Justice League Dark #10 Review and **SPOILERS**

Order in the Court

Writer: James Tynion IV
Penciller: Alvarez Martínez Bueno
Inker: Raul Fernandez
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Rob Leigh
Cover: Martínez Bueno, Fernandez, Anderson
Variant Cover: Kelley Jones & Michelle Madsen
Editor: Andrew Marino
Group Editor: Marie Javins
Cover Price: $3.99
On Sale Date: April 24, 2019

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Why does it feel like the last issue of this series came out ten months ago? I’ve been pretty rigid in my praise for it, but if I’m spacing on out what’s happening in Justice League Dark, then I know some others must be veering off as well. Let’s get back to it! Let’s find out of issue #15 catches us up in my review!

Explain It! 

Okay, I do actually remember how this ended: the Lords of Order, led by Nabu in a melting Dr. Fate helmet, started messing with the magical land of Myrra, which most of the JLD happened to be using to hide out from the Otherkind. The Lords of Order, or at least Nabu, set this plan in motion a while ago, at least according to Khalid, who recounts how he overheard the whole mess, and was trapped in an urn for his troubles. The plan is not great on the face of it: to destroy other realms of magic, and let the Otherkind eat all the magic in the regular dimension, at which point they will starve to death. This will put the JLD and other magic-wielding types out of business, but you can’t make an omelette without etc. et cetera.

Speaking of magic-making types, Zatanna and Wonder Woman are hanging out at Circe’s place, looking for Mordru. Circe explains, as she did last issue, that Zatanna is following the same thread that he father, Zatara, did many years ago. Circe further reveals that John Constantine has been a willing agent of Zatanna’s father, acrting in secret and guiding her to this very moment. This really pisses Zatanna off, so she goes outside and throws some Earth around without even using her backwards incantations. This draws a particularly nasty Otherkind, one who rips the flesh off of magicians, but Zatanna buries it under tons of Earth and stops its advance. That’s when Circe says that they should go home, Mordru will find them, and thanks for dropping off the bunt cake.

When they leave, the Upside-Down Man shows up to taunt Circe—then it turns out she’s in league with the scaly bastard! Apparently, she’s preserved because she’s still got Hecate’s witchmark, though the Otherkind devour magic so you’d figure this to be a four-course meal. Circe has promised the Upside-Down Man a great battle, after which I assume they’ll turn on each other, as evil folks usually do. Back in Myrra, everyone is getting ready to evacuate, when they’re stopped at the portal by one of the Lords of Order, a lady with a wild-looking golden cowl. She says they honor the folks remaining, and that they will let them all pass back to Earth if they agree to be stripped of all magical knowledge and memory—and those that refuse…will die!

This is a pretty full issue with a lot of chatter, but not a ton of story development. We get a little bit in the way of Circe’s duplicitousness, but honestly we might have assumed it if it weren’t spelled out. As for this in-and-out of Myrra stuff, I thought we were done with the land three issues ago, it’s a little deflating to see that it, and Bobo’s regret over being its crappy steward, is still a thing. The visuals are great, and there’s nothing wrong with the characterization, but aside from the scene with Circe, it feels like the book is running in place. Hopefully the next issue can move this story into the end zone, because it feels pretty long in the tooth.

Bits and Pieces:

We learn more about the Lords of Order’s ultimate plan, and find out how Circe intends to double-cross everyone, but besides these things, there isn’t much advancement to the story. Even said plan, set forth by Nabu, seems a little hokey. You will, however, enjoy looking at every page of this issue.

6.5/10

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