As the final issue of “Trinity War,” “Justice League” #23 accomplishes one thing extremely well; it gets everyone excited for “Forever Evil.” What it doesn’t do so well, however, is provide a satisfying conclusion to this relatively short crossover.
Written by Geoff Johns
Illustrated by Ivan ReisTRINITY WAR CHAPTER 6! Trinity War concludes! But that doesn’t mean all ends well for our heroes. The secret behind Pandora’s Box is revealed and it means the end of the Justice Leagues!
“Justice League” #23 is a hard issue to review, as it can be viewed several different ways. If you take it as just a another issue of “Justice League,” it’s quite good, ranking among the series’ best. If you look at it as the finale of the a story, it fails quite spectacular. If you look at it as “Forever Evil” #0 (because, let’s face it, that’s what it is), then it’s a resounding success. It bears looking at each of these “hats,” if you will, in order to get a clear picture of the issue’s overall worth.
As a single issue, “Justice League” #23 has a lot going in its favor. Coming in a the two year mark, this issue marks a milestone in Johns’ “Justice League” run. Appropriately, many threads from his run, all the way back to the opening arc, are resolved. The identity of the mysterious man from issue #6, the source of the JL computer attack in issue #18, the mole in League, and the nature of Pandora’s box are all revealed in a stunning succession of events. This is Christmas in August for long-time readers, but Johns does a great job of getting newcomers in on the action as well, with a succinct recap of key events from his run. The writer even manages to squeeze in a few nods to the League’s adventures during the largely unchronicled “five-year gap.”
The issue isn’t without flaws, of course. The dialogue is a little hokey at times, due to the “evil vibes” given off by Pandora’s box. As true “evil” isn’t exactly an easy concept to portray, most of the affected heroes come off more as ‘roid-ragers, or petulant children. There’s also an excessive amount of exposition, between the aforementioned recap and the obligatory “villain reveals his plan” speech.
Where the issue excels the most, unsurprisingly, is artistically. Ivan Reis has long proven himself as one of the foremost super hero artists in the biz, a modern day George Perez. The amount of detail and content Reis packs on the page is boggling. Reis regularly packs 20+ characters, each with impeccable visual clarity. In a nod to last year’s Free Comic Book Day special, Reis revisits Jim Lee’s epic 4-page spread. Even when confined to a comparatively modest two page splash, Reis’s rendition is jaw-dropping. Of course, Reis’ larger-than-life style leads to an excessive number of splash pages, but the overall pacing of the story is mostly unaffected. Only the “Trinity” splash page, depicting a clash between Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman, feels particularly gratuitous.
Sub-Verdict: 8.0 – This is top-notch, blockbuster super-heroics.
As the finale of a crossover, “Justice League” #23 fails to deliver a satisfying conclusion to the previous five (ten, if you count the tie-ins) issues of story. There is no ending, no resolution, only numerous dangling plot threads. While this is not a review of “Trinity War” as a whole, it bears noting that the crossover, when read as a whole, does not tell a complete story. However, a few plot threads are adequately adressed, such as the framing of Superman, his bizarre illness, and, as mentioned earlier, the true nature of Pandora’s box.
There are definitely some mixed messages on the exact nature of “Trinity War.” It’s definitely not the event that fans were led to believe it was, but more of a “Countdown to…” style prelude. Had it been branded as such, the lack of an ending would be more palatable. However, judging the book as it was presented, it is unfortunately lacking.
Sub-Verdict: 3.5 – As the conclusion of an arc, “Justice League” #23 is wholly unsatisfying.
When you look at “Justice League” #23 as what it really is, the appetizer for the next chapter of the DCU by Geoff Johns, then it’s quite fantastic. By pulling in threads from not only “Justice League,” but the entire DCU, Johns gives the most cohesive view of this world since the New 52 began. The revelations in this issue blow the door wide open for countless potential stories. Even as Johns brings some seeds to fruition, he plants more for future harvest.
Continued belowJust as “Countdown to Infinite Crisis” and “Sinestro Corps War Special” before it, “Justice League” #23 sets the stage for its associated event by ramping up the tension, creating a gripping conflict to entice the reader onward.
Sub-Verdict 9.0 – A brilliant prelude for “Forever Evil.”
Factor all of this together, and we come close to a suitable, well-rounded estimation of “Justice League” #23. Some may be quick to critique the issue for it’s lack of satisfactory answers, like the purpose “Trinity of Sin” plays in all of this hullabaloo. Ultimately, such critiques are unfair to the nature of serialized story-telling, as they are based on subjective ideas of how a story should play out. Though it bears its fair share of flaws, “Justice League” #23 exhibits a mark of quality that other DC creative teams should strive for.
Final Verdict: 7.0 – Overall, “Justice League” is a promising step forward for DC’s flagship, and the New 52 as a whole.
