Injustice: Year Three #13

*Contains spoilers from INJUSTICE: YEAR THREE #12*

The Good

It's very interesting that Tom Taylor is concluding his time on the digital series with a "what if?" look at what is basically already a "what if?" universe. It's a very satisfying way to fill us with nostalgia as we take a trip back to the big moment that started it all, but just one thing happens differently. And, as we all know from a gazillion time travel stories, changing even just one moment in the past has the potential to drastically alter how everything else plays out. In this case, the new angle is more than enough to warrant another look at the beginning of this series all over again. In fact, part of me is wishing this would be more than a 2-parter (I assume it is since Taylor leaves after the next chapter) and I'm curious to see what could happen if this tale had more time to unfold. That obviously won't happen, and given how much happened in this one, I'm very optimistic to see how Taylor handles the second part while also saying goodbye to YEAR THREE. That won't be an easy feat, but he's more than earned my faith over the years.

Now, I'm sure the chapter's big twist (unintentional pun, I swear) will upset some of you, but it's important to keep in mind this is all taking place in Kal-El's head. Even though the moment that started it all has been changed, Superman would still want to see Joker die and we don't know how much of "current" Superman is influencing this. Would Clark have acted the same way if "Bruce in a bat-suit" wasn't in his way? Honestly, I'm not sure, but I'm leaning towards no since the situation has been so drastically altered. It doesn't change the fact that, deep down, he'd still want to see the clown prince of crime dead for this. He likely wouldn't follow through, but the desire would be natural and this was an interesting way of having Clark still get what he wants. After all that Superman has done and just how far he's gone, you can't help but feel your heart warm just a bit as he finally gets to hold Lois one last time. It may not be real, but it's a nice reminder of where all of this passion is coming from.

There's a lot I could praise about Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran, Xermanico and Rex Lokus' pages in this chapter, but what left the strongest impression was the handling of the Joker. From shading his face at just the right moments to the colorful yet not too bright appearance to his huge variety of believable and lively expressions, this villain was without question the most eye-catching part of this chapter. The layouts and angles also did a stellar job telling the story, but once again what really struck me was the presentation of Joker's actions. There's one page where there's a close-up of Joker's face as he's smiling -- it's a more "lighthearted" moment -- but then we zoom closer and closer to his eyes as he switches from joking to downright sinister. It goes to show that the foe may deliver levity from time to time, he's one of the most fearsome villains around for a reason and he can switch from funny to deadly in the blink of an eye. Little moments like that really help me appreciate just how much creativity goes into this weekly series. It could have been such a bland set of three panels, offering a standard look at him as he sits in the vehicle, but instead it offered something different to really pull you into its world and make sure the dialogue hits you as hard as it possibly could.

The Bad

With so much going on in YEAR THREE, part of me is disappointed there's only two pages taking place in the present, and those pages are basically there just to explain Superman's in what I can only describe as an "insanely powerful magical coma." It's so powerful that even Spectre's baffled by it. I may not be an expert on the fantasy/mystical elements in the DC universe, but even I'm questioning how they accomplished this and what exactly it is that Batman used against Superman. Something tells me we'll never get an answer and it's basically just, "Dude, it's really powerful magic. Can't you just accept that for the sake of the story?" I can and it's a minor criticism because I do love this "what if?" look at this alternate universe, but with so many great things going on in the present like the new Deadman, Constantine's role, and the new Spectre, taking a break from all that and delivering anything substantial in the present is a wee bit of a bummer. Maybe Taylor wanted a chance to write "good" Superman before he leaves the series and this is how he can accomplish that? Anyway, it looks like Brian Buccellato has a lot of story elements to work with when he starts with chapter 15!

The Verdict

If you've been following INJUSTICE since the beginning, this latest story -- which will also be Taylor's last one with the series -- is guaranteed to have you totally absorbed. You may immediately wonder why we're going all the way back to the beginning and you may be a little disappointed there's no plot progression in the current timeline, but revisiting the universe's biggest moment and putting a spin on it will have your mind racing with all of the possibilities and Joker's dialogue is a twisted delight. This may be a weekly digital series, but that didn't stop the art team from making sure your eyes are satisfied. And then, in true INJUSTICE: GODS AMONG US fashion, the story hits you with one hell of a jaw-dropper. So yeah, you can bet I absolutely loved this issue and it has me incredibly anxious to read the next one. Minor criticisms about the current narrative not making any progress just isn't enough to counter how fun and captivating it was to return to the beginning and witness how things could have gone differently. Oh, and brace yourself, Man of Steel jokes are coming.

