Superman Homepage

Mild Mannered Reviews - Justice League Comic Books

Justice League #52 Justice League #52 KindleDownload iBookBuy Now

Justice League #52

Scheduled to arrive in stores: September 1, 2020

Cover date: November 2020

"The Garden of Mercy" - Conclusion

Writer: Jeff Loveness
Penciller: Robson Rocha
Inker: Daniel Henriques
Cover: Cully Hamner
Variant Cover: Nick Derington

Reviewed by: James Lantz
Click to enlarge

Much of the Justice League is prisoner of Black Mercy, a telepathic parasite that feeds off of a being's energies while allowing them to dream of their idea of a perfect world. Years ago, it showed Superman a life he would have had if Krypton had not exploded. This included a wife and son. Now, Black Mercy is trying to convince Batman that he deserves happiness. If the Dark Knight succumbs to the Black Mercy, the rest of the Justice League may be doomed.

Wonder Woman has freed the rest of the Justice League from the Black Mercy. They, in turn liberate the parasite's other victims and return to Earth. Batman feels some shame in letting the Black Mercy get to him. Superman tells him of what he experienced with the alien plant an how he kept his feelings secret from Lois for a long time. This led to the Man of Steel dreaming of the family he had on Black Mercy's Krypton. Once he discussed this with Lois the dreams stopped. Batman may still be coming to terms with the fact that the Black Mercy may be right about him needing happiness. However, Superman tells him it showed him the very moment they have now. This leaves the Caped Crusader to ponder the possibility of hope for his life.

4Story - 4: This arc was short and sweet. The only flaw I could find was this. It would have been nice to see what the Black Mercy made the rest of the League experience. As it is, this issue and the the one before it feel like a Batman comic with a Justice League cameo. That's not a bad thing. It's merely an observation. This is still worth every penny of your comic dollar, pound, euro or whatever currency you use in spite of these nitpicks.

4Art - 4: Superman's S shield is off in some panels. The rest of the art was otherwise very good and conveyed the creepy atmosphere that would have made any of the masters of horror comics proud.

5Cover Art - 5: Hamner seems to have been inspired by Tom Mandrake. This style would be perfect for a comic featuring the Spectre.

5Variant Cover Art - 5: This style works perfectly for a cartoon series. Yet it also works for this variant just as the previous issue's did.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2020

Note: Except for digital first releases, the month dates are from the issue covers, not the actual date when the comic went on sale.

January 2020 February 2020 March 2020 April 2020 May 2020 June 2020 July 2020 August 2020 September 2020 October 2020 November 2020 December 2020

Back to the Mild Mannered Reviews contents page.

Check out the Comic Index Lists for the complete list of Superman-related comics published in 2020.

DISCLAIMER: SUPERMAN and all related elements are the property of DC Comics. TM & © 2023

This Superman Homepage is Copyright © Steven Younis 1994-2023
All Rights Reserved

Dedicated to Andrew J Gould - the original keeper of the Superman Homepage!

Since May 2001, the address is www.SupermanHomepage.com

Our Privacy Policy.