Meanwhile, at the Hall of Justice...

JUSTICE LEAGUE #4

2012-02-16T14:17:00.000-05:00

Writer: Geoff Johns

Penciller: Jim Lee

Inker: Scott Williams

Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Letterer: Patrick Brosseau

Assistant Editor: Darren Shan

Editor: Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

As Victor Stone adjusts to his new life as a Cyborg, Aquamanjoins forces with the rest of the future Justice League against the invadingParademons. The Unites States militaryenters the battle, complicating matters, forcing Superman and the Flash to takea stand against them. After Cyborgteleports to Metropolis, a massive Boom Tube opens, sounding the arrival ofDarkseid on Earth. The dark lord ofApokolips easily dispatches the heroes as things go from bad to worse…

Notes

Page 1: “His ultimate transformation isunforeseeable.” Well, how’s that for anominous statement, hmmm?

Page 2: “Tech Files: Responsometer/Doctor Magnus, William.” Pre-Flashpoint, Doctor WilliamMagnus was the creator of the responsometer, a micro-computer that couldanimate pure metals, giving them life, which allowed him to create the MetalMen.

And, not that this has anything to do with this issue of Justice League, do yourself a favor andpick up a copy of the Metal Men tradepaperback, which reprints the eight-issue mini-series, with story and art byDuncan Rouleau. It’s a great read, andRouleau is a fantastic storyteller. Plugover.

“A-Maze Operating System/Professor Ivo, Anthony.” In the Pre-Flashpoint DCU, Professor Ivo created Amazo, the android that couldabsorb the powers of the Justice League of America. In the New 52 DCU, Ivo has created the A-MazeO.S., presumably the precursor for such an android.

“B-Maze Operating System/Classified.” In the Pre-Flashpoint DCU, the B-Maze O.S. was the basis for predictingsocietal changes within a superhuman community. It was first introduced in Sugarand Spike #46, a pivotal issue that introduced the titular characters tothe Red Bee, cementing their inclusion in the still-forming DC Universe…

Wait, sorry, that’s wrong. As in, I totally made it up. WhatI should have typed was, “I have no idea what the B-Maze O.S. refers to, andwhy it’s classified remains to be seen,” but I really had a compulsion to writeabout Sugar and Spike, and I was weak, and gave in to my silly impulses. Sorry, sorry, it won’t happen again…

“White Dwarf Stabilizer/Graduate Student Choi, Ryan.” Pre-Flashpoint,Ryan Choi took up the identity of the Atom when Ray Palmer went missing afterthe events of Identity Crisis. Both Palmer and Choi used white dwarf starmatter that allows them to shrink to subatomic size. In the New 52 DCU,Ray Palmer is currently seen in Frankenstein,Agent of S.H.A.D.E., while Choihas yet to appear; however, rumor has it that he will be appearing as the Atomin Justice League.

Page 3: As seen over the past few issues, theParademons are able to transform when necessary. Sometimes they have wings and fly, othertimes they are more insect-like. TheParademons shown here act more like dogs.

It seems that Victor Stone -- I mean, Cyborg -- is able to transform his limbs into weapons. Is his body now made of liquid metal, as the pre-Flashpoint Cyborg's body was at one point in time (during Devin Grayson's The Titans series).

Page 4: “White Noise Cannon Enabled.” The new, upgraded version of Cyborg’s “whitesound blaster.”

Page 5: “You did this to me!” Ungrateful kid…

Page 6: “They call him Aquaman.” Batman’s such a know-it-all…

“I thought Aquaman was a sketch on Conan O’Brien.” Green Lantern is a bit confused here; “DearAquaman” is a gag on The Late Late Showwith Craig Ferguson, in which the Scottish host dresses up as Aquaman andreads letters sent to him.

And you all should watch TheLate Late Show with Craig Ferguson, if only because it’s the only latenight talk show with a homosexual, robot skeleton sidekick, cussing puppets,and a midget that dresses up like a leprechaun. And guests. Lots of celebrityguests.

“First Batman’s real, now this?” Both Batman and Aquaman have been, up untilthis point, urban legends. Why someonewhose been chosen by an alien race to be a member of an intergalactic policeforce finds a man who dresses up like a bat and another man who talks to fishso unbelievable is beyond me…

“I found this creature in the ocean. It set off some kind of device that tore opena hole in the water.” That “device” wouldbe a Mother Box, which opened a Boom Tube in the ocean, through which a bunchof Parademons flew out.

“You’ve obviously gathered together to fight them.” Though this was not their intention, this iswhat ended up happening. Theirindividual motives and intentions have given way to the greater good and,although they all might not get along, they have to set aside their differencesfor the good of the world.

This scene reminds me of a conversation between Batman andSuperman in Justice League of America (secondseries) #7 by Brad Meltzer. Superman isworried about the newly-formed JLA, and wonders if they should not have leftthe roster to chance and happenstance. Batman counters…

“Happenstance? Isthat really what you think this is? Lookat our lives. There is no happenstance.”

Translation – these heroes were fated to be drawn together,whether they like it or not.

And now, for my favorite panel of the issue...

Let the pissing contest begin…

Page 7: “I’ve got some experience withleadership.” This hints at some as yetuntold adventures of Aquaman before the events of this issue.

“I’m the rightful heir to the throne of Atlantis. I’m their king.” Aquaman hasn’t learned yet that being a kingto loyal subjects and leading a group of equals are two completely differentthings.

“And I’m the mayor of Emerald City.” The “Emerald City” is a reference to the capitalcity of the Land of OZin L. Frank Baum’s Oz books.

“You’re supposed to be on my side, Flash.” Green Lantern feels that his friendship withthe Flash is being threatened by the presence of the other heroes.

“We’ve already got one wannabe superhuman trying to boss usaround, we don’t need another.” The“wannabe superhuman” Green Lantern refers to is Batman, who is actually beingpretty mellow, all things considered.

Page 8:

Can someone please slap Green Lantern upside the face? He's becoming so insufferable that I half expect Aquaman to take him out like he did on the cover...

This isthe sound effect for Aquaman’s mental telepathy that he uses to control sealife. Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis first introduced this depiction of theeffect in Blackest Night #2.

Pages 9-10: The lesson here is, don’t mess with Aquaman,or else he’ll send a shark to eat you and shove a trident through your skull.

Page 11:

Green Lantern's off to sulk in the corner for a while.

Note how, even though these heroes just met a short timeago, they’ve already begun working well together, almost acting like a – dare Isay it? - a team.

This, of course, is the essence of the Justice League, inwhatever incarnation – a group of the world’s greatest heroes, workingtogether, despite their differences, to save the world. It’s unique among other comic book teams in away; many other groups are put together to be effective as a team, with membersbalancing one another in both powers and personalities. There is usually a clear leader, a rebel, alove interest, the young, inexperienced hero. Examples of this include The New Teen Titans, The X-Men, theOutsiders. Or, in the case of theAvengers, there are one or two A-listers and most of the rest of the team areB-listers who basically call the Avengers their home.

But the Justice League – especially this roster – is all thebig guns (ok, ok, Cyborg throws a wrench into this equation, but work withme). Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman,Green Lantern, the Flash and Aquaman all have full lives and careers outside ofthis group. And none of them are exactlysubservient to anyone else. Any singleone of them could conceivably be team leader. But this isn’t the Avengers; the Justice League doesn’t need Captain Americato rally the troops. They all know whatneeds to be done and what they have to do, even if they only met each otherfive minutes ago…

Page 12:

This is the first time we have gotten to see Wonder Woman play a little bit of "bullets and bracelets."

I am assuming that the gunner accompanying Trevor on thishelicopter is a Checkmate agent, given the logo on her shoulder.

Page 13: Note the “Made in America”sign behind Cyborg, another reminder that he lives in Detroit, MI, the home of three of the biggestautomotive companies in America.

Cyborg interfaces with the Mother Box to download information and data, just as he did with the S.T.A.R. Labs computers.

Page 14: In a nutshell it seems like these towerstransport to various worlds to collect and harvest “organic materials” that aretransformed into Parademons. So, lastissue, when Batman and Superman wondered what the Parademons wanted with us? There’s your answer.

Page 15: “You seem like someone who wants to do theright thing, but the same can’t always be said for everyone in positions ofauthority.” The New 52 Superman has adifferent way of looking at things than his pre-Flashpoint counterpart. He’smore willing to go against the system if the system isn’t working. He’s looking out for the little guy, and willchallenge authority when he sees fit. Right now, he’s trying to get the Flash to look at things just a littlebit differently.

It's not often I laugh out loud while reading a comic. This scene made me do just that:

I don’teven need to see Batman laughing hysterically at Green Lantern; just knowing that it's happening is enough.

Page 16: “I got this one!” Poor Green Lantern, he so wants to impressthe others that he goes completely overboard and tries to crush a fellowhero. He tries; you gotta give him that…

Page 17: BOOOOOOOOOOOMMM” That is one big honking Boom Tube…

Pages 18-19: First appearance of Darkseid. Historical firstappearance in Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen#134. A New God from Apokolips withsuperhuman strength, invulnerability and control of the Omega Effect, which canmanifest as a concussive force or a disintegrating energy.

Way to state the obvious, Green Lantern. Seriously, why hasn't Batman housed him yet? You know he wants to...

Pages 20-21: What exactly is going on here? Does the force of Darkseid’ footsteps causeearthquakes? Does lifting his arms inprayer release shock waves? Is hepassing gas? Someone tell me.

Page 22: “I am DARKSEID.” Well, nice to meet you, I think…

Pages 23-27: This issue’s text pages features S.T.A.R.Laboratories Employee Dossiers. Someinteresting notes include…

Page 24: Dr. Silas Stone was recruited by S.T.A.R.Labs to participate in the recovery of…something. He also reverse engineered…somethingelse. And he replicated…well, a thirdsomething. All of these “somethings”have been redacted, but he’s quite prolific in doing stuff, it seems. He also created promethium, the metal bondedto Victor in order to save his life last issue.

The S.T.A.R. Labs Red Room was designed to “collect andanalyze foreign, extraterrestrial and sentient technology deemed too dangerousto share with the world.”

As I mentioned in the notes for last issue, the circumstanceof Dr. Elinore Stone’s death have yet to be revealed.

Page 25: As in the pre-Flashpoint DCU, Dr. ThomasMorrow has a fascination with the future and its technology. He attempted to time travel but abandonedthat field of study after he and Dr. Will Magnus nearly died. Magnus now works for the U.S.military on Project: Metal Men.

Morrow seems to be working on some projects that he won’tshare with his colleagues at S.T.A.R. Labs, and is also under investigation bythe F.B.I. for reasons unknown.

Page 26: Sarah Charles in only 17 years old, the sameas Victor, but is apparently brilliant, as she is currently working on hermaster’s degrees while working as an intern at S.T.A.R. Labs.

Marian High School (note that “Marian” is misspelled, perhapsfor legal reasons) in Bloomfield, Michiganis a private, Roman Catholic high school for girls. I like the fact that she did her thesis oncyberware and here she is, only a few years later, witnessing the creation ofan actual cyborg.

It seems that S.T.A.R. Labs is in the center ofcontroversies about its purpose and future, presumably influenced by theintroduction and existence of superhumans on Earth.

Page 27: Professor Anthony Ivo is a pioneer in theprocess of “creating technology to mimic organic life down to the cellularlevel”…sound like any classic Justice League villains we know and love? Presumably, Ivo’s A-Maze O.S. will lead tothe creation of some bathing-cap wearing android sometime in the nearfuture.

As I mentioned before, I have no idea what the B-Maze O.S.does, but I’m sure it can’t be good.

In the pre-FlashpointDCU, Ivo long sought immortality because hea terrified on dying. This eventuallyled him to transform himself into a grotesque mutant simply so he would neverdie.

I like the fact that these classic “mad scientists” likeMorrow and Ivo aren’t just holed up in the woods somewhere, building theirdevices and androids in secret. It makessense that they would be working for a place like S.T.A.R. Labs, where theypretty much have unrestricted access to resources and technology to do theirwonderfully insane work.

Pages 28-29: Sketchbook of the Flash’s new costume. Concept art by Francis Manapul, design by JimLee.

The only thing that irks me about this costume is the lineson the boots. I like the electric seamson the bodysuit that light up and pulse with electricity when he runs, but Ifind the “intricately etched details suggesting electricity and movement” onhis boots to be a distracting design detail. Just my opinion.

And now a word from the writer of this blog...

2012-02-06T17:31:00.001-05:00

I just want to take this moment to thank everyone for dropping by here and taking the time to check out my little corner of the Internet. It isn't much, but it's something, and if you happen to enjoy what you read here, then please take a moment to leave a comment or two. I like to hear back from you all and know what you think. Hopefully, in the next few weeks I will be a bit more consistent about posting on here, and I plan on doing annotations for a few upcoming titles (keeping my fingers crossed on that).

Please resume your daily activities now...

JUSTICE LEAGUE #3

2012-02-02T17:54:00.001-05:00

Writer: Geoff Johns

Penciller: Jim Lee

Inker: Scott Williams

Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Letterer: Patrick Brosseau

Editor: Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

While Silas Stone attempts to save his son Victor’s life byperforming an experimental Promethium skin graft process, Superman, Batman,Green Lantern and the Flash fend off a horde of Parademons in Metropolis. They are soon joined by Wonder Woman, whoaids the heroes in their battle, but they quickly realize that the Parademonsare collecting humans and transporting them out to see. An alien tower rises up from the ocean,prompting the arrival of Aquaman, who wants answers…

Notes

Page 1: First appearance of Steve Trevor. Historicalfirst appearance in All-Star Comics#8. A transcript of his debriefing withAmanda Waller appeared last issue. Currently acting as Wonder Woman’s liaison to the United States government.

It seems that, when Diana first left Paradise Island, she made Washington,D.C. here base of operations. In thepresent day, she lives in London, England,as seen in the pages of her own title.

First appearance of Mr.Orr. Historical first appearance in Superman (second series) #205. He’s a pretty mysterious guy, usuallyinvolved with government black ops organizations.

Page 2: First appearance of Wonder Woman. Historicalfirst appearance in All-Star Comics#8. Real name Princess Diana of Paradise Island. Possesses superhuman strength, speed,agility, endurance, superior hand-to-hand combat skills, flight and armed withthe Lasso of Truth.

Note that Wonder Woman's tiara differs from its appearance in Wonder Woman.

I really want to call Wonder Woman’s island home“Themyscira,” because that’s what it’s been called for the past twenty years orso but, thus far, I can only find reference to it was “Paradise Island” in the New 52 DCU. Does anyone know if this is an officialchange or not?

“Has anyone seen a harpy?” A harpy is a winged spirit from Greek mythology that was known forstealing food from Phineas, the Phoenician King of Thrace.

Page 3:

I like the conversation Diana has with Raquel. It shows that, even though the world believes that Wonder Woman is a threat and menace, she is just a young woman learning to adjust to this new world in which she has found herself.

Page 4: “You sound like my mother.” Diana’s a bit rebellious, and always hasbeen. When Hippolyta called for acontest on Paradise Islandto decide who would travel to “Man’s World,” she forbade her daughter fromentering. Diana, however, entered thecontest anyway, and bested all of her sisters, giving her the right to don thename and mantle of Wonder Woman.

“I’m your appointed liaison.” Trevor was apparently made Wonder Woman’sliaison after his debrief by Waller.

“PING PINGPING” I wonder what that sound could mean…

Page 5: Oh, more Parademons. Got it.

"My name is Wonder Woman, you can call me Diana. My interests include talking walks through your nation's capital, eating ice cream, and fighting winged monsters. And you?

Page 6: First appearance of Professor Anthony Ivo. Historical first appearance in TheBrave and the Bold #30. Pre-Flashpoint, Ivo was responsible for thecreation of Amazo, the android that could absorb the powers of the JusticeLeague of America. It remains to be seen whether or not his lifein the New 52 DCU will take a similarcourse.

First appearance of Dr.Thomas Morrow. Historical firstappearance in The Flash (firstseries) #143. Pre-Flashpoint, T.O. Morrow created the Red Tornado as well as therobotic hero’s “siblings” – the Rd Torpedo, the Red Volcano and the RedInferno. As with Ivo, whether or not hislife repeats itself in the New 52 DCU has yet to be seen.

Victor Stone was injured by Parademons last issue.

Page 7: “I already saw his mother die.” Pre-Flashpoint,Victor’s mother Elinore was killed in the same accident that injured Victor andforced Silas to transform his son into a Cyborg. The circumstances of Mrs. Stone’s death inthe New 52 DCU have yet to be seen.

The abandoned printing press that Superman, Batman, GreenLantern and the Flash gathered in last issue is revealed here to have belongedto the Daily Planet. I was unsure if itwas the property of the Planet, the Daily Star, or some other Metropolisnewspaper.

Pages 8-9: “This is judgment day!” I think that news reporter is going a littleoverboard, don’t you? I mean, justbecause winged demons are appearing all over the world and an evil god fromanother reality is about to subjugate everyone doesn’t mean that it’s the endof the world…

Hmm, on second thought, carry on…

In the annotations for JusticeLeague (New 52) #1, I mentioned that Superman’s first chronologicalappearance was in Action Comics (New52) #1. However, I must amend that to Action Comics (New 52) #3, whichcontains a flashback to an infant Kal-El on Krypton before the planet wasdestroyed.

