Familiar Tunes With New Arrangements — Reviewing ‘Justice League Unlimited’ #2

Darkseid is dead. Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean any of the threats related to the ruler or his world are over.

Justice League Unlimited #2 continues the newly formed leagues trials with a nest of exiled Parademons, powers in flux after Amanda Waller’s coup, and a League member on the edge. The world’s heroes remain on call in the latest chapter from Mark Waid, Dan Mora, Tamra Bonvillain, and Ariana Maher.

Hot damn does this book look so good.

Which is a given when you have Mora, Bonvillain, and Maher working together. Alone, all three are amazing at what they do, but put them together and we’re cooking with gas. Just big, colorful, loud stuff that makes superheroes, who are already larger than life, even bigger and bolder.

I’m truly in love with Mora’s work, no matter what book it happens to grace. It’s just so dynamic with figures that feel tangible and deep. Also slick and smooth with just the right rough or firmer texture to help with the weight and depth. Characters all feel unique with their features and personalities on full display.

Being a story that spans numerous spaces and times of day means a lot of shifts to a color palette. Bonvillain brings attention to those shifts with such ease. Creating a nighttime that feels accurate, especially outside of city spaces and chiefly in more forest areas. Most of the colors feel natural and authentic to what we would consider to be reality. While plenty of bolder and more vibrant flashes are brought to bear for the actual fantastical (superhero, villains, powers, etc) sequences.

Lettering is always on point and more when Maher is on call. Giving characters voices their energy, personality, and emotional depth beyond what the script already delivers. Altering bubbles, font, and more in the moment to give the words their needed punch. Helping make the tone and volume clear at any given moment.

Can’t forget how much we love a great SFX that just dominates the space and makes sure it’s known.

Superheroes are something that Waid just seems to live and breathe.

Even a story like this, which might seem simpler in some respects, just has the juice. An exiled sentient Parademon and the issues with Martian Manhunter are enough hooks to keep things flowing. Pages being used to set up spinoff books are often a sticking point in books for me. Not here though, because they at least fit into what Waid is doing overall and therefore fit into the issue.

Hell, the Martian Manhunter story feels familiar for some reason, but my trust in Waid makes it feel fresh at the same time.

So far, this new era of Justice League feels big enough and intriguing enough to really hold down the new era of DC.

Justice League Unlimited #2 is now available from DC Comics.