It's that time again! It's time to check in with the Justice League as they face their greatest battle against the Legion of Doom! Last time, we saw an epic brawl between our heroes and their dastardly counterparts. What will happen next? How will that epic battle end?! Let's find out in Justice #11!
The cover is an Alex Ross piece. It's pretty neat, if a bit basic. It depicts Sinestro and Hal Jordan facing off, seemingly smashing their rings together. The glowing yellow light gives the impression Sinestro is winning out. It also makes me think that people who use power rings have a weird idea of a thumb war. The black background does help make the eye focus on Hal and Sinestro. Not much else to say about it, really.
"Chapter Eleven"
Writer: Jim Krueger
Penciler: Doug Braithwaite
Inker: Alex Ross
Colorist: Alex Ross
Letterer: Todd Klein
Editors: Joey Cavalieri, Michael Wright, Stephanie Buscema
The story begins with Joker just blowing a city up.
Joker, being Joker is laughing his head off. He cackles that the Legion should have expected him to crash their party. After all, Joker hates being left out of things. As some of the Legion flee, Poison Ivy asks if this was part of the plan. Brainiac says that it is. Yeah sure, Brainiac.
During the battle, Parasite is able to absorb some of Black Adam's power. Parasite then rips out Metallo's Kryptonite heart, saying he intends to shove it down Superman's throat. Parasite sees someone struggling with Bizarro and he thinks it's Superman. To his surprise, when he rips open the covering over the person's chest, it's not the "S" Shield surrounded by blue, but a golden lightning bolt surrounded by red.
Hal and Iron team up to take care of Sinestro, alongside a bit of Blue Kryptonite that Superman kept in his Fortress. You see, Blue Kryptonie weakens Bizarro like Green Kryptonite does to Superman. Speaking of the Green Kryptonite, Captain Marvel finds the shard and crushes it.
Parasite goes after Superman. Captain Marvel finds the weakened Black Adam. Adam asks him if this state is what Marvel wants him in. But it's not. Marvel doesn't want to see anyone be twisted by hatred. Black Adam's power could have been used for good, he could have been a great man. He asks Adam to say the magic word and surrender. Adam agrees. The magic lightning bolt hits the Parasite.
Elsewhere, John Stewart engages the mind-controlled Teen Titans and Marvel Family. Hal Jordan fights Sinestro. Sinestro tries to get into Hal's head, saying the ring was meant for him, not Hal. Hal doesn't care. Even if Sinestro manages to kill him, there's John. There's the League. There's the other Green Lantern Corps. As they fight, Hal thinks about what the Phantom Stranger wanted him to learn: that pieces are left behind from the misuse of power. And no matter how powerful you are, there's always someone stronger. Someone smarter. And someone bigger. As if fate was illustrating this, Rita Farr takes down Giganta.
The mind-controlled heroes and allies are freed somehow (presumably by John's ring), and happily reunite.
The group finds Grodd heading towards them. Martian Manhunter stops an infuriated Barry Allen from pulverizing him and reads his mind. Brainiac used his nanotechnology to take control of every WMD in the world. He's going to make the nightmare scenario, the dreams from the very first issue, very, very real.
Superman orders Zatanna to take everyone to the Fortress of Solitude for safety. Batman says they're going to need Luthor's help. Hal and Sinestro continue their fight, Hal pointing out their rings are dying. Sinestro tells him Hal is nothing if he is not a Green Lantern. Hal isn't taking the bait. He's trusting in a lot more than his ring.
Brainiac emerges from a teleporter, telling Toyman he's back and he does not expect to stay long. He still has Arthur Jr. in his arms, so naturally, Aquaman is in hot pursuit. He then realizes Brainiac hid himself in a crowd of Brainiacs, all holding Arthur Jr. Which one's the real one?
Hal and Sinestro continue their brawl, and the Green Lantern is able to knock the former Corpsman unconscious. The League and the other superheroes engage the Brainiacs, trying to find the real one and Arthur Jr. There's no trace of them in the city, but there are other civilians that need saving. Superman flies ahead. After all, this is a job for him.
Solomon Grundy bashes through a wall, sending water everywhere. Hal and Sinestro fall through a ceiling, I think. But Hal is saved by John Stewart's ring. The heroes encounter the Scarecrow who has a crowd of civilians around him.
Using his mastery of fear, the Scarecrow makes the army of civilians attack the League. But Hal is able to bring them back to their senses with his ring. The Scarecrow then tries another tactic. If he can't make his army of people tear apart the League with their fears, then he'll make them tear each other apart.
The story ends with Scarecrow giving the League a choice: Go after him...or save the civilians.
I did enjoy this issue, but I do feel it's one of those issues that's best read as part of the whole story than on its own. There's plenty of action, and there's also some nice character moments, like with Captain Marvel saying he doesn't want anyone to be twisted by hatred. The story is a continuation of the story's climax, backed up by great art from Braithwaite and Ross. The Scarecrow's gambit is a terrifying one, and quite a way to end the story.
If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2014 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 your vaccine/booster! See you next time!
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