Batman has a pretty good idea about how
Green Lanterns' power ring works.

“Batman doesn’t have powers?” Once again, most people seem to believe allof the “urban legend” stories about Batman, and don’t realize that he’s just aman in a costume.

Pages 10-11: Superman is off on his own, reinforcing theidea that the New 52 Superman is more of a loner than his pre-Flashpoint counterpart.

He is also very physical and always moving. As Grant Morrison says in the behind thescenes text pages in Action Comics(New 52) #2, “I constantly put Superman up against very physical objects: a wrecking ball, a tank, a train, solidstone. It was designed for the motion ofthat muscular, 1938 Superman – to really tie him into physical things, to big,heavy objects. Using a truck to swataway a wall of Parademons definitely applies.

Page 12:

This is the first tender moment we have seen between Silas and Victor.

Page 13: “I can do that too. See?” Green Lantern is incredibly competitive with everyone else, especiallySuperman.

Pages 14-15: Wonder Woman definitely knows how to make afirst impression.

“Back to Hades!” Hades is the ancient Greek god of the underworld. It can also be used to describe the actualabode of the dead, as Wonder Woman does here.

Page 16: The Flash, Green Lantern and Superman areimpressed by Wonder Woman’s appearance. Strange that there’s no reaction from Batman; he’s probably off scowlingsomewhere…

“You’re Strong.” “Iknow.” I read this as an affirmationthat not only is Wonder Woman physically strong, but she can stand on here ownapart from the other heroes. She’s notjust a female version of a male hero, but an individual character in her ownright. Am I reading too much into this?

Page 17: So what’s the deal with this Red Roomanyway, you say? And why the heck is it so importantand special?

Well, I’m glad you asked…

Page 18: “The Promethium skin graft.” Promethium is a near-indestructiblemetal. In the pre-Flashpoint DCU, it was createdby Steve Dayton, the former hero known as Mento, and used to create theHybrid. Cyborg’s cybernetic and bioniccomponents were also made of the metal.

So, where exactly were these nanites that Silas injectedinto Victor recovered from, hmm?

Page 19: Hmmm, I wonder who that big, hulking, stone-skinnedguy standing atop a flaming mountain and surrounded by a horde of swoopingParademons could possibly be?

Page 20: “BOOOM” That would be the sound of a Boom Tube opening up in the ocean. Probably not a good sign, if you ask me…

The gang's (almost) all back together...

This panel makes me happy. It’s been a long time since this group was together as a team likethis. In fact, if I am correct, the lasttime Hal Jordan, Clark Kent, Barry Allen, Bruce Wayne and Princess Diana weretogether, as the Justice League of America, was in Batman and the Outsiders (first series) #1, way back in 1983, whenBatman quit the JLA because they would not enter Markovia to save LuciusFox. Shortly thereafter, Barry Allendied in Crisis on Infinite Earths #8,there were reboots and revamps, Hal Jordan went crazy, and even though GrantMorrison’s JLA brought back togetherThe Big Seven, it was Wally West and Kyle Rayner filling out the group. So this is a panel a long time coming…

Page 21: That looming citadel seems to have traveledto Earth via that Boom Tube. I knew thatthing was up to no good.

Page 22: First appearance of Aquaman. Historical firstappearance in More Fun Comics#73. Real name Arthur Curry. Possesses superhuman strength, dexterity,durability, the ability to survive underwater, mental telepathy and control ofsea life. He also carries a big honkingtrident.

“Who’s in charge here? I vote me.” Great, like we don’t have enough egomaniacsin costume already…

Pages 23-27: This issue’s text pages feature an excerptfrom David Graves’ The Secret History ofAtlantis, published by Historic Publications. Some interesting notes include…

Page 23: David Graves was mentioned in Amanda Waller’sdebrief of Steve Trevor last issue. Shementioned that David Graves has written dozens of books on the mysteries of theworld.

Page 24: This book seems to be quite popular at theSouth Orange Public Library, especially in 2007, which would have been shortlyafter the new age of superhumans began.

Presumably, the South Orange Public Library is located in South Orange, NJ. According to the Township of South OrangeVillage’s website, Melissa Kopecky is the librarian there. Hours are 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., Wednesday and Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Saturday and 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sundays. They are closed on Saturdays during thewinter.

Page 25: “David Graves is the best sellingworld-renowned writer of some of the most popular books on the paranormal,supernatural and mythical, but he became the most important author of our timewhen he wrote his first-hand account of the formation of the Justice League andtheir role of saving him and his family.” I wonder if this event will be seen before this story is over?

I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t mind reading The Justice League: Gods Among Us. Any takers?

Page 27: “I’ve spoken to Dr. Stephen Shin, the famedoceanographer and marine biologist who spent his life searching the seas forsigns of the lost empire and even claims there’s an Atlantean now living amongus.” Dr. Stephen Shin first appeared in Aquaman (New 52) #3; apparently he andAquaman had met at some point in the past and had some sort of conflict thathas yet to be revealed.

“I’ve traveled across the world myself to take part in DaneDorrance’s expeditions to the deep, uncovering what I believe are the remainsof a path to the central city of Atlantis on the ocean floor.” Pre-Flashpoint,Dane Dorrance was a member of the Sea Devils, a team of undersea adventurers. Whether or not the Sea Devils exist in theNew 52 DCU remains to be seen.

Pages 28-29: Sketchbook of Green Lantern’s newcostume. Concept art by Cully Hamner,design by Jim Lee.

Overall, Green Lantern’s costume has changed less that any otherhero’s; with the exception of a few new lines and the boots being changed, it’spretty much the same as before. Not abig fan of the boot change, but I guess they had to alter something.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #2

2012-01-24T16:26:00.000-05:00

Writer: Geoff Johns

Penciller: Jim Lee

Inker: Scott Williams

Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Letterer: Patrick Brosseau

Associate Editor: Rex Ogle

Editor: Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

A “misunderstanding” between Superman, Batman and GreenLantern turns into an all-out brawl in the middle of Metropolis that is quicklyjoined by the Flash. The quartet ofheroes soon realizes that they are all on the same side and must put asidetheir differences to deal with an invading horsed of Parademons. Meanwhile, Victor Stone’s argument with hisfather at S.T.A.R. Labs is interrupted by a Parademon attack which leavesVictor horribly injured…

Notes

Page 1: First appearance of the Flash. Historical firstappearance in Showcase #4. Real name Bartholomew Henry “Barry”Allen. Due to his connection to theSpeed Force, able to move and think at superhuman speed as well as control thevibration of his molecules.

As with Batman, this post-Flashpoint version of the Flash technically first appeared in Flashpoint #5, but since this storychronologically takes place before that one, I have named this issue as his“First Appearance.”

First appearance of DavidSingh. Historical first appearance in The Flash Secret Files and Origins 2010#1. Director of the Central City crimelab.

“This man was a husband and a father, Director Singh. Don’t let him become a cold case.” In TheFlash: Rebirth, it was revealed that Barry’s mother Nora was murdered whenhe was a child and his father Henry was arrested for the crime. Barry believed that his father was innocent,and later learned that is was Eobard Thawne, the Reverse-Flash, who had killedhis mother. Barry returned to work atthe Central City crime lab, working on cold cases.

This all applied to the pre-Flashpoint Flash; how much of this continuity applies to thecurrent Flash remains to be seen, but one can assume that, at this point in hiscareer, Barry is still working to prove his father’s innocence and doesn’t knowabout Thawne’s involvement in his mother’s death.

Note that Barry's face is partially obscured, as if hiding his identity as the Flash.

Pages 2-3: The battle between Superman and Batman isn't going well for the Dark Knight. Nomatter what Batman throws at Superman the Man of Steel doesn't slow down. Obviously, Batman doesn't have a chunk ofKryptonite in his arsenal at this point in time.

Page 4: “I was attacked earlier by someone with oneof these boxes.” The “box” in questionis a Mother Box; Batman and Green Lantern recovered one of them in Gotham City in Justice League #1.

This “attack” occurred before Batman and Green Lanternarrived in Metropolis at the end of JusticeLeague #1.

“A friend of yours, I assume?” Not exactly, Superman. Those were Parademons, one of which had a bitof a scuffle with Batman and Green Lantern that ended in said Parademonerupting in a big ball of flame. Quitespectacular, really.

The New 52 Superman is a bit more ruthless and hands-on than his pre-Flashpoint counterpart, at least in his early years. I think he's mellowed out a bit.

Page 5: “Both of you, hold on -- !” Batman is emerging as the voice of reasonwithin this group of heroes.

Pages 6-7: This two-page spread of Superman breakingGreen Lantern’s ring-generated chains reminds me of the cover to Superman (first series) #233. (Cover from comicbookdb.com)

This little brawl between Superman, Batman and Green Lanternreally gives the Man of Steel a chance to shine. Too often in the past few years, Superman hasbeen shown as a bit of a weakling, especially in group scenarios. He’s been easily incapacitated and taken outof battle so that other heroes have had the opportunity to justify theirimportance. See past issues of Justice League of America and episodesof Justice League and Justice League Unlimited for examples ofthis. It’s good to see Superman flexinghis muscles, as he did in “Destroyer,” the final episode of Justice League Unlimited, in which hehad a massive, city-wide throw down with Darkseid.

Page 8:

Note how the small, ring-generated blocks come together to form a bubble around Batman and Green Lantern. Usually we just seem the whole bubble form; is it shown in this manner because Green Lantern's concentration has been broken?

The presence of cell phones just underscores the fact thatthis story takes place in a contemporary setting.

Page 9: “You need to focus here, Lantern! You stop concentrating again and thatshield’s going to break apart.” In Justice League #1, Batman mentioned toGreen Lantern that he had researched Superman’s power levels. Apparently, he has done the same with GreenLantern himself.

“Batman’s real?” Asmentioned in the annotations for JusticeLeague #1, Batman is regarded by most as an urban legend, even by otherheroes.

“What’d you do?” Barry seems to know Hal well enough to know that he can be a pompousjerk at times.

“We beat up a talking gorilla and saved Central City.” The “gorilla” in question is probably GorillaGrodd, a hyper-intelligent, telepathic gorilla with the power to control theminds of others. Note that Green Lanternand the Flash did this the last time they teamed up; it wasn’t necessarily thefirst time they joined forces. It’s coolto see that their friendship has carried over into the New 52 DC Universe.

Page 10: And now the Flash joins the fun…

Page 11: “I think this is a bigmisunderstanding.” This remind me of a1960s Marvel Comic in which two heroeswould have an obligatory fight before teaming up to battle a villain.

It's probably not a good idea to taunt Superman like that...

Page 12: Like Green Lantern, the Flash is a bit cockyand untested. He has yet to actuallymeet someone who can hit him, until he meets Superman, that is.

“Ow.” Imagine if hehad hit you with more than his finger, Flash.

Page 13: Batman has taken on the role of mediatorbetween all of these alpha personalities.

“Are we still fighting?” Somehow, the fastest man alive is just two steps behind in theconversation.

Page 14: “I’m not a vigilante. I don’t want to get lumped into this.” It’s funny that, despite the fact that he hasthe entire Central City Police Department after him, the Flash doesn’t seehimself as working outside the law, as the others do.

“I never break the law.” I would imagine that wearing a mask and operating outside of the controlof the police would constitute breaking the law in Central City.

“The military. Thatmeans Lex Luthor won’t be far behind.” As seen in Action Comics,Luthor was working with the U.S.military to capture and study Superman.

“Not a fan of Lex Luthor either?” Batman’s (or Bruce Wayne’s) involvement withLex Luthor in the New 52 has yet to be documented.

“No one’s like me.” An example of how alien the New 52 Superman feels, even among a group ofheroes like these.

Page 15: Detroitis Victor Stone’s hometown; it was also Cyborg’s base of operations in Flashpoint.

“It was recovered from the wreckage of Superman’s battleearlier this morning.” But Batman andGreen Lantern seemingly arrived in Metropolis shortly after Superman’s battlewith the Parademon, so how did S.T.A.R. Labs get the Mother Box from Metropolisto Detroit so quickly?

First appearance of Dr.Silas Stone. Historical first appearance in The New Teen Titans #7. Research scientist for S.T.A.R. Labs.

First appearance of Sarah Charles. Historical first appearance in Tales of the Teen Titans #57. A S.T.A.R. Labs intern.

First appearance of S.T.A.R.Labs, or The Scientific and Technological Advanced ResearchLaboratories. Historical firstappearance in Superman (first series)#246. It is a chain of privately-runresearch facilities located across the United States.

“And we’ve found similar broadcasting coming from New England, Washington, D.C.,Central City and Coast City.” Those areas being the bases of operation forAquaman, Wonder Woman, the Flash and Green Lantern respectively.

Pages 16-17: Victor and Silas have a littleheart-to-heart. Silas doesn’t exactlydeserve the “Father of the Year” award, now does he?

Page 18: “An abandoned printing press?” Did this printing press belong to the DailyPlanet or the Daily Star? Or some otherMetropolis newspaper?

“You don’t wear a mask so apparently you have no identity toprotect.” Batman can’t seem to fathomthe simplicity of Superman’s disguise, or lack thereof.

“You can see through things.” It’s hero-bonding time, in which we all learna little bit about each other and our powers…

“Most of the time.” Except for lead, of course.

Batman's "super-power" is that he can hold his own with this group of aliens, meta-humans and intergalactic defenders.

Page 19: “You sound like a cop.” The Flash and Batman are finding some commonground upon which to work.

“PING PINGPING” It’s never good when Mother Boxes begin “PING”inglike that.

Pages 20-21: Those “BOOOOOOM”ing sound effects mean thatthose portals are Boom Tubes, the way in which the New Gods travel from theirdimension to ours.

And that’s a whole mess of Parademons waltzing through thoseBoom Tubes right now.

“For Darkseid!” Theydon’t seem to say much more than that, do they?

Page 22: Ouch. Poor Victor. That looks like ithurts…

Pages 23-26: Filling out the extra pages is thistranscript of an interview conducted by Amanda Waller with Captain SteveTrevor. Waller is the head of theSuicide Squad, while Trevor has been assigned to be Wonder Woman’s governmentliaison during her stay in Washington, D.C. Some interesting notes from thetranscript…

Page 24: Trevor was involved in something calledOperation: Pandora’s Box, but no details are mentioned.

He was sent into a storm to rescue a missing U.S. CoastGuard ship, but he claims that there was no ship to begin with. He seems to think that he was sent into thestorm so that he would “accidentally” arrive on Paradise Island.

Page 25: Trevor claims that Wonder Woman cannot (atthat point in time) return to Paradise Island. Obviously, given the events in here currentseries, that problem was rectified.

As we will see in the next issue, the New 52 Wonder Womandoesn’t have a problem with violence against those who harm others.

Page 26: “They’re saying Superman’s an alien,right?” They are, in the pages of Action Comics.

Waller questions Trevor about Aquaman, whom we will meetnext issue.

Waller also talks about some people who have reportedly beenabducted and “tested” by a wizard to see if they were worthy of “Shazam.” This is a hint to the upcoming “The Curse ofShazam!” back-up feature beginning in JusticeLeague #7.

“Who’s David Graves?” As Waller explains, he has written dozen books about the mysteries ofthe world. An excerpt from one of hisbooks appears as a back-up next issue.

Pages 27-28: Sketchbook of Batman’s new costume. Concept art by Cully Hamer, design by JimLee.

Overall, I like this new design more than any other. The only thing that really irks me are thethree lines that branch off from his bat chest emblem. I don’t mind the recessed details lines thatrun up and down his torso, but what’s the deal with those random lines?

Pages 29-30: Sketchbook of Superman’s new costume. Concept art by Cully Hamner, design by JimLee.

As much as I love Superman’s classic look, I don’t mind thisnew design. I’m still waiting for thein-story explanation for why a super-powered Kryptonian needs battle armorunder a yellow sun, but I’m sure that is forthcoming…

As a side note, I got to meet Cully Hamner at this year’sNew York Comic Con, and got to spend several minutes chatting with him as hesketched. Not only is he a fantasticartist, but he was a very friendly guy and I hope to see more of his work on aNew 52 book in the near future.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #1

2012-01-10T14:39:00.009-05:00

Writer: Geoff Johns

Penciller: Jim Lee

Inker: Scott Williams

Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Letterer: Patrick Brosseau

Associate Editor: Rex Ogle

Editor: Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

Five years ago, Green Lantern and Batman battle a strange creature in Gotham City that seems to be alien in origin. They assume that it might have something to do with the mysterious Superman in Metropolis and travel there to ask him some questions. However, Green Lantern’s cockiness gets the better of him, and the Man of Steel flings the Emerald Avenger through a building, leaving Batman to face Superman alone…

Notes

Page 1: “Five Years Ago.” This is important – this story doesn’t take place in the present day. Rather, it’s set at the dawn of this current age of heroes.

Correction – in this new DC Universe, this is the first and only age of heroes. As the narrative caption explains, “There was a time when the world didn’t know what a super-hero was.” So there wasn’t any Justice Society of America to fight in World War II, no Challengers of the Unknown to battle weird monsters in the 1950s and ‘60s, and no Justice Experience that captured evildoers in the nebulous “twenty years ago.” These masked and costumed adventurers are emerging in a world unaccustomed to them, and the response is a natural one – fear and mistrust.

