I've been a little lukewarm with the notion of Forever Evil. The Crime Syndicate has always felt like more of a novelty. Geoff Johns shows another layer to them, specifically with Owlman. We may not have seen too much of what Earth 3 was like but we don't have to since Johns is giving us what we need. We're watching the story and fate of Dick Grayson unfold and also get treated to the return of a character that hasn't been seen in the New 52 so far. Mahnke depicts each scene nicely, including the origin of a familiar character we haven't seen lately. I'm really getting excited to see where this story goes. Read Full Review

Justice League #25just crushes it! It is extremely rare for me to read a comic book twice in one sitting. Just go pick this one upyou're welcome! Read Full Review

Overall, this was definitely an issue worth reading several times. I certainly did. Read Full Review

The bad news is that Ivan Reis doesn't pencil this issue. The good news (for this series, not Justice League of America) is that Doug Mahnke steps on board instead. Mahnke's dark, detailed style is a fine fit for chronicling Owlman's exploits and clandestine schemes. It's a visually striking issue thanks to the refined character work and the interesting framing choices that highlight the similarities and differences between Owlman and Batman. Read Full Review

Forever Evil has been a wonderful event, and Justice League has been the stable tie-in for it. While tie-ins are usually not necessary for comic events, reading Justice League will definitely enhance the story, and better understanding the situations. Read Full Review

This issue was very well paced, you can clearly see the decade long chemistry that Geoff Johns and artist Doug Mahnke share translate into the pages of this book, it brings back not too distant but ever so fond memories from their Green Lantern days (typing this as I'm getting teary eyed over it). One thing Johns is a cut above the rest is his character development so making this title the second fiddle yet the closest thing to the main event in order to relate to the antagonists of the main story was nothing short of a great idea. Unfortunately there is one bad thing within this silver lining and that's the fact that they've pretty much revealed the outcome of the story from the get go just like they did with trinity war, as if they did not want the reader to focus on the "what" per say but the "how" and though it is a fresh idea as a way to tackle the very first line-wide event of the New 52 it comes with a risk. Read Full Review

Really found myself drawn to Mahnke's pencils, too. I think it did a fabulous job meshing with the dark, yet nostalgic, story being told, especially with Eltaeb, Avina, and Reis's colors. And that spread of Owlman getting the jump on those mobsters was absolutely gorgeous. Read Full Review

Justice League #25 may feel like a long winter of wickedness in the DCU, but sharp-eyed readers are going to see the hint of a brighter future- a second chapter- for DC's heroes. Read Full Review

I dont know how much longer Forever Evil is going to go on but if each issue of Justice League focuses on telling the backstory of each Crime Syndicate member, Ill be happy. Johns clearly has direction and purpose with each page. These characters are well developed and stand on their own well. As twisted as they may be I would enjoy reading their individual stories prior to Earth 3s demise. Well, provided Johns wrote them. If the ending is any indication we might be getting Super Womans story in Justice League #26. Read Full Review

Justice League under Johns will always be a very character driven book, and despite the focus on a bad guy this time around, the content remains strong. Read Full Review

I definitely recommend this one. It's good to see some character development with Owlman, plus Nightwing's side of the story gets some long-overdue traction. To top it off, the book has two incredibly memorable moments, one of which features a character I didn't expect to see again anytime soon. Read Full Review

Justice League #25 is another solid issue for the series. Despite being most likely necessary to read in order to add more to Forever Evil, the comic itself is very enjoyable with solid characterization and decent plotting. Give it a shot if you want more of Forever Evil this week. Read Full Review

If you are enjoying Forever Evil, you should be reading Justice League as a partner book. While not required reading, it more than adds to the overall story at work. Johns is creating continuity here and it is sure to be a foundation for what is to come later. Read Full Review

But the issue just feels like it's marking time while the real story marches on elsewhere - and if this is DC's premiere title, it deserves better than that. Read Full Review

Am I getting impatient for the heroes to return and set things right? Sure, but in the meantime, Johns is crafting one for the ages. I wasn't sure how this was going to go, but by balancing huge super battles with clever in-depth character development like this, this is turning into one of the better crossover events in recent memory. Read Full Review

'Justice League #25" loses a point for barely progressing the story after a month long wait. In terms of quality, issue #25 is visually stunning, and very well written. It's a solid build up issue and worth the buy. Read Full Review

There are signs that a more complex plot may be at work, if only in the Syndicate's unexpected characterizations, but otherwise, Forever Evil remains as straightforward an Event as others like it. Read Full Review

