Before reading this, if you’re in public take a look around you. Chances are there are people walking about going about their daily lives, seemingly unaffected by whatever problems the world has thrown at them. That’s the thing though, more than likely they are battling some inner demon while they commute to work. Feeling the weight of the world on their shoulders knowing they have to continue their daily lives, almost as if they have to put on a mask to hide what’s really going. Remember kids, despite the powers the Justice League are still people. There will be spoilers going forward, you have been warned.
When it comes to the fears of the Justice League, most readers will be able to tell you them without hesitation. So instead of Hitch trying to recreate scenes that most people will recognize he decides to look a bit deeper into the minds of the Justice League. Issues like this are needed, because it makes these God like characters feel like real human beings and like normal humans, not everyone reacts to fear the same way. Seeing both Aquaman and Wonder Woman almost lash out in pure anger for how they are viewed in the world, or Simon feeling that ever creeping loneliness when we feel that we’re not good enough to stand with Gods.
However the most pivotal scene is one between Superman and Batman. Since this Superman is from a previous universe the lack of any real interaction with either Batman or any of the Justice League members felt very needed. Not only does this scene allow both Superman and Batman to actually become more comfortable with each as teammates, and more importantly as friends. Honestly both Superman and Batman’s reactions to fear we’re the most powerful and resonated with me the most. Even though it took an alien entity in order for Batman actually admit that his personal guilt is consuming him away because of the lives lost in his war on crime. I couldn’t but think that Hitch wrote that scene as if Bruce Wayne was actually that 8 year old who saw his parents shot. Bruce still feels cold but at least with his admission of feeling guilt makes his cold shoulder act feel that much more understandable.
As for Superman knowing that he has to keep his emotions in check constantly, never cutting loose that maybe deep down inside knows he wants to. Superman for modern readers is a character where his own humanity is what makes him the Man of Steel, yet most writers tend to avoid pushing Superman in one emotional direction. Yes Superman tends to be more emotional than Batman but to out right admit his own pent upped anger issues is another reason why Superman is more than his powers.Hopefully this will lead to more scenes between these two different characters as this book goes on.
Jesus Merino was nothing short but amazing in this issue of Justice League. With this book focusing on the various mental states of the Justice League it’s imperative that their emotions are conveyed without fail to readers. Merino is a veteran and it shows. There’s nothing fancy, the line work is very solid but once again it’s the storytelling that makes this issue of Justice League even better. Personally my favorite sequence of panels focuses on the Justice League after their fear hold is broken and seeing they’re shame, regrets and personal doubts come to the surface is something other comic artists should look at and use it as an example of great acting in comics.
The ending with Jessica Cruz is the only aspect that I didn’t enjoy, as it feels way to early and cliche for Jessica to leave. I highly doubt she’s gone for good but it feels like a false cliff hanger. For a two part arc this was a well written and well drawn issue of Justice League. A vast improvement over the first arc indeed.
Justice League #7 earns a 4/5