Comic Review: Justice League #6

Justice League #6

Writer: Scott Snyder

Artist: Jorge Jimenez

Colourist: Alejandro Sanchez

‘…the World finally seems ready to laugh with him’

I’ll kick off this review by saying that the first page of this comic is incredibly unsettling, and easily one of my favourite depictions of the Joker that I’ve seen in years. (But which Joker is it? Remember that storyline that’s apparently getting some resolution?)

Jorge Jimenez really goes all out on a horrific and unsettling Joker, who leans more towards Heath Ledger than Jack Nicholson. This is not the crisp and well-kept joker that we see in Doomsday Clock; this is one with smudged lipstick, messy eyeshadow and a Glasgow Smile that accentuates all his most unnerving details, along with red eyes that betray no emotion at all.

The Joker bookends Justice League #6, for reasons that I assume will become apparent in subsequent issues. Snyder makes reference to the shifting backstory idea that Alan Moore established back in The Killing Joke but we don’t get any explanation of why or how this fits in with the story. We are told that each member of the Legion of Doom has been specifically picked by Luthor.  It may be that The Joker is some sort of embodiment of the universe’s natural chaotic forces and that Snyder is just waiting until later to tell us, but for now, it’s a bit unclear.

‘Something dark, and very pissed off.’

The rest of the issue is pretty simple to follow, however; much of the Earth’s population is being drafted into the Ultraviolet Corps by Sinestro and Umbrax, whilst Lex and the Joker come one step closer to harnessing the power of the Totality which was locked away in the Source Wall.

Shockingly, Batman prep times Luthor after explaining that he always carries a Kryptonite ring even when inside Superman and they kick the **** out of each other. I won’t spoil the rest of the goings on here but I’d like to note how much I enjoy Snyder’s Batman here; making a few snarky jokes and even admitting (to nobody but himself) that he needs a miracle to succeed.

Elsewhere we get to see the other half of the Legion, as Cheetah & Black Manta discuss their status as supporting cast on a supposedly equal team. One line in particular where Manta talks about how he’s spent much of his life as a treasure hunter, and Lex Luthor has him utterly beaten with his own discoveries, is particularly interesting.
I get the feeling that Manta & Cheetah’s stories, along with Joker’s, will come to the forefront once this initial arc is finished.

‘…that’s life.’

I especially don’t want to spoil the end of the issue here, but it ends of a suitably hopeful note after the slightly depressing look at the League getting absolutely jobbed on their first go as a new team.

Overall I’m feeling positive about this new series, with Snyder and Jimenez being a brilliant team and it’s clear that Snyder has an intended path and is doing a terrific job of following it. This issue felt like a bit more of a bridge issue than a great standalone, but it’s set up some great following issues as we will see the League rally and take the fight to the Legion properly.

Hopefully without getting their asses kicked this time.