Justice League Dark (2018-) #2
DC Comics
Writer: James T. Tynion IV
Artist: Alvaro Martinez Bueno
Wonder Woman is leading the new Justice League Dark, and I am OK with that. Now I just need a story to sink my teeth into and for the rest of the league to bring me everything promised in the premier issue from last month. As the second issue, this takes a step down from the previous one.
Justice League Dark is tied deeply into the No Justice storyline, so we are still dealing with the four trees on Earth. Magic is still out of wack and the world, or most of it, is ending. This is the typical book we get from most superhero publishers. So I am looking for James Tynion to give me something to set it apart. In this issue, the team comes to Doctor Fate for answers. Of course, here we learn of Nabu. Don’t know about Nabu? Well after this issue you might want to read up on him because he will be important moving forward for at least this arc. I enjoyed seeing the league fight without magic for a bit, but it was short-lived, and the rest of the book is more exposition. Man-Bat has a good panel. Detective Chip has some decent quips. Swamp Thing shares a mysterious meeting with John Constantine. Zatanna does some…talking?
I believe James Tynion IV will get this story where fans want it to go. He is building the world and the characters so by the time this first arc is over we are hooked and glued to every issue and salivating for more. We know he can do this and I still believe he will take us there. His writing is great here. He has a handle on the characters and their cadences. From the finale of this issue, I believe he will give us good villains.
Alvaro Martinez Bueno is still shining. I take no issue with the art in this book. I enjoy his character designs and his supernatural atmosphere. It is also worth giving credit to colorist Brad Anderson. Together these guys are bringing out the trivial things I like to see. Take a look at Detective Chimp’s tweed getup.
This wasn’t a strong issue, but it’s still building its foundation, so it isn’t a failure by any means. Readers need to be patient and have faith in Tynion’s ability. We are still getting some excellent set pieces and meeting new villains and heroes. Traveling to the Tower of Fate is exciting and worth the trip. Monsters are coming readers. This is still the team we need to save us.