I mean, let’s face it, if you woke up one morning and all of the sudden there was an influx of people flying around, lifting cars over their heads and fighting off alien invaders, you’d be a little freaked out. Maybe, over time, you’d come to trust these people, or, perhaps, you’d feel the opposite way and hate them. But, at first, you really wouldn’t know what to make of them, and that is what we are seeing here.

First appearance of Batman. Historical first appearance in Detective Comics #27. Real name Bruce Wayne. The world’s greatest detective, master tactician and strategist who is an expert acrobat and one of the greatest martial artists in the world. Has access to high tech weaponry and equipment and vast wealth.

Technically, this post-Flashpoint/New 52 version of Batman made his first appearance in Flashpoint #5, but this issue chronologically takes place before that one, which is why I have named this his “First Appearance.”

Also, DC has said that Batman has been active for several years by this time, but is regarded as an urban legend for the most part. Whether or not his pre-Justice League #1 adventures will be recorded remains to be seen; apparently, after the events of this story, Batman is no longer just an urban legends but is seen as a “super-hero.”

“Is it one of them?” “Them,” meaning a “superhuman.”

Pages 2-3: Even in the “present day” New 52, Batman’s relationship with the Gotham City Police Department is a bit, oh, how shall we put it? Adversarial? It’s fairly reminiscent of Batman: Year One, for those of you old enough to remember that little yarn.

Page 4:

Note how Batman has more weaponry and equipment stored within the gauntlets of his new costume as opposed to just his utility belt. For example, the smoke grenades he uses to blind the helicopter pilots, as seen here.

That mystery “superhuman” kinda resembles Killer Croc. It is not, however, Killer Croc, so don’t get all excited.

Page 5: Batman’s a bit ruthless here. I mean, he shoots a grappling hook into the big guy’s leg. Granted he probably assumed that a guy that big, with scaly skin and flaming eyes, wouldn’t be all that bothered by a silly grappling hook through his leg, but it’s still a bit extreme…

Page 6: See? That guy was pretty pissed off. How can I tell? Well, fire erupted from his face, that’s how I can tell.

Yeah, that’s definitely not Killer Croc.

Bet you've never seen Batman's cowl knocked off his nose like that before, have you?

Page 7: A ring-generated fire engine takes out a fire-breathing beast. Cute touch.

Page 8: First Appearance of Green Lantern. Historical first appearance in Showcase #22. Real name Harold “Hal” Jordan. Wields a Green Lantern power ring that generates solid light constructs, allows the user to fly and is only limited by the user’s willpower.

“You’re real?” Again, Batman is regarded as an urban legend by pretty much everyone. Even though Hal has a ring given to him by an alien race so that he can police an entire space sector, he is still surprised that the Batman actually exists.

Page 9: “I’ve read about your ‘conflicts’ with the Air Force out west so I know you know the drill.” It seems that Batman isn’t the only costumed vigilante who has had problems with authority figures.

Page 10: “The world’s afraid of us.” This, then, is the important distinction between Batman and Green Lantern something that Geoff Johns has been playing with ever since Green Lantern: Rebirth.

Batman is all about fear, as in making others fear him. He may be highly skilled, accomplished and brilliant, with all the fun gadgets and tools he can lay his billionaire hands on, but he is, at his core, only a man. His “power,” if you will, is to get others to fear him, to believe that he is more than a man. Once you shine alight on Batman and reveal his humanity, you take away a certain amount of his power over others.

Green Lantern, by his very nature, is all about overcoming fear, about being fearless. He is the one guy, as Johns has said, who doesn’t buy what Batman is selling. Whereas Batman draws power from the fear of others, Green Lantern is only powerful when he overcomes that fear. Green Lantern believes in rising above the fear, while fostering the fear is a necessity for Batman.

Note that the guy who isn’t Killer Croc but looks a heck of a lot like him has yellow wing that are capable of injuring Green Lantern.

Page 11:

Green Lantern creates a few ring-generated bats to rescue the helicopter pilots, almost as a snub to Batman.

Page 12: So the big, scaly guy is tough, can breath fire, has yellow wings…and can transform into a robotic dog? Man, that guy most definitely isn’t Killer Croc…

“Take your flashlight and go home. Gotham’s mine. Coast City’s yours.” Good to see that, in the New 52, Batman is still as arrogant and territorial as ever…

Page 13: That shot of the Gotham City skyline, with the train station in the foreground, is a modern-day depiction of the first page of All-Star Western #1.

Justice League #1

All-Star Western #1

“You’re not just some guy in a bat costume, are you?” Batman’s reputation is such that he must be a superhuman. He can’t possibly just be a normal man and do all of the things that he has been reported to have done.

Page 14: More of the pissing contest between Batman and Green Lantern…

When this issue debuted, much was made of the fact that the Justice League doesn’t even appear in this issue. It was compared to The Brave and Bold, DC’s classic series that would feature Batman teaming up with other heroes. Where was Superman? Why isn’t Wonder Woman showing up? What about the Flash?

Here’s my take on things…

First of all, as I mentioned before, Batman and Green Lantern are about as opposite as you can get within this group of heroes. One deals with light, the other dark. One overcomes fear, the other draws power from it. One’s outgoing and brash, the other reserved and moody. One wields the most powerful weapon in the universe, the other is simply the pinnacle of human achievement.

However, both are human. Neither have any power of their own. So what we have in this story are two humans, with two diametrically opposed points of view, dealing with the same situation in two different ways. It makes for interesting storytelling; far more interesting than if Hero A and Hero B who were old pals and friends were dealing with a crisis. Batman and Green Lantern are barely on speaking terms, much less teammates, and it is fun to see the friction between the two.

Secondly, as of August of 2011 (when this issue saw print), who were the two DC heroes most recognizable to the public at large? Arguably, I would say Batman and Green Lantern. Green Lantern had a major motion picture in theatres in the summer of 2011 and, although it wasn’t a huge success, it got his name out there to the public at large. And Batman? Well, 2008’s The Dark Knight was the tenth highest grossing movie of all time, so people probably have some idea as to who Batman is.

So what’s the point? The point is that if DC is going to relaunch not only its biggest super-hero team but also its entire comic book universe, which two heroes have a higher profile than Batman and Green Lantern? Would anyone have been doing cartwheels if this issue focused on Aquaman and the Flash?

What’s that? Superman, you say? Well, that brings me to my third point…

After the events of Flashpoint #5, the DC Universe is a different place. Not as much history, characters have been changed, and a great many classic and recent stories are probably no longer in continuity. Superman’s origin has been tweaked, Ma and Pa Kent are dead, he’s no longer married to Lois Lane, and he’s wearing battle armor. Wonder Woman is now the daughter of Zeus and Steve Trevor is something of her liaison. The Flash is Barry Allen again, but he’s not married to Iris, and Wally West is nowhere to be seen. As for Batman and Green Lantern…

Well, Batman and Green Lantern are pretty much the same. A few details here and there have been changed, and their timelines have been compressed to fit within the current five year DC Universe timeline, but other than that, most of their past and recent adventures still apply. So, for a meta-textual reason, who better to introduce us to the New 52 than these two heroes? By having them as the main characters of this first story of the New 52, it’s kinda like DC is saying to the reader, “welcome to the new 52, it’s exciting and different, but still the place you’ve always know, and to reassure you of that, here are two old friends to take you there.”

We are introduced to this new universe by Batman and Green Lantern; as they explore it and meet the rest of the heroes, so do we. So when we’re introduced to the new armor-wearing Superman at the end of this issue, or the Flash, Wonder Woman and Aquaman in the following issues, we’re being reintroduced to old friends who may have changed their hairstyles of fashion sense, but we know that they’re still the same people. It’s almost comforting, in a way, and we grow to accept the New 52 versions of these heroes.

I am almost positive that I over thought this a little bit too much, but I also think that’s it’s a valid point and food for thought…

Page 15:

Hey, what’s the box that’s “PING”ing?

First appearance of a Mother Box. Historical first appearance in Forever People #1. Mother Box is a sentient supercomputer used by the New Gods of New Genesis to summon Boom Tubes and generate energy. Since it’s in the hands of a Parademon, it is probably a Father Box, which is what the forces of Darkseid generally use, but they usually say “Ting” in stead of “Ping.” However, it’s a new universe, so it could be the “Crazy-Drunken Uncle Box” for all I know…

“For Darkseid!” Oh, I get it now, the Killer Croc-alike is a Parademon. How silly of me…

First appearance of a Parademon. Historical first appearance in The New Gods (first series) #1. They are a squad of shock troops that serve Darkseid and carry out his orders. We’ll talk a little bit more about Darkseid in a few issues…

Page 16: Wow. Parademon go “BABWOOOOSHHH.”

“Dark Side? What is that? A band?” Let’s see, a quick trip to Wikipedia tells me that “Dark Side” can refer to a U.K. horror film magazine, a 1988 video game, a 2008 book by Jane Meyer, a ship in the Transformers: Beast Wars television series, at least three separate albums, a pornographic film and, yes, a band. A British indie rock band that split up in 1993. I’m sure that’s what Green Lantern was referencing…

Page 17: “Unable to identify.” Green Lantern’s power ring is incapable of determining what the Mother Box is, so this must be one of the first forays of the New Gods and Darkseid to this end of the universe.

“They say he’s an alien.” As seen in current issues of Action Comics, which is also set “Five Years Ago.”

“No. But I’ve…researched his power levels.” Being as paranoid and prepared as he is, Batman likes to research the strengths and weaknesses of any potential ally or enemy, so it’s not out of character for him to know the specifics of what Superman can do, even if he’s never met the man before. This was first seen in JLA #43-46, the “Tower of Babel” storyline.

Page 18: “Mumford” refers to Samuel C. Mumford High School, located on Detroit’s near-northwest side. They seem to have quite the sports program, including a football championship title in 2005. I assume that “Ford” refers to Henry Ford High School on the northwest side of Detroit. Writer Geoff Johns grew up in Detroit, but went to Clarkston High School.

Hey, look! It’s that hooded chick from Flashpoint #5. Funny, she doesn't seem like the high school fooball game type...

First appearance of Victor Stone. Historical first appearance in DC Comics Presents #26. As you may remember, poor Victor has a bad accident and his dad turns him into a metallic freak, but that still hasn’t happened yet, so we’ll worry about that at another time. Like, next issue.

Page 19: “Get me Coach Carroll.” The guy on his cell phone is probably a recruiter for the University of Southern California (note the Trojan emblem on his shirt). Pete Carroll, a former NFL coach, was the head of USC’s football program from 2000-2009.

Page 21: Traditionally, Gotham City has been depicted as being on the East Coast. Same with Metropolis. In fact, Amazing World of DC Comics #14 and Mayfair’s Atlas of the DC Universe role-playing game supplement both stated that Metropolis was located in Delaware and Gotham City was in New Jersey.

Now, whether or not you believe the Delaware and New Jersey references, the fact the remains that Gotham City and Metropolis have always been somewhere in the vicinity of New York City. So why do Green Lantern and Batman fly, via a ring-generated jet, from Gotham City, over Detroit, Michigan, on their trip to Metropolis? Did Green Lantern, an Air Force pilot with an alien artificial intelligence and navigational computer on his ring finger, somehow get lost?

“Seems like there’s a new sighting every day.” Once again, superhumans are a new phenomenon at this point; citizens of the DC Universe are probably more likely to have read about various sightings of Superman than to have actually seen him.

“He doesn’t talk about them. Not to me.” Victor and his father Silas have a pretty strained relationship.

Page 22: “You can’t fly, so how else were we going to get here? Talk in a deep voice?” This is in reference to the idea that Bruce Wayne lowers his voice when appearing as Batman so that he can better hide his identity. It’s hard to convey this in a comic book, so other characters will make reference to it, as seen here. In other media, it is much more pronounced. Christian Bale’s efforts in Batman Begins and The Dark Knight have been criticized, while Kevin Conroy’s vocal work on Batman: The Animated Series and subsequent shows has been praised.

Lexcorp is a multinational corporation owned by Lex Luthor.

“I can handle this.” Yeah. Right. Sure you can…

Page 23:

Yeah, it looks like you're handling things real well...

Page 24: First appearance of Superman. Historical first appearance in Action Comics #1. First chronological appearance in Action Comics (New 52) #1. Real name Kal-El/Clark Kent. Possesses standard Kryptonian power set of superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, senses, invulnerability and flight derived from yellow solar radiation.

The current issues of Action Comics take place at the start of Superman’s career, before the events of this issue.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #24

2011-05-16T16:18:00.000-04:00

“It All Comes Down to This!”

Writer: Judd Winick

Penciller: Aaron Lopresti

Inker: Matt Ryan

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

While the Wonder Woman and the J.L.I. face off against OMAC Prime in the streets of Los Angeles, Booster Gold confronts Maxwell Lord in Checkmate’s floating headquarters. Blue Beetle ultimately takes control of OMAC Prime and destroys it, and Booster is about to apprehend Max when Lord takes control of Booster’s mind, incapacitating him. Captain Atom, struggling to absorb energy he stole from OMAC Prime and about to launch into the timestream, forces Max to restores the world’s memories of him. As the J.L.I. prepares to arrest Max, he teleports away, telling them that this is just the beginning.

Two weeks later, Max has uploaded a video online explaining his actions. He hails the J.L.I. as heroes, but informs the world that he and Checkmate will hold Earth’s metahumans accountable for their actions. Booster Gold feels that they didn’t accomplish anything with their hunt for Lord, but Batman reminds them that they kept fighting when no one else does and calls them all heroes. Booster laments that this is over.

Batman tells him that it isn’t. Booster wonders if Batman has a plan; the Dark Knight does.

A new Justice League International.

Notes

Cover: The variant cover is homage to the cover to Justice League #1, also penciled by Kevin Maguire. That cover has been the basis of several other covers, most notably Justice League International #24, Justice League Europe #1, Justice League America #29, Justice League America Annual #4, Justice League Quarterly #1, Justice League Europe Annual #2, Justice League Europe #36 and Formerly Known as the Justice League #1.

“What? You were expecting Swamp Thing?” A reference to Brightest Day’s revelation that Swamp Thing is the chosen champion of the Earth.

Page 1: “Last time that actually got him killed.” Max Lord attempted to use a mind-controlled Superman to kill Wonder Woman, but that backfired and Wonder Woman instead snapped Max’s neck, killing him. This took place in Wonder Woman (second series) #219.

This page gives a brief overview of Max’s plans and deceptions up until now, which have been seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #1-23.

Pages 2-3: Fire, Blue Beetle, OMAC Prime, Wonder Woman, Rocket Red and Ice last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #23.

“-- appears to be an immense OMAC battling an unidentified black-haired super-powered woman --” Die to the events of the “Odyssey” storyline currently appearing in Wonder Woman, no one on Earth remembers the existence of Wonder Woman. As revealed in Justice League: Generation Lost #15 and 22, Maxwell Lord, Booster Gold,. Fire, Ice, Captain Atom and Batman do, in fact, remember her.

“-- the Justice League International, whose team member Captain Atom was at the heart of the Chicago disaster --” The world believes that Captain Atom killed Magog, causing a massive explosion in the heart of downtown Chicago in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

Page 5: “He gets more powers longer we fight him!” Like the Professor Ivo-created Amazon, OMAC Prime can mimic the super-powered abilities of the metahumans he fights.

Page 7: Booster Gold and Maxwell Lord IV last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #23.

Page 8: “Now she’s gonna die while half a billion people watch from the cheap seats.” I get that Max is on a revenge kick right now, but he’s forgetting one important thing – no one in the world remembers who Wonder Woman is. So killing her “on camera” in front of everyone really doesn’t mean anything to anyone but him, because what does the rest of the world care about some nameless super-heroine getting killed?

“That’s the electromagnetic pulse that shut your suit down at the J.L.I. Embassy in New York.” Back in Justice League: Generation Lost #1.

Page 9: Back when they last fought, Max got the drop on Booster and beat him up pretty badly. This time, Booster has decided to get in a little payback.

Skeets last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #23.

Page 11: “Rocket!!” Fire screams with two exclamation points here because, as seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #22, she has begun to develop romantic feelings for Rocket Red.

Page 12: Captain Atom and Power Girl last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #23. They have been absent from this fight so far because they were left behind in New York with Batman when Max’s teleportal transported the rest of the group to Los Angeles. I guess it took them a little while to cross the country.

Page 13: “I’m not going to fight it! I’m going to destroy it!!” Can’t really argue with that logic…

Page 15: “I am not like the rest of them!! I’m not human!! I am a living bomb!!” As revealed in Justice League: Generation Lost #6, Captain Atom has been changing, becoming less and less human and more a being of energy.

Page 19: Whoops. Watch your first step, there.

Page 20: Notice how, as OMAC Prime has gained each hero’s abilities, his Mohawk-headfin thing has changed so that now it resembles Wonder Woman’s hair. Only in comics, kids…

Page 25: I like Jaime’s moment here. He hasn’t really done all that much in this series, and while I was happy to see “a” Blue Beetle on the team, he didn’t really do much.. I was glad that he was instrumental in this final battle and that his kidnapping in Justice League: Generation Lost #16 served a greater purpose.

