Justice League Adventures #5 Talkback (Spoilers)

[James Harvey]

JUSTICE LEAGUE ADVENTURES #5

http://comics.toonzone.net/jla/covers/t-05.jpg (http://comics.toonzone.net/jla/covers/05.jpg)

Written by Todd Seavey; art by Chris Jones and Al Nickerson; cover by John Delaney and Rob Leigh

In stores March 13. It's "Starro Wars" when a giant starfish-shaped conqueror from space uses mind-control to defeat the newly formed League. The World's Greatest Super-Heroes are left helpless and must turn to a mysterious old member of the Green Lantern Corps for help. But what help is there against a single enemy that can break off into thousands?

Comments?

[Joker85]

This issue was definitely a improvement over the last one! The story was very well done, and the typical looking aliens or "The Grey" were handled very well here, and not a cliche(which I was kinda worried about). Each member of the League had a role, and it didn't feel like they were being thrown in there for name's sake. The appearance of the other Green LAntern Corps member, was a cool surprise. More guest heroes like him would be neat in the future, for it was he who made the Ultimate Sacrifice. The starfish things themselves, were a little hokey looking, but that is a minor point. The art was also great in this one. The grey aliens looked really cool. I haven't until now heard of this particular artist, but he did a very good job and I hope he returns for more issues in the future. Definitely the best issue so far! This is how it should be every month!

[The Green Hornet]

will the writer + artist of this issue be kind enough to come chat with us as Dan and Min do? :D

[Joker85]

hehe, that would be cool. I would really like to talk to these two, because I think they did an excellent job and should definitley be back for future issues. If you two are out there, c'mon in and join the party! :D

[Justice League 2000]

hello my good friends justice league adventures 5 is going to be a good issue and maybe kyle ranyer might show up in this issue of justice league adventures 5. I am going get that issue today. :)

[The Green Hornet]

HMMMMMMM

heres a question

although the TV show may not be able to use them, will the Comic Book be able to use such gods as ALAN SCOTT, JAY GARRICK, etc?

[Trent Lane]

Wow, this ranks up with issue #3 as one of my favorites so far. This was an outstanding issue as far as the story/ art combination goes, especially since I've never heard of either of them. The art especially was nice, those scenes with J'onn reading the grey's mind were pretty slick...

[Joker85]

Originally posted by Justice League 2000
hello my good friends justice league adventures 5 is going to be a good issue and maybe kyle ranyer might show up in this issue of justice league adventures 5. I am going get that issue today. :)
Nope, Kyle wasn't in this one, another member of the Corps was. I forgot his name though. Started with a G...

[Russkafin]

It was a decent issue... and I especially liked the nod to continuity at the end, where Superman wonders if the Starros will ever come back, and Green Lanters says that if they do, they will face the Justice League again. Well, we all know that is what happens in the Batman Beyond continuity.

The only real surprising thing here is that Wonder Woman's lasso is suddenly the Lasso of Truth... that is very interesting, since the lasso does not have the Truth power on the show, yet somehow it does in the comic. Also, I found GL's line near the end a little disturbing... his fellow Lantern Corps member is dead, and he expresses his regret that the guy died, but quickly adds, "But he couldn't have done it without the Justice League." Well, way to pat yourself on the back after your buddy there just sacrificed his life to save everyone!

[Trent Lane]

Actually, in issue #1 Wonder Woman's lasso was used as the "Lasso of Truth" against the alien that set up that explosive device on Earth... and I also wondered about Stewart's line at the end there. Give you fellow Corps member some credit- he was on there for a long time with aquiring a "star" on his face and the JL had one soon after they arrived- so who helped who?

[DisneyBoy]

What did you guys think of the artwork? I'll be picking up the issue later today!

[John Delaney]

I noticed this issue hasn't started a talkback yet ( or maybe I missed it) but what did everybody think?
Personally I really liked the cover ;)
But seriously what's the verdict on this one?
I just read it and liked it. Again I think the colors especially rock on these books, they're not handled too cartoony but they still really get the feel of the show.
Comments?

[The Green Hornet]

unfortunatly i have not had a chance to pick this one up yet-- i imagine ill by a copy at the convention this weekend ;)

[Karkull]

I liked how this issue combined Grant Morrison's Star Conqueror character with the Silver Age Starro. The Flash had some good lines in this issue, especially when he called the Star Conqueror "Starro."

The use of alien grays was an interesting one, especially since Batman was abducted by grays in Batman and Robin Adventures #25. This this creative team do that issue as well?

A lot of the dialogue was a little hokey, however. There were too many narrative tags that recapped things that we already know:

Hawkgirl: "Imagine this happening to your world, Flash, or to my planet, Thanagar.

Green Lantern: "I'm pleased Earth has heroes who are as brave as the Green Lantern Corps."

We know Hawkgirl is from Thanagar and that Green Lantern is part of the Green Lantern Corps. Plus, shouldn't he know that the Justice League is full of brave heroes? He is one!

[DisneyBoy]

Well, I loved the cover and I hoped the story would some how tie in with Starro's appearance on Batman Beyond without directly contradicting it. Well...I guess it succeeded in doing that, but the story still fell a little flat.

