LEGION OF DOOM, PART 1: We find out how Luthor went from saving the universe in No Justice to forming his Legion of Doom!
JUSTICE LEAGUE #5
Authors: James Tynion IV
Artists: Doug Mahnke
Inkers: Jaime Mendoza
Colors: Wil Quintana
Letters: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC Comics
What You Need to Know:
Lex Luthor, despite having been a hero in recent memory, has taken over Vandal Savage’s base of operations, killing Savage and his entire crew. Luthor has set up shop in Savage’s base with his very own Legion of Doom, including Sinestro, Grodd, Joker, Black Manta, and Cheetah. With his new Legion, he has managed to overpower the League.
What You’ll Find Out:
In a series of out of sequence events, Lex Luthor explains first to Sinestro, then to Grodd, how he decided this was the proper time to grab power, convincing them both to join his Legion.
He first offers Sinestro access to the Invisible Spectrum. He approaches Grodd (who is using his powers to cause the ambassadors in the United Nations to attack each other) and offers Grodd a way to control the Speed Force.
Luthor has seen the future. He is celebrated there, but not for his successes, but rather for his failures. He knows what to do now. He must gather his Legion.
What Just Happened?
Reading this issue is like trying to read Luthor’s mind. It’s got more crazy in it than a bag full of cats.
It jumps around all over the place and sometimes difficult to tell what order the story is told in. It’s clearly an intentional choice, but I’m not sure if it works well here. Flashbacks work well, but when it’s a flashback inside another flashback inside a flashforward, etc., etc…. It becomes needlessly difficult to follow.
It’s interesting to see how Luthor has finally gone off the deep end. He was a hero not long ago in No Justice, but it’s those very events that spur him on and I must say…the Legion of Doom has never been so deserving of its name. Hard to believe Snyder and Tynion have, together, given credence to a group that first appeared on the Superfriends cartoon.
Unfortunately, this issue does nothing for the overall story except to show how Luthor went from saving the world in No Justice to trying to take it over in Justice League. But it’s better than having to wait for several issues before anything interesting happens. And with a bi-weekly title, it’s not like we have to wait long to get back into it.
Plus we get the best line of the week: “F— justice. Side with Doom.”
Rating: 7/10.
Final Thoughts: Snyder takes a break to give Tynion a chance to explain how Luthor formed the Legion of Doom and it’s a well drawn and interesting tale, even if a little confusing to follow.
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