Mild Mannered Reviews - Batman/Superman Comic Books

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Dark Crisis: Young Justice #4

Scheduled to arrive in stores: September 20, 2021
Cover date: November 2022

"Listen Up!"

Writer: Meghan Fitzmartin
Artist: Laura Braga
Cover: Max Dunbar and Luis Guerrero
Variant Cover: Serg Acuna

Reviewed by: Craig Boehmer
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Our trio of boys are engaged in prolonged fisticuffs with Justice League and Teen Titans members. Connor is stuck in a crisis of conscience regarding the fight. He is realizing that this world could restore him to a better point in his history, without the trauma he has endured. Bart and Tim are staunchly opposed to this line of thinking, preferring to get home. Tim and Connor's incessant arguing about how Connor's death and its ramifications on both of their lives arouses the ire and contempt of Bart. Bart responds that he also died, and their treatment of him is shameful.

Meanwhile Cassie, Cissie, and Red Tornado enter the abandoned Teen Tower. Cissie is shaken by the mausoleum and seeing the statues of the dead. They then head to Themyscira and board Diana's invisible jet to track down the boys. The two girls have their own relational realization wherewith Cissie realizes all she turned her back on by leaving, and all the pain her friends endured in her absence. They head to space where a swarm of space mites attacks them, Cissie almost dies but is rescued by Red Tornado.

Back with the boys the true villain is revealed. Mickey, Mr. Mxyzptlk's son.

3Story - 3: There are some great character moments in this issue. But the action feels flat because there are no stakes to it. Bart's accusation of being the third wheel to Tim and Connor was a great story point. It is sad that as much as nobody cares about Tim and Connor, but even less so for Bart. Cassie and Cissie also have a breakthrough moment in their relationship. This is a result of Cissie realizing how much she turned her back on by leaving Cassie. It's too bad that DC spoiled who the villain was months ago, it could have a been an exciting moment.

4Art - 4: The choreography for the fight could have been more dynamic. It just felt like the fight was an afterthought to the character moments. Not that that's a bad thing typically, but there needs to be better balance in a comic. Also... I hate Connor's hair in this comic.

5Cover Art - 5: This cover is a great throwback to the late 90s of DC Comics. Seeing those Aquaman and Kyle designs made me very excited. Two quibbles, I don't like Connor's hair (still), and Clark needs a mullet.

5Variant Cover - 5: This cover is a beautiful homage to the life of Cassie. Each image looks great in the background, and showcases her history.

Mild Mannered Reviews

2022

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