Justice League #3: A review.
DC's new Justice League's intro to Wonder Woman
Nice issue. Not quite as thrilling as the last two, but its introduction to Wonder Woman was very well-done. Including the reimagining of Steve Trevor.
Our story opens in DC, Colonel Steve Trevor is entering the room, looking quite concerned that Diana has disappeared. Immediately, we see that, like the other superheroes, Wonder Woman's public image is not very good. People seen in news reports are in a rage over her "pagan" background and her extreme ways (news reporters are heard discussing her "skewering" people). Diana, who was viewing the news, saw a report of a "harpy" attacking civilians when she broke through the wall and went to find the creature.
Wonder Woman is then seen walking through DC, asking for the location of the "harpy". Civilians run away and look pretty terrified, and seeing how she is wielding a sword openly, they have reason to be. We get to see Diana's softer, even somewhat naive, side when a small girl named Raquel approaches her excitedly.
Diana herself is surprised that Raquel is not afraid, and even thanks her for being willing to speak with her. I thought this was a nice touch, showing that these heroes are accepted by innocent, kind hearted children. Especially more so than adults, who are usually very wary of individuals. I mean, in real life, yeah, we all "grow up" and stop taking things at face value. Look at people that we may have looked up to in life. Athletes, politicians, actors, musicians... celebrities who have fallen far over moral lapses and other indiscretions. Eventually, we begin to realize that our heroes have flaws, and we become cynical. But, again, this scene with Wonder Woman and Raquel made me smile. It may have just been me, but whatever.
Anyway, back to the story.
As Diana and Raquel are enjoying ice cream (Diana's first time), Colonel Trevor shows up and demands that Diana returns to the Pentagon. As her appointed liaison, he is concerned over her image and any collateral damage to civilians from her actions. I like this change in his character, making him her liaison gives him a reason to stay around. Let's face it, guys. If we were in a relationship with a girl who was a super-powered being, like Trevor and Diana's relationship is shown, it would probably be difficult to feel like we matter. The relationship probably wouldn't last long. But, this new design shows Steve needing to be around because Diana does not understand "Man's world", and he needs to help her through it. Therefore, Steve Trevor has a purpose.
He shows his concern for Diana briefly, saying that he doesn't want anyone hurt, especially not her, but that soft moment is interrupted by the appearance of one of the creatures that Batman and Green Lantern were up against in the first issue. As the creature (which we know now to be an Apokoliptic soldier) opens a Boom-Tube, Diana readies for battle, showing great excitement over finding a fight as good as these creatures will provide.
See, in an earlier discussion, Wonder Woman tells Trevor her reason for staying in man's world: "There is... a darkness here. One I'm going to fight." Her purpose in this world is to fight darkness. Whether that darkness is in men's hearts or some evil force rising is unclear. But Wonder Woman is a born warrior. She has been training to fight her whole life, and she is putting it to good use now. Especially as Darkseid's invasion seems to be happening now. Her excitement is understandable.
Our story now shifts back to the S.T.A.R. Labs story, with Silas and Victor Stone. After the opening of the Boom Tube, the creatures are now carrying people off, into the sky. (One of them is Professor Ivo, eventual creator of Amazo). Dr. Stone is cradling his son, worrying for his life. He refuses to watch his son die, despite protests from other doctors in the room, who are imploring him to leave.
Quickly, we cut back to Metropolis, where Superman, Batman, Green Lantern, and the Flash are doing what they do best- Defending the Earth. Flash is listening to radio broadcasts from all around the world in his earpiece, and people worldwide believe these creatures are "demons" and that "Judgment Day" has begun. And they are blaming super-humans for it.
A little side point here- I don't know if the Flash has always had an earpiece for this purpose or not, but well done. It makes perfect sense for the Flash, a character who moves at close to, if not faster than, the speed of light to be able to hear problems from every part of the planet so he can be everywhere at a moment's notice. After all, he doesn't have the ability to hear everything, like Superman. If this is a new addition, then keep it up.
As they fight, we see a few more instances of each individual's personalities. Green Lantern gets aggravated as Batman tells him to concentrate, since his constructs are collapsing, and then GL shoots back, telling Batman to worry about himself since he has no powers. Flash, who never knew this, vocalizes that he always thought Batman was at least a vampire or something.
The story continuously flips from Metropolis to Detroit, where Dr. Silas Stone and his colleagues manage to get into the "Red Room". At this point, Victor seems to be glowing red and his father lays him on a chair. He vocalizes to his father that it hurts. Rightly so, since we learn that an unknown energy is eating him from the inside. Dr. Stone decides that he's going to save his son using the technology in the room. Victor is then injected with nanites and his face and body is covered in his familiar "cyborg" form, which we learn is called the Promethium skin graft. Despite concerns of his body rejecting the graft (From Dr. Morrow, the future creator of Red Tornado), the nanites are activated and Victor screams. We then see the first appearance of the Dark Lord himself, Darkseid. It appears that Victor's mind is somehow connected to Apokolips.
The League, now with Wonder Woman at their side, have a quiet period where they notice that the creatures are circling a spot over the ocean. Just then, a large tower rises from the ocean, as Victor's skin graft goes online (May not be related. But just in case it is, wanted to get the timing right).
As Green Lantern vocalizes his concern over what it may be, a voice behind them says "I was hoping you could tell me". Aquaman has risen. And he looks to take charge of the group.
Overall, I give the issue a seven or eight out of ten. Again, all the characters are being developed great. Wonder Woman is a strong-willed, warrior woman. And Aquaman appears to have the classic ego complex. Being a king, and used to giving orders, this personality makes sense. It will be interesting to see how the others react to Aquaman's demand to lead. However, it was more of a filler than the last two issues, which put a lot of emphasis on specific characters. Granted, Wonder Woman was focused on in the first quarter of the issue and it was great. And there was really no more developments on the obvious invasion of Apokolips.
Not a problem though. Still a great relaunch. And I would like to say this version of Wonder Woman, including her costume, would be great for a movie. Just my observation.
Looking forward to numero quatro.
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