Mild Mannered Reviews - "Justice League" Comics

Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare #2

Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare #2

Cover date: October 1996

"To Know a Veil"

Writer: Fabian Nicieza and Mark Waid
Penciller: Jeff Johnson and Darick Robertson
Inker: Jon Holdredge and Hannibal Rodriguez

Cover: Jeff Johnson, Darick Robertson, Jon Holdredge and Hannibal Rodriguez

Reviewed by: James Lantz

Click to enlarge



J'onn J'onzz and his wife examine the Heavens while their daughter does some drawings on a rock wall somewhere on Mars. J'onn teases her, and, in the process of discussing life on other worlds, he loses a lens that he needs. As he picks it up, he sees the designs that his child had created. They are symbols that seem strangely familiar to him.

Superman and Batman are searching for their comrades. The Dark Knight has made an appointment to meet Arthur Curry as Bruce Wayne, While the Man of Steel will talk to Diana Prince as Clark Kent. Both are unaware that Doctor Destiny has been responsible for the Sparks all over the world. He is attached to a device that seems to make dreams into reality by amplifying his telepathic abilities. Meanwhile, Wally West, convinced that his recent nightmares are somehow connected to the Green Lantern comic book, has taken a flight to New York City to speak with the writer/artist Kyle Rayner. All of these people, including Doctor Destiny, are pawns of the mysterious Know Man. What isn't realized yet is that everyone involved is going to be part of a great adventure.

Arthur Curry believes Bruce Wayne is insane. He clearly doesn't believe Wayne's claims that Curry is the king of Atlantis. Bruce pushes Arthur's face into a fish tank. Being submerged in the water makes him remember his life as Aquaman. Now, all he has to do is meet Superman and Batman at the Empire State Building tonight at 9:00 PM. Only there, can he learn the truth about what has happened to the world.

As Know Man recruits the superpowered woman called Onyx, Kyle Rayner receives a visitor whom he thinks is a stalker. Wally West has had dreams that feature characters exactly like those on the paper on Kyle's art table, and West wants to know how he and Rayner are connected. Kyle clearly doesn't know the answers to Wally's questions. Both men are becoming agitated. Suddenly, a bolt of green light is fired from Kyle's right fist. Wally moves at very high speeds to avoid being hit by the energy blast. This mystery has just become more unusual for the Flash and Green Lantern.

Sparker violence is increasing all over the world. Know Man is enjoying every minute of the chaos. Perhaps he is unaware of certain superheroes regaining their memories of their true selves. Only time will tell what his plans will mean to the entire planet.

Clark Kent has found Diana Prince, who mistakes his need to reveal the truth to her as a pick up line. She has become confused after she crushes a statue with her bare hands. Superman reassures her as she and he both float off a ledge of the Themyscira School For Girls. It's official. Wonder Woman is back. All of her enemies had better not cross her path.

Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman and Aquaman are meeting at the Empire State Building as scheduled. They know that Doctor Destiny has altered reality with his telepathic dream powers. J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, is the only one who can undo what Destiny has done. Unfortunately, nobody has had any luck in finding him. Suddenly, a Metahuman turf war breaks out Despite Batman's protests, the group of heroes takes on the Sparkers. They are outnumbered and outgunned until Green Lantern and the Flash arrive. The riot has been stopped. Now, J'onn must be found. However, Superman has an idea where he is.

J'onn J'onzz has been living a lie. Instead of being on Mars, he has been trapped in an illusion created by Doctor Destiny and Know Man. The dream has been interrupted by Superman, who, along with the other heroes, is trying to tell J'onn the truth. He has been kept in an Air Force base's hanger located in Roswell, New Mexico. J'onn doesn't want to believe, but he eventually is angered by the deception. However, before he can act on his rage, Now Man's seven recruits, including Onyx, Vigil, Behemoth and Unity confront The recently awakened Martian and his friends. The compound is then engulfed in flames. J'onn J'onzz is forced to watch his family die once again. Now injured and grieving, the Martian Manhunter intends to join Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern and Aquaman. Then,and only then, can they show Doctor Destiny, Know Man and the rest of the world the true power of the Justice League.

5Story - 5: Admittedly, I never read much of Martian Manhunter's adventures beyond his appearances in the DC comic books I normally read. However, his scene near this issue's conclusion really pack an emotional wallop and helps to introduce the characters to readers who are unfamiliar with J'onn J'onzz. This is also true with the rest of the League throughout the first two issues, but there seems to be a lot of focus on J'onn throughout this mini-series.

The entire chapter puts some some plot threads together with the previous one, while it leaves some dangling until the final part of the tale. I found myself curious what will happen next, and that's what every great multi-part saga should do. Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare #2 is perhaps one of the best JLA comics ever published. It's solidly written by two of the best creators in the field of comics.

5Art - 5: The art, like the story, is an amazing blend of action and scenes filled with great emotions. This is particularly true of the pages that feature Martian Manhunter. One could feel his rage as he emerges from the fire to confront his enemies. The visuals are simply fabulous.

4Cover Art - 4: Superman's face seems a bit off, but the second piece of this cover puzzle works well when put with that of issue number one. I wish more comics used images like this to get readers to buy the books.


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