By Hunter T. Patrick
The biggest thing I was looking forward to about the series (and what fascinated me the most) was the unique team-ups. Issue one spent the whole time setting everything up, and we got to see all the heroes (and villains) together. Awesome enough. Halfway through the issue did we finally get to see the characters split up and form the teams we have been promised. The series is finally underway, and just like the DC Nation story, it is very chaotic to see these groups.
Scott Snyder’s highly anticipated Justice League run promises for things to get bigger and bigger with each story. Metal was huge enough, and No Justice to is huge. A concern with this is that it is so huge and wants to do so many things it lacks any breathing moments for the team-ups promised. We did get some breathers from Green Arrow and Amanda Waller (a vital DC character who I have yet to find any fans of hers). Waller last issue made her even more unlikable, and this issue somewhat tries to redeem her. Her conversation with Green Arrow not only sets up green Arrow’s next annual (the start of the Benson sister’s run and a No Justice tie-in), but the conversation also serves for a nice palate cleanser after high space action. With all the action, this is a high highlight.
We have only seen hints and continue to only have hints of the characters new dynamics. The issue gets in over its head in trying so hard that it does not even deliver that well the promise of its team-ups. When this series was first announced I was hopeful for one issue on each team, but instead with two issues left, I find myself disappointed in not seeing all the promotions for the series actually be developed. The series leads into another serious that keeps getting bigger and bigger. I do not want the series to follow these mistakes and be too big for its own good. The Justice League (solo) relaunch is written solely by Snyder (with Tynion IV doing an occasional Legion of Doom issue). Being written by a single writer might help that series while the overcrowding might be caused by three writers writing this series all at once.
The plotting is overcrowded, and the art luckily is not. The artwork has all the characters and scene complimenting one another and shows many beautiful scenes. Even the quiet Green Arrow and Waller conversation is a sight to behold. The comic would easily get a 3/5 if anyone else did the art, but this art gives the comic a 4/5. The color and the wide range of characters all come together elegantly. The artist is made for this book, and it is a shame this series is only four issues. The fast pace may work wonderfully for some readers, and it is not to say filler is needed, but the series does need more issues for everything it is trying to do (such as six issues, one issue for each team and an intro/outro). With so much going on, it is a delight for the art.
Score: 4/5
Justice League: No Justice #2
DC Comics