Reviews

Justice League, Volume 3: Throne of Atlantis by Geoff Johns

shane_tiernan's review

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3.0

Nothing out of the ordinary here: characters seem to stay true to their normal MO, big superheroes save the world (or at least the country) plot, Batman is ready for everything etc...

I liked the part where Superman talks about his "disguise" with Wonder Woman. Also liked "the Trench" and was really surprised at what a badass Cheetah was.

Re-read in 2023 to catch up with the New 52. Same feelings I had about it in 2020. Not really a huge Aquaman fan and he was the primary focus of this, so not super exciting for me.

scottpm's review

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3.0

For the 2 issues not included elsewhere it was okay. I was a little lost with the Cheetah story. Wasnt sure if it continued from Wonder Woman or picked up from the previous Justice League issues. DC really does need to stop putting multiple collections with the same story.

canadajanes's review

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4.0

Fun, as usual!

jonwesleyhuff's review

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3.0

This was a fun read. Johns does a great job of giving the League an enemy (well, a couple, really) big enough in scope to justify their fighting them. They even have to call in some help from their friends. I really enjoyed Reis's art as well. I don't know much about Ocean Master, but I like his design a lot and his connection with Aquaman made a great, more personal dynamic amongst the bigger goings on.

caterpie_reading's review against another edition

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5.0

Just like the other two volumes, I really enjoyed Justice League: Throne of Atlantis.
The first two issues, the little mini arc with Cheetah was amazing. The art style was phenomenal, the colors that were used were so rich, everything was just so vivid and lively. I also loved how the artist depicted movements. It really felt like I was watching a movie. The jungle looked stunning as well, I seriously could not stop looking at all of the panels.
The story was A+. Even though it only lasted two issues, I was immersed into the plot immediately. I never read anything about Cheetah, I only saw her in animated series', so this was especially interesting for me. I just think that she is such a fascinating character and villain. I loved learning more about her backstory, how she came to be what she is today and about her backstory with Wonder Woman. It was extremely well written - but since Geoff Johns was the writer this is not a big surprise. The plot flowed perfectly and the pacing fit the story as well. I found myself turning pages continuously.
I also highly enjoyed - again: nothing new - the team dynamic and team spirit between the members of the League. That Barry was more present in the first two issues was also a major plus for me. I loved the little interaction between him and Cyborg, it was just a little nice detail that showed what good of a character Barry is. Diana and Clark were also quite adorable, and the scene where they have their kiss in Smallville and the next panel where Batman was shown to be a stalker was just hilarious. The epilogue was good as well, it was just a nice suspenseful ending with a cameo of my beloved archer.
The other issues were also included in Aquaman Vol 3 and I really enjoyed them as well (see my review of Aquaman: Throne of Atlantis).
Over all, this was just another very good and entertaining Justice League volume.

arrik's review

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4.0

This was a fun read. I don't read the Aquaman title so it didn't frustrate me with the issue overlap but I can easily see how that would be a bummer. This volume delivers some fun action and high stakes. I mean dang! When that aircraft carrier comes in! Some great full page spreads. I love the jabs the writers keep taking at Aquaman in the dialogue. It is obvious they know he's a bit of a joke hero and don't take themselves seriously, adding lines at his own expense. It's welcome humor that counters the odd Wonder Woman/Superman relationship. I miss GL mercilessly terrorizing Batman but he's off playing dead with Sinestro right about this timeframe. The Trench looked a bit too much like the Third Army from Green Lantern, also a Geoff Johns story. That'd be my only nitpick.

mschlat's review

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3.0

I keep on picking up collections of DC's New 52 just to see what the new universe is like. This volume features two issues where the JLA helps Wonder Woman fight the Cheetah and then a collection of issues from JLA and the Aquaman title where the forces of Atlantis and the JLA fight.

The pros: The art is gorgeous and lovingly detailed, and the depiction of Cyborg (who carries out his heroism at the cost of his diminishing humanity) is moving. I also liked the power struggle between Batman and Aquaman --- two characters who are used to being in charge.

The con: There's a lot of crisis, crisis, crisis here and not a lot of room to breathe. Moreover (old fogey alert!), this is a JLA story where people die. The Ocean Master starts an invasion of the surface world with floods of major cities. And, in those floods, people die, even when the JLA is around. We see corpses, the heroes discuss the losses, and we have a story where Earth's Finest mitigate, but do not totally prevent death. That may be part of the New 52 and it certainly seems more realistic given the gigantic battles we see in superhero comics, but it still rubs me the wrong way. (Old fogey alert over!)

The takeaway? An interesting read, but nothing that compelled me to pick up more.

johnawickline's review against another edition

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adventurous sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

eoghann's review

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3.0

Throne of Atlantis is volume three in the latest Justice League reboot and part of the so called New Fifty Two reboot of the entire DC Universe.

So what we get here is a a Justice League that is much younger and less established than we are used to. Which certainly opens up some interesting storytelling opportunities. Unfortunately here, mostly what we get is bickering. Well... what would a superhero team book be without bickering?

The name of this volume refers to the story which ran through issues 15-17 of Justice League and 14-16 of Aquaman. Yes it was a crossover, but they've given you all that material here to read so that's a major plus.

There are actually two preceding issues in this volume as well which gives us a Cheetah story. It doesn't really relate to what follows but I suppose it was two short to stand on its own. It's okay, but unexceptional.

So back to the big crossover. Basically Atlantis gets tricked into attacking the surface world and Namor has to pick a side. Of course I mean Aquaman, but this is a storyline that's been done to death on both sides of the comic book universe and it does come off as terribly familiar.

There's also the problem of a Justice League who are peculiarly hot headed (normal for Wonder Woman maybe but Batman and Superman?) and also apparently unable to distinguish between war between nations and crimes committed by an individual. This is the sort of material you're probably better off avoiding in your flagship team book.

However, if we swallow the dubious notion that the Justice League are empowered to make decisions about America's diplomatic status with another country the event itself is one great big fight and it's a pretty fun one.

You've got three armies (yes three), giant walls of water, Superman getting ANGRY and all sorts of cool moments along the way. In monthly form this probably buzzes along pretty sweetly though it is a little more repetitive consumed all in one go.

I guess I'd liken this to a big summer blockbuster movie. Transformers maybe? Lots of explosions. Lots of action. Not much else. It's enjoyable while you're reading but you may never feel the urge to go back and read it a second time.

Ivan Reis' artwork is not really to my taste though I'm having trouble fully identifying why. It's a bit too angular. A bit too muddy. And some of the panel layouts were confusing to me. It didn't flow smoothly I think.

So when it comes down to it, it's not really a bad book, but I'm having trouble pointing out anything that stands out. As a monthly comic that you're getting, yeah its fine. As a big collection... it's just not a must buy.

themtj's review

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5.0

Really strong story, if you've ever wondered what makes Aquaman a compelling character, then this is the book for you!