“And this is for Ted Kord!!” Ted Kord, of course, was the second Blue Beetle, a former member of the Justice League International who was killed by Maxwell Lord in Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1.

Page 26: OMAC Prime go bye-bye.

Page 27: “My suit! You turned – my suit is working!” Alright, I can buy that an electromagnetic pulse could disrupt and shut down Booster Gold’s suit.

But his flight ring? His – pardon me – Legion of Super-Heroes flight ring? The flight ring that was made in the 30^th century? The one that, as Batman said in Justice League of America (second series) #1, “I can take it apart, but the technology is so advanced, it’s like a caveman pounding on a microchip”? That flight ring was shut off by an EM pulse?

Page 28: “Yes.” As indicated by the bloody nose, Max is using his mind-control powers on Booster once again.

Page 30: Oh boy, Captain Atom looks pissed…

Page 31: “I’m going to get tossed into the time stream, Max!!” Captain Atom has been tossed into the time stream two other times in this series; after absorbing the energy from a bomb in Yemen in Justice League: Generation Lost #1, and after absorbing the energy from Magog’s exploding lance in Justice League: Generation Lost #13. Neither trip was all that much fun for him…

Page 32: Batman last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #23. He must have taken the long route from New York to Los Angeles. You think he would have taken advantage on his JLA connections and gotten hold of a teleporter, you know?

“Remember.” Max negates the mindwipe of the world from Justice League: Generation Lost #1, which caused the world to forget his existence.

Page 33: “A man.” Despite his fears over losing his humanity, Captain Atom has reaffirmed that he is, in fact, first and foremost a man and not just a ball of energy in a human shell.

Page 34: “This is just the beginning.” No, really, it’s the final issue, Max. It’s over.

Page 35: Power Girl is standing next to Nicholas “Nicco” Cho, her employee and tech guy.

Page 36: Got to hand it to Max, he’s as charismatic and fake-sincere as he ever was.

So, two weeks later and still no Captain Atom? Let’s hope that he returns to the present soon.

Page 37: “And pinned the OMACs on Dr. Ivo.” I’m pretty sure that Ivo stopped worrying about the public’s perception of him back when his skin turned all green and scaly.

“You’re heroes, Booster.” You. Fire. Ice. Rocket Red. Blue Beetle. Captain Atom. Heroes. Like always.” Awwww, is Batman getting all sensitive and caring on us?

I must say, this is a welcome speech from Bruce. Back in Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1, it seemed like Bruce had all but disavowed his involvement with the J.L.I. when he rebuffed Ted Kord in his time of need. Obviously, time has mellowed him out a bit.

Page 38: “That…that sounds like…well…do you have a plan?” Such a silly question, Booster.

“Yes.” Of course he does. He’s Batman. The Batman. He always has a plan.

“What do you think?” I think it’s a really, really, really freaking great idea…

Honestly, the creation of a new Justice League International fits perfectly with Bruce’s new Batman, Inc. idea. I’m not saying that the new team will have anything to do with that, but it does make sense. How a new J.L.I. will function in a DC Universe with a Justice League of America remains to be seen, but, in all honestly, I’ve enjoyed this group far more over the course of the last year than the one currently calling itself the JLA, no offense to James Robinson.

“To be continued in the new monthly series: Coming Soon!” Not soon enough.

BRIGHTEST DAY #24

2011-05-13T17:59:00.000-04:00

“Brightest Day”

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Patrick Gleason, Ardian Syaf, Scott Clark, Norm Rapmund, Vicente Cifuentes, Oclair Albert, Tom Nguyen, Mick Gray, Mark Irwin & David Beaty

Editors: Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

As the transformed elementals battle the Black Lantern Swamp Thing, Captain Boomerang throws his boomerang at Dove, but it is intercepted by Boston Brand. As Brand dies, the White Lantern power ring resurrects Alec Holland, the Earth’s chosen champion. Holland and the Green merge to form the new Swamp Thing, who promptly destroys the Dark Avatar. Swamp Thing then restores the Green on the entire planet, ending the current crisis. Aquaman, J’onn J’onzz, Hawkman and Firestorm are returned to their normal forms, but Hawkgirl remains an air elemental. Brand assumes that he will move on to the afterlife, but the Entity informs him that he will once again aid those in need as a wandering spirit. In the days the follow, the heroes adjust to their changed lives, while Swamp Thing begins his crusade against those who would harm the Earth. John Constantine, however, isn’t pleased with this turn of events…

Notes

Cover: Note that the variant edition cover to this issue is homage to Blackest Night #1, depicting a swarm of Black Lantern power rings emerging from Nekron’s head.

Page 1: Boston Brand, Hawk and Dove last appeared in Brightest Day #23.

“That’s Earth’s new champion?” My thoughts exactly.

Alec Holland’s death and his seeming transformation into Swamp Thing were first seen in Swamp Thing (first series) #1.

“But Alec Holland was dead. It was not Alec Holland.” The revelation that Swamp Thing was not a transformed Alec Holland but was, in fact, an elemental being possessing Holland’s memories first came to light in The Saga of the Swamp Thing #21.

Page 2: Black Lantern Swamp Thing last appeared in Brightest Day #23.

Page 3: Firestorm, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, J’onn J’onzz and Aquaman last appeared, in their elemental forms, in Brightest Day #23.

Page 4: “Are you aware you have stopped worrying about yourself, Boston Brand?” Just call the guy a selfish bastard and be done with already, would you?

Captain Boomerang last appeared in Brightest Day #23.

“When Nekron came to Earth you were dead.” Nekron materialized on Earth in Blackest Night #4.

“You were the only one whose life force was absolutely pure, if under-appreciated. You were my sanctuary and this forest the Green’s.” This explains why Boston Brand was resurrected in the first place.

Page 5: “Swamp Thing thought he was Alec Holland…now he thinks he’s Nekron.” Hence his decisions to look and act like a Black Lantern. Didn’t anyone tell him that was so last year?

“To truly eradicate the vestiges of Nekron, we need not only Swamp Thing to believe he is Alec Holland – he must truly become Alec Holland.” So, in essence, Geoff Johns is retconning the Alan Moore retcon from almost thirty years ago, bringing Swamp Thing closer to what Len Wein originally created.

Page 6: “My power is evading violence, Boston.” Keep this in mind. It’s gonna be important really soon.

“Alec Holland needs to join the land of the living, but for that someone must die.” Don’t say “someone,” Entity, say “Boston Brand,” because that’s what you mean.

Think about it – Brand can’t remove the White Ring from his hand. And, as you will see on Page 9, that White Ring is the thing that restores Alec Holland to life. So why would the ring leave Brand, other than because he was dead? Any takers?

Page 7: Note that Captain Boomerang’s black energy boomerang sliced right through Hawk’s hand.

However, also note that Hawk did try to catch the boomerang. I’m going to rant about this later.

“Digger Harkness of Earth. Mission accomplished. Life restored.” As seen in Brightest Day #7, Captain Boomerang’s mission was to “Throw the boomerang at her.”

I honestly have no idea why the Entity of the White Light refers to Captain Boomerang as “Digger.” As revealed in Suicide Squad (first series) #44, the American press nicknamed Captain Boomerang “Digger” because he was from Australia. (“Digger” is a slang term referring to Australian or New Zealand soldiers.)

However, the Entity doesn’t seem to be all that consistent with calling people by their full names. It calls Hawk “Hank Hall” instead of “Henry Hall,” and Jade “Jennie-Lynn Hayden” as opposed to “Jennifer-Lynn Hayden,” but Ronnie Raymond is “Ronald.” What gives?

I’m still irked by the fact that, in Blackest Night #8, it told “Kendra Saunders of Earth” to rise when it was really “Shiera Hall.” I’m all for surprises, but Kendra was probably a wee bit confused when she realized that she was still dead.

Page 8: So…did Boston really think that he caught that boomerang? He didn’t notice it sliding into his chest?

“I am sorry. I cannot fix his life. Not this time.” Is this how the Entity views life? That death is something that needs “fixing”? Something about this line just irks me. It feels wrong, but I just can’t put my finger on what it is.

Page 10: Man, Alec Holland looks so freaking confused right about now…

Page 11: Poor Alec. Not back for ten seconds and he’s already being transformed into the world’s savior. Some guys just never get any peace, I tell ya…

Pages 12-13: So, this is the new Swamp Thing, eh?

“This is…my world.” Well, I guess we have no say in any of this, now do we?

Pages 14-15: Green Swamp Thing smash Black Swamp Thing!!!!!

(Sorry, I couldn’t resist…)

Page 16: “A new saga begins, Alec Holland.” A reference to Swampy’s second series, The Saga of the Swamp Thing.

Page 17: “You are human no more.” Give the guy a break, will ya? Up until a minute ago he was a rotting corpse; he might need some time to adjust, you know?

Page 18: Note how Swamp Thing uses a wooden stake to kill the undead version of himself.

Page 20: “But your time on this world is not done.” Was this the Entity’s plan for Boston all along? Resurrect him so that he appreciates life, and then let him die so that he will continue to aid the world in the afterlife?

“I don’t want to be invisible anymore.” It could be that he was “invisible” as a ghost before because he failed to make any true connections in life. Now that he has learned to appreciate life, perhaps those with whom he was close can still connect with him?

“I cannot.” Cannot or will not? Does the Entity have the power to choose who gets to move onto the afterlife and who does not? Does it know that Boston had a greater plan ahead of him as…Deadman?

“It’s just not fair!” You’re right. It’s not. Move on.

Page 21: “I can hear you!” Is this because of Dove’s connection to the White Light, or because, as I mentioned above, that she formed a strong connection to Boston while he was alive?

“The corruption…is over.” That’s what I like about Swamp Thing; in the wake of heartache and anguish, he’s all business.

Page 22: A quartet of heroes return from their brief stint as elementals. Hawkman last appeared in Brightest Day #18, Aquaman in Brightest Day #20, J’onn J’onzz in Brightest Day #21, and Firestorm in Brightest Day #23.

Hmmm, I could swear that someone is missing…

Page 23: “…it would seem that your mental and physical states…have returned to normal.” Meaning that Aquaman’s hand has been restored; Black Manta sliced off his right hand in Brightest Day #19.

“There does always seem to be…a price to pay.” Man, someone’s a real downer…

Page 24: “…but she is all around you…” Hawkgirl seems to be trapped in her air elemental form. Is this part of the Entity’s plan? In Brightest Day #18, it told Carter and Shiera that they must live life apart so that they might live it stronger, but they refused; is this, then, their punishment? Is the Entity forcing them to live apart from one another now, so that they appreciate life more?

Look, no offense Entity, but these two have spent thousand of years trying to find one another. They spent the past few years passing one another like ships in the night. Let these two crazy kids spend some tome together, for gosh sake.

Page 25: “Eternal spring…has arrived…” Since the Blackest Night took place sometime around the Easter holiday, and the events of Brightest Day transpired over the course of a few weeks at most, then this issue would be taking place sometime in the middle of spring.

“It all comes back.” Like a boomerang? Oh, wait, there’s Captain Boomerang now…

Is this a meta-textual commentary on how comic book characters always seem to come back to life?

Pages 26-27: Whoa. Nice view.

“He’s restoring the Green of the entire planet.” Which is a good thin J’onn, considering that you spent most of this series killing off plant life wherever you went…

Page 28: “…the Green needs protection…and I will eradicate anyone and anything that…puts it in jeopardy…” Sounds like Swampy has a new mission statement, hmmm?

Page 29: “You have all done well. Except for you, Hank Hall.” Oh, man, here it comes…

“You failed your mission.” First of all, why did Dove need saving in the first place? As she said on Page 6, her power is to “evade violence.” That boomerang couldn’t have hit her in the first place.

“Your life is still not your own. I cannot free you from the influence of war.” Okay, first off, I guess in the new, post-Infinite Crisis DC Universe, Hawk and Dove are no long powered by the Lords of Chaos and Order; rather, they are now avatars of war and peace. But would freeing Hawk from the “influence of war” cause him to lose his powers?

And you will note that Hawk did try to save Dove; the boomerang sliced right through his hand. Was he supposed to “catch the boomerang” in his chest like Boston Brand did? And, if he did, was his life supposed to be the one lost so that Alec Holland could live?

With his life still not returned, what does this mean for Hawk? What is the difference between those whose lives are returned and those whose are not? Is this something that will be followed up when we see Hawk in the future?

I think that this is a really annoying little plot line, annoying because it seems like it has been shunted to one panel without any full explanation.

“Maxwell Lord unknowingly played a part in protecting the world from a superhuman war.” In Justice League: Generation Lost #13, Maxwell Lord caused the death of Magog, thereby preventing a superhuman war similar to the one depicted in Kingdom Come. But I don’t think that there was anything “unknowingly” about it; in Brightest Day #7, Lord was told “Magog will plunge this world into war. Stop the war before it starts.” Seems pretty clear to me.

“Jade balanced the darkness within her brother which would have empowered the corrupted Swamp Thing and made him nearly unstoppable.” As seen in Justice League of America (second series) #48.

“And Osiris helped his sister Isis, the goddess of nature, return.” This took place in Titans #32. And I really thought that Isis was going to be the new champion of the White Light. Oh, well, can’t win them all…

What about Professor Zoom? While I’m happy that he freed Barry Allen from the Speed Force and all, what purpose did that serve the Entity’s grand scheme? Was it because Allen was instrumental in defeating Darkseid in Final Crisis or Nekron in Blackest Night? Or because bow ties were coming back in style and needed someone other than Jimmy Olsen to champion their cause?

Page 30: “So what do we do now?” Good question. Maybe get yourself a regular series, or join a team or something like that…

Page 31: Mera last appeared in Brightest Day #23.

“They lost one another. We almost did too.” Yeah. Like Aquaman and Mera haven’t gone through their fair share of break-ups over the years. Glad to see that they’re staying together for a little while.

“This technology…the weapons Xebel was outfitted with. I recognize it. It’s Atlantean.” Which makes a certain amount of sense; Xebel was an Atlantean penal colony. Or, perhaps, Aquaman means that it looks like recent Atlantean technology, which would indicate that Atlantis was somehow connected with the Xebel attack, which would be bad…

I liked the Aquaman-Mera storyline the most out of all the Brightest Day plots, mainly because it made Aquaman competent and bad-ass again without turning him into a total asshole. His best depiction in recent years was probably in the Jim Kreuger/Alex Ross Justice mini-series, in which Aquaman was a strong, confident leader despite talking to fish. He can definitely stand alongside the upper echelon of the DC Universe, and it’s been far too long that anyone has taken him seriously as a character. Brightest Day has reestablished his supporting cast and foes and given him something of a purpose that sets him apart from the rest of the heroes on Earth.

Page 32: Melissa Erdel last appeared in Brightest Day #2.

“I removed this from your head.” Why didn’t J’onn do that when he first visited Melissa back in Brightest Day #2? Was he too preoccupied with other things at the time?

“You and your father gave me one.” J’onn’s story wasn’t as epic as Aquaman’s, but it didn’t need to be. As much as I love J’onn, he’s not going to be an A-list hero, at least to the general reading public. I remember a time in the 1990’s when there were several Martian Manhunter stories that all mined the same ground; they were all these simple tales wherein J’onn lamented the loss of his family and Mars, he was apart from society, he learned something about being human, etc etc. It was like no one knew what to do with him.

My biggest concern with Brightest Day was that the writers were just going to go over the same territory all over again, about how he lost Mars, how he doesn’t fit in on Earth. I am glad to see that J’onn has chosen the living Earth over dead Mars and has accepted his role as its defender.

Page 33: Joy. Hawkman’s angry…again. Who would’ve thunk it?

No, really. I mean it. I liked the introduction of Hawkworld to the Hawkman mythos, and the other-dimensional world’s connections to his past and his foes. It was all cool stuff. And I enjoyed Shiera being back, although I will admit that I loved Kendra as a character, and was a little disappointed hat she wasn’t restored to life. But the chance for Carter and Shiera to move past the curse of Hath-Set was fascinating…

But she’s now an air elemental for the foreseeable future, and I’m sure that she’ll be restored to life at some point, but I question the logic within the story. And, by this, I mean that when Brightest Day first debuted, the implication was that just because these twelve characters were restored to life doesn’t mean that they will stay that way and succeed. It seems like Hawkgirl was one of the “sacrifices,” along with Hawk, to show that this story doesn’t necessarily have a happy ending. While I applaud the attempt at drama, the fact that she wasn’t restored to her human form along with the others just seems forced, that’s all.

And really, like we couldn’t have an angry Hawkman with a living Hawkgirl by his side? Please…

Page 34: “Some of it reads like it was written in a secret language or something.” I feel like Jason really wants to say, “No, Ronnie, you’re just stupid and you don’t understand science, that’s all…”

“As near as I can guess, when we were blasted by the Anti-Monitor the matrix was…damaged.” The Anti-Monitor blasted Firestorm in Brightest Day #22.

“According to the Professor’s diagnostic program…in less than ninety days we’re going to detonate.” Hmmm. Sounds like you might want to get working on that, hmmm?

