JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK #18

[ BARGAIN PARTS FOR SALE ] 

Deadman has been re-deceased. Black Orchid’s rage is truly released. Constantine cannot lie. Xanadu is ready to die. And Frankenstein is completely unleashed. BOOM-BANG! Not so much unlike the crazy Writers: Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes; the dynamic Artist: Mikel Janin; plus the so-so Publisher: DC Comics, in April, 2013. I thank you.

Using GENERAL terms, answer the following 4 questions about this FINAL PART OF the 'Death Of Magic'.

• WHAT'S THE MAIN THRUST OF THIS TALE: Constantine and his gang try to help their little buddy Timmy by saving 'Middle Earth' from Technological oppression, magic lightning, weird clothes, and pretty much any other crazy stuff going on. Oh! Plus a purple Swamp Thing too. You don't want to miss out on that.
• ARE THE MAIN OBJECTIVES ACHIEVED: Yeah. I'd say so. After some fun conflicts and small twists amidst the battle, everything comes out sparkly rainbows and happy faces :)
• ANYTHING ELSE HAPPEN: Zatanna and Hunter finally cross paths with the rest of the Justice League Dark. Apart from that though -- nah -- not too much else happens. This is a pretty cut and dry finale.
• HOW DOES THIS STORY END: With the new kings of 'Magic Land' -- 'the Hunters' -- promising to make peace and love with machines and sorcery, whilst Steve threatens JL Dark with a slap on the wrist. Ohhhhh! 

All in all, what is the most memorable SENTENCE OR CONVERSATION spoken in this issue?

The kicker for me was after reading Trevor threaten them from afar, Constantine and his gang looking back at him from the porch like some real badasses, and John responding by saying...

'You let us know how that works out for you' 

Ha! You can hear the killer credits music running in your head, right?

What are the BEST bits about this issue?

(+) In my eyes the ending to this tale truly gave the team a collective moment of pure awesome-ness.

(+) With the Hunters now in their own realm,  I thought that this story has a nice solid conclusion to it overall.

(+) Everyone, aside from the wrinkly Xanadu, got some nice highlights during the battle. Some real powerful and dynamic stuff.

What are the WORST bits about this issue?

(-) The story was a tad predictable in places. Formulaic even. 

(-) For such an intense storyline, from my point of view, it felt like a little bit of a letdown, because everyone came away from it unscathed. 

(-) I’m really going to miss Honest Constantine, Ha!

Choose TWO CHARACTERS out of this comic book, and then compare them to two REAL LIFE PEOPLE.

CHYNA AS BLACK ORCHID: I’m throwing another wrestling icon at you, folks. She is strong, powerful, and someone you want by your side in a fight -- but creepy and probably has an unsettling voice.

MICKEY ROURKE AS FRANKENSTEIN: Not only are both of these bulking bruisers ugly looking b*stards and tough, but they couldn't care less what anybody else thinks of them either. Well, what’s not to like?

What QUOTE would be appropriate to sum-up this story?

'Disbelief in magic can force a poor soul into believing in government and business' -- Tom Robbins

What SONG, THEME-TUNE, or MELODY, would complement this tale, as well as add and extra dimension to it by default?

'PRINCES OF THE UNIVERSE' BY QUEEN: I was going to say anything by 'Lucca Turilli', but then I realized that this is a good time to recommend Queen, and I couldn't pass up on a opportunity like that. So please rock the following song when you read this story. It’s perfect for any badass moment in your life, and this issue is no exception.

ANYTHING Else?

This installment wasn't as jaw-droppingly amazing as their climactic battle alongside the Amethyst princess and the Vampire King, but it was a fairly solid issue and finally proved that the Justice League Dark is worthy of its own title. Lemire and Fawkes have really got an incredible cast of characters on their hands, and they're going places P.D.Q.

I personally found this particular saga fun and engaging, yet it was a little rough at times for me. Whilst I liked the Hunters, I wasn't at all surprised by the Father being another 'magical man'. I mean -- come off it -- I almost read Deadman’s 'I didn't see that coming' as sarcasm!

Overall though, if this series is handled correctly  it could be the best Justice League series out on the racks today. And with Fawkes, Lemire, and Janin working on it, that is very-very easy to imagine.

GIVE IT, IT'S DUES: If Guermo Del Toro will follow through with his rumoured JL Dark-esque movie, this issue would be plenty worthy of being on that film. Artistic, dark, and probably plenty emotional. I'd pay $10 to watch that. You know you would too.

*** This post was written by the one and only Freakin' Animal Man.