Destroyer14's Review of JUSTICE LEAGUE #4

Destroyer14's Review of JUSTICE LEAGUE #4

The blockbuster series continues with its fourth issue. Hit the jump to check out my in-depth review.

Review Opinion
By Destroyer14 - Dec 21, 2011 04:12 PM EST
Filed Under: DC Comics
Source: My Blog

Justice League has been the definition of "epic" all-star" and "comic book." A world-destructive plot, great characters, top notch art, and blockbuster dialogue. I have never given such positive ratings in a roll like this, each issue has gotten a 9/10 for me. The $3.99 price feels worth it. It is definitely the best series I'm reading currently, only rivaled by Marvel's Venom. Now, onto the review.

The story continues with Victor, now Cyborg, waking up and realizing he isn't human. Meanwhile, Aquaman decides to put himself in charge of the group, but that's quickly changed when hordes of the mysterious creatures from the last two issues appear. They are vanquished, but when a portal opens and Cyborg jumps out saying "He's coming," that could mean only one thing....


It's easy to forget that this first arc takes place five years earlier. The solicitation for Issue Seven reminded me of that. With that said, this issue does a good job with the heroes' characterizations. Aquaman is especially portrayed well, showcasing what it means to have the title of king. Green Lantern comes off as rather, how do I put this.....annoying. Okay, he's the Wally West of the league, but man, his lines are just corny and unbearable. Wonder Woman seems, like I said in my previous review, a bit cardboard, having only one line in the whole issue. Superman I'm happy to say is actually showing some character. I liked how he was the one to ask Aquaman who he was, but the best part was when he said to Flash "You seem like someone who wants to do the right thing, but the same can't always be said for everyone in positions of authority." Epic. The best quote of this entire series yet.

At first, I thought Cyborg came off a rather too impulsive. Yeah I know he woke up not being human, but him fleeing the scene like that was rather brash I thought. But looking back, it made sense. I can see why he was angry. To him, his father said he would never go to one of his games, and then he was turned into a machine, so I get it. Still, he doesn't really belong on the league, he's better suited for Teen Titans. Batman doesn't have that much scenes in this issue, I do like the part where Aquaman says "You've obviously gathered to fight them. But I don't see a leader. Then Batman says "Then you're not looking at me." Good stuff.

The art is just amazing. This is the definition of comic book art. The characters look great. The cover is pretty spectacular, showcasing a powerful looking Aquaman over a defeated Green Lantern. Though Superman and Wonder Woman look a bit odd in the ocean, but nothing major. There are some pretty awe-inspiring splash pages at the end, truly epic. Oh, and Captain Trevor is just as amazingly naive like his last appearance. Does he doubt Wonder Woman's strength? It's quite annoying.

Overall, another blockbuster issue. The characters are getting developed, especially Superman. The action is fast-paced, yet there's plenty of dialogue. The balance between fighting and talking is perfect. Justice League #4 is an all-star buy, if you aren't reading this series, then what are you waiting for? With its great characters, triple A+ art, and jaw-dropping cliffhanger, Justice League #4 is another must-have.

9/10.

