Justice League of America 13
Matt Kindt, Eddy Barrows, Tom Derenick
Forever Evil Crossover
Spoiler alert! You have been warned!
First things first: Why does Tom Derenick never get cover credit on this series? That’s pretty obnoxious. Anyway, Matt Kindt continues to tell one of the worst Justice League stories in recent memory with two of the most ruined characters of the New 52… But even though Stargirl is boring and Martian Manhunter is very poorly-presented, the artwork of Eddy Barrows (and Derenick) is pretty excellent. And who doesn’t love seeing action sequences with Despero? I’m glad that this is almost over, because it’s just gotten to the point where I feel like I’m wasting four bucks each month. Last issue was bad. This one, unfortunately, was worse. It’s not Forever Boring, guys. It’s Forever Evil.
Stargirl continues to mope around about the death of her brother. Martian Manhunter returns from the dead. And Despero’s plan is, well, confusing to say the least. Courtney escapes the villain long enough to enter the prison where Jason and Ronnie are fighting and literally about to kill one another. Which pretty much ruins any character work that any creator has done over the years. If they kill each other, they blow up and the entire Justice League dies. So Courtney stops them from fighting because apparently people actually listen to her. Not only is this not realistic, but it’s obnoxiously done. Then she calls out to Green Lantern and the rest of the League, leading to their immediate escape and battle with Despero. Which totally feels like a dream sequence and way too easy (and kind of a let-down) when, BAM! It is. Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand we have another part.
So the “dream” thing is overdone as it is, but if you’re going to use such a lame deus ex machina, at least do it well. The art team is trying their hardest to make a convincing story visually, but they can only be as good as their script. And I hate to say it, but Matt Kindt just isn’t cutting it. It’s sad, because his Suicide Squad is great. This book, unfortunately, is not only the worst of the Forever Evil tie-in series, but quite possibly, the entire New 52 line. Courtney willing J’onn back to life is nonsense. The willpower she has and her weakness of not wanting to fail others is rubbish. And to be completely honest, I don’t even care enough to finish this story. (I will… but still. Make it a little easier on me, DC. This should be one of your best books.)
My Rating: 2/5
