DC Comics reviews 8/26/26 – JLU 22, Absolute Wonder Woman 23

JLU 22

JLU 22 reads very similar to a season long arc of Justice League Unlimited. The long game story is the pending return of Darkseid while some subplots are emerging that are proving to be pretty interesting in the buildup for Darkseid.

Easily the most intriguing developing subplot for JLU 22 was the idea that some of the League’s longer-tenured members aren’t thrilled with the Amnesty program. Under that arrangement, some of the League’s worst villains are given a pass in exchange for helping prevent against the Darkseid threat. Beyond JLU 22, the Amnesty clause is starting to create some headaches in other DC titles suggesting this could be a major storyline heading into 2027.

It’s fitting that writer Mark Waid had The Atom be the one to confront Batman about this decision and form a shadow group within the Justice League to investigate how the participants in the DC KO tournament might have been impacted by their encounter with Darkseid in trying to save the universe from his latest incursion. Waid has had a soft spot for Atom back in his early days writing fill-in issues of JLA and this was a solid spotlight for him as an old school League member questioning what Batman and the others are doing teaming with villains and murderers for the greater good.

The other major JLU 22 subplot was the Superman Justice Gang squad of Mr. Terrific, Hawkgirl, Guy Gardner and Metamorpho dealing with Despero who sought the device containing all of the JLU’s powers. When those powers end up in another individual it could spell some massive trouble even as a new group arrives on the alien planet searching for the power drive.

Fico Ossio handles the bulk of the art for JLU 22. His style isn’t quite at the same level as Dan Mora, but it’s highly detailed and Ossio brings a thrilling dynamic to the action sequences. Colorist Tamra Bonvillain has plenty of power effects and costumes to juggle and makes it look amazingly effortless. Letterer Ariana Maher has a similar tough job navigating the dialogue and powers/sound effects.

JLU 22 was a solid issue that nicely rebounded from last month’s less impactful installment. This felt like an issue that started the series on an interesting path that should lead to an exciting philosophical clash within the League.

Rating: 9.5 out of 10

After reading JLU 22, put in your pre-order for Justice League Unlimited: Vol. 4: Villain Amnesty on trade paperback on Amazon. 

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