DC Comics reviews for 9/11/19 – Batman #78, Event Leviathan #4

Justice League Odyssey #13

One of my few complaints about recent Justice League Odyssey issues is the small team roster.

With most of the team under Darkseid’s sway, writer Dan Abnett takes what might be the first step in expanding the team.

Most of the issue focuses on a new team of sorts with one familiar face to Green Lantern fans and another that seems like a cross between Deadshot and Star-Lord. These new personalities add an element of the unknown that was missing from the series up to this point and their quirkiness could be the x-factor JLO needs to further excel.

Then there’s the matter of Jessica Cruz. It’s not the biggest shock she survived her encounter with Darkseid, but how Abnett revives her is interesting and puts a unique slant on a character who was largely just another Green Lantern at this point.

Will Conrad’s art continues to provide the much needed visual boost for this title with great expressive characters, lavishly rendered backgrounds and intense action sequences. Rain Beredo’s colors remain vibrant and appealing in what could be a drab and sterile space environment.

Abnett largely ignores the original cast, but this issue shows the book could be on the verge of a breakthrough depending on how he navigates these newer characters to the title. It’s going to take a big crew to take down Darkseid after all and there’s no better time than now to start building an army to stop him. JLO is really shaping up to be a consistently solid and surprising title each month.

Rating: 9 out of 10