This is literally the first Injustice year three issue I've picked up. I haven't been interested since the development of superman was just rushed and the focus on harley Quinn being a source of humour disgusted me. She's just as responsible for the death of lois and the baby as the joker. I don't care if she was pregnant or how funny she was. Whoa, rant over.

This issue is easily my favourite injustice issue ever. The front cover is incredibly nice. But the whole story is bittersweet. Superman's development into a tyrant was really mangled for me. He should of had more time to still be the anti hero and then go over to the dark side. But in year two he was played by sinestro as if he was a moron. He isn't a idiot neither is his inteligance below normal. There could of been a lot more done with his story than what has been down.

This felt like the shortest issue ever but so dang satisfying. Gonna miss Taylor :( but booch is a worthy replacement

I genuinely hope Bootch does a better job than Taylor to include the rest of the DCU as something other than Superman's punching bags or next to non-existent supporters.

Jeez he even dreams of murder

Superman is way too powerful in this comic.

B...but he spent this entire issue incapacitated!

^This

I'm not a huge DC follower, but the one comic I did follow the most is the one who I think is at the root of Superman's "coma" - the Sandman, Dream of the Endless. John Constantine possessed for a time the sand of Dream, one of the items that was removed from him at the start of the Sandman comic. The items were extremely powerful and produced many cases of magical comas. In fact, the sand caused people to live out their wildest dreams - essentially what Sup is doing here. The issue in question is The Sandman #3: Dream a Little Dream of Me.

That 'scene' made me exclaim out loud,"Oh F---".

Yup.

I'm still wondering what purpose does it serve putting Supes into a coma.

There is nothing in the Injustice setting that says the others dont have seperate stories to tell, this isn't just about Superman, Lois was not the only one that ended up dead at the beginning of this.

That's exactly what Batman should do in first time and place. MoS style.

Wasn't Wonder Woman suppose to be back by now?

This series has been running for how many issues now? 50? 60? Even more? And he already built up and executed the confrontation between Batman and Superman? So what is the excuse for ignoring the rest of the DCU?

No, its just about which new depths Superman can sink to and how useless Batman is at stopping him.

Sorry, but there could have been far more interesting stuff done with this than a poor mans Kingdom Come.

Did anyone else catch how this issue was titled "For The Man Whose Lost Everything" similar to the episode of Justice League Unlimited "For The Man Who Has Everything"? Taylor is paying homage to the DCAU in a subtle way.

There's a very simple answer for what Batman used, and the hint is in the title.

"For the Man Who's Lost Everything" is a reference to Alan Moore's classic story "For the Man Who Has Everything," in which Mongul incapacitated Superman with a certain alien organism.

Whatever that gas was, it's related to the Black Mercy.

@misstricia: Your right. I had forgotten about the episode being based on the story by Alan Moore. But I don't think the gas was related to the Black Mercy plant cause if that was the case, wouldn't Spectre have been able to wake Superman? I think the gas has a mystical component to it.

@romthelegionaire: True, I'm sure there will be some mystical component to it, but I'm fairly sure that the Black Mercy will be involved in some way. Maybe some mystically juiced-up pollen?

So I read this issue a second time since the first readthrough someone was at my house and I was half paying attention to both... On the second pass though I realized something about this issue; perhaps I'm looking too deeply into it though. Spectre clearly states that Superman is seeing what he wants to see, and it seems what Superman really wanted was not to kill the Joker himself, but for Batman to do it for him. Is this meant to imply that Supes sees Batman as a protective older brother?

The dynamic between the two has always been fascinating, but I think this series explores much further down the path than we've seen in the past.

I hope they make an animated series of this, could be so damn cool.

@misstricia: That's what I saw it as, which is great as it means he wants to have to break his perfect moment which I think is a better one than the original(That Kryptonian history was a little confusing at times) It looked like pollen to me. Great issue that shows how much Lois meant to him and reminds us why everything has happened. Loved that name reveal.

This