The Good
YEAR THREE is an all-new approach to the franchise... for now, that is. Gone is the graphic violence, shock value and bleakness. Those grim and dark elements still lurk in the background of every scene, but this third volume's loaded with humor and intrigue. Honestly, I had a silly smile on my face for pretty much the entire chapter. Right from the dialogue on the very first page to the very last line, writer Tom Taylor's building an exciting plot while including a ton of laughs. Obviously, it's Constantine's superbly written banter which steals the show. Whether it's sarcasm or blunt taunting, this one had me chuckling the entire time. Major Batman fanboys may be upset that the Dark Knight is made fun of quite a bit, but the lines are hysterical, so lighten up and enjoy the mockery, yeah?
These digital chapters often feel like a very quick read, but this one is broken up surprisingly well. It's divided into four different locations and the whole chapter is paced very well. None of the scenes overstay their welcome and, despite not being a fan of one of them (see below), they technically all move the plot forward in one way or another. It's nice to see Taylor isn't wasting any time with this one and he's already taken pretty big steps with the narrative. Well, from Constantine's side, that is. Perhaps we'll get a better look at Superman's side in a few chapters from now?
As for the visuals, the character work is consistently serviceable, but it really thrives when it comes to complimenting Taylor's punchlines. Some of the layouts really allow the levity to sink in and it makes the laughs so much more enjoyable. Key examples of this are on the very first page (asking for a light when the flames are massive and bright) and the handling of the comedic beat in the car. On paper, these lines work well enough, but it's Bruno Redondo, Vincente Cifuentes, and Rex Lokus' work which really brings these jokes to another level. While the last page may be a totally cliche shot, it still does a hilariously effective job building my interest in what's to come. Last but most definitely not least, each scene brings a noticeably different environment to the table and I'm a big fan of how Lokus handled the lighting and effects in each of them.
The Bad
My only negative is the bit with Superman, Sinestro and Hal Jordan feels out of place. Sure, it makes us aware that Kal-El's side now knows they're dealing with magic, but everything else is revolving around Constantine's plan and this bit mostly feels like it's there just to serve as catch-up for new readers. If they're wondering where some characters are, now they know, and knowing is half the battle. Those slackers should have read YEAR TWO, though, because two more pages of interactions with Constantine would have been excellent!
The Verdict
INJUSTICE: YEAR THREE #2 is a real delight. It's a chapter that balances comedy and plot progression extraordinarily well. Throw in consistently solid visuals to boost all of the gags and the end result is a thoroughly entertaining and funny read. We're just two chapters in and I'm rooting for Constantine big time. You know what that means, right? It means it'll be so heartbreaking if (more like when) the character is killed off. Ultimately, we know Superman stays in power when all is said and done, but this is turning out to be a wonderfully lighthearted and engaging story arc. Now we just have to wait and see if Taylor will give the world what it deserves: a full chapter of Constantine teaming-up with Harley Quinn.