It's that time again! It's time to join the Justice League in their greatest battle! Some of the members' vilest villains have been having strange dreams. Dreams of death and destruction. Of a disaster that destroys the Earth, and the Justice League failed to stop it. These nightmares seemed to have inspired these villains to turn over a new leaf and save the world. But have they really? Well, let's find out by looking at Justice #3!
The cover is an Alex Ross piece, and it's pretty awesome. It depicts the Martian Manhunter in flames with the Legion of Doom holding up their weapons triumphantly and the eyes of Grodd looming over them.
"Chapter Three"
Writers: Alex Ross, Jim Kreuger
Pencilers: Alex Ross, Doug Braithwaite
Inker: Alex Ross
Colorist: Alex Ross
Letterer: Todd Klein
Editors: Joey Cavalieri, Michael Wright
Executive Editor: Dan DiDio
The story begins with Aquaman's situation having been unchanged from last issue, still strapped to a table, with Brainiac still preparing to give the King of the Seas a bit of unnecessary surgery. The monarch demands to know what the Coluan villain wants, and what his association is with Black Manta. It is odd, as the two traditionally tend to not team-up.
Brainiac admits that he finds Aquaman a remarkable being, and he is envious of him. He points out there are two ways to deal with envy: Confess to it and learn to live without what is envied...or take what you want. It's not hard to figure out which option Brainiac is taking.
We switch to the Martian Manhunter. He reveals that Aquaman has been missing for weeks, and that despite the advanced technology of the Justice League Satellite, his location is unknown. The Manhunter is going to search under the seas for him at Batman's suggestion. After all, the Martian's weakness to fire would not be a problem under the sea. The idea works, as J'onn J'onnz is able to pick up a trace of Aquaman.
We next head to an unknown location. Gorilla Grodd is monitoring the activities of the League and the Legion of Doom. He assures Brainiac that he will handle J'onn. After all, Black Manta would not be able to match the Martian with his near Superman-level power and abilities. Grodd himself is a powerful telepath like the Martian, so he'll handle it.
We then go a medical tent, where the Toyman is fitting children with artificial limbs.
I can't help but be reminded of Superman: The Animated Series' take on Toyman here.
I wonder if that was intentional. Anyway, we see other villains suddenly becoming philanthropic, which is also observed by other heroes. Not just the Justice League. One panel shows Niles Caulder, the Chief of the Doom Patrol, and the Marvel Family observing this as well.
Back under the ocean, the Martian Manhunter follows the trail. It leads him to a startling discovery.
The Manhunter notes that the city is seemingly completely lifeless. It's also cold. Not cold as in temperature, cold as in the design. As if it was built with no warmth or humanity. The atmosphere over the city is also artificial. There are no signs of it being evacuated.
But before the Martian hero can investigate further, he gets hit with a telepathic assault that sends him reeling. We get a brief glimpse of Priscilla Rich, the Cheetah, going to a hotel that is holding a conference headed by Wonder Woman. Back with Brainiac! We're going through scenes like a ping-pong ball here!
Anyway, the Coluan villain says that humanity is chaotic and violent, which he cannot stand. He believes it comes from how humanity evolved through random mutation. To him, Aquaman's thoughts are no different. Even though deep down, the green alien senses that Aquaman desires to be part of something. In her hotel room, Priscilla Rich performs a ritual that involves sacrificing her pet cheetahs. In the city J'onn found, Grodd uses his own telepathic powers to make the manhunter think he is back on Mars, when it burned.
In Arkham Asylum, the Riddler is talking with the Joker. The Clown Prince of Crime wants in on this big old thing the other villains are involved with. Nygma explains that the Joker isn't wanted. Luthor teleports into Nygma's cell and picks him up. It's announcement time! The Joker isn't happy with this. He can break out any time he wants. The Ace of Knaves only stays in Arkham because it's funny...and right now, it's no longer funny.
Wonder Woman begins her conference, unaware the Cheetah is stalking her. Brainiac starts to cut into Aquaman's head, but Arthur is able to send out a telepathic command. In the city, J'onn sees an image of a gathering in the flames.
That's not ominous or anything... In the Justice League Satellite, Red Tornado is monitoring things when someone teleports into the Satellite. The robotic Leaguer notices some odd migration patterns in the ocean near South America.
He discovers that the patterns are revealing where Aquaman is located. Red Tornado also notes that he was not due to be relieved for another two hours. Something takes control of his body, causing him to literally rip himself apart like he was a piece of paper. And then...another shoe drops. The story ends with the Justice League's identities being revealed to the villains. And Luthor is preparing the announcement...
I personally enjoyed this comic, even though it's one of the "slower" issues of this miniseries. There is a feeling of a slow boil to this issue, that things are building to a crescendo. We do get a bit of hints to the villains' plans here, and some subtle indications that they truly have not changed their ways. I did like the cameos from other characters outside the League. It makes this version of the DCU feel more "complete" and "full". And I have said this before, but I do like Ross and Braithwaite's art in this series.
If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend hunting down the 2011 trade paperback Justice. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves, and each other! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, wear a mask, and get vaccinated/boosted! See you next time!
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