Justice League #17
Scheduled to arrive in stores: March 15, 2017
Cover date: May 2017
“Timeless” – Part 3
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)
Superman is engaged in a dialogue with Tempus, the timeless mind. While he does this, the League, scattered across time, begin their respective movements towards handling their respective situations. Tempus informs Superman that this scene and the coming calamity, is all because of him, a fact that Superman informs Tempus he intends to rectify.
Story – 4: “Whatever force necessary? I’m going to show you what that means.” – Superman
The rest of the League take a back seat to Superman this month, which is just fine with this critic, as Superman is the draw for Justice League, as Flash, Wonder Woman, or Green Lantern may be for another. Cyborg’s conversation with Brainiac 5 stands out as entertaining, primarily as Brainy comes across as younger and more precocious than normally, a la a kid as opposed to a teenager, making Cyborg seem more adult and antiquated, which he is in this instance. Wonder Woman lending herself to the fundamental Greek myths is completely unappetizing, for if they need her power to unseat Chronos, how could their power be of any benefit to her in the future, particularly as she is fighting beside her father (at least he was when I last checked). The aforesaid aside, Superman’s role is the focus, as he not only confronts the antagonist, but is the villain of the piece, for the adversary as well. Something is going on, something large and voluminous that involves the DC Universe, and Superman, rightfully is at the centre of it. However, it is with caution that readers should approach this fact, whether one is supportive of the revelation or not.
I quoted Superman above because too many times (Geoff Johns is the biggest offender) Superman speaks loud, and performs so very softly. The fact that Batman has determined that he will have to go and secure Superman makes me feel that the quote is just going to be empty words. However, it would be nice to see Superman back them up with something feat worthy, something dynamic, something that will make me and readers sit up and take notice when Superman says something akin to “This ends now!” Aside of that, the idea that Superman, and tinkering with him, Lois Lane, and those he is connected to, could leave the DC Universe in a state of disrepair is definitely an idea worth exploring. In reality, this happened in 1986, and the piper has come for his payment as of 2011. He is still waiting.
Art – 4: I’m torn between the exceptional effect on Superman’s hair, which looks as it should, out of sorts from constant action, and the scowl on his face that is nearly comical.
Cover Art – 3: We are officially on cover watch. The next one that is actually excellent, I’ll dance a jig.
Happy Saint Pat’s!
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The art gets a 4 because of Superman’s hair,but minus one because Superman scowled…
I’d like it if you covered the art section of the reviews a little more dude. I just feel it’s a little bit of a missed opportunity to promote the hard work some of these artists do on a regular basis.
I agree about the Cyborg and Brainiac scenes. Especially since we saw the conceptual idea Brainiac has for the Legion flight rings.
The Batman pages remind me a lot of the Justice League animated series episodes “Twilight”… Where Batman feels the need to secure Superman.
Sure. Mind you, I used to do that, and even inserted images, but there is very little discussion to be had, quality discussion, about art. I noted the scowl because of how discordant it was with what Superman was saying. His words seem calm and terse, but his expression is definitely not aligned with that. Is he struggling futilely? Is he building power for an all out assault? That image robbed the weight of the moment. . .but I did like the hair!
I disagree man! There is a lot of great, quality discussion to be had about the art. Firstly, without the art, comics would just be short stories or chapters as monthly magazines. It’s the art that breathes life into these tales. Hell, one of the biggest sources of contention from 2011 to now has been the lack of trunks… Without art, would he even have trunks to begin with? Thus rendering all arguments moot? to side track a little, the idea of Superman having armour was in my opinion, quite stupid, and it was over-designed by Jim lee. But Dan… Read more »
Disagreement duly noted. However, this is the first discussion I’ve had about art, in over five years of reviewing on this site. And I have reviewed a comic every week, in those five years, just about. Even this discussion, doesn’t talk about the art of the issue, so much as it talks about coming or in general. We’ll see how it goes. 😉
with all due respect, you never discuss the art enough in your reviews. I from time to time make comments about the art, and write what I think was good. I try not to criticize, as I don’t want to be one of those people that brings negativity to the table. Often times, we fans like to complain about whats bad, but forget to praise the good stuff. I’ll make you a deal. You write more about the art, and I’ll make sure to comment and discuss it further with you. I am of the firm belief that if you… Read more »
I’ll do my part and we’ll see. It didn’t happen with Superwoman, and I’m doubtful it’ll happen further than just the two of us, but, we’ll see.
“Aside of that, the idea that Superman, and tinkering with him, Lois Lane, and those he is connected to, could leave the DC Universe in a state of disrepair is definitely an idea worth exploring. In reality, this happened in 1986, and the piper has come for his payment as of 2011. He is still waiting.” Well, I do agree that DC appears to be having Superman be at the core of a huge and much needed course correction away from the New 52 but at the end of the day every era of Superman era has its pros and… Read more »
Negative? I’m really not sure how you got that from what I said.
Well totally possible I just got the wrong impression from that whole “pay the piper” line but it seemed little to me like you were lumping the Post Crisis era together with New 52 in terms of wrong headed moves regarding Superman. Essentially tracing the original “crime” so to speak back to 1986 and I just don’t really put those eras being in the same league even though I certainly did not 100% agree with every decision that was made in the 86 reboot.
1986 wasn’t a bad move. It was a smart move, but a temporary fix at best. The history won’t be denied, not with Superman, at least, and every time it comes calling, DC has tried to reboot its way out of dealing with it. 2011 was the straw that broke the camel’s back, but they’re still adding on with Rebirth, Reborn, and don’t think they’re done yet, as we’re not a year into their two-year plan. 8 new outfits in 6 years; N52 has to be ushered off stage, and Superman’s history is being rewritten yet again. Again. Why? COIE… Read more »
Please explain dude?
What about the reboot in ’86 was a temporary fix, and what new problem did Crisis create?