By Dwayne McDuffie, Ed Benes, Rags Morales & various (DC Comics)
ISBN: 978-1-4012-2422-6
In this collection (issues #27-28 and 30-34 of the most recent incarnation of the World’s Greatest Superhero team) writer Dwayne McDuffie gets all cosmic as he formally introduces the characters from the 1990s imprint Milestone Comics into the ever-expanding – if dangerously hero-heavy – DC Universe. At least this cosmic extravaganza has the decency and panache to make that merger the storyline rather than have the heroes suddenly notice each other after years of seemingly being unaware of each other’s existence, as was too often the case in days past…
The action begins in ‘Be Careful What you Wish For’, illustrated by Ed Benes with additional inkers Rob Hunter, Norm Rapmund & Drew Geraci, wherein a team of mystery metahumans calling themselves the Shadow Cabinet confront and re-energise the currently powerless Kimiyo Hoshi – the second – heroic – Dr. Light.
Meanwhile JLA leader Black Canary challenges Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman in the secret star-chamber from which they have been surreptitiously spying on the new League, but the confrontation is interrupted by the invasion of the enigmatic new superbeings in ‘Shadow and Act’ (drawn by José Luis and inked by JP Mayer) with the usual result: instant chaos. However Superman and Cabinet leader Icon clearly have a hidden agenda…
For reasons unknown the next episode has been omitted: I wouldn’t necessarily quibble as it was something of a digression, but since it tells an “untold tale†of the as-yet unrevealed master villain, perhaps room should have been found for it somewhere in this chronicle?
As it is we resume with the third chapter from #30, ‘New Moon Rising’ again by Luis & Mayer, and the arrival of Winged Wonder Hawkman who inadvertently provides an entry into the super-secure headquarters for old enemy the Shadow Thief, who is now powerful enough to endanger the entire Earth. There is another story break – included, this time – as ‘Interlude: Crisis of Confidence’ (art by Shane Davis & Sandra Hope) follows Black Canary as the revelations of the spying and in-fighting lead to a momentous decision and a split in the League, before Chapter 4: ‘Nyctophobia’ (illustrated by Rags Morales & John Dell) provides the “Big Reveal†as cosmic vampire Starbreaker resurrects himself and prepares to consume the World.
‘Metathesiophobia’ (look it up, it’s clever) sees the newly empowered Dr. Light come into her own as the JLA and Shadow Cabinet team up at last to fight their common foe, with a startling reprise and return for one of the imaginary heroes encountered in the previous volume (see Justice League of America: Second Coming), but even he isn’t enough to counter the energy leech’s overwhelming power…
With more than one world imperilled the united champions finally save the day and accomplish the impossible in ‘The Dharma Initiative’ (penciled by Ardian Syaf and Eddie Barrows with inks from Don Ho, Ruy José, Dan Green, Jack Purcell & Mark Propst) a spectacular conclusion, and as much the end of a comics era as the dawn of a new day.
Big changes were in store for the World’s Greatest Heroes, but that’s for another time and another review, as this slick and classy graphic novel signalled the closure of yet another incarnation of the premier Silver Age Superteam. Witty and hugely enjoyable, blending high concepts with great characterisation and gripping action with biting one-liners, this JLA‘s adventures were among the very best modern superhero sagas around. It’s never too late so if you’re not a fan yet, reading these books will swiftly and permanently alter that reality…
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