Sadly the summer is almost over which means kids will be returning to school and Hollywood blockbuster become dormant until the following year. Thankfully the same can’t be said for the world of superhero comics where huge blockbuster type events could run all year along (or unless your Marvel, then a month due to double shipping). That seems to be the case with Geoff Johns and Jason Fabok’s Darkseid War, heck to some fans this is the eventual DC movieverse should look like. However only in comics can we truly appreciate the talent when a writer and an artist create perfect harmony.
On the forums of this very website it’s been noted that Geoff Johns isn’t exactly beloved from his run on Green Lantern (even I made that distinction when I started writing here). So while John’s doesn’t have a perfect track record, when he’s at his A game very few writers can channel his love for the DC universe. Despite the New 52 being a relatively “fresh” start nearly four years ago, John’s digs deep and finds what makes the core of the character tick. The basic or at least most popular version of whatever character John’s is using for a particular scene.
In this instance the side story featuring Superman and Lex Luthor stranded on Apokolips is a perfect example of John’s understanding who these characters are. These are two men who don’t like let alone trust each other, so when you throw that relationship into a live or die situation it makes for a more entertaining story. In addition to this, John puts Superman in a vulnerable position, which forces Luthor to play protector. This isn’t something new to Lex but it’s all about the context in whatever scenario a character happens to be in. For this moment in time the antagonistic relationship between Lex and Superman feels fresh and engaging.
Despite the fact that this a Justice League story centered around Darkseid and The Anti-Monitor battling it out, Wonder Woman is our personal connection to this conflict. Some fans might see Diana’s inner monologue comparisons of Odysseus’s journey between two monsters and the Justice League’s current situation a bit on the nose due to her Greek heritage. From this reviewers perspective it gelled perfectly and oddly enough it makes the inevitable clash of Gods even more thrilling.
What else could I really say about Jason Fabok that I haven’t said before? Even though I admire what Johns’ is doing on the writing side, what makes this make comic good to great is all due to Jason Fabok. Which I think John’s knows that as he allows Fabok room to tell a story that can only be done on a comic page. The introduction of Kalibek in just a few panels without any words says all you need to know about this deadly warrior, granted Kalibak isn’t a deep character it doesn’t detract Fabok’s ability to tell a story. Yes Fabok brings the amazing sense of scale and dread when Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor meet face to face, a truly draw dropping piece of comic art.
Darkseid War is shaping up to be one of the best Geoff John centered stories in quite some time. It helps that he has soon to be mega star Jason Fabok as his artist. If you haven’t started reading this epic, go back and start immediately.
Justice League #43 earns a 5/5
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