By: James Robinson (writer), Scott Clark (artist), Siya Oum (colors)
The Story: Supergirl has discovered out that Freddy is really Prometheus in disguise. An all-out battle follows.
What’s Good: Mauro Cascioli’s artwork was what held me to this book when everything else crumbled. You can imagine my disappointment when I discovered that Scott Clark had been subbed in on the art. However, Clark (who also helped out last issue) did a pretty good job of keeping alive the stylistic feel that Cascioli had established. Check out the gritty texture and the fine detail of Freddy changing into Prometheus. Or, look at how Clark did a brilliant job on the double splash page of stacked panels to show the JLA attacking Prometheus. Clear, dynamic and moment-to-moment. Scott Clark is welcome to pencil any series I’m reading!
What’s Not So Good: As I’ve mentioned in previous reviews about Cry for Justice, the plotting and logic of the story started falling apart somewhere between issues #3 and #4. It might have degraded for other readers earlier, but I had my suspension of disbelief set on High. This issue continues that particular train wreck.
Firstly, on the battle scene, let’s assume Prometheus’s battle armor makes him stronger and faster than we thought. In the end, he is still defeated by a wounded Donna Troy punching him repeatedly in the face. Now, I don’t mind if Prometheus is able to make short work of Green Arrow, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Vixen, Plastic Man and even Zatanna. These characters are the personality, but not the muscle of the team. But to seriously think that this guy can take out Supergirl with a bullet (even one forged by Vulcan) made me think Supergirl wasn’t trying. (Faster than a speeding bullet, anyone?) Especially after Prometheus took a paragraph to explain to her how this was no ordinary bullet. Supergirl would have had the time to get Prometheus and put him in the way of his own bullet! The same goes for Jay Garrick. The only way this plot can even limp along is if Garrick doesn’t use his super powers until Prometheus has already fired. And even then, the Golden Age Flash can still dodge pretty much anything you throw at him. Same with Green Lantern. These problems are going to appear again and again in any story featuring these characters unless the writer can power them down, use kryptonite, or use a villain so powerful that your cannon fodder don’t stand a chance. In this case, I don’t even feel like Robinson tried.
Secondly, on Prometheus’s motivation (simple, Republican Serial villain revenge), I was left utterly underwhelmed. When asked “To what end,” by Green Arrow, Prometheus’ response was “My revenge on all of you….for the years you took.” Unoriginal. Flat. Uninspiring. Certainly it was nothing to drive a series like this that aims to fundamentally change the attitudes of the heavy hitters in the DCU. The only thing missing was cackling laughter and a swirling of moustaches.
Conclusion: If you’d like a low-calorie offering that looks good, but makes no sense, buy this book. If you are going to think at all about the story, or wonder about the motives and actions of the characters, you’d best just skip the frustration and accept the new composition of the JLA without understanding how it got that way. I have no further faith that this series will answer that question anyway.
Grade: D
-DS Arsenault
Filed under: DC Comics, Other Tagged: | Comic Book Reviews, comic books, comic reviews, Comics, DC, DC Comics, Donna Troy, DS Arsenault, Flash, Green Arrow, Green Lantern, Green Lantern, James Robinson, Jay Garrick, Justice League Cry for Justice, Justice League: Cry for Justice #6, Justice league: Cry for Justice #6 review, Mauro Cascioli, Prometheus, Republican serial villain, Reviews, Scott Clark, Siya Oum, Supergirl, Weekly Comic Book Review, weeklycomicbookreview.com
Hey John – I had that same complaint, but I didn’t want to overload the review with too many negatives. That I could forgive that flaw, as well as the costumes that mysteriously fixed themselves, etc. Oh well. Only one issue left for those of us who are now curious if Robinson can pull anything out of this.
DSA
My largest complaint was in scene where Donna Troy finally kicks his bug she clearly rips off his visor and damages his helmet. Yet, when they are interrogating him, it’s all back in one piece. Sure seems like the book could have had an editor assigned to it.
I’ve given up and dropped JLA myself, mostly because of my unwillingness to either do what you mention in your conclusion or finish reading Cry for Justice.
The first three months of Robinson’s run have yielded two absolutely mediocre issues and one terrible one.
Now I look at the solicitations for the next few months and see nothing but Cry for Justice-related books and another book that ties in with Green Arrow as well.
Do not want.