next day, in the war torn nation of Qurac, the Daxamites plan on taking down a ruthless tyrant and the armies at his command. The Justice League interjects, arguing that the Daxamites cannot use their power for murder or for becoming dictators themselves. The Daxamites respond with temper and force, causing the Justice League to respond in retaliation and defense. The massive battle soon puts innocents in danger, and the League rushes to help them as the Daxamites, in their unrestrained rage tear apart everything in their paths.

Finally, the female Daxamite, upon being confronted by Superman, refuses to fight him. Superman points out to her the damage that she and her friends have caused and she screams for her fellow Daxamites to stop fighting the League.

The combatants separate and tempers subside as Batman arrives to inform Superman that the Daxamites are not evil beings. They were imprisoned because they rebelled against a tyrannical empire and served as freedom fighters. Superman points out that the group was attempting to fight Daxam's battles on Earth and the group of aliens agrees that they should return to their own planet. Despite the fact that they will lose their powers upon returning to their home planet with its red sun, the brave foursome shake hands with the League and leave.

Always the pessimist, Green Lantern claims that they won't survive long, but Superman believes that in the end, justice will prevail.

Story - 4: This was a nicely told story which brought up the intriguing idea of right vs. wrong and how it's not always as black-and-white as it seems (especially in comic books and movies). The freedom fighting Daxamites were attempting to use their power for good but were becoming, without even realizing it, tyrannical. Similar to the whole "King of the World" concept in the regular Superman comic books a year back or so and the only intriguing part of Superman IV (the movie), Nicieza was able to contain the concept in an easily digestible 22 page issue. As well, it was interesting to have the reappearance of the Daxamites, who were also very prevalent in the Superman comics a couple of years back, as well as establishing a relationship between Superman and this other alien race. Kal-El's loneliness showed through in this issue, and it was fun to see Supes storm out of the Watchtower, especially since he's usually the mediator of disputes.

Art - 4: Delaney does a nice job here along with Elliot on the inks. The first pages in particular are gorgeous and though some of the later pages seem a little TOO cartoony, the balance is held with some engaging combat scenes and a nice layout and flow between panels.

Cover Art - 3: The all-too-typical "Ha! HA! We've beaten the Justice League!" complete with the entire League unconscious on the ground. Oh well. It may be typical, but it's nicely drawn at least.