DC Comics reviews for the week of 1/23/19

Justice League #16

Some major truths get revealed to the team this issue as the Thanagar Prime subplot concludes. John Stewart has to hold off his Green Lantern allies while Hawkgirl battles Shayera Hol and Martian Manhunter has a final confrontation with the only other surviving green Martian.

This arc has been a nice showcase for Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl in particular. There never really seemed to be a huge point for Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman beyond just having The Big 3 appear throughout. The finale did somewhat feel like a conclusion that could have arrived an issue or two ago, but it did allow for some nice character development for underserved characters so it’s OK.

I’m definitely intrigued where writers Scott Snyder and James Tynion IV are going with Starman. He’s a pretty wide open character to write in 2019 and his power scope is off the charts. With the greater emphasis setting the stage on Justice vs. Doom as the main theme, he could be the difference maker for the Justice League.

One of the payoffs for the arc seemed a little confusing relating Hawkgirl and Shayera. A sensible resolution seemed to be set up, but Snyder and Tynion went a different way. I’m wondering if this will be touched on in Justice League or be a subplot in the Hawkman book? As is, it seems a needlessly complicated way to wrap the arc if it doesn’t get addressed relatively soon.

Stephen Segovia handled most of the art with Jim Cheung tackling the final few pages. Segovia filled in nicely for Cheung and Jorge Jimenez, but I’m looking forward to them drawing full issues again. Segovia crafted solid pages, but they don’t have the same visual spark that seems to leap off the page like Cheung and Jimenez.

This wasn’t the strongest issue of Justice League, but even an average JL issue is still entertaining. Snyder has stated some big things are in the works for Justice League and for Hawkgirl in particular this seems teased here. Now it’ll be a matter of how Snyder and Tynion deliver in subsequent issues.

Rating: 8.5 out of 10