Justice League Generation Lost #16
While the boys do the monster mash with the Creature Commandos Ice tries desperately to keep Fire's flame a flickering. Elsewhere Checkmate and Batman have doubts about Captain Atom's culpability in Magog's murder.
The Good
So much to like this issue, first of all let's start with the cover. The cover's really nice and has some great depictions of the Creature Commandos, I especially like the Frankenstein on it. And The Black/White/Red color scheme stands out without being too flashy. it has a really, Gears of War appeal to it, each time I see his cover work I can't help but wish that Dustin Nguyen were handling the pencils for this title, it so deserves an artist of his caliber.
I like that this issue brings the creature commandos back onto the scene, for those of us (this writer included) who aren't intimately familiar with who and what they are there's a nice non-distracting origin provided on the first page. Militarized versions of the Universal Monsters could very easily look very, very silly. Dagnino manages to give each very cool designs, particularly the Medusa and Mummy characters. This issue's packed with wall to wall action. In fact, the only break in action's provided by Ice's moments with Tora but we'll discuss that later.
One thing I really appreciate about this title is its sense of humor. Once again Winick infuses all this action with deft dialog and humor. I can't say enough about how much I love Rocket Red as the team's gentle giant/comic relief. He and Blue Beetle's dialog during the opening scenes of the battle are gold. One scene in particular I love is when Beetle's trying to deal with his foes using none lethal measures his suit suggest one deadly weapon after another to him.
Beetle really shines in this issue especially the way he saves Fire's life. It's very cool and well done, we really get to see why he's such a great addition to this team. This issues human moment comes courtesy of Fire's deathbed confessions to Ice. While it does border a bit on being melodramatic, it walks that fine life with just enough balance not to teeter over the edge. And lest I forget, Max Lord makes an unexpected appearance and get's the drop on the JLI, I don't do spoilers so I'll just say that he does something big to close out the issue.
The Bad
This series has a rotating stable of artists so from week to week quality in art tends to shift. Lopresti and Bennet being my preferred artists of the trio. None of them are particularly master class, and have similar styles on this title, but it's the little differences that separate them. I'd have to rank Lopresti as best and Dagnino as worst. he does a well enough job with the JLI guys and masked characters in general but his designs of his females, particularly Fire & Ice just look "wrong". They often appear awkwardly posed and their facial expressions a bit strange. There's a panel in this issue where Power Girl's face actually resembles that of a blow up doll...schyeah. From day one this title's been anchored by the strong writing, so if you've been reading this long you know the score on this sort of thing. I can't help but wish for one of DC's premier artists to give this title the kind of consistent pencils that it deserves * cough, cough...DUSTIN NGUYEN!!!*
The Verdict
I've said it before and I'll say it again, BEST TEAM BOOK ON THE MARKET!!!. Despite some lacking in the artwork department I'm ruling this a buy. This issue's an action packed, funny, fun filled ride. This series is really one of the best things going on at DC or Marvel. And it's a shame that it's not getting the backing other Brightest Day tie ins are getting.
