Tags
comics, DC Comics, Jay Leisten, Jeff Lemire, Jeromy Cox, JLU, Justice League United #7, Keith Champagne, Legion of Super-Heroes, Neil Edwards, The Infinitus Saga, The New 52
Justice League United #7
Review by Paul Bowler
The Infinitus Saga continues as the Justice League United fight alongside the Legion of Super-Heroes against the shape-shifter Byth to decide the fate of the young alien Ultra who could grow up to destroy the 31st century. The JLU and Legion of Super-Heroes travelled to the Moon of Ryngor in the Polaris System where Byth captured and gained control over Ultra. The innocent alien was forced to open a rift in space, unleashing a fearsome army of Wraths. Now as Byth and his allies, Black Mass, and the newly resurrected Hawkman – who is also under Byth’s influence – escaped with Ultra, the JLU and the Legion must find a way to stop Byth from taking Ultra into the rift and save the universe as the Wrath’s advance into inhabited space.
Justice League United #7 sees this time-warping intergalactic team-up between the Justice League United and the Legion of Super-Heroes really hitting its stride, as writer Jeff Lemire pulls out all the stops for this third part of The Infinitus Saga. Now the initial differences and misunderstandings between the JLU and Legion of Super-Heroes has been resolved, the battle against Byth steps up a gear as their forces unite against the shape-shifter.
Despite their best efforts, and Equinox’s attempt to reach the child, Black Mass teleports Byth, Ultra, and Hawkman to safety, while the Legion and JLU suddenly find themselves beamed to Rann. While this opening skirmish is over relatively quickly, this slight pause in the action does give Jeff Lemire a chance gather everyone together and explore their characters a little more as they regroup and plan their next move. The sheer number of characters in this issue is quite staggering, yet Jeff Lemire somehow manages to give most of them a share of the limelight, while also establishing some great banter between them as well.
Justice League United #7 is a fine looking issue as well, the pencils by Neil Edwards are really good, the characters are all well defined, Jay Leisten’s inks with Keith Champagne accentuate the action nicely, and colorist Jeromy Cox dazzles with some gloriously vivid tones during the exciting battles and outer space sequences. The scene where Martian Manhunter attempts to use his telepathic connection with Ultra to reach the child after he has been captured are in stark contrast to the kinetic energy of the action scenes, and serves to really highlight the youngsters turmoil as J’ohnn and Byth vie for control in the psychic void between worlds.
Needless to say, I’m a big fan of the Legion of Super-Heroes, and I’m really pleased to see them back in action. Its also nice to see the Justice League United working so well with the Legion, they are shaping up to be a great team already, and the Legionaries even provide those unable to survive the vacuum of space with flight rings so they can join the battle.
Justice League United #7 closes with some spectacular scenes in deep space as the JLU and Legion of Super-Heroes set out to save the universe. Justice League United has taken a little while to find its feet, but things seem to be settling down now, and this issue is a very positive step in the right direction. I have to admit, the scenes were the JLU and Legion soar into space to fight the Wraths and rescue Ultra really made me smile. I’m loving this story with the Legion, I’d forgotten how much I’d missed them, and I hope the Legion of Super-Heroes will get their own title again one day. Justice League United #7 is an excellent issue, The Infinitus Saga is shaping up to be a really good storyline, and I look forward to seeing how this issues exciting cliff-hanger is resolved next issue.
Has this title been any good of late? I dropped it because I got a little bored with it and I wanted to wait until after the Legion story, but again, was just too bored by it.
There have been some exciting developments in this storyline, great art as well. Enjoying seeing the Justice League United working alongside the Legion of Super-Heroes.
Sounds like a pretty good comic. I definitely haven’t been keeping up with this team as I hadn’t even heard of the Justice League United before now. It’s good to see the Legion back in biz and the team up sounds like a pretty fun idea!
I really like Justice League United, a great new team, this storyline is very good. I agree, great to see the Legion back as well. I’ve really missed them, and its fun to see them working alongside the JLU as well.
This series really improved around the time when the Annual came out, but I haven’t been convinced to stick with it yet. I hope that it does, because I want at least one DC team book in my pull list, and a Canadian based Justice League (with Supergirl on the team, who I generally like better than Superman) sounds perfect.
Justice League United has quickly become one of my fave team books. The team has a great mix of characters. Supergirl is an integral part of the team as well. I’m also enjoying seeing the JLU working alongside the Legion of Super-Heroes, and this story has been very exciting.
On the fence about this one. May check it out at some point.
JLU has too a little while to hit its stride, but I think this new storyline with the Legion of Super-Heroes is really good, would recommend it. Great story & art, fun to see the JLU team up with the Legion as well.
I collected Legion of Superheroes back in the eighties when the likes of Paul Levitz and Mike Grell and Keith Giffen were at the helm. I immediately recognized the Infinite Man in this cover! Oh, man. I’m gonna have to check it out!
I’m a big fan of the Legion of Super-Heroes as well, think that’s why I’ve enjoyed this storyline in Justice League United so much as well, great art too. Hope you enjoy the issues as well.