Sydicate Rules Part Seven: "World in the Balance"
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artists: Ron Garney(p), Dan Green(i), David Baron(c)
Publisher: DC
More fluid in terms of plotting, and with a better choice of segues, this issue of JLA trumps the previous issue with not only an improvement in the bare bones of storycraft but also through a clever little ploy at the denouement that I never saw coming.
Busiek opens the book by lacing in the seemingly unrelated opening gambit in which the Flash and J'onn J'onzz figure a way to end the threat of the Construct. Ron Garney in this moment really wows the reader with a scope and scale that creates a pure science fiction sense of wonder. This is a big idea and a change in the status quo. Garney also really has an affinity for the Flash. I'd recommend him without hesistation for that book.
Busiek next cuts to the big cosmic brouhaha in space pitting the JLA against the Weaponeers of Qward led by the suped up, pun not intended, Highlord Roval. While the heroes are getting diced, the Crime Syndicate bored with the tenacious optimism and positive attitude toward heroism view the guaranteed demise of the League as if it were a spectator sport. The moment is simply perfect in its execution. From there, Busiek reveals that he's not just about nostalgia. He surprises the reader with intelligent writing steeped in an understanding of characterization. Given the climate of DC right now, the daring appeal to the reader's intellect is doubly surprising.
In another scene, Busiek gives Aquaman some props and for the first time makes the Elite (Blech!) actually seem to be heroic rather than a bad idea begun on a bad premise. The scene probably wouldn't work without Aquaman. One of the originals, Aquaman gives the situation veracity. He grounds the Elite (Blech!) so that even if you hate them and that for which they stand, you can tolerate them in this adventure because they're okay with Aquaman.
Meanwhile, a certain Dark Knight is screwing with the parallel heads of Earth-2. Now, Busiek's scheme really comes together. The implantation of Leaguers on Earth-2 was actually foresight from Batman, who for a moment appeared to be out of his depth. Busiek though shows Batman to be the arch adapter and once again twenty steps ahead of everybody. As usual, there's a lot here that defies the current climate, but since current climate is chilly to most hardcore DC fans, this really won't matter to people who actually read comic books because they like super-heroes.
Perhaps the only caveat against "Syndicate Rules" can be found in the references to JLA/Avengers. Kurt Busiek reminds his readers that DC really had a chance for a total reboot resulting from JLA/Avengers. It would have made sense. It would have been great. It would have given the chance for a brighter, shinier more coherent DCU, but alas DC chose the short path to greed rather than the longer road to riches. One more issue to go before the madness begins. Make sure your subscription lists are up to date.
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