Comic Review: Justice League (2018-) #21

Justice League #21

DC Comics

Writer: Jorge Fornes & Scott Snyder

Artist: Jorge Fornes & Alejandro Sanchez

Traveling to the future stories are usually always the same.  The Justice League travels to a perfect future, the world turns out to be a lie, and then the Justice League fight the evil version of the Justice League.  These stories are usually so predictable.  That’s not to say I don’t like them, it’s just annoying seeing Superman fight Superman for the umpteenth time.  Luckily, this issue of Justice League really breaks the mold for these types of stories.  I’m glad to say I don’t know what is going to happen next.

There are plenty of welcome surprises in this issue.  The first was that the future Superman isn’t actually Superman.  Instead, he’s the World Forger.  I’m excited to finally see this character after learning so much about him way back in Dark Knights Metal.  And he poses an interesting question to the Justice League.

You see, this story isn’t about the Justice League fighting their future selves.  Instead, the perfect future is used to persuade the Justice League to fully embrace the World Forger’s idea of “Justice”.  I like that he leaves it up to the Justice League whether or not they will accept his offer.  He isn’t a mustache-twirling villain, he’s a multiversal god who wants a perfect universe.  It is a nice twist that I didn’t see coming.

I also liked that Batman actually sides with the World Forger. Although I’m not entirely sold that Batman is willing to let trillions of people die, I do like his motivation here.  After seeing what Gotham could become, that’s all he wants in life.  He finally feels at peace.  Again, Snyder is subverting our expectations here.  Batman’s usually the first one to convince the team that something is wrong with the future.  But instead, Martian Manhunter and Hawkgirl take on that role.

And of course, Jorge Jimenez on art is perfect.  He doesn’t have just one specialty, he’s great at everything.  His backgrounds are great; I love his future design for Gotham.  But he also excels with character emotions.  Everyone on the League is so expressive.  Even Batman chatting with Dick shows a little emotion.  But most importantly, he gives his characters a great sense of movement.  His linework is just so dynamic.  This is the kind of art I expect from a flagship title like Justice League.

Overall, Justice League #21 is a great addition to an already great story.  Although it doesn’t blow me away, it’s a solid issue.  There are plenty of twists here that make us wonder how this story is going to end.  And I forgot to mention, Jarro is in this issue.  I think that’s reason enough to check this issue out.