JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #12

[ GRAB THAT COUPON ] 

Who's the Boss of Felix Faust? Is it novelist Marcel Proust? I know that I could be wrong. Because Marcel wears a thong. And is known to rule the roust! Ops! Not 'roust' -- 'roost'. I always get those two 'r' words mixed up! Just like Writer: Jeff Lemire; Artist: Mikel Janin; and Publisher: DC Comics in August 2012. The rascals.

So what’s the STORY morning glory?

Once a upon a time, a friend of mine called Maggie couldn't decide if she should either wear a red dress or a black dress to a charitable function held in the name to raise funds for blind people in need. Eventually Maggie decided to wear no dress at all because she presumed no body would be able to see her.

Opps! Bad logic. Just like the logic exhibited in this first part of 'War For The Books Of Magic'.    

• Well, after all of the rock and roll hi-jinks seen last issue, Colonel Steve Trevor thought that the only way to stop Felix Faust and Dr Mist from finding 'The Books of Magic' is by splitting 'the team' into two and then tracking them down that way.
• That is why John Constantine and Black Orchid both travel to Slaughter Swamp in Gotham City you see -- care of the House of Mystery -- only to find Blackbriar Thorn. 
• Where as Deadman and Zatanna warp their way to London and bump into Black Boris.
• Meanwhile, somewhere else, Madam Xanadu and Doctor Occult get the shock of their lives. One verbally. The other physically.

To be continued...

What is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

If I may, I would like to use this section to impart some advice onto writer, Jeff Lemire. Well, being of the British persuasion myself, I'd just like to inform him that not everybody from England says the words 'love', 'darling', and 'bugger' whenever they can. These terms are mainly used by people living in the Eastern half of London, and normally involve a more grounded context.

For example: 'Bugger me darling, I'd love a cup of tea if you've got one going spare'.

And so end-ith the lesson, my darlings.

What was the BEST thing about this issue?

Honest to God, I really did love reading this issue. I loved the cameos by Timothy Hunter and Doctor Occult. I loved how the structure split the team into two, with both of party's reaching the next possible plot point by the stories end. And I loved hearing John's tale about how he snuffed out the lights of Zatanna's dear old Dad, Zatara.

That was a right turn up for the books, wasn't it?

What was the WORST thing about this issue?

Now this may not be the case, but I wasn't very happy with how Timothy Hunter and Doctor Occult where both expunged within this story. Heck, why introduce them, if you're not going to use them? Huh?

What was the most CREATIVE thing about this issue?

STORY: Although it wasn't the most creative thing I've ever seen, I have to state for the record that I did get a big kick out of not seeing who the 'true mastermind' really was. Though part of me thinks' that it may be John's unborn twin brother, 'The Golden Boy'. What about you?

ART: How do you do it Mikel Janin? How do you produce such good solid visuals, month in, month out, with out hardly appearing inconsistent in the process? Granted, last month certain panels did appear slightly more static than usual. But this month has been your best yet. Especially with your very cinematic layout's!  

Brilliant. Please keep up the good work my friend. 

If you had to CAST TWO CHARACTERS in this comic book, who would they be and why?<

BLACK ORCHID:  I'm going to be very blatant with this instalment of casting call, and cast both of my choices as if they were flowers. So Black Orchid has to be a black orchid...

JOHN CONSTANTINE: ... where as Johnny boy over here has got to be a tobacco plant. Or 'Nicotiana' as it is known by its fellow herbaceous plants.

If this issue had a MOVIE TAG LINE, what would it be?

The War Over Literature Is On. Its Dark Verses Light. But Which Is Which Is Not Quite Clear Yet.

If this issue were a MOVIE, an OBJECT, or a piece of MUSIC, what would that be and why? 

I felt that there was a nice soulful sixties vibe running though this story. As if the overall tale was taking a stroll down memory-lane while external forces loomed in the background. Are you thinking what I'm thinking? Yeah! 'Albatross' by Fleetwood Mac! Get out of town!

FINAL thoughts...

It's getting better! Well, to be hundred percent honest with you, Ssnce Jeff has taken over this title, I have not been too sure about his work until I read this issue. Now though, Jeff and I are good. No. Better than good. We're gooooood. All he has to do next is prove that he can remain consistent with his wares, and doesn't mess about too much with the overall tone either. It has to be like the song mentioned up above. Soulful. Pleasant. And somewhat twangy at times too.

MARKS out of 10? 9