JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #3

[ SPOOK SALE ] 

When justice starts to become dark. You need a team that has some spark. But can this be done, especially if they smell like bum, and hang around like vagrants in the park? To find out more, check out this comic book, Written by Peter Milligan; Drawn by Mikel Janin; and Published by DC Comics in December 2011.

So what’s the story morning glory?

Part three of ‘In the Dark’, is three strand character story, which plays out as follows:

John Constantine: After helping Zatanna out from her spell of hibernation, they both chat and pocus for a while – back at his apartment – before he then starts to trail Shade, the Changing Man. 

Shade: Unable to contact Deadman at Madam Xanadu’s request, Shade is then asked by her to contact someone else, Windwarp. However, before he gets round to doing this, he is plagued by an inner conflict, and this spurs him on to have a drink – have a sulk – and then leap on Mindwarp in mid-spook.

Deadman and June Moon: Spooked by Shade whist he is attempting to contact Deadman, June Moon panics and nearly falls to her death. Thankfully, though, Deadman is at hand to save June from this plight – but – is he able to save her from the Enchantress, when they bump into her on the road sometime later? 

What is the most memorable sentence spoken in this issue?

I liked John’s ‘Sam Spade’ gumshoe monologue, whilst he was trailing the Shade, especially ‘Now he is in a hurry, and it’s starting to make sense. Shade. Zatanna. Deadman. Me. Just one piece of the jigsaw I have not figured out yet. Maybe if I have a few more drinks, it’ll all become crystal’.

Cheers.

Was the story any good?

Unlike the previous chapter of this book – which I thought was just fantastic – this issue focused more on the story, rather than on the personal relationships. Nevertheless, that is not to say that I did not like this issue just the same, because I really-really-really though that it was fab.

For me, personally, I liked how the mood and the tension has been built up in this arc, particularly with the character’s interacting more with each other now. Also, I did like the way that each of the ‘cast members’ personality is starting to come through. For example, Deadman, randy – Shade, depressive, John, a git – Zatanna, the token hero – Xanadu, the mastermind – and June, the damsel in distress.

Was the art any good?

Now the artwork on this book is just my cup of tea. Janin’s pencils are earthy, vibrant, and bold. And in addition to this, Ulises colours have depth, vibrancy, and a grainy quality about them, that reminds me of some sort of seventies movie.

Though, if I did have some contention with what is on display, it would have to be how the ‘normal interior backgrounds’ come across as somewhat benign in execution.

Only in Deadman’s apartment – because his walls are radioactive green.

What is the best thing about this issue?

There were three key scenes that I really loved in this book. The first one was where Deadman saved June Moon – because straight away I thought to myself ‘I can smell a Nightwing cross-over on the horizon’ (you know what I am saying). The second one was where Shade found comic books on Mindwarps bed – ha! I wonder if he liked Flashpoint? (Maybe). And the third one, which may sound a bit of a cop out, was that I liked the way in which all of the scenes seemed to interlock together – yeah, cop-out right?

What is the worst thing about this issue?

My slight quibble with this comic book – and it is only a small one – was the scene with the Shade and his ‘what-ever-that-was’. Now is Shade going to turn into a nut-job like Count Vertigo did back in the John Ostrander ‘Suicide Squad’ days? Or will there be more to him than a loony with a very nice vest?

Just food for thought.

If you could sum up this issue in a phrase or saying, what would that phrase or saying be?

For some strange reason, the Spice (groan) Girls initial misnomer ‘Zigga-Zigga’ springs to mind. Don’t know why – maybe you can tell me?

If this issue were a movie, an object, or a piece of music, what would that be and why? 

Simple – this story is surreal, it has an expansive nature about it, it is quite pleasant to follow, and I like it too. Therefore, this issue of ‘Justice League Dark’ is ‘Across The Universe’ by the Beatles.

What do you think would have made this issue better than it was?

Hmmm – not sure about this one. Probably a bit more plot expansion would be nice, and I would have also liked a couple of dirty jokes thrown in for good measure.

Apart from that though – good job.

Final thoughts...

Have you seen my door keys? Come on! I know that I had them a minute ago. I checked behind the sofa – I checked in the washing machine – and I even checked in... errr... oh yeah! The story.

Justice League Dark is up there with the best of my new 52. I just hope that it has the fan support behind it, because these type of mystical ventures normally do.

Marks out of 10? 9