The Good
On the surface, INJUSTICE: YEAR THREE seems different from the previous volumes because it's journeying to DC's mystical scene. Many of the favorites have already appeared -- or have been teased -- and it definitely gives the comic book a refreshing atmosphere. However, what's really helping this one differ from the others is it feels like a more personal story. Yes, we've seen Superman become darker as he wanted to "help" the world and we've seen how Batman wants to combat his former ally, but, with this third volume, John Constantine's desire for revenge feels more justified and empathetic. Kal-El had one big disadvantage working against him: We all knew where this path would take him (assuming you've played the video game or did any kind of research) and, because of that, it made it more difficult to connect with the character. We knew where his actions would take him and, sure enough, he's become the arrogant and cruel man we all knew he would turn into. With Constantine, we're rooting for him and hoping he'll find a way to succeed, even though we know his victory -- if he has one at all -- won't be a permanent one and the depressing thought of his potential demise is always lingering in the back of our minds. For me, this creates a more gripping narrative. Sure, I love some jaw-dropping shock value, but with this volume, I feel emotionally invested in Constantine's mission.
Writer Tom Taylor continues to impress. Even when the stakes are high and the tone is bleak, he always finds a way to create conversations that'll make you smile. Under his writing, these characters -- well, the ones who aren't cast aside! -- have so much more depth. The opening talk between Klarion and Constantine is a perfect example of this. Any other writer could have filled this scene with blunt exposition to prepare us for what's to come, but instead of making it feel generic and forgettable buildup, he throws in some witty and legitimately funny dialogue. It's little bits like that which really remind me why I read this series on a weekly basis. Yeah, the action and twists are nice, but it's the strong dialogue that keeps me coming back for more.
It's a very fast-paced issue -- something that also works against it -- but not even a single scene loses sight of keeping our attention. Even something as basic as the Man of Steel traveling to a location is executed really well -- which is a compliment to the art team -- and the opening sequence is something that'll make you have a negative knee-jerk reaction before going, "Alright, that makes way more sense, doesn't it?" And while some may believe Superman's actions are foolish, I think it goes to illustrate just how arrogant the "hero" has become.
This may be a pretty swift read, but artist Bruno Redondo, inker (and finishes) Xermanico, and colorist Rex Lokus make sure our eyes enjoy the experience. Sure, these may not be brilliant or jaw-dropping pages that'll go down as the best art you've seen all year, but considering the tight deadlines this weekly series must have, you have to admit they're consistent and commendable. Nothing here seems rushed. The limited amount of panels works against the narrative, but it really benefits the visuals because that gives each and every panel more weight. The angles are constantly shifting around to give us a new and more insightful look at the scene and the character work never falters. The sequence with Superman and the building is as cinematic as it gets, focusing on each and every critical action, and these various environments, characters, and effects give our eyes the opportunity to enjoy a whole variety of shades. The vivid displays of magic and constructs really do enhance the experience and help us appreciate the surreal powers and abilities these characters possess.
The Bad
I know we're talking about $0.99 comics that are weekly (thanks for that, DC), but every now and then, a chapter feels like a very quick read. Other times, a chapter will feel like it's doing the mandatory legwork to bring us to the truly exciting part of the story. This happens to feel like a wee bit of both, so it's the kind of chapter that'll likely be a little more effective in a collected edition. There's a limited amount of dialogue here and several pages consist of 3 panels or less, so the combination of those 2 things means you'll likely be done with this one sooner than expected.
Oh, I'm sure Raven fans won't be very happy that there isn't any real progression with the character's situation just yet. Guess we'll just have to wait and see what the next chapter reveals!
The Verdict
INJUSTICE: YEAR THREE #6 dropped some major foreshadowing. INJUSTICE: YEAR THREE #7? It rushes ahead and finally presents us with the conflict we've been waiting to see. Now we just need to wait a little longer to witness how it'll play out! The road getting to the event may not be all that elaborate or compelling, but it's yet another well-written look at this twisted universe and the pages are sure to keep your eyes engaged. And that cliffhanger? Man, the next chapter is sure to be an especially exciting one, isn't it?
Log in to comment