Comic Review: Justice League #34

Justice League #34

DC Comics

Writer: Scott Snyder

Artist: Howard Porter

It’s the penultimate issue of the Justice/Doom War!  The Justice League is spread across time, the monitors are locked in battle with Perpetua, and Hawkgirl goes one on one with Apex Lex.  This is the climax of Scott Snyder’s Justice League run.  So how does it hold up?

There’s a lot to love about this issue.  And that’s probably because there’s a lot happening.  Snyder juggles three separate plots, one in the past, one in the future, and one in the present.  But in Justice League #34, all of the teams converge back in the present for the final battle.

The Justice Society of America plot still remains the best part of this whole arc.  Watching Barry and John interact with the JSA is nothing short of magical.  In this issue, in particular, we get to see Alan’s pride in creating the tradition of Green Lanterns. In a universe where legacy seems to get brushed aside more and more, it’s great to see scenes like these.  Also in the past is Cheetah’s playful monologue in front of Poseidon.  This was classic Snyder, with the Legion of Doom even commenting on her hammy monologue.

The future plot is also a blast.  In this issue, Kamandi brings along just about every future Justice League imaginable.  Characters from all over the multiverse, including Batman Beyond and friends, make a splash in this issue.  For the climax of the DC universe, Snyder pulls out all of the stops.

But in the present, things don’t bode well for our heroes.  And although Perpetua’s success sets up many interesting possibilities, you can see it coming from a mile away.  Throughout the entire issue, Starman stresses how important it is for the League to rush back in time.  This obviously foreshadows that the League will get there just seconds too late.

The art in this issue was also really well done.  Howard Porter does a lot of the heavy lifting, but Redondo shines here as well.  While Porter gets to tackle the climatic, end-of-the-world scenes, Redondo covers the Justice League’s battle throughout time.

Overall, Justice League #34 is another solid addition in the Justice/Doom War.  Not only was the issue good by itself, it makes me incredibly excited to see how things end.  I mean, Doom can’t end up winning this thing…right?  If Snyder can stick the landing in #35, the Justice/Doom War might be one of the highlights of Snyder’s run.

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