Justice League #60 is chock full of Justice League goodness, from the main story to the backup. Bendis is doing a bang-up job with his new League, bringing a new team together and seemingly having a lot of fun with it. Marquez is the perfect artist for it- guy feels like he was born for this job. Add Bonvillains coloring to the whole, and its wonderful. V and Xermanico are building a great story in the backup, one that makes readers sorry they arent doing a full-length Justice League Dark book. Justice League #60 is a one-two punch of Justice League greatness. Read Full Review

Justice League #60 is a textbook, near-perfect example of how thematic elements can - and should - drive a story before action. Read Full Review

Both stories in Justice League #60 build on the strong start from last issue. Bendis seems to be bringing his A game to this title so far and Ram V always does so. And they are backed up with some fantastic artwork from Marquez and Xermanico. Things are looking pretty good for the months ahead for both stories. Read Full Review

Justice League #60 shows a huge improvement over the already competent first issue. As the team dynamic begins to solidify, so too does the direction of the plot. The creative team manages to sidestep my hang-ups about Black Adam and manages to make me look forward to what he brings to the table. This is a fine issue that makes the future of the title look more bright. Read Full Review

This book seems to be finding its momentum, but the main story is still a little slow. Read Full Review

David Marquez has a beautiful art style to these characters. There are a lot of great details throughout as well as characters that have great expression filled moments. Read Full Review

In a short in the back of the issue, the Justice League Dark team meets the OG Justice League and Zatanna is appointed the leader of the JLD. Meanwhile, Merlin is out in the streets bringing monsters to life from classic literature. Read Full Review

This is one of the better value deluxe books from DC as the new Justice League arcs are getting underway with some intriguing ideas and character combinations. If Bendis can get a more accurate tone for his Leaguers, this could be one of DCs stronger titles. Read Full Review

If you liked last month's outing, this one won't disappoint. Read Full Review

Good, solid issue that keeps the story moving, but the “Bendis-speak” dialogue and forced character options are a little wanting. Read Full Review

As a consumer, I might not have gained much from this issue " but as a creator, I appreciate that this book can take its time. It's not in a rush to wow you, and because of this, it allows us to enjoy the ride for what it is. Justice League and Justice League Dark make a great combo package " even if I disagree with them being saddled together in the first place. Read Full Review

The quality of the artwork and backup story in "Justice League" #60 is held back by a weak script in the main feature. Read Full Review

With the larger cast, the main feature slides into bits of infamous "Bendis dialogue" and I still feel that Marquez's artwork feels either rushed or misinked in some way. Read Full Review

For anyone who had previously been following Naomi in any book that Brian Michael Bendis threw her in..... you'll learn nothing new about the character here but get to hear everything you already know all over again. The big thing we learn here is that her world isn't in the Multiverse but we're given no information for context behind this so it's a big "Wow" moment that means nothing ultimately and in the end, I'm just thankful that our heroes felt like friends and that the art came off looking wonderful. Read Full Review

Justice League is not good enough to be DC's flagship book, but Justice League Dark is incredible and everyone should read it. Read Full Review

I continue to look forward to the progression of both of these stories, and I also appreciate the separate tones that each artistic team brings to the book. While in each case the stories in this issue are a bit more focused on information-gathering than on moving the plot along, I understand that it's (mostly) necessary to the overall arcs themselves. The backup does a better job of exploring the characters and world that we already have, whereas the main story is quick to jump back into a Multiverse so soon after Death Metal. Read Full Review

The takes on characters like Adam, Hippolyta and Batman are on point. The art is good. There are a few good moments like Aquaman telling kids that Batman and Superman are adorable. And Ragmam os back! If there is a writter that can write this character well, it has to be Ram V.

Never did I think that I would find a Jorge Luis Borges reference in a JLD comic. Morrison had some great use of Borges back in his Batman Inc with the Argentina plot. This alone made up for Bendis garbage that populated the first half of this issue.

Better than the first one, though by that cliffhanger I'm expecting the third one to come back to the initial form.

Pacing will always be Bendis’ big issue in my opinion, often taking a full issue to complete something that should have been done in a few pages. But I actually enjoyed the interactions of the Justice League here. Even though I felt it was too easy allowing Black Adam to join. And I enjoyed the piece with Hippolyta, but I’m curious how she’ll continue to fit in.

The back up story was fantastic. Makes me bummed that JLDark doesn’t have its own on going because V and Xermanico deserve it. Love me some Ragman!

Eh, to my surprise, I'm still enjoying the Bendis' story. It's fun. Not the most logical one, and the dialogue could be better at some points, but it's fun. The JLD story was great as usual.

To be honest I am not a Bendis fan, but overral this was a fun issue, hopefully next issue we will have some more development, JLD was awesome!

