DC Comics reviews for 8/14/19 – Detective Comics #1009, Event Leviathan #3

Justice League Odyssey #12

It’s taken longer than I expected, but Justice League Odyssey is starting to feel and read more like an A-level title. That’s in no small part to the regular creative team of writer Dan Abnett and artist Will Conrad establishing some much needed consistency.

Jessica Cruz has become increasingly leery that her teammates Cyborg, Starfire and Azrael were falling under Darkseid’s influence. This issue brings that all to a head as Darkseid puts his final plan in action as he intends to wait out Perpetua’s attack from his own created sanctuary. It’s the kind of Omega level planning that’s made Darkseid such a major player in DC for decades. Cruz has really benefited from the larger spotlight and this was one of her better showcase issues.

Abnett has really found his groove with this book with the team dynamics and interaction. The only thing that’s holding the book back somewhat is the smaller roster considering space is such an expansive and relatively untapped corner of the DC Universe beyond the Green Lanterns. In a perfect world, Abnett would start gathering some of these galactic heroes (Adam Strange anyone?) and fill out the team roster like a Guardians of the Galaxy. The core four is solid, but it’s time for some new additions to the cast especially if they’re going to take on Darkseid. I miss Cruz’s partner Simon Baz though and wouldn’t mind him joining the team even if two Lanterns is somewhat redundant.

Conrad has been an artist nomad for way too long these last few years with DC and it’s nice to see him finally have a home with a book that looks all the better for his involvement. It’s also fitting since Conrad worked on a semi-regular basis on Cyborg. Conrad has somehow been one of DC’s best kept secrets and hopefully this higher profile gig gives him the spotlight his skills warrant.

Conrad’s level of detail and level of storytelling along with Rain Beredo’s colors have upped the visual quality of JLO tremendously. It makes the book feel like an important title now.

Justice League Odyssey took longer than its fellow Justice League books to get going, but now it’s become one of the more improved titles over the last four months. With this big arc and shocking cliffhanger, the title looks to be well on its way to must-read status each month.

Rating: 9 out of 10