DC Comics reviews 3/25/20 – Detective Comics #1021, Suicide Squad #4

Action Comics #1021

This might be the worst comic I read all year.

Brian Michael Bendis took too long to get this issue out as he attempted to connect this arc with Year of the Villain, which has now wrapped. He also seems determined to make Young Justice a vital part of the DC Universe before making them relevant in their own title. And Bendis’ bizarre characterization of some long established heroes and villains leaves a lot to be desired.

Superman, the Justice League and Young Justice team up to stop Lex Luthor’s Legion of Doom, Leviathan and Red Ghost. It plays out like plot vomit as Bendis throws a little of everything hoping something sticks. As usual, Bendis seems to get bored mid battle scene and shifts his attention to more characters rambling without saying anything of significance.

I’ve been a fan of John Romita Jr.’s art for decades, but this is some of the more disappointing pages I’ve seen from him. Characters don’t look fully rendered, panels are chaotic and Romita’s take on characters just looks off.

Worst of all Bendis appears to not even be interested in following his own continuity as this issue ends with the breaking news that Superman is going to reveal his identity — a revelation that occurred months ago now.

This was a bad issue. I’m not sure what can salvage it now short of Bendis leaving and a new writer taking over.

Rating: 1 out of 10