I’ve always liked Firestorm, but Firestorm without Ronnie always seemed wrong. I’ve enjoyed the new status quo, with Ronnie and Jason being merged together and sharing duties as a hero. I’m not sure if Firestorm could really sustain an ongoing series in today’s market; perhaps a stint with the JLA is on order.

Page 35: “The oil spill was cleaned up by Aquaman, wasn’t it?” Aquaman and Mera attempted to deal with an oil spill in Brightest Day #5, but they were interrupted by Siren and her Xebel terrorists. The Entity of the White Light cleaned up the spill and restored the dead sea creatures to life in Brightest Day #7.

Page 36: Poor environmentally-irresponsible businessmen. This just teaches you not to mess with…

Bum-Bum-Bum!

Swamp Thing!

I’m starting to get a little punchy…

Page 37: “Swamp Thing returns?” No, you’re thinking of The Return of Swamp Thing, the 1989 sequel to Swamp Thing. Not as good as the original, but it did have Heather Locklear in it, so it couldn’t have been all that bad.

(I’m kidding. Really. It was crap. Fun, mindless, campy crap, but crap nonetheless. I recall seeing it as a kid and thinking it was horrible even then.)

Page 38: John Constantine, first appeared in The Saga of the Swamp Thing #37. A magical adept with vast arcane knowledge.

It would seem, from interviews given by DC Comics, that this is a younger John Constantine than the one that currently stars in Vertigo’s Hellblazer series. With the publication of Hellblazer #63, John Constantine technically became part of the Vertigo “universe, and thus separate form the DC Universe proper. However, he has, over the years, made some cameos and guest appearances in the DC Universe, most recently at Oliver Queen’s bachelor party as seen in Justice League of America Wedding Special #1.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #23

2011-04-28T13:32:00.002-04:00

“Caught”

Writer: Judd Winick

Penciller: Fernando Dagnino

Inker: Raul Fernandez

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

As an army of OMACs descends upon them, the J.L.I. unite to defend Wonder Woman. A teleportion portal opens, sending all but Batman, Power Girl and Captain Atom to Los Angeles, where Max Lord unleashes his ultimate weapon upon the team – OMAC Prime. Booster Gold attacks the new Checkmate headquarters in search of Lord while his teammates battle the android, but they find themselves outmatched. Blue Beetle and Rocket Red realize that OMAC Prime is replicating their own powers, using them against the J.L.I…

Notes

Page 1: Maxwell Lord and Professor Anthony Ivo last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #22.

Page 2: Whoa. That’s a whole lotta OMACs…

Booster Gold, Batman and Wonder Woman last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #22.

Page 3: “Above us is an entire army of cybernetically enhanced killing machines.” Thanks for the recap, Batman.

Ice, Fire, Rocket Red, Power Girl, Captain Atom and Skeets last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #22.

“Max has no record of Wonder Woman! No DNA. No meta physiology, no past history to aid in his search!” Max first realized that he is one of the few people in the world to remember Wonder Woman in Justice League: Generation Lost #15.

Page 4: “…they are hunting us in order to find her!” Well that’s just a kick in the pants, now isn’t it?

Page 5: Blue Beetle last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #22.

“At least Batman screwed up as much as we did this time.” I wouldn’t get too used to that, Fire.

Can someone explain to me why Ice keeps changing her costume between issues? Does she really have the time for that, given the circumstances?

Page 8: “It looks like Los Angeles.” Is that because there’s a gaping, smoking crater right in the middle of the street? Because, remember, this is the DC Universe, it could be anywhere going on that description…

Page 9: I still think that the floating horsey Checkmate headquarters is goofy as all hell…

Max is bleeding profusely from his ears and nose due to the exertion of activating all of the OMACs in Justice League: Generation Lost #22.

Page 11: Not sure if OMAC Prime is an android or, like the other OMACs, a human that has been transformed into an OMAC.

Page 12: “I confess that I am a bit freaked out.” And I confess that that thought of Skeets singing and flying around while doing a rendition of Chic’s Le Freak amuses the hell out of me.

Page 13: “I’m going to kill Wonder Woman right here!!” Probably not a good idea, considering that the incredibly-depressing, dystopian future as seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #6 and 14 was the result of Max killing Wonder Woman.

Page 16: You sound like a proud papa, Tony.” Ivo’s “kids” are never good, upstanding citizens. They’re always human-hating androids that fixate on a Justice League.

“They’re not fully onlineyet.” When the heck is this flying horsey headquarters gonna be online already? It’s taking forever.

“Ivo, we have got to improve the security on this @#$% ship.” Why not just turn the damn security systems on for once?

Page 17: “No. I was hoping I’d have to beat you like a damn dog first.” Booster owes Max for the beating he endured in Justice League: Generation Lost #1.

Page 18: “And it feels like he’s getting better the more we fight!!” Hmmm, let’s see, the OIMAC was designed by Professor Ivo. It it’s almost like it’s getting stronger the more it battles the J.L.I. Hmm, what could that mean?

“He could be calculating weakness and strength of team!” Not quite, Gavril, but you’re getting closer…

Page 19: So, wait, the OMAC is now using the J.L.I.’s powers against them? Is that what it is? Could it be?!?

Page 20: “He is not learning from us.” No. No he is not.

“No. He’s replicating us.” Bingo.

“OMAC Prime has out powers.” Ivo built Amazo. Amazo can replicate powers. Hence, there’s a pretty decent chance – like, a 100% chance – that OMAC Prime, as built by Ivo, can do the same thing.

Sucks for the J.L.I., doesn’t it?

BRIGHTEST DAY #23

2011-04-26T19:35:00.000-04:00

“Rise and Fall”

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Norm Rapmund & Oclair Albert

Editor: Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

As natural disasters threaten the world, the only safe place on the planet is the Star City forest, where Boston Brand attempts to procure the White Lantern from Firestorm. When the Entity transforms Firestorm into a fire elemental, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Aquaman and the Martian Manhunter emerge in their elemental forms just in time to face off against the Dark Avatar – the Swamp Thing. As the elementals battle, Hawk, Dove and Brand defend the White Lantern tree and await the arrival of the Earth’s chosen protector, Alec Holland…

Notes

Page 1: That’s the Earth. It first appeared a long, long, long time ago, before comic books, even.

Looks like it’s getting a bit cloudy all over the world. Wonder what that could be…

Pages 2-3: Scenes of chaos all across the Earth.

In London, Superman, Wonder Woman, Supergirl, Power Girl, Captain Atom and Superboy help land some out-of-control planes.

I’m assuming that this issue takes place after the events of Justice League: Generation Lost #24, or else Captain Atom would still be considered a fugitive for killing Magog and destroying Chicago in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

Who is that helping Superboy carry that plane? Looks kinda like the Kryptonian Flamebird, but I’m pretty sure that she’s dead.

In Rio de Janeiro, Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Jade, Doctor Fate and the Flash (Barry Allen) deal with earthquakes and volcanoes.

Jade last appeared in Brightest Day #21.

Batman (Dick Grayson), Batwoman, Robin, Black Lightning, Cyborg, Black Canary and Huntress deal with the crisis in Gotham City.

Page 4: Boston Brand and Firestorm last appeared in Brightest Day #22.

“My name is Boston Brand. When I died, I became the spirit known as Deadman.” Way back in Strange Adventures #205.

“But it wasn’t until I was resurrected by a White Lantern and given a white ring that I really got a second chance at life.” Brand was restored to life in Blackest Night #8; his quest to appreciate that life has been an ongoing storyline since Brightest Day #0.

Page 5: The Star City forest first appeared in Brightest Day #0; it sprung up from a section of Star City that was destroyed in Justice League: Cry for Justice #7. It has been a major component of Green Arrow’s life since Green Arrow (fourth series) #1.

Green Arrow last appeared in Brightest Day #19.

Ollie, did you really think that an exploding arrow would break through that force field?

Page 6: “First the lantern sends us off to rescue it, then it teleports us back here?” In Brightest Day #7, Ronnie and Jason learned that they needed to prevent Deathstorm from destroying the White Lantern. They set off in search of it in Brightest Day #11, their journey eventually taking them to the antimatter universe. In Brightest Day #22, they retrieved the White Lantern and found themselves teleported back to Earth.

“I required information only the Anti-Monitor possessed.” The White Lantern retrieved this information in Brightest Day #22, but we still don’t know what it was yet.

“And, most important, I needed you to witness Professor Stein’s death for yourself.” As seen in Brightest Day #22, Deathstorm transformed Professor Stein into salt, killing him. It was a heart wrenching scene, really it was.

“Soon the Dark Avatar will rise. And he will come.” The Entity of the White Light first mentioned the Dark Avatar in Brightest Day #19.

Page 7: More heroes protecting the world. Seen here are Hawk, Dove, Static, Vixen, Starfire, Mera, Aquagirl and Aqualad.

Hawk, Dove, Mera, Aquagirl and Aqualad last appeared in Brightest Day #21.

Not sure why Starfire is back on Earth; last I looked, she was working with the R.E.B.E.L.S. in the Vega star system.

“Bet we go there and find Deadman.” Everyone is pretty darn suspicious of Boston Brand ever since her transformed Aquaman into water using his white ring. He also disintegrated Hawkman and Hawkgirl into air and merged J’onn J’onzz with the Earth, but not everyone knows about that yet.

“Dawn Granger. Your presence is required.” Dove has a connection to the White Light that has yet to be explained. It was first demonstrated in Blackest Night: Titans #3, when she was somehow able to destroy some Black Lanterns.

Page 8: Captain Boomerang last appeared in Brightest Day #18.

As indicated by the caption on Page 7, Captain Boomerang is talking to his fellow Rogue, Captain Cold.

“A voice told me to come here.” Not sure when this occurred; I think it took place off-panel.

“Like I told ol’ speedy…time to get busy livin’ – or get busy dyin’!” Captain Boomerang said this to “speedy” – that would be the Flash – in Brightest Day #0.

“Digger Harkness of Earth. Throw the boomerang at her.” Captain Boomerang received this vision from the Entity of the White Light in Brightest Day #7 and The Flash (third series) #5.

Page 9: “I think I killed Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Aquaman.” Close, but not really. He disintegrated Hawkman and Hawkgirl in Brightest Day #18, and transformed Aquaman into water in Brightest Day #20.

“I did something to the Martian Manhunter.” He merged J’onn into the Earth in Brightest Day #21.

Pages 10-11: Swamp Thing, a plant elemental with the memories of Alec Holland. First appeared in House of Secrets #92. Able to control and inhabit plant life and other natural elements.

Page 12: “The Green has become the Black.” The Green is a realm inhabited by all of the members of the Parliament of Trees, a group of former elementals. It connects all forms of botanical life on Earth; plant elementals are able to commune with it. It has seemingly been corrupted by Nekron’s dark power.

Page 13: “Where it once had memories of one…it now has the memories of another.” The “one” would be Alec Holland; as originally conceived, Swamp Thing was a mutated version of Alec Holland. He was, however, reinvented as a plant elemental that absorbed the personality and memories of Holland, becoming a plant-creature trying to live like a human.

Whose memories the Swamp Thing now has have yet to be revealed.

“Your boomerangs. They’re for her.” Since The Flash (third series) #3, Captain Boomerang has had the ability to generate black energy boomerangs that he can throw, instead of relying on his “normal” ones.

Page 14: “Death sometimes makes you stronger. Or simply just dead.” Man, that Entity of the White Light has a bizarre sense of humor.

Page 15: “That wind…Seems familiar.” It should. I’m sure that Hawkman and Hawkgirl have slapped you across the face with a mace more than once, Boomer.

Pages 16-17: Elementals assemble!

Nah, doesn’t really have the same ring to it…

Firestorm, the Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, Hawkman and Hawkgirl are in the same poses as when they were resurrected in Blackest Night #8, in the four-page spread drawn by Ivan Reis.

Note that the elementals logos are unchanged; they seem to serve as visual links to their mortal selves. Is this why the redesigned look for J’onn J’onzz had that circular emblem on his chest?

Page 18: So the tree bearing the White Lantern logo in the Star City forest is the foundation of the Parliament of Trees. If it survives the events of Brightest Day #24, will this forest then be the new home of the Parliament?

Page 19: This reminds me of “The Elemental War,” a four-part storyline that appeared in Firestorm (second series) #90-93, which starred Firestorm, Naiad, Red Tornado and Swamp Thing. Anyone else recall that tale?

Page 20: “It holds the body of the one.” And who could this “one” possibly be?

Page 21: So Alec Holland is the White Lantern? Earth’s ultimate savior?

Guess I was completely off-base about my Isis prediction, hunh?

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #22

2011-04-25T20:42:00.000-04:00

“A Good New, Bad News Sort of Thing”

Writer: Judd Winick

Penciller: Joe Bennett

Inker: Jack Jadson & Ruy Jose

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

Blue Beetle reveals to the rest of the J.L.I. that his armor, in addition to saving him from death, also hacked Max Lord’s files; he knows what Lord is up to next. Batman and Power Girl arrive to join forces with the team, and they pool their resources. They realize that Lord used the J.L.I. to discredit Checkmate, thereby taking control of the organization. His next step is to kill Wonder Woman. They set out to New York to find her, but she is suspicious of the heroes and their motives. Meanwhile, Lord has set the final stages of his plan into motion, activating OMACs all around the world using his mental powers. High over Manhattan, an OMAC army swarms down to the ground to attack Wonder Woman and the Justice League International…

Notes

Page 1: Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Ice, Fire and Captain Atom last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #21.

“The last thing I remember is Max Lord had kidnapped me – I escaped – and I was doing my best to put the hurt on him.” Max Lord kidnapped Blue Beetle in Justice League: Generation Lost #16. Blue Beetle escaped from captivity in Justice League: Generation Lost #19.

Page 2: Rocket Red and Skeets last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #21.

“You’re alive!!” Max Lord shot Blue Beetle in the head in Justice League: Generation Lost #19; he was pronounced dead in Justice League: Generation Lost #20.

Page 3: “Will you all shut up!!” Man, Jaime sure is a hell of a lot more assertive than he was when he first me the team. Being on the J.L.I. really drives one crazy…

Page 5: Maxwell Lord last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #20.

Professor Anthony Ivo last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #19.

Page 6: “There was our break-in at the Castle.” In Justice League: Generation Lost #7-8.

“Then, our discovering the dormant Checkmate cells that went active.” In Justice League: Generation Lost #10.

“Then there was Chicago…” When Captain Atom fought and seemingly killed Magog in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

“They lost their U.N. sanctions and that gave Max his opening to seize control.” In Justice League: Generation Lost #17.

Page 7: “On bright side. Beetle is still not dead.” He’s not even “mostly-dead.” Glad to see that Gavril isn’t dwelling on the negative in the face of hopeless opposition.

Pages 8-9: Oooooooh yeah, I’ve been waiting for this scene for almost a year now…It’s about time the Dark Knight got involved.

Batman, real name Bruce Wayne. First appeared in Detective Comics #27. Master strategist, world’s greatest detective, incomparable athlete and hand-to-hand combatant.

Power Girl last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #19.

While I’ve been on the fence about Bruce’s new look, I think he looks totally bad-ass when drawn by Joe Bennett.

“That is so cool.” It is so freaking cool…

Page 10: “But I’m definitely not going to need a blood transfusion during this?” When Max mind wiped the world in Justice League: Generation Lost #1 and Brightest Day #0, he needed to make sure that he was hooked up to a hell of a lot of blood so that he didn’t die during the process.

Page 11: “But at every step – with every cell, he was also using those facilities for experiments. OMACs.” As seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #17, Lord has developed the next generation of OMAC to serve his every whim.

“Kryptonian clones.” Power Girl faced off against her clone Devine in Power Girl #16-19.

“Tests on the Metal Men.” The J.L.I. encountered the Metal Men in Justice League: Generation Lost #10-12.

“Genetic trials at New Cadmus.” Resulting in the modified Creature Commandos, as seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #15-17 and Power Girl #19-20.

Page 12: “Who’s ‘Wonder Woman’? She new?” Ever since the events of Wonder Woman #600, no one in the DC Universe remembers the existence of Wonder Woman…with the exception of Max Lord and the J.L.I., that is. This was revealed in Justice League: Generation Lost #15.

Page 13: “Sorry to freaking you out.” It was kinda disturbing, now that you mention it, Gavril.

“Yes. The power of the White Lantern restored my memory. All of it.” In Brightest Day #14, Batman briefly worse the White Lantern power ring, thus restoring his memory of both Maxwell Lord and Wonder Woman.

Page 14: “Man is it ever good to have him back.” You said it, Fire.

Wonder Woman, real name Diana of Themyscira. First appeared in All-Star Comics #8, although the current version first appeared in Wonder Woman #600. Possesses superhuman strength, speed, reflexes, stamina, the ability to fly and wields the indestructible Lasso of Truth.

Page 15: I imagine that I am in the minority here, but I kinda, sorta like Diana’s new costume, especially when Joe Bennett draws it.

“I’m Booster Gold. We’re here to help.” For twenty-one issues, Booster has been a competent hero and leader. But once Batman is back in the picture, he just seems like a goofy kid playing at hero. Which isn’t a bad thing; most heroes seem just a little less accomplished when Bats is around.

One does have to remember that Batman is the one hero who knows that Booster Gold isn’t the total ass that he pretends to be, which has formed a powerful bond between the two men.