This is another dark story that's important to the Forever Evil Series. I'd definitely recommend this issue if you're only reading the Forever Evil event as it provides so much insight into one of the major players in the story. Not only that, but as mentioned above you'll see a surprising and well done first appearance, and Doug Mahnke's dark but beautiful art. Read Full Review

Whether you're a fan of Batman, Nightwing, alternate takes on characters or just plain interesting story telling this is worth a read. Read Full Review

In any case it was a brilliant scene that showcases Johns understanding of the character even when confined to a short amount of pages. So, there is a very breezy feel to this entire part of Forever Evil, which is somewhat disappointing given the ground that the Ultraman-centric issue covered. At the very least it also gave Superwoman some focus, as it implies that she too has machinations of her own. Overall it was a solid issue within itself, even though Mahnkes art begins to fail at the end (with figures looking less detailed as the readers move on). Although I hope that it picks up the pace once more, as push backs have harmed the series someowhat. Read Full Review

Johns gives us another two crazy origins and a deeper understanding of Owlman's motive. This issue was quite entertaining and helps progress the story forward. It seems that the story will be escalating very soon. The art for the most part is great. It is nice to see Mahnke and his team back together to bring us a artistic story. This Forever tie-in is a can't miss! Read Full Review

While it doesn't make a huge impact on the overall story, this Owlman centric book does a lot to further the character, and allow us to understand his motivations.  This event has really been action driven up until now, and it's nice to examine the characters a bit more, and I'd like to see more individual stories dealing with the rest of the Crime Syndicate.  This isn't the best of Forever Evil main titles, but it is certainly worth reading, and who doesn't love being transported to parallel worlds?  The bird is the word, and the bird is Owlman.  Go get the issue. Read Full Review

Johns and Mahnke create a great origin for Owlman, making him of of the best members of the Crime Syndicate in the process Read Full Review

Much like "The Avengers" and "New Avengers" books during Marvel's "Infinity" event, it feels like key moments of the "Forever Evil" story are playing out in "Justice League". The more limited focus in this issue gives the characters much more room to breathe than in the main series, and features good development without the need to cram a multitude of global events into its pages. Johns and Reis are wisely using the JL title to further flesh out the world of "Forever Evil", and it helps to make the whole event a much more interesting read. Read Full Review

"Justice League" #25 suffers from a lack of Justice League and a tiny bit from the absence of Ivan Reis and company on art, but if Reis and friends aren't available, Mahnke and crew are the next best thing, especially for a story as dark as this one. With the origins of two of the Crime Syndicate delivered in this series already, I'm ready to see "Justice League" move forward a bit, possibly even bringing the League (or a reasonable facsimile thereof) into conflict with the Syndicate. After this issue, I find myself wondering if maybe that conflict is going to be centered on Owlman and his actions. Read Full Review

Things need to pick up. There pay issues have only given us half stories, leaving me unfulfilled. It's rather have issues based solely on Earth-3 or in the present. The flipping between without more detailed connection to the separate stories bogs down the advancement. Read Full Review

Ultimately, the issue doesn't bring us any closer to finding out what the current status of the "real" Justice League is, nor does it further the plans and schemes of the Crime Syndicate, save for the last few pages. It does, however, remain a solid piece of standalone storytelling, which would be terrific if we could take it as such. However, as part of a bigger piece of the arc, it certainly doesn't feel like essential reading. Read Full Review

On the lighter side, Doug Mahnke’s art is gorgeous to look at. Mahnke is a big fight type of artist. His lines are thick, his perspective gloriously huge. If Mahnke was a cameraman, he’d be hired for all the huge action adventure films. The massive splash page with Owlman is killer. Mahnke doesn’t really do subtle, but that’s okay, because he doesn’t have to. Read Full Review

All in all, this book is well-constructed, well-drawn, and slick, but an agglomeration of flaws bother me, with the story feeling slight and padded out, a price tag that seems out of proportion to what is delivered, and the fact that it's actually not really an issue of Justice League at all combining to leave me feeling disappointed. Justice League #25 has a killer opening, but little followup, serving a crossover whose name has never felt more appropriate (Forever, indeed), earning 2.5 out of 5 stars overall. I'm not sure when 'Forever Evil' will actually wrap up, but I'm hoping that when it does I still have any interest in reading the stories that follow it... Read Full Review

Another greatly entertaining issue of JL. I love the background on Owlman and his weird desire to have Nightwing as a friend. Solid art too, though not quite Reiss' level of quality.