Justice League #64
Recap
Last issue Naomi, Black Adam and Queen Hippolyta joined the Justice League. The team blocked would-be dimensional invaders from Naomi's home world, and Batman pushed the invasion indefinitely off by stealing their dimensional door opening technology.
Review
There’s so much good stuff happening in this issue, I had to split the review into Justice League and Justice League Dark (scroll to the JLD image).
Justice League
Where the last three issues of Justice League have mostly been a miss for me, this issue gets things right. Our main story is a continuation of the Synmar Utopica story from Superman’s own comic. If you don’t remember Synmar, the first pages provide a little backstory and introduce us to both Synmar and the United Order — a collection of alien super heroes. If you’re a fan of any DC Comic space stories, you’ll recognize the species of most United Order members. Back on Earth, after a little Naomi combat training, the League gets a dire warning that Synmar is coming. The warning comes too late.
B-story
Our secondary story this month is a connection to the new Checkmate comic. Oliver and Dinah get some alone time until they are rudely interrupted. They really are a dynamic duo, and it’s good to see them working together. It looks like Dinah’s power upgrade from last issue stuck around. Plus Green Arrow uses some trick arrows. It’s good fun.
The Words
The dialogue both moved the plotlines forward and gave us a feel for who the characters are. From Teth-Adam’s compliments and disbelief to Naomi’s “I’m the new girl”, the dialogue enhanced the entire story.
The Art
We have a new artist, Steve Pugh, this issue, and he doesn’t disappoint. We have strong facial expressions, unique character designs, and good action sequences. The colors by Nick Filardi in the Dinah and Oliver scenes added a subtle hint at the time of day and the location of the characters. It’s a great use of color.
Between the Panels
The panel work is unique with many overlapping boxes. It still follows the standard panel layout you’d expect from comics but with a slight twist.
Themes
If you were given Superman level powers, would you use them for good or evil. Synmar Utopica is an evil shade of Superman and a good cosmic level problem for the entire Justice League to encounter.
World Building
There’s a lot of world building this issue with the introduction of the United Planets and the United Order. We have space ships, alien worlds (Daxam), and Coast City, Earth.
Who’s in this Issue
- United Order
- United Planets
- Synmar
- Black Canary
- Green Arrow
- Naomi
- Aquaman
- Hippolyta
- Black Adam
- Hawkgirl
- Wonder Twins
- Flash
- Daemon Rose
Favorite Quote
“Queen Hippolyta, how does one train on the island of the Amazons?” Aquaman
“Hand-to-hand blood sport,” Queen Hippolyta
Who will like it?
Fans of cosmic threats, DC space aliens, and the worlds beyond Earth will like Justice League #64. If you’ve been following Naomi’s rise as a fan favorite, we get more of this great new character.
Comic Connections
We also get cameos from the Wonder Twins, Kelex, and Naomi’s parents. It’s these little touches of connected characters that bring the larger world of the Justice League to life on the page.
I Need More
To add another level of enjoyment to this issue, check out these back issues.
- Superman #25 and #26 for more Synmar Utopica
- Naomi: Season One for more of her family
- Wonder Twins (2019-) Vol. 1: Activate!
- Checkmate #1
Justice League Dark
Over the last few issues, the Justice League Dark has been tracking Merlin. After spending some time in the Library of Babel, the team has returned to the Hall of Justice with a few new members.
We start a new arc this issue, the Eternal Knight Part 1. It begins with action and keeps things moving throughout the pages as our Dark Knight encounters an unfamiliar face while tracking The Brothers of Ambrosius. The new Thirteenth Knight, Elnara, shows off her moves as she and Batman hunt for a mysterious ghost voice that’s been haunting her. We’re still dealing with Zatanna’s power problems. Either Ragman knows more than he says or he accidentally trips over the truth.
The Art
I didn’t think the art could be better, but it was. Sumit Kumar brought the magic this issue. Dynamic action. Good pacing. Sumit’s facial expressions are a particular delight giving us a touch of insight into the character’s thoughts. Romulo Fajardo Jr. uses color expertly. The flashback scenes and transitional scenes are colored differently than the Batman/Elnara scenes making it really easy to tell where you are in the story. The cliffhanger full page art is chilling. The panel work on Justice League Dark is superb. There’s a fight scene between Batman, Elnara, and the Brothers where we have full page art coupled with uneven panels. The juxtaposition of the panels brings a nice visual effect to the chaos of a Batman fight.
Time displaced characters are always funny. Elnara is no exception as she interacts with Batman who might be a wizard, cleric, or another knight to her ancient eyes.
Who’s in this Issue
- Batman
- Thirteenth Knight, Elnara Roshtu
- Ragman
- Zatanna
- Randhir Singh
- The Brothers of Ambrosius
Favorite Quote
“Who is your armorer? Very fine quality work, if I may say so,” Elnara Roshtu
Who will like it?
If you are a Batman fan, there’s a lot to enjoy in Justice League Dark: The Eternal Knight Part 1. Ragman fans will like Rory’s appearance.
I Need More
If you need some background on the Justice League Dark cast, check out these previous issues for more.
- Doctor Fate Vol. 2: Prisoners of War for Khalid Nassour
- Day of Vengeance for Ragman and several members of Justice League Dark (or Shadow Pact)
- Ragman (2017-2018)
- The Demon by Jack Kirby
Final Thoughts
Justice League #64 is a good starting point for anyone looking to get into the book. It's got something for everyone. I especially liked the Cover B by Jason Howard (@theJasonHoward) with our warriors -- Hawkgirl, Aquaman and Hippolyta -- looking mighty. Batman's involvement in Justice League Dark was a really nice restart to the ongoing Merlin story. I could have read an entire issue devoted to Justice League Dark.
Justice League #64: Invincible Aliens, Super Spies, and Religious Zealots
- Writing - 10/1010/10
- Storyline - 10/1010/10
- Art - 10/1010/10
- Color - 10/1010/10
- Cover Art - 8/108/10
User Review
( votes)( reviews)
Naomi a new character??? Lol. She has been around for 3 years and is in everything Bendis writes. Just because Bendis keeps saying she just got her powers, doesn’t continue making her “new”