" And I'm Batman."
- BATMAN

More exposition of the DCU status of Hippolyta and Diana status would've been appreciated. Pairing JLD with JL in one book does work, imo. Felt like mostly talk for a "2nd issue", lacking grabber scenes.

Bendis' run is shaping up to be a good one if you ask me. Don't fully agree with the direction I think he's taken, but the writing (especially the character interactions) is well done.
The JLDark backup is good to, but a bit to short.

Really? Black Adam and Naomi instead of Martian Manhunter, Cyborg or Hal Jordan? This is very ridiculous. The other ridiculous thing is that Superman forced the others to be on the team with Black Adam but no good reason. Except for these, I can say that reading the Oliver amused me in this issue, it was nice in the drawings. However, Dc needs to replace the team urgently. I hope this JL team is just a one-volume squad...

I feel like it's too early to have any concrete opinions on how the Bendis's run will shape up, especially seeing how slow the start is. However for now I don't see anything particularly interesting or really that much unique about the direction Bendis is taking his Justice League , but of course all that can change and maybe it's for a reason like this.

The character's voices are pretty on point in my opinion, still there are some questionable decision with the dialogue and surely the whole Black Adam situation is the epitome of questionable, which I hope get explored more.

Overall issue 60 is a set-up for what's coming next, while also being exactly what you would expect from Bendis, a lot of talking, some light humor and references and not much plot, with nice art. JLD does pretty much everything better .

more

+ Like • Comments (10)

•

Show all comments

Bats20832 - Apr 22, 2021

I don't know if I can continue with Justice League. I was curious to see the path, and the rationalization of Black Adam in the JL pretty much tells me all I really need to know. Unlike many other readers, I have never liked/trusted the "Superman" character. The Injustice series basically summarized my main concerns on that character. The smug Superman superior look after admitting to murdering Alfred. The might is right philosophy. This is the direction I see DC Comics headed.

Criminology. - Apr 22, 2021

Yeah the rationalization is pretty much nonexistent.It look like Bendis just wanted Black Adam on the team and somewhere along the way he figured that there should a reason for that to happen. Aside from that, the Injustice superman is not really what superman represent or should represent. I don't think those version should be compared at all. Injustice is a gimmick, a long what if story, which probably would never happen in the main Dc universe and that's for a reason.

Criminology. - Apr 22, 2021

And the character of Superman should not be judged by that. Superman represent hope and the denial of all evil. He have the power to become a tyrant and he is totally aware of that, but would never be one, because that's against all his beliefs and all the fundamental ideas behind the character. The might should not be and it's not the philosophy of the Superman. Still Superman should not be naive enough to accept Black Adam in the league just like that.

Criminology. - Apr 22, 2021

But you probably know all that.

Bats20832 - Apr 22, 2021

We shouldn't need vulnerability to build conscience. But reality is vulnerability builds empathy. The most credible masked human characters built motivation around vulnerability of friends and loved ones: Lone Ranger, Batman. They held dying fellow humans in their arms and said Never Again. They risked it all fearless to their own vulnerability. To 20th century readers, this resonated as confronted by organized crime. Invulnerability? It is a "trust me" empathy of Superman, Adam, etc.

Bats20832 - Apr 22, 2021

I agree with you we should look to Superman as a figure of hope. No doubt that is the main purpose by Jerry Siegel and Joe Schuster in 1938. The world has changed a lot since then. Invulnerability is viewed as more dangerous as it might have last century, as we actually see institutions and figures trying to exert a greater control over every aspect of life, not just like in WWII Europe, but in ways we could have never imagined a century ago. Invulnerability is a big question mark now.

Criminology. - Apr 22, 2021

I get what you are saying. But there are some things i wanna mention. Superman knows how vulnerable life is and how easy it can be lost out of hatred or greed and a good example of that was how he lost his planet. Superman also knows how dangerous and intimidating he can be. He knows that if he starts killing or break his moral high-ground, he would be become a tyrant. As you said "we actually see institutions and figures trying to exert a greater control over every aspect of life".

Criminology. - Apr 22, 2021

Superman is aware of that too. He does not obligate people to be like him , he wants to inspire them to be better, , but does not obligate them. He does not use fear as tactic, because if he do, again he becomes a tyrant. There are great moments in the last issue of the New World Order arc of JLA, which encapsulates, what he thinks his role is in a perfect way and also why.

Criminology. - Apr 22, 2021

Also Superman has proven himself a number of times, that he can be trusted. He literally died to protect humanity. He haven't really done anything to break this trust, because he always follows his code. But again he knows he can be dangerous and that's why he trusts batman to neutralize him with the kryptonite, if he is under a mind control or go rogue. Btw i totally agree about Adam, Adam is the polar opposite of what Superman is.

Criminology. - Apr 22, 2021

Tbh also i don't superman think of himself as superior to anybody, aside the physical superiority.He is always insecure about his icon status and the expectetions,that carries or if he deserves that.also he is the guy that needed decades to confess his love to the girl on next desk.

