Okay; the Shrine is betting most of you have already read this issue, and are basically excited about it for one main reason--the last page. Let's get to that moment as quickly as possible!
This issue opens up with the debut of another member of future Justice League: the Amazing Amazon, Wonder Woman!
While investigating reports of a winged creature attacking Washington D.C., Wonder Woman makes friends with some average citizens, including a little girl who introduces Diana to ice cream. Unfortunately, this nice moment is interrupted by an attack of some Para-Demons!
As Diana leaps into battle, we see that the Para-Demons are attacking everywhere, and its up to Superman, Batman, Flash, and Green Lantern to stop them. Batman wants them to regroup so they can be a more effective team (of course he does). He also notices that the Para-Demons aren't killing anyone, or even trying to: they're kidnapping people and taking them to parts unknown. What's going on?
Suddenly our quartet is joined by Wonder Woman, who knows how to make an entrance:
As Diana leaps into battle, we see that the Para-Demons are attacking everywhere, and its up to Superman, Batman, Flash, and Green Lantern to stop them. Batman wants them to regroup so they can be a more effective team (of course he does). He also notices that the Para-Demons aren't killing anyone, or even trying to: they're kidnapping people and taking them to parts unknown. What's going on?
Suddenly our quartet is joined by Wonder Woman, who knows how to make an entrance:
The heroes follow the Para-Demons, and see that they are grouping out over the ocean. An explosion follows (where we see a glimpse of Darkseid, although of course the heroes don't know that), leaving a giant alien structure embedded in nearby cliff. They all wonder what it is, including another new friend:
...Behold, Douchebag Aquaman!
I'm kidding of course (or am I?); its great finally seeing Aquaman get added in to the Justice League mix. And, judging by his dialogue, this is not the Aquaman we're familiar with. If anything, it'll be fascinating watching how Geoff Johns develops this Aquaman--scraggly and supremely cocky--into the more mature, considerate hero we see over in Aquaman.
In fact, I'm kind of hoping Johns isn't in any hurry to move Justice League forward out of its five-years-in-the-past setting; I think it'll be a blast watching these more id-like versions of the League bounce off one another, for a little while at least. If Green Lantern thinks he's got "dibs" on Wonder Woman, wait until he sees Mera!
I'm kidding of course (or am I?); its great finally seeing Aquaman get added in to the Justice League mix. And, judging by his dialogue, this is not the Aquaman we're familiar with. If anything, it'll be fascinating watching how Geoff Johns develops this Aquaman--scraggly and supremely cocky--into the more mature, considerate hero we see over in Aquaman.
In fact, I'm kind of hoping Johns isn't in any hurry to move Justice League forward out of its five-years-in-the-past setting; I think it'll be a blast watching these more id-like versions of the League bounce off one another, for a little while at least. If Green Lantern thinks he's got "dibs" on Wonder Woman, wait until he sees Mera!
9 comments:
I LOVED this scene. I had a few friends message me and go DUDE did you read that!
As soon as I saw Aquaman dominating the cover of #4, I knew he would appear in the last page of issue #3. It's a great intro for the character, with a great, funny line.
Also, Wonder Woman is awesome in this issue.
"Okay; the Shrine is betting most of you have already read this issue"
A bet you'd lose in my case. A friend just gave me a handful of New 52s with the first issue in it, but I haven't read it yet. I'm frankly more excited to check out Voodoo, Grifter and Demon Knights...
"Has anyone seen a harpy?"
*Shudder* There's no interpretation of Wonder Woman I hate more than the sword-wielding mythological cop. It doesn't even work as "Johnsian Literalism," because it's not a legitimate core concept of the character. Also, it looks like Diana is the naive rookie unknown introduced in a Darkseid-centric event, again.
"So who's in charge here? I vote me."
Aside from his unfortunate fashion sense, I don't mind Aquaman trying to take charge and be a little cocky. Barring Namor levels of arrogance and violent irrationality, it suits a Sea King. Plus, he might stab Hal Jordan with his trident, which would be delicious on multiple levels.
Word verification: psessi
Luckily I read the digital version last night. Loved the reveal of Aquaman! Even the mutton chops and overabundance of accessories! :)
I don't mind the 'tude either, for the reason Frank gives; it fits for someone who has literally held the post of king. Also, he's saying it with a smile, so maybe he knows how it sounds and won't be a jerk about it.
I also don't mind WW having a sword; it seems to fit the whole Greek-derived culture aspect. In the pre-crisis WW (talkin' early 80s here) the Amazons had swords AND ray-guns. And spaceships. They'd shoot people with their ray-guns and then stab them with their swords. And then blast off in their spaceships.
This is my least favorite issue of this series so far. I know a lot of people have been talking about not a whole lot of things happening in this series, but let's look at this one specifically: NOTHING happens. Wonder Woman arrives, Victor Stone gets worse, and Aquaman arrives. The End.
Are these para-demons "alive" or are they robots? Because the JLA seems quite enthusiastic about murdering them if they are alive. Just saying. And if they *are* alive, there isn't a whole lot of blood shown when they get their arms ripped off (see WW picture above) when there really would be.
@Russel--there's a considerable amount of blood when Superman is ripping their arms off (not a sentence I ever thought I'd have to type).
I agree with above sentiments that Wonder Woman's turn into a naive version of Marvel's Thor isn't to my liking, and very very little happened in this issue, but it was still fun enough. Anxious for the next one though I may be dropping it soon all the same.
"Also, he's saying it with a smile, so maybe he knows how it sounds and won't be a jerk about it."
I wish that were more clear. The scan looks Namor scowly, but a wry smile would make all the difference. I love a smiley Aquaman, even if he's being douchey.
"They'd shoot people with their ray-guns and then stab them with their swords. And then blast off in their spaceships."
Maybe that's my problem. Just the sword is like vegetarian lasagna. Give me some ray guns and a kinky super-voyeur TV the Amazon can see everything that happens anywhere through, and I'll shut up in the face.
I liked it a lot, but I am a Johns/Lee fan. "Writing for the trade" is sadly the status quo now. I bet it'll be a much more fun read all together, if you have the patience to wait that long.
Not a big fan of Aquaman's "proto" look, however. Hopefully it won't be around for very long (and Mera's "proto" look is even worse, based on that poster, anyway).
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