It's strange, but I'm already starting to become tired with the "formula" for JL stories. First, there must always be an earth-shattering event, all of the Members must be used to some extent, and everyone must have lines that either describe their origins or say something grandiosse (misspelled, I know). As was already said, we know that Hawkgirl is from Thanagar! I think they said that in every one of the issues! In the first 12 issues of "The Batman Adventures", you never heard Bruce saying "My parents died when I was nine..." or "I adopted Dick after his parents were murdered in the circus...". It's assumed that the readers know all this and watch the show. While, as a child, I did find it irritating to not understand references (or lack thereof) to the show, as I grew up and finally started to catch glimpses of the series, I found the links between the comic and the show were part of what I loved most about the issues. I understand that the writers can't take for granted that every child watches the show and that it is helpful to explain who these new heroes are, but we never seen to hear anything new about them. Dan Slott mentionned that because Timm and co. hadn't exactly given Hawkgirl an origin story, he decided to veer away from mentionning details that could later contradict what the show came up with - which is a wise and good thing. I guess I just wish that the stories could fill in the gaps in the series. I've only seen "Secret Origins" and part one of "Paradise Lost", but there's already so much I'd like to know about - so many good stories than can be told out of the ones shown on the series.

A few ideas: Wonder Woman's origin has yet to be shown, but since it has been made clear that Themiscyra exists and that the Amazons worship the Gods, maybe a story about religion and beliefs could be written. It could be a Christmas story, where the League members reflect on their beliefs when a major tragedy that they were unable to prevent leaves them shaken. I don't know...these are just ideas!

I like that a "Superman Adventures" story will be incorporated into the "Justice League Adventures" because it will tie the two series' together. Maybe a story featuring how the public reacts to the existance of the newly formed Justice League could be done. Summer Gleason and Jack Ryder could battle one another to get the scoop on the League. I think it would be neat to see how an average family reacted during the time of the alien envasion (which seems to have been largerly forgotten on the show). "Secret Origins" was crammed to capacity story-wise, and I would have loved to see a story that further explored the League, the Watchtower and their new duties in the first issue of JLA. Instead, we seem to only be getting a series of one-timer stories which, despite them all being very enjoyable, will eventually become boring.

So, as much as I do enjoy the series and am sure those working on it are doing their best - It could be better. Please forgive me for offending all those artists and writers who visit the boards cause I do appreciate you being here and I want this series to be the best it can just as much as you do. I understand the constraints and obstacles that you are all faced with...but my criticisms are meant to help, not to discourage. ;)


....I guess I should talk a little about the issue , shouldn't I? The artwork was Ok, but far to stylized. The colors were nice, and I was especially pleased with the way Flash and the team were handled. Usually, Wally does nothing but run around and crack jokes, but here, he did something useful and actually appeared as a hero: Great! The rest of the League seemed to fit well into this story too, and, as much as I really enjoy MM, it was nice to see him sit this one out and only appear at the beginning and end.

Starro seemed rather different from it's first appearance in BB. Is it a she now? Was it a she before ? I'm pretty sure Starro wasn't supposed to be green (in the show, it was white/grey), but green stood out better against the dark sky in the background. The GL Corps member was an interesting character, and I liked seeing the mental state of the Leaguers when under the creature's control - very artsy!

I greatly look forward to seeing John Delaney's art become a permanent staple in the series, and I hope the series starts to mature a little. Big brawls may work out well for the first year of issues, but after that it's gonna get dull.

I've been picking up old 80's issues of the George Perez Wonder Woman relaunch and loving them. The characterization and stories are really astounding, allowing the villains and plots to develop over time. I realize that the word "Adventures" has come to mean "Self-containing issues" but I think the series would be stronger if characters and references are made to the show, as well as prior issues. Two-Parters are a MUST! I so wish for an Adventures title that works in conjunction with it's animated series counterpart! I guess that will never come to pass...

The next few issues look rather...juvenile but you all know I'll follow this series through until the bitter (or hopefully bitter/sweet !) end.

[John Delaney]

Originally posted by DisneyBoy

I greatly look forward to seeing John Delaney's art become a permanent staple in the series, and I hope the series starts to mature a little.
Hi DB
While I very much appreciate your desire to see me on the book permanently, ( and would love that myself) there are no plans that I know of for this to happen. JLAdventures will continue to have rotating teams to act as a showcase for different writer's takes and different artist's takes on the animated Justice League.
Now, having said that, I am currently pencilling an incredibly cool JLAdvs. which features AQUAMAN!!!!
I can tell you right now it's a sophisticated story with great interplay between the characters. Best of all it takes place in Gotham City!! Dark Deco cityscapes here I come!!!
Cheers
John

[Trent Lane]

Aquaman, Gotham, Ivy?! Man, can't wait for that story! Any idea what issue it'll be?

Anywho, back to issue #5. I was impressed. A great cover, great story and equally great art, especially since I've never heard of the writer of penciller before. The GL Corps member guest shot was pretty cool, especially since he was willing to sacrifice his life for Earth. The only gripe with the story? The fact that GL was so darn cocky on the last few pages, saying the "guest" GL couldn't have done what he did without the League... don't break your arm patting your back, Stewart...