Sign in to comment

Bendis' dialogue in this issue is some of the worst I've seen from him since he's come to DC. We get a whole issue of exposition telling us what we already know from the Naomi series, as well as several pages of Superman telling his teammates that Black Adam is a hero now and they should trust him even though they have no reason to. The art is great though!

The Justice League Dark backup by Ram V is very good and is the only reason to pick up this book

I keep forgetting who writes this comic and then I open it up and a cold thrill of horror zips up my spine. Good backup but my god, the main story.

I... hate Bendis' writing. I don't care about Naomi. I don't care about her home planet, unless she leeeeaves (I understand it's not another planet). I just have no interest in this story. The backup, however, was much better. I really wish it wasn't being bundled with this terrible Justice League comic.

Does might make right for this JL's Superman? Are we reading Justice League OR the League of Heroes and Villains (as convenient) (or another version of Injustice)? Should we walk away like Hippolyta in disgust? Or should we applaud the Bendis' Superman call to give mass-murderers with superpowers a second chance?

I was hesitant to read it because of Bendis and had forgotten I had subscribed.
The ethical question of whether mass murderers can be members of Justice League is real question, not just for Bendis and JL, but for DC Comics. So far, the Superman argument is that mass murderers are OK for the Justice League. Sounds like something the Injustice Superman would say. Arguing against the Bendis Superman (or DC Comics writers/editors) may make you sound crazy; but it doesn't make you wrong.

The highlight of the book - strawman argument Green Arrow: "Brainiac wasn't available?"
But the debate over Black Adam is the real point of the "new direction."
Bendis' Superman makes the argument that mass murderers just need compassion to change to become figures for "justice."
Screen Rant's Nicholas Conley has previously described Black Adam as on one of DC's worst "supervillains," "Though sometimes portrayed as more of an antihero than a villain, we can't forget that Black Adam has serious blood on his hands."

Hippolyta is introduced to this version of JL, by using an attack by Brutus. It was a good plot manuever. Hippolyta leaves in disgust when she discovers Black Adam is with the JL. This subplot is part of DC Comics actual problem. People WILL leave as psychotic killers are paired with "heroes" and "hero groups," whether it is Black Adam with JL, or Harley Quinn with Batman. This is a fundamental problem that DC Comics has in the long run. Not simply a "hero gone bad," "taken over," "insane," but actual killer who keeps getting re-imagined as a "hero." Black Adam has literally murdered millions of people.

Naomi's world is designed to not make sense, so that you keep reading more stories,as you get dribs and drabs of story. The thing is if this was the Doom Patrol or some other group comic, OK would be good enough. But this is JL, which should be DC's flagship comic. We'll see how long OK is good enough.

JLD was "OK" too, as a horror comic. Is that what JL is going to become - a horror comic? Are the JL "heroes" going to become "horror" figures rather than "heroes"?

JLD has the same "relativism" on "heroes/villains." It actually makes DC Comics philosophical point by John Constantine: "As for being the good guy, when you've wandered so far away from the rest of us... Good? Bad? I reckon it all starts to look the same."

And ***THAT*** is the problem, not just for the Justice League, but for DC Comics, and more importantly... for US - as readers. At what point, do we accept "it all starts to look the same" and we FUND that thinking by purchasing DC Comics? Not the characters in ink, but the characters in our mirrors need to ask THAT question.
more

+ Like • Comments (1)

• Likes (1)

• Criminology.

Criminology. - Apr 22, 2021

Yo, there is a lot of truth to that review.

Sign in to comment

What book are these critics reading that just handwave Bendis' terrible dialogue?

Get bendis out of DC

It was what I expected. Bendis is a sign of failure. Thank you DC. In the last two years, You managed to stop me from reading the Superman and Action Comics books and now I am going to stop reading the Justice League. I still gave the opportunity and read this. But the dialogue and the decisions of the characters reminded me of all of Bendis' "work" in DC.

+ Like • Comments (2)

• Likes (2)

• groundcontrol
• Bats20832

Bats20832 - Apr 22, 2021

I wonder if stop reading them is a "bad" thing. We have had this trend for years of growing support for killers and mass-murderers reimagined in the "hero" community. The first that I remember was Black Widow trained as an assassin, who was with a Soviet killer Boris Turgeno. It was shocking in 1964, but she didn't kill the scientist. Then we have assassin Elektra glamorized in the 1980s. But the re-invention of mass murderer Black Adam is a different level of killer as hero.

Wella27 - Apr 19, 2022

I understand what you're saying. And a year after our comment, it really proved that I did or we did well to stop reading them.

Sign in to comment

If talking heads and Bendis “cool” speak is what you like you’ll love this if good stories are what you want his book is not