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nuck82
nuck82 - 12/21/2011, 4:50 PM
will be reading this when i got home, almost paid for the $25 cover just so i didnt have a comic with aquman on the cover : )
Howlett
Howlett - 12/21/2011, 4:50 PM
Aquaman could never be cool, he's just plain funny.
Emjeed
Emjeed - 12/21/2011, 4:58 PM
I agree, I loved this issue.. Specially Superman.. he was so.. Super!.. didn't say much but you could see the leader in him
Emjeed
Emjeed - 12/21/2011, 5:03 PM
I must also say that though no one might agree with me i laughed at GLs crack about Aquaman being a sketch on conan.. I think what mad it funny for me was the fact that he actually had time between stopping alien threats and watching late night tv
ArrowToTheKnee
ArrowToTheKnee - 12/21/2011, 5:13 PM
@Intruder - Get out the house! Get drunk! Get laid! Do something.....
darCNite1989
darCNite1989 - 12/21/2011, 5:21 PM
This issue proves why talking to fish and carrying around a trident is all it takes to be Billy Badass of the sea.
113
113 - 12/21/2011, 5:24 PM
This might of been my favorite issue. It wasn't perfect but it was definitely epic.
DudeGuy
DudeGuy - 12/21/2011, 5:25 PM
@ArrowToTheKnee
just ignore that guy. Even when DC does great with something he points out the smallest flaws with it.
Hardfelt
Hardfelt - 12/21/2011, 5:55 PM
As someone who read Batman in the late 80's and early 90's but grew up mainly in the Marvel stable, I have to say that this is a quality series! In many ways it has been paced like a trade paperback and the benefit of this is that the splits between issues creates a palpable tension. Each of the characters reflects their archetypal, already published tradition, but are fresh and new at the same time. We know Batman is a control freak, but are used to his internal mutterings in his own space and not necessarily his comments as seen as part of an ensemble. Likewise Superman and his stoicism and Green Lantern with his cockiness. I guess I'm just going to be a disappointed when the Lee steps aside and the origin is over. There is every chance that this will then become so hum drum, that the reboot may not have been worth effort. Let's hope that they maintain the standard.
LAWLZY96
LAWLZY96 - 12/21/2011, 6:13 PM
Beat me to it Destroyer. Great review.
Shadowelfz
Shadowelfz - 12/21/2011, 6:47 PM
I have mixed feelings about this series as a whole.

The art is gorgeous and vibrant, the action awesome and Johns is giving personality to these rather card-board-cutout characters.

And Darkseid looks EPIC!

On the other hand the banter between the characters seemed to be largely absent till this issue. Since this is the new first meeting of the characters I was execting more development in such a circumstance.

Also, I can't say I'm a fan of how douchey everyone seems to be. Everyone seems to be jockeying for power, which is to be expected but not to this degree. Everyone comes off as a giant d-bag except Wonder Woman who unfortunately does not have a lot to say or do other than swing her sword around. And I have to disagree with the two lines you used; the Batman one sounded lame to me and the Superman one could have been reworded and less awkward sounding.

That being said, good review Destroyer14 even if I don't necesarrily agree with you.
Shadowelfz
Shadowelfz - 12/21/2011, 6:49 PM
Also, I don't know how Johns is doing it, but he's making Aquaman cool. Weird.
Destroyer14
Destroyer14 - 12/21/2011, 6:50 PM
Thanks MrNoFear, Beastmode, Emjeed, nowtheresaBATman, LAWLZY96, and Shadowelfz.
Batman5
Batman5 - 12/21/2011, 7:37 PM
lmao @everyone making fun of intruder. BTW this is an epic storyline.
SuperSoldier1
SuperSoldier1 - 12/21/2011, 8:11 PM
maybe Aquaman was always cool, but they just never got it right...
OtakuPapi
OtakuPapi - 12/21/2011, 8:19 PM
Aquaman is bad ass waiting on the beard ... this version of Aquaman would make an amazingly interesting movie
breakUbatman
breakUbatman - 12/21/2011, 9:47 PM
This issue was okay but some things are just weird how was Wonder Woman out of all of them able to tell that Cyborg wasn't wearing a suit of armor? If it had been Superman with his X-Ray vision I could understand.