Page 16: “You’re not in a battle, you’re in a sniper’s cross hairs. You need to come with us.” How does Batman tell this woman, who he has known for years, that she lived a previous life in which she killed an egomaniacal killer who then proceeded to come back to life, wipe away is existence of the world, and is now out to take his revenge on her? No tactful way of having that conversation, now is there?

Page 17: Kami, real name Kami. First appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #22. A mild-mannered Chinese school-girl who is secretly a meta-human hunting OMAC.

Sorry. Sometimes I just need to shake things up a little bit…

Pages 18-19: This scene of the OMACs filling the skies harkens back to a similar one from Infinite Crisis #1 (which, in turn, is similar to the Shadow Demons filling the skies from Crisis on Infinite Earths).

Page 20: Oh boy…things aren’t looking good…

BRIGHTEST DAY #22

2011-04-25T16:25:00.000-04:00

“The End and the Beginning”

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Scott Clark, Ivan Reis & Joe Prado

Inkers: David Beaty

Editors: Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

Firestorm arrives at the Anti-Monitor’s battle ship in the antimatter universe, where the universal destroyer is performing tests on the White Lantern. The Lantern steals information in the form of energy from the Anti-Monitor, giving Firestorm the opening he needs to attack. Although he strikes hard and fast, Firestorm is split into Ronnie and Jason by the Anti-Monitor. Deathstorm attacks Jason, but the newly-freed Professor Stein leaps in front of the youth and is transformed into salt. Jason and Ronnie merge into Firestorm, but can’t save Stein. After they resolve to work together, the Entity of the White Light restores Ronnie’s life and teleports them the Star City forest. Boston Brand arrives on the scene and demands that Firestorm give him the White Lantern…

Notes

Page 1: Firestorm last appeared in Brightest Day #17.

“I was here before.” Back in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12.

“Ronnie was here.” Glad to see that, in between fighting the Anti-Monitor and trying to flee the antimatter universe, Ronnie had time to leave behind some super-powered graffiti.

Pages 2-3: Deathstorm last appeared in Brightest Day #18.

The Anti-Monitor last appeared in Brightest Day #3, although he did appear, as a voice only, in Brightest Day #12.

Page 5: “Stein and I barely held our own against him alongside Superman, Captain Atom and like thirty others.” Ronnie must be remembering things wrong, or is having pre-Crisis flashbacks. In the Post-Crisis DC Universe, Captain Atom didn’t appear until shortly before the events of Millennium, months after the Anti-Monitor was defeated. Ronnie must be remembering the Earth-4 Captain Atom, who did accompany the heroes of the Multiverse to the antimatter universe in Crisis on Infinite Earths #12.

“I’ve been holding myself back.” If, what you mean by that is that you’ve been a whiny little bitch for a while now, then, yes, you are correct, Ronnie.

“Anti-matter universe information needed.” So what information does the Entity of the White Light need? And is this why it resurrected the Anti-Monitor back in Blackest Night #8 in the first place? For information?

Page 6: Well, it’s about time Ronnie started acting something like a hero…

Page 7: “It’s Meathead and the Brain!” Presumably a reference to the WB cartoon Pinky and the Brain. And if I have to explain that to you, then you’re really missing out…

Page 8: “The Hindenburg” refers to the LZ 129 Hindenburg, a German passenger airship that caught fire and was destroyed at the Lakehurst Naval Air Station in Lakehurst, NJ on May 6, 1937.

Page 10: Ouch. Looked like that hurt like hell…

Page 11: “Oh, Ronnie…before I turn you into salt, let’s take a trip down memory lane…” Deathstorm has a fascination with salt-people; he, as Black Lantern Firestorm, transformed Jason’s girlfriend Gehenna into salt in Blackest Night #3.

“Do you remember when you died? The Shadow Thief split open your nuclear guts and triggered a countdown.” This transpired in Identity Crisis #5.

“But you didn’t panic. Instead you acted selflessly. You flew far away from your friends to protect them from your inevitable explosive demise.” He did, saving the Shining Knight, Vixen and Captain Marvel in the process.

Page 13: “I’m starving…how about some rage, Alvin?” Black Lanterns like Deathstorm feed off the emotions of their victims when they kill them.

“Hey, Jason! Say hi to your girlfriend!” The aforementioned Gehenna, whom Deathstorm killed. He’s not a nice guy, now is he?

Page 14: Awwww, first Rupert Giles has his neck snapped, and now Professor Martin Stein is transformed into salt. It’s getting to be that there aren’t any cool middle-aged mentors to young heroes these days…

Page 15: “Not everything can be fixed with a thought.” Great. Stein’s about to die and he starts doling out words of wisdom on how to live your life…

Page 16: “Save him, dammit!’ The Entity of the White Light has its own plans, and only saves those that serve it in the grand scheme of things.

Page 17: “I know Jason better than you. And he will be a better partner than me if you both accept the shared responsibility.” This is a shift from the old paradigm of Firestorm, with a mentor and a student. If Ronnie and Jason act as equal partners, then they can learn from one another and, in turn, become better.

“You weren’t like a son to me, Ronald. You were a son.” Crap. I think I’m gonna cry…

Page 18: “Ronald Raymond of Earth. Mission accomplished. Life returned.” In Brightest Day #7, Ronnie and Jason were told that they needed to learn from one another so that they could save the White Lantern from Deathstorm. Having done this, Ronnie’s life has been restored.

Page 19: “He is not our concern. He is dead.” What did I tell ya? The Entity can be one cold-hearted bastard…

Page 20: Boston Brand last appeared in Brightest Day #21.

“Do what he says. Earth depends on it.” Yeah, and you need to be transformed into a fire elemental, Firestorm. Actually, you used to be a fire elemental, so this isn’t exactly new to you…

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #21

2011-04-20T13:44:00.000-04:00

“The Dark of Morning’s Light”

Writer: Judd Winick

Penciller: Fernando Dagnino

Inker: Raul Fernandez

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

In the aftermath of their confrontation with Maxwell Lord, the members of the J.L.I. must deal with their own feelings and doubts. Captain Atom is plagued by the deaths of those in Chicago and worries that all he has brought to the world is death. Ice tells him that he has saved the team countless times over. Rocket Red busies himself with making sure that his armor is in perfect working order for when they resume their hunt of Lord. Fire, due to the fact that Gavril makes her smile in a really bad time, kisses him. Booster struggles with Blue Beetle’s death and tells the team that it’s over. Max has won time and time again, and he can’t keep leading them without a sign that they can actually win. With that, Blue Beetle seemingly rises from the dead and informs the team that he knows that Max’s plan is…

Notes

Page 1: “There’s the two police officers that Max forced to shoot one another when they found him on the streets in New York City.” As seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #1.

“There’s Magog. Poor Magog. Who Max forced to turn his own weapon in himself.” This occurred in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

“And there’s Chicago. When Max blew up Magog’s enhanced lance causing a nuclear explosion that instantly killed 621 people.” Also in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

Booster Gold last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #20.

Page 2: Skeets and Blue Beetle last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #20.

Page 3: “I want to bring him back to them.” Blue Beetle, against his will, left his family to join up with the heroes formerly known as the J.L.I. in Justice League: Generation Lost#2.

Page 5: Captain Atom and Ice last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #20.

“Where is Captain Atom?” He’s sitting right there in that chair. Duh.

Page 6: “You said you were afraid of dying again.” Ice admitted this to Captain Atom in Justice League: Generation Lost #5.

Page 7: “Nathan…” This is the first I’ve seen anyone call him “Nathan.” “Nathaniel,” sure. Even “Nate.” But “Nathan”? Nope.

Page 8: “Y’know…I’m not human anymore.” This development was first mentioned in Justice League: Generation Lost #6.

Page 9: Rocket Red and Fire last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #20.

“Never saw him out of beetle suit.” It’s true; Jaime hasn’t appeared without the beetle armor on at all in this entire series.

Page 11: “Oprah Winfrey. Woman is a genius.” It’s lines like these that make me love Gavril.

Page 12: Whoa, Nellie! You go, Gavril!

Page 13: “Things could not be much worse right now. But you make me smile, Gavril. I like smiling.” Oh, Bea, please don’t string the poor boy along just to feel better. If you like the big lunk of a Russian, just tell him that and be done with it.

Page 15: “And the fact that you’re going to outlive us…I’m sorry, Nate, but that gives me hope.” I half expected Saint Walker to show up and declare, “Nathaniel Adam of Earth, you have the ability to instill great hope. Welcome to the Blue Lantern Cops!” but I think that there’s enough stuff going on in this book without Captain Atom receiving a power ring.

“Through all of this, at every turn…You are the one who’s saved us.” Captain Atom has had several saves in this series…

He absorbed the energy from an atomic blast in Yemen (Justice League: Generation Lost #1);

Separated the team from an exploding suit of Rocket Red armor in Russian (Justice League: Generation Lost #5);

Served as emergency evac from the Checkmate Castle when things hit the fan (Justice League: Generation Lost #8);

Incapacitated a mind-controlled Fire at the J.L.I. Embassy in Germany (Justice League: Generation Lost #9);

Battled a mind-controlled Magog in Chicago (Justice League: Generation Lost #13);

And broke through Max Lord’s manipulation of Power Girl in Japan (Justice League: Generation Lost #18).

Say, what has the rest of the team been doing this whole time?

Page 17: “And I get Jaime killed. Blue Beetle is murdered by Max Lord. Again.” Max Lord killed Ted Kord, the second Blue Beetle, in Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1.

Page 19: “I want one sign that we can actually beat this monster! One!” Who can resist a line like that?

Page 20: Hey! Blue Beetle’s back!

(Not that I’m unhappy to see him alive and all, but I’d check his hand for a Black Lantern power ring, just to be on the safe side, you know what I mean?)

BRIGHTEST DAY #21

2011-04-19T14:38:00.000-04:00

“Mars Attacks”

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Patrick Gleason, Ivan Reis & Joe Prado

Inkers: Mark Irwin, Keith Champagne, Norm Rapmund & Christian Alamy

Editors: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

As Earth’s heroes band together to investigate the recent mysterious disappearances of Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Aquaman, including Boston Brand’s involvement in the them, they receive a multitude of emergency calls from around the world…

On Mars, J’onn J’onzz struggles with D’kay D’razz after shaking off weeks of mind control. She swears that she will do everything in her power to make herself and Mars the center of J’onn’s universe, even if it means destroying the Earth and everyone on it. J’onn understands, and grabs hold of her as he flies deep into the heart of the sun. D’kay dies, but J’onn is protected by the Entity of the White Light. His life restored, J’onn chooses Earth over Mars and races to Star City to aid in the rescue efforts there. A hysterical Boston Brand appears, and the White Lantern power ring fires at J’onn, sending the Martian Manhunter into the Earth itself…

Notes

Page 1: The Atom last appeared in Brightest Day #16.

“First Firestorm implodes aboard the Justice League satellite.” Actually, Firestorm was transported to the anti-matter universe but that’s okay, Atom, it’s a common mistake. This took place in Brightest Day #16.

“Then I find Carter and Shiera vaporized.” The White Lantern power ring, with a little help from Boston Brand, “vaporized” Hawkman and Hawkgirl in Brightest Day #18.

Aquaman lost his left hand in a battle with Black Manta in Brightest Day #19.

Pages 2-3: Oooh, ooh, two-page spreads of lots of characters…I love these…

Seen here, from left to right, are Metamorpho, Superboy, Cyborg, Flash (Barry Allen), Batman (Bruce Wayne), Aqualad, Aquagirl, Mera, Superman, Dove, Hawk, Jade, Wonder Girl, Kid Flash, Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Stargirl, Mister Terrific, Atom-Smasher, Congorilla and Doctor Mid-Nite. Since he shows up later in the scene, presumably Wildcat is hanging out somewhere along the beach as well.

Mera, Aquagirl and Aqualad last appeared in Brightest Day #20.

Dove last appeared in Brightest Day #18.

Hawk last appeared in Brightest Day #8.

Jade last appeared in Brightest Day #16.

“It looked like Arthur just…dissolved into the water.” He did. It’s all part of the whole transformation into an elemental thing. It happened in Brightest Day #20.

“When the white ring momentarily grabbed onto me, I could hear an intelligence within it far more alien than any I’ve ever encountered.” Batman wore the White Lantern power ring for a brief time in Brightest Day #14.

Page 4: J’onn J’onzz and D’kay D’razz last appeared in Brightest Day #15.

“You invaded my mind – manipulated and exploited my inner life.” This occurred in Brightest Day #15.

“I felt your elation – the pure bliss of acceptance – when you resurrected Mars I experienced it right along with you, J’onn.” D’kay used her mental abilities to make J’onn think that he restored life to Mars in Brightest Day #12.

Page 5: Damn. J’onn looks pissed.

Page 6: “Is the baby I’m carrying inside me a fantasy too?” It’s like I just turned on an episode of Maury. I can just hear it now…

Maury Povich: J’onn J’onzz…you are NOT that father of D’kay’s child!

(Random screaming, fighting, chair-throwing and hair pulling ensues.)

Page 7: “—There is no baby – it’s a phantom child – you are barren, D’kay!” Man, great bedside manner you have there, Doctor J’onzz. Way to crush the poor psycho’s hopes and dreams…

Page 10: The shadowy figure that J’onn senses is the Dark Avatar which the Entity of the White Light spoke of in Brightest Day #19.

Page 11: That forest on Mars in the shape of the Black Lantern symbol first appeared in Brightest Day #11.

Page 12: Aaaaah, the sun sure is pretty…

Page 13: Oh, wait, that’s right, Martians are vulnerable to fire, aren’t they? So flying into the heart of the sun, a giant ball of fire, probably isn’t such a good idea, now is it?

Pages 14-15: “J’onn J’onzz of Mars. Mission Accomplished. Life returned.” In Brightest Day #7, the Entity of the White Light told J’onn that his mission was to “Burn it. Burn it down. Burn all of it.” But he didn’t do any of this. I assume that he was supposed to burn down the forest on Mars, but all he did was kill D’kay, an admirable mission, but not the one he was tasked with.

Pages 16-17: “Choose, J’onn J’onzz. Choose your world. Choose your home.” Just like I’ve gotten tired of Hawkman and Hawkgirl worrying about Hath-Set and Aquaman being torn between the surface world and Atlantis, I’ve grown weary of stories about J’onn obsessing over how he could have saved Mars and how he doesn’t fit in anywhere. It’s over and done with. Go back to Earth and be a hero already…

Pages 18-19: Man, that Star City never seems to get a break, does it?

Page 21: Boston Brand last appeared in Brightest Day #20.

Page 22: “J’onn J’onzz of Mars…the Earth has accepted you.” And so another elemental is chosen…

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #20

2011-04-18T16:48:00.000-04:00

“The Man Behind the Curtain”

Writer: Judd Winick

Penciller: Joe Bennett

Inker: Jack Jadson & Ruy José

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

Maxwell Lord IV overcame the suicide of his father to become a powerful businessman, but the death haunts him. His mother encourages him to use his power and resources to do more than just make money and play by a different set of rules. He manipulates events to form the Justice League International, but even developing metahuman abilities of his own can’t save his mother from the destruction of Coast City. Max resolves to work behind the scenes and work towards his own mysterious agenda…

Max Lord just shot Blue Beetle, and the J.L.I. fights their way to get their hands on him. He jettisons the group from the Checkmate headquarters and disappears. Rocket Red and Skeets attempt to save Blue Beetle, but they soon give up, admitting to their teammates that the teen hero is dead…

Notes

Page 1: “Arthur Lord was a good guy.” I imagine that he was. However, given that Max’s full name is Maxwell Lord IV, I always assumed that his father was Maxwell Lord III, so I have no idea who this good-guy Arthur Lord is in the first place. Perhaps Arthur was his nickname?

This scene is the earliest chronological appearance of Maxwell Lord IV.

Page 2: So Arthur Lord blew out the right side of his head…with a gun in his left hand? Wouldn’t that be a really, really, really difficult and awkward shot? I’m no suicide expert by any means, but would it not have just been easier for Arthur to shoot himself in the left side of the head?

Page 3: That’s Rebecca Lord, Max’s mother. She first appeared in Booster Gold (second series) #38. In that issue, which takes place in September of 1943, it is established that Rebecca is set to marry Maxwell Lord III “in another few months.”

By that estimation, Max would be about sixty years old. During his tenure with the J.L.I., he would have been somewhere in his fifties. While he doesn’t look that old nowadays, the Entity of the White Light did resurrect the twelve so that they are in their prime, so perhaps Max is now, biologically, in his forties?

Who is the young woman in the room with Max and his mother? Does he have a heretofore as yet unmentioned sister? Is that – dum dum dum – Maxima Lord?

Page 4: Maxwell Lord IV, Blue Beetle, Ice, Booster Gold, Skeets, Rocket Red, Captain Atom and Fire last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #19.

“Max Lord kidnapped Blue Beetle.” This took place in Justice League: Generation Lost #16.

“Beetle tried to escape.” In Justice League: Generation Lost #19.

“Meu dues” is Portuguese for “My God.”

Page 6: “It began with the creation of his own corporate empire.” As revealed in Justice League #1, Max was the head on Innovative Concepts. What Innovative Concepts actually did was, to my knowledge, never revealed.

