A review by eoghann
Justice League, Volume 3: Throne of Atlantis by Geoff Johns
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.
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.