The bling on Aquaman is ridiculous as well, nothing about it says royalty.
GLprime2814
GLprime2814 - 12/22/2011, 2:08 AM
After page 2 I was like how long till issue five.
Shaman
Shaman - 12/22/2011, 5:42 AM
Blockbuster dialog??? You have GOT to be 14 years old. There is no way in hell that anyone over the age of 14 actually has conversations like Johns is writing them. Stupid [frick]ing lame ass arogant one liners to try to prove they have a bigger cock than the others. ONE character, maybe. But ALL OF THEM??? Just [frick] right off, Johns. And that's not to mention how every damn team member is just shoehorned into the story, one for every issue. Like they just magically happen to all be facing the same threat SEPARATELY, yet NO ONE ELSE EXCEPT the eventual "Justice League" members is, and they just all happen to be at the right place and at the right time, PRECISELY at the same spot on the entire planet when it happens. [frick] OFF you lazy [frick]ing hack!!! What, next thing you'll tell me is that all this shit is planned for, making Darkseid the one that actually puts the team together "behind the curtains", as if they were [frick]ing chess pawns??? If that happens, i'll never buy another DC book ever again. So far, not only is this the worst book of the entire new 52 but it's also the worst Justice League book in comic history. "The definition of Epic, All-Star and Comic Book"??? What are you, a Power Ranger fan? Come on, i know "to each's own" and all that crap but there has to be a standard put in place. I'm not asking for shakespeare but this book so far is what makes comics look like it's actually made for children.
mctrinket
mctrinket - 12/22/2011, 6:22 AM
Aquaman is just the most ridiculous character in the history of comic and there is no getting around that.
comicb00kguy
comicb00kguy - 12/22/2011, 6:38 AM
I still can't get past those HUGE green gloves on Aquaman on that cover. Those things would be a huge encumberance to swimming, especially at the speeds, depths, and lengths to which Aquaman often swims. The gloves would fill with water and be trying to come off with every stroke. I don't demand absolute "realism" in comics, but I do like SOME plausibility.
Tighten up those gloves!

And what's with that long silly chain? Looks like something a fourteen year old 'punk rocker' would wear to hook to his wallet. Again, this thing would encumber Aquaman while he was swimming.

Then we get to the standard cliched no-eyeballs face on Aquaman. It's one thing for a masked character like Batman or Green Lantern not to show their eyeballs- in fact, they'd look MIGHTY silly if they did- but unmasked characters without eyeballs is just SO 1993!
ThaMessenger07
ThaMessenger07 - 12/22/2011, 6:58 AM
Okay, so....DC New 52 JL.....Sucks....


Aquaman is decent. Not quite as awesome as he was with the water hand and access to the clear or when the Trident actually had Hydrokinesis.

Superman his a F*cking Statue and that line was actually awful. He reminds me of a teenager that thinks he's politically conscious. He throws tantrums and his views on right and wrong are under developed for an 8 year old. They tried to make him more human and he's as Alien as ever.

I still haven't figured out how Van Wilder got a Lantern Ring but he sure is a hoot!

Flash is in this?....oh

Cyborg....his origin was very....Crank 2....

Wonder Woman is awesome when she not spewing corny Thor Lite lines or showing that she truly is made of clay regardless of her new origin....

Batman is a know it all douche....for those who say "He was always a Know it all Douche!" On some level...yes, except now, he doesn't know it all....

nuck82
nuck82 - 12/22/2011, 7:10 AM
ok i finaly got around to reading it, man do you over score every comic you review. all that happen in this comic was aquaman had some sharks eat some aliens, cyborg finaly put himself together and doomsday came thru a boom gate and didnt say anything, did he look cool? yes. but thats about it

id give it at 7/10 just because of doomsday
Shaman
Shaman - 12/22/2011, 7:13 AM
Mess- EXACTLY!!! Yes Batman was always a "know it all" but he was never a "douche" about it. He actually "KNEW" better.
nuck82
nuck82 - 12/22/2011, 7:26 AM
superman is coming off as more superboy in the new JL, seems there trying to make everyone in it a hard ass, flash is the only kick back, as he should be, but everyone esle seems to have a stick up there ass
Shadowelfz
Shadowelfz - 12/22/2011, 7:41 AM
Mess- very true. just about sums up my issues with the book so far. If it wasnt for the art and action I wouldnt bother due to the poor characterizations. I dont know how Johns got so big at DC when he writes such awkward dialogue, though the new Aquamam books are good.
superotherside
superotherside - 12/22/2011, 8:05 AM
Awesome review bro. Can't wait to read it! :)
superotherside
superotherside - 12/22/2011, 8:11 AM
Seriously guys you don't have to agree with Destroyer14 but don't be trying to start an argument? LOL.

All you haters trying to start arguments remind me of this:



:P
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