Page 7: This flashback takes place sometime after Lord has made his mark on the business world. It occurs after Lord’s appearance in JLA: Year One #7, and before Justice League #1.

“Lexcorp Acquires Chemtech.” Ah, remember back in the late 1980s? When Lex Luthor was a business mogul who just bought and crushed other corporations with the wave of a hand? And no one, not even Superman, could do anything about it? Every so often, I miss that Luthor…

Page 8: “Luthor…Luthor doesn’t play by the rules.” No. No he does not.

For one of the single greatest “Luthor doesn’t play by the rules” stories of all time, check out Superman (second series) #9. It has a short story in it called “Metropolis 9000 Mi.” It’s brilliant, and shows just how twisted and evil Luthor can be without lifting a hand to anyone.

Page 9: “More than Bruce Wayne!” Wayne, of course, is the Batman. And he’s pretty philanthropic, if you ask me.

“More than Oliver Queen before he -- ” Ollie, better known as the Green Arrow, was also quite generous wit his money. He funded the Justice League of America early in its history, until he lost his fortune. These events were touched upon in Legends of the DC Universe #7-9 and 12-13.

Max actually makes a blink-and-you’ll-miss-him appearance in Legends of the DC Universe #12, at a party thrown by Queen. Given that Ollie still had some money at this point, that issue would take place before this scene.

“Just like Thaddeus Sivana and his conglomerate that uses science to arm wars.” Sivana is, of course, the scientific genius that opposes Captain Marvel and the Marvel Family.

Page 10: “He paid terrorists to take over the United Nations.” In Justice League #1.

“He hired the Royal Flush Gang to attack the League’s headquarters.” In Justice League #4.

“He formed his own Justice League International.” In Justice League International #7.

Seen here is the line-up introduced in Justice League International #7 – Batman, Captain Atom, Booster Gold, Black Canary II, Blue Beetle II, Mister Miracle, Guy Gardner and the Martian Manhunter.

Page 11: “It’s part of the fallout from that alien Invasion.” As seen in Invasion! #1-3.

“I’ve been affected…I can make people do things just by willing them to do it.” Max first manifested his power in the first story in Justice League International #24. This scene takes place after that issue.

Page 12: “Coast City is dead.” Mongul and the Cyborg-Superman destroyed Coast City in Superman (second series) #80. This scene occurs shortly thereafter.

Booster Gold is wearing his original costume in this scene, which is pretty much impossible. It was destroyed in battle with Doomsday in Justice League America #69, thereby rendering Booster costume and power-less until Justice League America #80, when he began wearing a clunky suit of armor that Ted Kord designed. That issue was cover dated September, 1993, a month after the aforementioned Superman #80 appeared, meaning that Booster would be on permanent monitor duty if he was doing anything at all.

I know, I know, I’m being nitpicky again. I can’t help myself sometimes…

Page 13: “That battle is still ongoing, we’ve got more people on the ground putting up the fight.” If “The Return of Superman” were published today, there would be dozens of crossovers showing how Earth’s heroes converged on Coast City to battle Mongul and the Cyborg-Superman. As it was, the story was contained to the four Superman titles of the day, as well as a one-issue tie-in to Green Lantern. We can infer that some heroes helped in the effort, but this was never depicted in a story.

For the record, the story of Coast City’s destruction and Superman’s resurrection and battle with Mongul and the Cyborg-Superman appeared in Superman (second series) #80-82, The Adventures of Superman #503-504, Action Comics #690-691, Superman: The Man of Steel #25-26 and Green Lantern (third series) #46.

“Hell, when Doomsday ripped a scar across the country until Supes punched his ticket…” Doomsday’s rampage across the United States, which ended in Metropolis, was seen in Superman: The Man of Steel #18-19, Superman (second series) #74-75, Justice League America #69, The Adventures of Superman #497 and Action Comics #684.

Page 14: “But when Joker shot Barbara Gordon through the spine last year?” As seen in Batman: The Killing Joke.

“Or when John Stewart’s arrogance caused billions to die when Xanshi blew up?” This little mishap occurred in Cosmic Odyssey #2.

“You can forget that we ever had this conversation.” Makes you wonder how many times over the years that Max used his power in this manner to make his “friends” forget little details here and there.

Page 15: “He had seized the OMAC Project.” At an as-yet unrevealed point in time before Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1.

“Murdered Ted Kord to keep it a secret.” In Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1.

“Launched an attack against the world.” The OMACs began attacking metahumans in The OMAC Project #2.

“But he made a mistake when he went up against Wonder Woman. And he died.” Wonder Woman snapped Max’s neck in Wonder Woman (second series) #219.

“Only to come back as a Black Lantern monster.” Maxwell Lord returned as a Black Lantern in Blackest Night #3.

“Then – returned whole.” The Entity of the White Light resurrected Max in Blackest Night #8.

Page 17: “They will all forget.” Max mind wiped everyone on Earth in Brightest Day #0 and Justice League: Generation Lost #1.

Page 18: Anyone else think that’s a pretty goofy-looking headquarters for Checkmate? Or is it just me? (Probably just me. I mean, everyone likes a giant, flying, horse-shaped HQ…)

Page 19: “Shut up, woman! I doing what I can do!” Man, I just love Gavril sometimes…

Page 20: “He is dead.” Whoa. Bummer.

BRIGHTEST DAY #20

2011-04-11T22:18:00.001-04:00

“Aquawar, Part Two”

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Ivan Reis & Joe Prado

Inkers: Julio Ferreira, Oclair Albert, Norm Rapmund, Marlo Alquiza & Andy Owens

Editors: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

Aquaman and Aqualad are outmatched by Black Manta and Siren’s forces when Mera and Aqugirl arrive on the scene. After Mera uses her hard-water abilities to drag the Xebel soldiers out to sea, Aquaman commands a school of dead sea creatures to even the odds. Aqualad is able to close the Bermuda Triangle, trapping Black Manta and Siren in Xebel. In the aftermath of the battle, Aquaman and Mera reconcile. Having saved Jackson Hyde, Aquaman’s life is restored, but Boston Brand suddenly appears so that the White Lantern power ring can transform Aquaman to water..

Notes

Page 1: Boston Brand, Aquaman and Black Manta last appeared in Brightest Day #19.

“It is why I opened the Bermuda Triangle and allowed Mera’s people to escape.” This happened in Brightest Day #3.

“Aquaman needed to learn the truth about Mera.” Mera confessed the truth about her purpose for coming to Earth to Aquaman in Brightest Day #5-6.

Page 2: Aqualad last appeared in Brightest Day #19.

“You’re not killing anybody else, dad!” Aqualad learned that Black Manta was his father in Brightest Day #10-11.

Page 3: “Why would you side with the people who killed my mother and want to kill me?” The circumstances of Aqualad’s mother’s death were revealed in Brightest Day #16.

Pages 4-5: Mera and Aquagirl last appeared in Brightest Day #18.

“You will kill no more children.” Obviously in reference to the fact that Black Manta was responsible for the death of Aquaman and Mera’s child, Arthur Curry, Jr, also known as Aquababy.

“Whoa.” The appropriate response when a hot chick in a rubber suit leaps out of the water and drop-kicks your homicidal father, thereby saving your life.

Page 6: “We have fish to fry.” Is that really a suitable joke considering that she’s part of the Aqua-family?

“M-Mera? Siren said you were dead.” In an effort to rattle Aquaman, Siren told him that she had killed Mera. Obviously it worked.

“Arthur! Your hand -- ?!” Black Manta sliced off Aquaman’s right hand in Brightest Day #19.

Page 9: Siren last appeared in Brightest Day #19.

The depiction of Mera, straining herself and bleeding from her eyes and ears to control the water, harkens back to her appearance as a Red Lantern in Blackest Night.

Pages 10-11: That’s one big honking wave…

Pages 14-15: Remember that, since his resurrection in Blackest Night #8, Aquaman has only been able to command dead sea life. Given this inconvenience, he’s making the best of an awkward situation by putting together an army of undead fish and underwater dwellers.

Page 16: “You and your soldiers have one choice, Siren. Fall back – or die.” Really, that’s two choices, but I’m not gonna argue with the one-handed guy controlling the zombie sharks.

Page 19: “And I will guy him in front of you as I did your son.” Man, this Manta guy really has issue with kids…

Page 20: There Aquaman goes, attaching his trident to his back by using some weird, Atlantean magnetism. See my notes for Brightest Day #19 for more rambling about this.

Page 21: “Each one of us is caught between two worlds. Each one of us knows how hard it is to face that alone. Which is why we never will be.” Awww, how sweet. The Aqua-family has come back together.

On a somewhat more serious note, many of Aquaman’s stories over the past three decades or so have been about the character struggling to determine to which world he belong – the surface or Atlantis when, in reality, he is a part of both and neither. He fits into neither one easily. It’s good to see that he (and his writers) has realized that he works best as a hero that straddles the line, protecting the surface and undersea worlds from one another.

Page 22: “Arthur Curry of Earth. Mission accomplished. Life returned.” Aquaman’s mission, as revealed in Brightest Day #7, was to find Jackson Hyde before the Xebel did. Now that Jackson is safe, Aquaman has been restored to life…

Just in time for the Entity of the White Light to transform him into a water elemental for some mysterious purpose…

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #19

2011-04-06T14:09:00.000-04:00

“And the Lord Taketh Away”

Writer: Judd Winick

Penciller: Fernando Dagnino

Inker: Raul Fernandez

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

In Checkmate’s new headquarters, Maxwell Lord tests the limits of Blue Beetle’s armor while taunting Jaime with the knowledge that everything that the J.L.I. has done has helped Max to achieve his goals. Meanwhile, the team recovers from the aftermath of its battle with Power Girl, who flies off to get help from the rest of the super-hero community. Skeets receives a distress call from Blue Beetle, and the J.L.I. races off to rescue him. Blue Beetle frees himself from captivity, forcing Max to reveal Checkmate’s headquarters to escape. As the J.L.I. finds Blue Beetle, Lord surprises the young hero, shooting him in the head and ending his life…

Notes

Page 1: Okay, we’re starting off on a lesson about the Blue Beetles…

Blue Beetle I, real name Dan Garrett. First appeared in Blue Beetle #1, published by Charlton Comics. Possessed superhuman strength, flight, and the ability to project lighting bolts, all derived from his mystical scarab. Killed in Secret Origins #2.

Technically speaking, the Dan Garret Blue Beetle made his first appearance much earlier, in Mystery Men Comics #1, published by Fox Comics. However, he bore little resemblance, other than name, to the Blue Beetle depicted here.

Blue Beetle II, real name Theodore Stephen “Ted” Kord. First appeared in Captain Atom (first series) #83. A genius-level inventor and gifted athlete armed with his BB Gun and flying Bug. Killed in Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1.

That’s Jaime Reyes, the current Blue Beetle, hanging out with his friends Paco Ortiz and Brenda Del Vecchio. This scene takes place sometime after the events of Blue Beetle (second series) #3, in which Jaime is reunited with Paco and Brenda after a year of being trapped between dimensions.

Page 2: This is a retelling of events originally depicted in Blue Beetle (second series) #1.

“I found the Scarab and it, well…” You mean “we,” don’t you Jaime? Did you forget that Paco and Brenda were there with you when you originally found the Scarab?

Jaime’s family consist of dad Alberto, mom Bianca and sister Milagro.

“I wanna see you change into it again!” Paco first saw Jaime change into the Blue Beetle in Blue Beetle (second series) #3.

This whole scene is a bit strange to me. Presumably, Jaime has just returned from being away for a year and is getting reacquainted with his friends and family. So it should take place immediately after the events in Blue Beetle (second series) #3.

But Jaime didn’t learn anything about either Dan Garrett or Ted Kord until Blue Beetle (second series) #8. Considering that Jamie talks a lot about Dan, Ted and the Blue Beetle legacy with Paco and Brenda, this whole conversation can’t take place until after the events of that issue.

But that seems like a long period of time between Jaime’s return and a sit-down with his friends about the Blue Beetle armor and how he activates it.

I know, I know, stop worrying about the continuity, the scene serves a purpose…

Page 3: Blue Beetle and Maxwell Lord last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #18.

Page 4: “I was telling the truth when I said that I brought the J.L.I. back together because I thought the world could use a team like you all.” Max told the team this, via hologram, in Justice League: Generation Lost #5.

“And thus, the United Nations stepped in – took their charter away -- ” The United Nations revoked Checkmate’s charter in Justice League: Generation Lost #17.

Page 5: Professor Ivo last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #18.

Page 6: Fire, Power Girl, Ice, Captain Atom, Booster Gold and Rocket Red last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #18.

Notice that, sometime between the events of last issue and now, Ice has changed her costume again. Apparently she feels the need to show off her stomach in the aftermath of a fight with another hero…

“You did try to beat us all to death.” This was in Justice League: Generation Lost #18. But it wasn’t her fault; really. Max Lord convinced her that Captain Atom and company were actually Superman and the J.L.A. and that they had declared war on humanity, so she had to stop them. Total misunderstanding…

“Max had her under his control. Like when you tried to barbecue us.” Fire, while under Lord’s control, attacked her teammates in Justice League: Generation Lost #9.

“But unlike you when you tried to freeze me.” While not under Max’s control, Ice went a little crazy and tried to kill Fire in Justice League: Generation Lost #12.

Page 7: “Responsible for the deaths of thousands.” Lord framed Captain Atom for the death of Magog and a small explosion in the middle of Chicago that transpired in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

Skeets last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #18.

Page 8: “It will allow for the maximum level of adaptation while in the field.” Given that Professor Ivo is most famous for his creation of the Amazo androind – a being that “adapts” the powers of others – is it fair to assume that Ivo is creating a suit for Lord that will allow him to duplicate the powers of other meta-humans?

Page 9: “I told you…I’d put you through a wall. Hombre.” Well, it’s about time Jaime started getting a little more bad-ass…

Page 10: “We’re bugging out!” Is Max making a pun? You know, he’s “bugging out” of a fight with Blue Beetle? Does dealing with the J.L.I. just bring out the funny in people?

Pages 12-13: Checkmate’s new, mobile headquarters is in the shape of a giant chess piece. A knight, to be exact.

“They pimping new ride.” For some reason, Rocket Red can get away with saying that…

Page 16: “The ship isn’t fully combat ready!” Then maybe you guys shouldn’t have tried to engage a group of royally-pissed off super-heroes, hmmm? You ever think of that, Mister Professor Ivo?

Page 19: Whoa. Having a bad flashback to Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1 right about now…

Page 20: Oh, man, Jaime’s parents are gonna be so pissed…

BRIGHTEST DAY #19

2011-04-05T16:14:00.000-04:00

“Aquawar, Part One”

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Ivan Reis & Joe Prado

Inkers: Oclair Albert & Rob Hunter

Editors: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

Boston Brand pleads with the Entity of the White Light to restore Hawkman and Hawkgirl to life, but it tells him that this is all part of the plan to protect the world…

Aquaman and Aqualad race to prevent an invasion from Xebel through the Bermuda Triangle, but Siren and her army attacks them before they can stop it. The battle spills onto a Florida beach, where the duo is hopelessly outnumbered. While they try to save as many civilians as possible, Siren enters the fray, attacking Aqualad. Aquaman comes to his rescue but is blindsided by Black Manta who slices off the Sea King’s hand…

Notes

Page 1: Boston Brand last appeared in Brightest Day #18.

“What did you do to them?!” The White Lantern power ring seemingly disintegrated Hawkman and Hawkgirl after they got snippy with it in Brightest Day #18.

Page 2: “You brought b-back a dead bird.” In Brightest Day #0.

Page 3: “This world has been slowly poisoned for centuries by mankind, but Nekron’s attack heightened the contamination of Earth’s life-web – its very soul.” As seen in Blackest Night #1-8.

“Soon this corruption will rise in the form of a Dark Avatar and it will seek out the forest I created.” The Entity of the White Light created the forest in Star City in Brightest Day #0.

Green Arrow last appeared in Brightest Day #9.

Page 4: “The twelve that I gave life to each plays a role in saving the soul of your homeworld.” The twelve were resurrected in Blackest Night #8.

“Some have already prevented further destruction to it and given us more time…” Jade balanced the darkness in Justice League of America (second series) #48. Maxwell Lord IV stopped Magog from plunging the world into nuclear war in Justice League: Generation Lost #13. Osiris freed Isis in Titans #32. And the Reverse-Flash freed Barry Allen from the Speed Force a while ago, sometime in the future…well, whenever it was, it was mentioned in The Flash: Rebirth #4.

“I put them on a journey to overcome what held them back in life.” This has been a theme since the beginning of Blackest Night, putting the past away and moving into the future. I respect history and continuity, but I have gotten tired of stories about how John Stewart is agonized by the death of Katma Tui and the destruction of Xanshi, how Gar Logan loves Tar Markov, and how Ray Palmer feels guilt over Jean Loring’s actions. These characters needed to move forward, and Blackest Night allowed them to confront their demons and do just that.

Brightest Day has done this for a different group of characters. Hawkman and Hawkgirl have broken the curse that has plagued them for millennia. The Martian Manhunter is choosing between Mars and Earth. Aquaman is realizing that he is at home neither in Atlantis nor on the surface. And Firestorm, after many years, might just be a capable hero once again.

