Writer: Adam Beechen
Artists: Carlo Barberi (p), Walden Wong (i)
Publisher: DC Comics
The “old demon” that is set free from his under-the-ocean-floor prison to unleash havoc in the latest issue of Justice League Unlimited first appeared in a pre-Crisis issue of Metal Men, way back in 1976, I believe. In fact, Superman makes reference to that very adventure. It’s not often that pre-Crisis continuity flows so seamlessly with post-Crisis continuity, and I appreciate the opportunity to note the connection. I realize, of course, that the Justice League Unlimited series has nothing to do with the JLA in current DC Universe continuity; still, it’s just nice to see an event in the past given a worthy nod of existence rather than a casual shrug of “never happened.”
Personally, I prefer Justice League Unlimited to the much more serious JLA. JLU harkens back to the “good old days” of the Justice League of America (meaning, my own personal Golden Age of comics). Tighter plots, thrilling adventures, a more cohesive team. Not to mention stories with a beginning, middle, and end, all in one issue. This time around a group of Justice Leaguers journey to Atlantis to visit Aquaman on the anniversary of his coronation as king. In a bold bid to disrupt the festivities, a group of Arionite (that nod to DC’s past didn’t escape me, either) cultists have performed a supernatural incantation to free Umbra, a gargantuan demon who had battled and been defeated by the Metal Men many years before. The Metal Men had imprisoned Umbra under a group of rocks that bear a strong resemblance to England’s Stonehenge. The big guy’s now up and out to stomp the entire human race, beginning with Atlantis. The Leaguers join Aquaman in protecting the city and its inhabitants. Stargirl and Aquaman, who didn’t hit it off very well at the anniversary dinner, find themselves working together to successfully recapture Umbra. From such a display of heroism a friendship and mutual respect develops. Good stuff. You know, inspiring stuff.
The artwork is wonderful; very clean, very bright, very colorful. There’s a terrific full page illustration of Umbra’s hand bursting through the ocean floor. It’s pure over-the-top Kirbyesque explosiveness, something we don’t seen enough of in today’s comics, and I find it most welcome.
All in all, I was very impressed and satisfied with Justice League Unlimited #11. It’s the kind of comic I will enjoy rereading on many summer nights to come. Now, I wonder how long it’s going to take me to find that filed copy of Metal Men #49?
What did you think of this book?
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