Justice League: Generation Lost #18
A mentally manipulated Power Girl attacks the JLI and Max waxes maniacal while performing some most unpleasant experiments on Blue Beetle.
The Good
First of all let me applaud Arron Lopresti for his excellent work on this month's Covers. Last issue's was a smash and this issue's is no different. The Image of Captain Atom flying toward the reader, face set and ready for action is rather simple. But sometimes the simple things are the most effective. This cover has that truly iconic feel too it and really mirrors this series and reflects what it has accomplished. It's taken these oft mis/underused characters and given the team a new life and vitality. Treating them with the same respect and quality that are often applied to DC's big guns.
Lopresti is the best artists of the crew working on this book and I'm glad to see him back on the pencils for this issue. He's been MIA for the last 2 or three issues, and I hope he's around for the next couple of issues coming down the pipe. I absolutely love the way he depicts all the members of the team, especially Nate. It's minor, but the way he reflects light from Nate's body is perfect and gives him a truly extraterrestrial aura. This issue has A LOT of action in this issue and it gives Lopresti plenty of room to flex and show his stuff off, much to the delight of the reader. The JLI's battle with Power Girl not only gives us a chance to see the JLI cut loose a bit on an opponent, but we also get treated with a look at Lopresti's take on some of DC's hero elite. I especially enjoyed the smug, condescending countenance of his Superman.
Remember how l said last Issue was the calm before the storm? Well that was a most apt description because this issue the waves come a crashing and the winds a raging and the levies just ain't built to hold. Power Girl's overflowing with rage and she plans to unleash it all on the JLI. The last thing anybody wants to see is a pissed off Kryptonian not only heading in their direction, but coming for them. And wouldn't you know it, that's the exact position our heroes find themselves in, Nate in particular.
Before the fist start flying we're given a brief flashback that touches on the relationship between Kara and Nate. Kara reaches out to Nate during the old JLI days as he's struggling with the loss of his humanity. This lends a depth and emotional aspect that's equally as potent and impactful as the pugilism in this issue. One thing that's been consistent from day one with this series is Winnick's mastery of character. He's struck a supreme balance of action, dialog, character growth, humor and gravitas in this series and often pulls off all of these things in the same issue. This issue is one such case.
Kara's going all out against the JLI because she's been brainwashed into believing they're a Justice League gone bad. She's fighting Nate with the full strength of her body and soul because she believes he is a Superman gone rogue. She really bares here soul in this issue as we become privy to her greatest fears and insecurities as she battles against the JLI. Every word she speaks in this battle from beginning to end is excellently crafted by Winnick. She's fully unguarded here and totally open about her thoughts and feelings. You can feel the betrayal she feels, feel the anger, disillusion, despair and confusion. You can here the tremulous tone of her voice, betraying the emotional maelstrom whirling within her. What could've easily been a typical fight scene, is elevated into a great character building moment.
Max is an evil, egomanical bastard with a messiah complex that makes Reed Richards and Tony Stark seem as meek and humble as Augustinian monks, and I couldn't love him more for it. We finally get an explanation as to how his mind wipe works, how to break it, and some details about his power's upper limit. I've got to say I was very impressed by how he's managed to ensure that his mind wipe holds out. Jaime remains optimistic and resolute during Max's torture, and tells him that he will be rescued and he will be brought to justice. Well he was going to until Max interrupts him and sarcastically fills in the blanks for him. I love the way he smugly declares that the bad guys do always lose in the end followed by "But that's the thing Jaime...you keep thinking I'm the bad guy." That's what I love about Max, he's a villain who doesn't have a single doubt about his position. In his life story he's the protagonist, the rest of us are just slow to catch on, but he sincerely believes that when it's all said and done we will.
Amidst the fire fight and emotional outbursts Winick manages to inject a good bit of humor into this issue. Like always Rocket Red provides quite a few chuckles but like last issue he once again steps up and makes a major play to save the team and break Max's control of power girl. I like that Gavril's growing as more than the teams resident funny man and expanding his role within the team.
The Bad
Like I said in my Detective Comics 873 review, these white covers get dirty very easily.
As much as I enjoyed this issue I hope this is the last time we have to see the JLI face off against a former ally/hero.
This issue reads a little too fast to me, but I guess that's due to it mostly being focused on the fight with Power Girl. I'd have liked to see more of Max and Jaime
The Verdict
BUY THIS COMIC...
The title is back in rare form this week with both Winick and Lopresti brining their respective A games. This is one of those issues that fully encapsulates the strengths of this series. I've said it once and I'll say it again, if DC doesn't launch a new JLI title after this series ends than they're clearly out of their minds.
