Justice League United #10 Review

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comics, DC Comics, Jay Leisten, Jeff Lemire, Jeromy Cox, JLU, Justice League United #10, Keith Champagne, Neil Edwards, The Infinitus Saga, The Legion of Super-Heroes

Justice League United #10

Review by Paul Bowler

The Infinitus Saga reaches its thrilling conclusion in Justice League United #10 as the Polaris System and the planet Thangar face a new threat. The bomb Brainiac 5 launched against Infinitus has created a black hole. Now the combined forces of the JLU, the Legion of Super-Heroes, the Rannian War fleet and the Thangarians must face this new crisis, and a terrible sacrifice will change the DC Universe forever.

Justice League United #10 brings this epic intergalactic team-up between the Justice League United and the Legion of Super-Heroes to a close as events build towards a cataclysmic finale as the black hole threatens everything. Its non-stop action all the way in part six of the Infinitus Saga! Jeff Lemire gives the impressive roll call of superheroes from the JLU and the Legion their biggest challenge yet as the black hole’s event horizon expands, threatening not only the Rannian and Thangarian battle fleet, but also the planet Thangar itself!

Even though the situation is becoming more critical by the moment, the JLU and Legion quickly spring into action, doing what they can to assist the evacuation of Thangar, while also attempting to weaken the effects of the black hole and move the combined Rannian and Thangarian war fleet away from the sector. There’s even time for one last skirmish with Byth, however, it ultimately falls to Brainiac 5 to devise a plan following a precog vision from Dream Girl that provides the course of action that is needed to save Thangar.

Suffice to say, it’s a fittingly complex and techno-babble infused solution. I really like how Jeff Lemire defuses the tension a little with a frantic Brainiac 5 shushing the level-headed Sardath and Animal Man’s reaction to their plan. This concluding part of the Infinitus Saga has some great character moments, and the banter and sense of camaraderie between the JLU and the Legion of Super-Heroes comes shining through in every scene.

Neil Edwards’s art makes every scene in this issue feel like it’s about to jump from the page. The scope and scale of Justice League United #10 is spectacular. Edward’s has clearly had the time of his life drawing this issue, and it shows. Likewise, the inks by Jay Leisten and Keith Champagne, together with the colors by Jeromy Cox are also excellent. There are so many standout moments: the scenes with Stargirl, Miiyahbin and Byth tumbling towards the swirling black hole are stunning, there’s Supergirl’s magnificent entrance as she races to the rescue, and the heart-stopping moment when Thangar’s fate hangs in the balance is superb.

As the Infinitus Saga draws to a close it establishes a new status quo for this corner of the DC Universe, and the wealth of social and political implications these sudden chances will bring are addressed to a degree here. It certainly sets up a lot for the future. There’s a good interlude with Brainiac 5 and Supergirl, and I especially liked the inspirational scene with Miiyahbin and two of my favourite Legionaries, Dawnstar and Wildfire.

Soon its time for the Legion of Super-Heroes and the JLU to say their goodbyes, before the Legion return to their own time – taking Ultra with them in the hope that 31st century medicine will be able to help his condition. The reunion for Adam and Alanna Strange and the JLU’s return to Earth contains lots of fun moments too, giving us an even greater sense of the characters lives outside of the team while also simultaneously bonding their newfound friendships.

The Infinitus Saga has proved to be a really exciting storyline, it’s made the Justice League United into a more cohesive team, and it was also a great to see the Legion of Super-Heroes return the DC Universe as well. I sincerely hope we get another team-up with the Justice League United and the Legion of Super-Heroes at some point, especially considering this issues primeval coda, there’s certainly great potential for it.

Justice League United #10 provides an exciting conclusion to the Infinitus Saga, with its tightly-plotted story by Jeff Lemire and fantastic art by Neil Edwards’s, this issue is one of the best yet and I’d highly recommend it.

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Justice League United #9 Review

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comics, DC Comics, Jay Leisten, Jeff Lemire, Jeromy Cox, Justice League United, Justice League United #9, Keith Champagne, Neil Edwards, The Infinitus Saga, The Legion of Super-Heroes

Justice League United #9

Review by Paul Bowler

The Infinitus Saga reaches a crucial turning point in Justice League United #9 as the Legion of Super-Heroes join forces with the Justice League United against the oncoming might of Infinitus and the ferocious army of Wraiths attacking the Polaris System. Fighting alongside the Thangarian and Rannian fleets near the planet Thangar, the JLU and the Legion must hold the line while Supergirl tries to save Ultra from Byth inside rift in space. With time running out and Infinitus growing stronger by the moment, Martian Manhunter desperately tries to reach out to Ultra’s consciousness before Brainiac 5 detonates a bomb capable of removing Infinitus from space and time forever…

Justice League United #9 continues the exciting interstellar between the Justice League United and the Legion of Super-Heroes as the battle against Infinitus rages in orbit above Thanagar. Part five of the Infinitus Saga is one of the most action-packed instalments so far. Jeff Lemire ensures the pace never lets up for a moment, skilfully keeping this epic space adventure and its vast roll call of characters on track, whilst still managing to give everyone a brief moment in the spotlight. The JLU and Legion of Super-Heroes make a terrific fighting force, and Supergirl’s battle with Byth gets really intense as the shape-shifters finally reveals his true form.

The camaraderie between the Justice League United and the Legion of Super-Heroes is also pitched just right by Lemire. “As long as the Legion lives…” Oh boy, that moment as the Legion and JLU race into battle against impossible odds is a real fan boy moment for fans of the Legion of Super-Heroes, and this opening moment really sets the tone for the rest of the issue. Now that Infinitus is almost as powerful as he was in the 31st century, and with the Wraiths becoming more tangible, Sardath and Brainiac 5 begin work on a bomb that could destroy Infinitus. When Thangar is attacked, the JLU and Legion divide their forces to send assistance, while Mon-El and Martian Marnhunter formulate a plan to help Supergirl fight Byth and rescue the young Ultra.

The frenetic pace of this issue doesn’t let up for a second, however, there’s still time for a few fun moments, especially when Green Arrow tries to emulate Ultra Boy’s rallying battle cry, and the scene where Bounding Boy springs into action is great too.

Justice League United #9 looks amazing, the pencils by Neil Edwards are as strong as ever, and all the characters look superb. Edward’s must have had a blast drawing this issue, JLU #9 is jam packed with so many characters and exciting battle scenes, its almost mind boggling, together with Inkers Jay Leisten & Keith Champagne, and Colorist Jeromy Cox, this book continues to deliver on every level with its incredible visuals and engaging storyline. Supergirl’s fight with Byth was another highlight this issue, especially Byth’s grotesque true form, and the page where Martian Manhunter freed Hawkman from Byth’s brainwashing was also particularly effective.

Justice League United #9 reaches a shattering conclusion just as it looks like everything might be resolved, its edge of the seat stuff too, and sets the stage for a thrilling conclusion to The Infinitus Saga next issue. I’ve really enjoyed seeing the Justice League United and Legion of Super-Heroes teaming up like this during The Infinitus Saga, I love both teams, so I’m kinda sad there’s only one more issue to go, but I’m still keeping my fingers crossed the Legion will return one day in their own title again at some point. Justice League United #9 is another great issue, with its terrific story by Jeff Lemire and art by Neil Edwards; it’s a space epic not to be missed!

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Justice League United #7 Review

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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.

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