Tuesday, March 29, 2016

Justice League 3001 #10 Review


Work the Pole

Written by: Keith Giffin and  J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Scott Kolins, Hi-Fi and Rob Leigh
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 23, 2016

I haven't been reviewing Justice League 3001 for a bit, but it was more of a busy work thing than a I don't like this book anymore thing.  I would actually consider myself one of the biggest fans of this book (and JL 3000 as well) out there and am truly sad that it is going away.  That being said, I am sure that both Keith Giffin and J.M. DeMatteis have to be happy that the book lasted this long and they got to tell their crazy stories...and if you haven't been reading, they are CRAZY stories.  While all the other books in the New 52 were trying to fins their way in a somewhat mysterious continuity, Giffen and DeMatteis just said, "Screw it!" and kind of made up their own rules as they went.  Funny thing is, it all worked!  This was story over continuity before Dan Didio ever made a video explaining it and it's one of the things I loved about it.  That and the humor, characters and art.  So, now that I have punched my fanboy card, I guess I should review this issue.  It continues the all female Justice League vs Lady Styx story that appears to be this book's swan song.  Is it any good?  Let's find out...


The issue opens with a very pissed off Supergirl on the planet, Bodhi.  As she kicks some alien butt, we get a little recap from Fire and Ice.  It's both recap and a little philosophical back and forth between Tora and Bea about the rights and wrongs of beating up aliens you know nothing about.  If you know the characters, then you can probably guess which side each of them take.

This is all interrupted by a mysterious stranger who puts a name to the aliens ("Scavvies") and somehow knows everyone in the book, including Ice.  Giffen and DeMatteis must be as good as me with keeping secrets because without a whole lot of prodding (or panel space) they reveal this stranger to be...G'Nort!



That's why this book rocks!  You never know who might show up and then you get G'Nort.  It makes sense that Giffen and DeMatteis would throw in their own creations, but that didn't lessen the huge smile I had on my face when he was revealed.

We then head off to Takron-Galtos where Wonder Woman, Flash and Batgirl (Tina is the best!) are interrogating Sheriff Tariq who we all know is The Convert.  He finally admits it and lays out a bit of Lady Styx's grand plan and then...Tina bashes him over the head and kills him.  Oh, Tina.  Of course, The Convert can't be killed so easily and his consciousness enters someone big, strong and very much a part of the Justice League.



After a brief peek at Lady Styx, it's back to Bodhi where G'Nort explains the what what with the Scavvies.  They are scavengers who follow Lady Styx's destruction of planets and pick up the shiny pieces left behind.  Why do they do that, you ask?  For their Master of course and yes, he is revealed and no, I'm not going to spoil it.  I will tell you that if you are a Lantern fan who got a kick out of G'Nort showing up, you are going to love this even more!  G'Nort says it's not a joke, but then why was I laughing out loud?!?

After all this, the cliffhanger ending was a bit of a letdown.  Guy Gardner agrees to be BFFs with Starro and we get a fun page for Legion of Superhero fans.  There is also a backup story with Lois Lane and Ariel Masters looking for Sinestro.  They find him...Oh, they find him all right!  I'd say he was young and needed the money, but he's thousands of years old.  The book ends by showing that he may be old, but he hasn't forgotten who he looks out for first and foremost.



While this issue is a whole lot of setup, Giffen and DeMatteis keep doing what they do best...throw a bunch of characters into their universe and make me giggle.  I am looking forward to the inevitable battle with lady Styx, the Legion and everyone else, but I am definitely enjoying the ride.

Scott Kolins' is doing a fantastic job of taking on so many characters and making them all look fantastic.  The only issue I saw this entire issue was one panel where Supergirl looked like she just joined the Russian Ladies Weight Lifting team, but besides that...  I also want to give kudos to Hi-Fi for his color work on this book.  It is really a big part of how this universe looks and by that I mean he kicks total ass.

Bits and Pieces:

Justice League 3001 unfortunately isn't going to survive the Rebirth purge and this issue continues the setup to the inevitable end.  That doesn't mean nothing happens as we add a couple awesome characters and see more buildup to an explosive final battle.  Giffen and DeMatteis continue giving DC fans a hilarious alternative to the usual and for that I commend them.  I am going to miss this book.

8.0/10


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