Tuesday, December 23, 2014

Injustice: Year Three #13 Review

Written by: Tom Taylor
Art by: Bruno Redondo, Xermanico and Juan Albarran
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: December 23, 2014

Once Upon a Time


Year Three has been a bit slower than I would have expected with all the magical heavy hitters involved.  Sure, Tom Taylor has given us some crazy deaths and the whole "who is the Spectre?" question has been looming in the background for a while, but the overall narrative hasn't really advanced much.  I'm not saying I don't like it because I have and last issue had some really great moments.  Batman's bond with Etrigan?  Awesome.  Then the issue ended with Batman putting Superman to "sleep" and I was sure this week's issue would be what I've been waiting for.  Well, it was, but not in the way I thought.  The story didn't advance...in fact it went back to the beginning.



If you have been reading Injustice from the beginning, then this issue is for you.  Superman is in his magical sleep and he is dreaming of what could have been.  It's a "what if?" issue that changes a few very key moments.  What if Lois survived?  What if Batman took care of the Joker?  It's so great (and meta) reading it after knowing what really happened, but what makes it so powerful is this is what Superman wanted to happen.  Of course he wanted Lois and their baby to survive, but he also wanted Bruce to do the "right" thing.  However, even in the dream, Batman knows right from wrong and the issue ends with a crazy little twist.  Superman's dream is going to continue, but I don't think it's going to have the happy ending he originally would have thought.

Tom Taylor really surprised me.  This issue came out of nowhere and I really enjoyed it.  Like I said earlier, if you have been with the book from the beginning, you will love every bit of this issue.  However, if you are a new reader, you might be a little confused.

There is a three headed monster on art this week.  Bruno Redondo, Xermanico and Juan Albarran combine to make a really good looking issue.  The only character I didn't like was the Joker.  He just seemed a bit off.


What You Talking 'Bout?

I had one huge problem this issue.  Why did Batman get out of the Batmobile without his cowl on?  If this isn't explained next issue, I'm going to be really upset.  I have faith that Tom Taylor will explain it so I won't get that upset...yet.



Bits and Pieces:

This issue doesn't push the story forward on bit...and it was awesome.  Tom Taylor takes us back to when it all started and gives us an alternate view of what could have been.  It's so familiar and fresh all rolled up into one.  If you have been around since the beginning, you will love this issue.

9.8/10

3 comments:

  1. I think the reason Bruce had his cowl off was that he was turning himself in for murdering Joker.

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    1. Oh, and I love that "You're OK if I torment other people, right?" line from Joker.

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    2. actually, Tom Taylor sent a note that killing the joker means he is no longer Batman. The rest of this mini arc seems to focus on a world without Batman

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