Justice League Unlimited #16: Fired Up

Justice League Unlimited #16 continues to place the spotlight on Mr. Terrific and the Terrific Ten, if it can be called a spotlight, because this issue once again finds our heroes in Hell. Even when facing literal Hell and the end of the world, the result is a reminder that writer Mark Waid has a true talent for writing superheroes. In many ways, that’s been one of the greatest strengths of this series. With unlimited right in the title, Waid and company have maintained a tight focus while making this series feel massive in scale. Waid has a gift for making readers feel like each character is central to the story being told. Mr. Terrific, in particular, benefits from this approach, this arc, and the series overall.

Dan Mora’s pencils and panel layouts are creative and full of energy. Mora achieves an impressive sense of emotion and scale, making the heroes feel especially out of place in Hell. One aspect that Mora has done an incredible job with is balancing horror elements into the mix. For an artist who excels at drawing superheroes, it’s his horror elements that set him apart from many of his contemporaries. As always, Tamra Bonvillain’s colors remain absolutely phenomenal. Her work not only enhances Mora’s art but also actively elevates it. The vibrant palette and thoughtful choices add depth, atmosphere, and a real sense of danger. Ariana Maher’s lettering is the cherry on top of Mora and Bonvillain’s visuals. The lettering is expertly placed, adding a sense of order through all of the chaos the team is facing.