Mild Mannered Reviews – Justice League #15

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Justice League #15

Scheduled to arrive in stores: February 15, 2017

Cover date: April 2017

“Timeless” – Part 1

Writer: Bryan Hitch
Penciller: Fernando Parsarin
Inker: Matt Ryan
Cover: Fernando Parsarin, Matt Ryan, & Brad Anderson
Variant Cover: Yannick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn

Reviewed by: T.A. Ewart (aka liheibao)

Click to enlarge

Something is amiss with time. The Justice League is separated and sent throughout time, real and mythical, until the bulk of the team unites and seeks to set the world aright. Superman and The Batman have been succored by the Infinity Corporation, and plan their next move through time.

4Story – 4: The challenge of this book deserves a higher rating. It is Morrisonian in its construction i.e. requiring of more than a mere pass for full comprehension, and the promise of its ambition is very, very intriguing. Still, it’s reminiscent of Hitch’s work on his unfinished Justice League of America. Hitch had Green Lantern in Krypton’s past, while the rest of the League contended with the world spanning power of Rao. In “Timeless,” once more, the League is separated and by time… with a world spanning event to contest. Hitch should be credited, and has been by this critic, for being ambitious in idea, and those ideas for the League have been sizable in their onset. However, the form and execution of those ideas have been unrewarding for the most part. It will be telling to see what “Timeless” shapes up to be, but again, Hitch deserves honorable mention for continually trying. Another writer would have gone formulaic at this point, and delivered a nice serving of Starro, Amazo, and Darkseid-O. Attempts cannot be rewarded, but they should be acknowledged, or at least acknowledged once, and this suffice on that count.

Superman serves no purpose in this story, other than to continuously reminds readers that he wants to save Lois and Jon to the exclusion of the rest of the world. The aforementioned bad form is why marriage and children mixed with adventure characters are shunned by some. I don’t want to see Superman bemoan being separated from his family, I want to see him attack the problem and find his way back to them. Have a read of Morrison’s Superman Beyond. Superman is in similar straits, but he never makes it just about what he wants, but that’s not Superman.

4Art – 4: The biggest failure is Superman’s outfit, which is never rendered quite well, and is a constant reminder of why you don’t mess with a classic.
4Cover Art – 4: It’s an homage! Can you name the original cover.
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Kal L
Kal L
February 21, 2017 5:41 pm

I agree with most of your review T.A, except for: “I don’t want to see Superman bemoan being separated from his family, I want to see him attack the problem and find his way back to them.” Clark is clearly worried about Lois and Jon. Having seen an energy like wave heading toward them. Knowing that time travel is involved, he wants to get to them, rather than have a lifetime regret of “Why didn’t I?” or “I should have…” Its what make this story so personal and give Clark real depth. I applaud Hitch’s writing here! And as for… Read more »

liheibao
liheibao
February 22, 2017 7:17 pm
Reply to  Kal L

“Clark is clearly worried about Lois and Jon. Having seen an energy like wave heading toward them. Knowing that time travel is involved, he wants to get to them, rather than have a lifetime regret of “Why didn’t I?” or “I should have…” Its what make this story so personal and give Clark real depth. I applaud Hitch’s writing here!” That’s just too defeatist for Superman. When Lois Lane was hospitalized and Superman went to Limbo to save her, we know that Lois is foremost in his mind, without him belabouring her situation. Hitch’s writing for Superman is knee-jerk, and… Read more »

Kal L
Kal L
February 23, 2017 5:46 am
Reply to  liheibao

You forget, Superman has evolved from just being married to Lois, to now being a father. His motivation has become more concrete, as now, Lois and Jon are his only family. There is no Ma and Pa Kent, no connection to Jor-El. he was a baby when he became the sole survivor of krypton, but now he and his family are the last remnants of the old earth. Therefore his motivation is justified. I really don’t think that Hitch’s Superman is “knee-jerk” as you say. I think he has a good handle on the character, especially capturing the Rebirth aspect… Read more »

liheibao
liheibao
February 23, 2017 7:54 am
Reply to  Kal L

He has to do more than bemoan his family and threaten Batman over them. Like I said, this isn’t the first time it’s happened, hence it being knee-jerk. As for “only family”, I’m pretty sure Superman will have some additions by next year.

MattComics
MattComics
February 25, 2017 10:32 am

Well, I think T.A. may have a point at least in the sense that the average modern comicbook writers penchant for turning any all things around a character into a source of angst is something that could potentially have a negative effect on the audience good will that’s been built up for Clark having a family with Lois and John.

liheibao
liheibao
February 26, 2017 11:25 am
Reply to  MattComics

Well said.