Comic Book Case

Batman #5 or The Death of Gotham?

Batman tries to get Gotham to calm down and we see a really great fight but not before a scene of ALFRED PRETENDING HORRIBLY TO BE BATMAN! Gotham talks about how trying to save the city seems like a punishment to which Batman sympathizes. Batman is able to hold him off for bit, blowing him up and dropping the Batwing on him though Gotham isn't stopping. It's only with the timely arrival of the Justice League that Batman had Alfred call that is saved. While watching, Gotham Girl tells Duke about how their powers work. It turns out that they bought their powers with money and their life. They can be as strong as the want but it comes a price of years off their life and it shows as Gotham is able to overpower Superman but the stronger they are the shorter it lasts. Batman decides to tell Gotham to kill him instead of destroying the city because he is essentially Gotham City but before Gotham can make the hit, Gotham Girl takes him out.

This issue was another intense story and I honestly didn't see this being the way Gotham and Gotham Girls' powers work. It's again really symbolic as Batman is trying to save Gotham by fighting Gotham and then essentially saying that Gotham City is the way it is because of him. That has always been sort of a criticism against Batman, that his actions have made the city worse. This is the third time the Justice League has been in Gotham City but the first time they've been invited it seems since New 52. I like how the narration goes from Batman to Gotham Girl, especially since it's hinted that the next issue will be about her. There is something fitting about Gotham Girl killing Gotham, she's been overcome by fear and there is essentially the cities madness that ruins the two of them, forcing her to kill her brother to save Batman and the City, the things that created them. Really love this book.

Superman #5 or Bat on the Moon

Superman, Lois, and Jon arrive on the moon and they enter the Batcave Batman built on the Moon for ............. reasons.  Jon asks why Superman came here and he responds that it would be safer for Earth if they fought on the Moon and they also need to try to save the Kryptonian souls inside him.The Eradicator shows up ready to continue the fight and talking about how Superman is a traitor to Krypton and it's future and that Jon's human side is what's affecting his powers before he ends up absorbing Superman into him. It starts to look bad as Jon tries his best but is either too afraid or too weak to fight him before Lois DONES THE HELLBAT SUIT and delivers a might blow which gives Jon the courage to fight back again. Meanwhile, Superman talks to the Kryptonian Souls for help and he ends up coming out, ready to finish the fight.

Justice League #5 or The Magic Titans?

Well when it rains it pours as the Kindred have taken the people of Earth and used them to create a giant human that is bursting with energy. As Wonder Woman tries to free the people she instead gets dragged inside. More of them show up in Japan and Australia  talking about how they need to meet to join together and that they had failed before.Meanwhile, Simon and Jessica head to space to deal with the invading forces at the source while Flash holds the fort on Earth and Cyborg heads to Batman and Superman's location to send him to the Earth's Core and after he leaves, Batman, Cyborg, Lois, and Jon are attacked. In Atlantis, another large humanoid creature that say it is created form the words of magic like the crystals and walks up to shore to meet the other three. They are the power of Light, Magic, Speed, and the Stars, all powers they had taken from the league at one point or another.

This issue is what I'm always looking for in a Justice League book. Everybody's doing something, moving about and we as the reader get little bits and pieces of the overall story. The threat also seems viable and it doesn't go the same route as the other stories that take away the heroes powers because it isn't permanent, it seems they just tap into the source of the power The only characters to get sort of shafted would be Flash and Aquaman but they are still active, just not as prominent in this story.

Green Lanterns #5  or The Red Dawn Rises?

Jessica and Simon engage the Red Lanterns and are pretty much overwhelmed by both the numbers and power of the Red Lanterns, to the point where Dexstar is able to plant the Rage Seed at the base of the Hell Tower. Simon's Emerald Sight activates again and he sees Atorcitus leading a Rage infected Justice League. deciding to go big or go home, Simon tries to remove the Red  Rage from Atrocitus like he did with Bleez to no luck.Jessica meanwhile tries to hold the other Red Lanterns back but fails and begins to doubt herself the more the fight goes on as she is still unable to make a construct. 

This issue went downhill for everyone pretty quick. Granted I never thought they would be able to stand up to Atrocitus but you'd think they would at least stand a chance. Jessica, despite Simon's great attempts was a lot more fun. It turns out she plays Pokemon Go and still can't shake her fears as the harder the fight gets, the more her will weakens before she ultimately crawls up in a ball and wanting to quit.  It's interesting and a little frustrating as Jessica seemed so set on being brave last issue but at best, she's not let it get to her to the point of being infected with Rage. It seems like the key to wining this may be in Jessica's ability to create a construct or at least I hope so.