“Hawkman and Hawkgirl have already done that. They destroyed the curse that haunted them.” As seen in Brightest Day #18.

“But once Carter and Shiera embraced life…you took it back! You killed them!” Nah, it just transformed them into air-like beings. Believe me, it’s an elemental thing. You know, the Hawks correspond to air, Firestorm to fire, Aquaman to water, and J’onn to the Earth. Saw this coming for a while now…

Page 5: “This world is too valuable to the future to allow that to happen.” Is this going to be the basis of another event mini-series, or is that just the usual “Earth is important to the future of the universe” proclamation?

Page 6: Aquaman and Aqualad last appeared in Brightest Day #16.

Page 7: So, uh, not to ask an awkward question, but…

How exactly is Aquaman’s trident attached to his back? I don’t see any sort of strap securing it to his body. Is it a special form of Atlantean magnetism that holds it to his shirt?

(You don’t know how many times I flipped these pages back and forth to look for some way in which that damn trident is held onto him…)

Page 8: “My second chance at life hasn’t quite worked out the way I would’ve expected.” Aquaman has found that he only has control over dead sea life, as first seen in Brightest Day #1.

Page 9: “Mera saved my life, Aquaman.” As shown in Brightest Day #10 and 16.

“And she turned against her own family to save yours.” As revealed in Brightest Day #7 and 16.

“I’ve only had one girlfriend really. Maria.” We last saw Maria in Brightest Day #4. What’s the girl been up to lately?

“I’m stuck in the middle. My job’s to protect the worlds of land and sea from one another.” Sounds like a pitch for a regular monthly series to me…

Page 10: See? How in the world is that trident attached to his back? Static electricity?

Page 11: Whatever it is, it’s on there good. Aquaman got blown out of the water onto the beach and that trident is still there. Works better than gaffer’s tape…

Pages 12-13: Siren, Quana and the Xebel bunch last appeared in Brightest Day #11.

Page 14: “Death to the air-breathers!” Doesn’t this attack automatically become a hate crime?

Page 17: “Your queen is dead.” That Siren is such a liar…

Page 18: Black Manta last appeared in Brightest Day #11.

Page 20: “You should be used to that.” Very funny, Manta. Never knew you were such a jokester.

Aquaman lost his left hand in a battle with Charybdis in Aquaman (third series) #2.

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #18

2011-03-31T12:15:00.000-04:00

“Old Friends”

Writer: Judd Winick

Penciller: Aaron Lopresti

Inker: Matt Ryan

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

Power Girl has apprehended Captain Atom and is ranting at him about how he’s caused the deaths of thousands and turned against the world. Atom realizes that she has been duped into thinking that he is Superman; he calls in the rest of the team for help, but Power Girl sees them as other Justice Leaguers who have declared war on humanity. At the new Checkmate facility, Maxwell Lord and Professor Ivo continue their tests on Blue Beetle’s armor, while Lord justifies his actions to the young hero by reminding him that he is not the bad guy in this situation. Meanwhile, Power Girl continues her assault on the overwhelmed J.L.I., and the battle seems lost until Rocket Red blasts her with high-frequency sound waves, overloading her super-hearing and incapacitating her. Power Girl comes to her senses and, after recalling what Lord did to her, agrees to join her former teammates in taking him down…

Notes

Page 1: I’m trying to figure out when this flashback occurs. Power Girl joined the J.L.I. in Justice League International #24, and it must take place before she changed her costume to from the one shown here to the cape less-yellow and white unitard she began wearing in Justice League Europe #15.

However, Booster Gold is mentioned as still being a member of the team, and he quit in Justice League America #37. That issue is cover-dated April, 1990, as is Justice League Europe #13. The two issues had a mini-crossover that month, involving a yellow cat and chaos on two continents (it was one of those things where you had to be there), so this scene must take place sometime before the events in those issues.

I have mentioned that the Giffen/DeMatteis Justice League was my favorite comic book of all time, right? Just checking…

Page 2: Captain Atom and Power Girl last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #17.

The Tama River is a major river in the Yamanashi, Kanagawa and Tokyo Prefectures in Japan.

“I didn’t kill Magog.” Really, he didn’t. Magog’s lance, tampered with by Maxwell Lord, exploded, thereby killing him, in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

Page 4: Max has used his mind control powers to convince Power Girl that Captain Atom is actually Superman. A Superman that has killed Magog and caused an explosion that killed thousands.

“Oh God. This is bad.” You said it, Captain Atom. Your day could definitely be going better…

Page 5: Ice, Booster Gold, Skeets, Fire and Rocket Red last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #17.

Pages 8-9: Power Girl sees Fire, Captain Atom, Rocket Red, Booster Gold and Ice as Supergirl, Superman, Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Batman and Starfire respectively.

Who does she see in place of Skeets? And which Batman does she see, because neither Dick Grayson nor Bruce Wayne are dressing like that these days.

Page 10: Blue Beetle, Maxwell Lord and Professor Ivo last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #17.

“You killed Ted Kord. You killed the Blue Beetle.” Maxwell Lord killed the second Blue Beetle in Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1.

Page 11: “My big ol’ brain can only open the floodgates so many times before it starts to take on water.” Translation – Max really can’t mind wipe the entire world again because it will most likely fry his brain.

Page 12: “You keep thinking I’m the bad guy.” A running theme of this series is that Max is doing the right thing. Or, at least, Max believes that he’s doing the right thing. One of the hallmarks of a great villain is that he or she does not think that what they are doing is wrong, and that everyone else just needs to get onboard with their plans.

Page 13: “We can’t run from her! She’s too fast!” Yes. She’s a Kryptonian, Booster. Kryptonians are fast. They have super speed. It’s kinda what they do.

Page 14: “You got Kryptonite or an enormous red sun tucked in your metal G-string?” Not only do you need Kryptonite, but it needs to be Kryptonite from Earth-2, and I’d imagine that it’s a little hard to come by.

And I think that tucking a red sun into your g-string might hurt a bit, don’t you?

Page 17: “No! If we don’t rule over them – the world will die!” It’s almost as if Max has converted Power Girl to his way of thinking; that Earth’s super humans are trying to take over the world from normal humans.

Page 19: “I think you have a job to do, don’t you?” Max said this to Power Girl in Justice League: Generation Lost #17 and Power Girl #20.

Page 20: I like Ice’s new costume. It harkens back to her old look, but somehow looks a bit more functional. I still think that Fire needs a new costume though; I can’t stand her Checkmate-era outfit.

“Yeah. Sign me up.” I’ve been waiting for Power Girl to join up with the team since Justice League: Generation Lost #5. Now all we need is a certain Dark Knight Detective to lend a helping hand and I’ll be a happy camper.

BRIGHTEST DAY #18

2011-03-29T14:37:00.000-04:00

“Easy Come Easy Go”

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Ivan Reis, Ardian Syaf, Scott Clark & Joe Prado

Inkers: Vicente Cifuentes & David Beaty

Editors: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

Captain Boomerang suffers a beating at the hands of Captain Cold while trying to explain to his fellow Rogue why he freed the Reverse-Flash from imprisonment…

Boston Brand is worried how the White Lantern power ring seems to be charging…

Mera enlists Aquagirl’s help…

Deathstorm and the Black Lantern JLA bring the White Lantern power battery to their master…

On Zamaron, Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Carol Ferris battle against Queen Shrike, currently bonded to the Predator Entity. Hawkman uses the Claw of Horus to expel the Predator out of Shrike, while the bones from Hath-Set’s inter-dimensional gateway come to life and drag Shrike into the Star Sapphire power battery. Hawkman and Hawkgirl’s lives are returned, and Carol returns them to Earth…

The White Lantern power ring has fully charged, and transports Boston Brand to the Stonechat Museum, where he confronts Hawkman and Hawkgirl. The Entity tells them that they must live apart so that they might live stronger, but they refuse. The White Lantern power ring seemingly turns the Hawks to dust as Boston Brand powerlessly looks on…

Notes

Page 1: Captain Boomerang last appeared in Brightest Day #7.

Captain Cold, real name Leonard Snart. First appeared in Showcase #8. Wields a freeze gun that allows him to freeze objects and others to absolute zero. Appeared in Boston Brand’s future flash-forward vision in Brightest Day #0.

“Is that why you freed the Reverse-Flash from Iron Heights, you stupid son-of-a-bitch?” This scene takes place immediately after the events of The Flash (third series) #7, in which Captain Boomerang freed Professor Zoom.

Page 2: “ – it told me ta throw me boomerang at Dove.” The Entity of the White Light told Captain Boomerang this in Brightest Day #7 and The Flash (third series) #5.

Dove, Boston Brand and Mr. Brand last appeared in Brightest Day #17.

“In the middle of everything, the ring stopped talking and started charging. It’s powering up.” This took place in Brightest Day #17, as Boston was enjoying the time he spent with his grandfather.

Mera last appeared in Brightest Day #16.

Aquagirl II, real name Lorena Marquez. First appeared (as Lorena) in Aquaman (fourth series) #16 and (as Aquagirl II) in Aquaman (fourth series) #26. Able to breathe underwater and resist deep-sea level pressures.

Deathstorm last appeared in Brightest Day #16. The Black Lantern JLA last appeared in Brightest Day #12.

Page 3: Hawkman, Hawkgirl, and Carol Ferris last appeared in Brightest Day #17.

Page 4: The new Predator, which is actually Queen Shrike bonded to the Predator Entity, last appeared in Brightest Day #17.

“I’m still working my way through the Sapphire Queen manual --” Carol Ferris became the Queen of the Star Sapphires in Green Lantern (fourth series) #57.

Page 7: “And th-thanks to your curse, I’m used to pain.” As revealed in Brightest Day #13, Queen Shrike was responsible for the deaths of Khufu and Chay-Ara and the curse that has plagued them through the centuries.

“But the curse ended when you killed Hath-Set.” Hawkgirl killed Hath-Set in Brightest Day #13.

Page 8: Yowza. Looks like forcibly expelling an entity of predatory love from one’s body hurts…a lot.

Page 9: In panel three, we see several of Hawkman and Hawkgirl’s past “selves” emerging from the gateway of bones. Seen here are Prince Khufu, Nighthawk and Cinnamon. The other two have yet to be identified.

Page 10: Oh boy, dead people coming back to life. It’s Blackest Night all over again…

From left to right, we have the Silent Knight (kneeling and grasping a sword), Chay-Ara, Khufe (front and center), Captain John Smith (with the noose around his neck) and Nighthawk.

Page 12: “Mission Accomplished. Life Returned.” Did Hawkman complete his mission? The Entity of the White light told him, “Don’t let them leave this world. Stop the Queen.” Okay, Queen Shrike was stopped, but she and the Manhawks left Hawkworld. Obviously, stopping Shriek was the more important of the two tasks.

As for Hawkgirl, she was told, “If your lover dies here, there is no more resurrection. Save him from Hath-Set.” Well, Hawkgirl clearly did that by killing Hath-Set, but why was her life not returned to her at that point?

Also, and this is interesting, according to Shrike, since the curse has been broken, Hawkman and Hawkgirl are now on their last life. But, according to the Entity, resurrection is possible, just as long as Hawkman doesn’t die on Hawkworld. So which is true? Will the Hawks continue to be reincarnated, or is this truly their final stab at life?

Page 13: “A Star Sapphire gave it to Shiera as a gift after Nekron was defeated. Miri Riam gave it to Shiera, as revealed in Brightest Day #0.

“She said it was an original shard from the crystallized bodies that once powered your battery.” The crystallized bodies were those of Khufu and Chay-Ara, as seen in Green Lantern (fourth series) #46.

Page 14: Say…where’d all the Manhawks go flying off to?

Page 15: “When the Black Lantern charged to 100%, Nekron was teleported to Earth.” This took place in Blackest Night #4.

Page 16: “We’re back. We’re home.” Hawkman and Hawkgirl were last at the Stonechat Museum in Brightest Day #0.

“But we aren’t old yet.” Shiera, you naughty girl you…

Page 17: Some hot and heavy Hawk-love going on here…

Page 18: Man, that Boston Brand is such a Peeping Tom…

Page 19: “You must live life separately to live life stronger.” Damn, this Entity is such a freaking kill-joy. Haven’t these two been through enough?

Page 20: “So be it.” Note to self…don’t piss off the Entity of the White Light. It doesn’t life it when you talk back to it.

Page 22: Whoops. So much for the Hawks.

Boston Brand must be feeling really freaking proud of himself now…

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #17

2011-03-28T15:24:00.000-04:00

“Code Blue”

Writer: Judd Winick

Penciller: Joe Bennett

Inker: Jack Jadson & Ruy José

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

Blue Beetle wakes up to find himself captive, unable to escape. Maxwell Lord takes control of Power Girls’ mind and orders her to take down the J.L.I., who is busy with the aftermath of their battle with the Creature Commandoes. Meanwhile, at the United Nations, the U.N. Security Council has revoked Checkmate’s charter, but White King Alton Janus isn’t worried. He takes the Col. Khalid-Isr to the headquarters of the new Checkmate, which is under Max Lord’s control. Lord transforms the Black King into an OMAC, much to Blue Beetle’s amazement. The J.L.I. tracks Lord’s teleport signal to Tokyo, where Captain Atom is promptly attacked by Power Girl…

Notes

Page 1: This scene is a flashback to several years ago, before Jaime became the third Blue Beetle.

Alberto Reyes is Jaime’s father; he was last seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #3.

Page 2: Blue Beetle last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #16.

Page 3: This scene takes place concurrent with events in Power Girl #20.

Maxwell Lord last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #16. Professor Ivo last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #15.

“She engaged the test subjects in combat.” This occurred in Power Girl #19-20.

The mysterious young woman with the glowing eyes is, as well will learn by the end of this issue, Power Girl. She last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #16.

Page 4: Rocket Red, Warren Griffith, J.A.K.E. 83, Captain Atom and Booster Gold last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #16.

Skeets last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #15…say, what’s the deal with Skeets anyway? Does he go off on secret missions without telling anyone? Is that why he misses issues every so often? Where does he go when he skips issues like that?

“Where is Beetle with Fire and Ice?” In Justice League: Generation Lost #16, Booster Gold sent Blue Beetle to gather Fire and Ice so the team could evacuate. Fire, however, was injured, and Maxwell Lord incapacitated and kidnapped Beetle before they could escape.

Page 5: Pvt. Elliot “Lucky” Taylor last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #16. He’s doing his best “Hulk smash!” impression here.

Page 6: “…you okay there, Big Frankie?” Taylor is, of course, homage to the Frankenstein’s Monster, hence Booster’s nickname for him.

Page 7: Col. Taleb Beni Khalid-Isr last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #16.

Project Cadmus was a government project that specialized in genetic engineering, responsible for the creation of Dubbilex the DNAlien, the second generation Newsboy Legion, and Connor Kent, a.k.a. Superboy. As The Black King explains here, it was formerly located in Metropolis. It first appeared in Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen #133.

The U.N. Security Council Competency Review mentions that four primary cells were activated by Checkmate, but I only count three. The cybernetics research facility in China was seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #10-12, Project Cadmus in Vietnam appeared in this issue, and the anti-terrorism hub in Chicago was the focus of Justice League: Generation Lost #11-13. What is the fourth cell and how will it fit into Max’s plans?

“In Chicago! Which became a battleground for Magog and Captain Atom resulting in a most devastating loss of U.S. civilian life!” As seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

“Magog was duped.” By Maxwell Lord, in Justice League: Generation Lost #10.

Page 8: Alton Janus last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #16.

Page 9: Fire and Ice last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #16.

Page 10: Vincent Velcoro last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #16.

“And I should mention…none of us looked like this. We’ve been…” “Altered.” Presumably, Professor Ivo experimented on and “altered” the Creature Commandos while they were at Project Cadmus.

“Just like he promised…we come after him, he comes after us.” Max warned the team against trying to find him in Justice League: Generation Lost #5.

“We are no closer to knowing what the hell he’s up to than that first night in the New York Embassy!” As seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #1.

Page 11: Man, Checkmate has some sweet new dogs, don’t you think?

Page 12: “The J.L.I. attack on the Checkmate Castle – you said to leave the details unreported.” This was in Justice League: Generation Lost #8.

Page 13: This page is weird to me, mainly because we don’t see Alton Janus anywhere on it. When I first read it, it almost looked like Max Lord revealed that he was masquerading as Alton Janus. This is obviously not the case, but the depiction of the scene is just strange to me is all. Perhaps Lord appearing behind Taleb as opposed to in front of him would have worked better, I’m not sure.

“And Talib, my friend, you actually know me quite well.” If you two know each other so well, then why are you calling him “Talib” when his name is “Taleb”?

And how do they know each other so well? I mean, apart from Checkmate being involved in the manhunt for Maxwell Lord in Justice League: Generation Lost #1? They were not members of Checkmate at the same time, considering the Taleb joined long after Lord was killed.

Page 14: Max’s nosebleed indicates that he’s using his mind control abilities.

Page 15: It seems that Max can now use his abilities to transform others into OMACs. He’s become a living, breathing Brother Eye.

Page 17: “Transporter in Australian Embassy was repaired by original Rocket Red.” I assume that, by “original,” Gavril means Rocket Red #4, a.k.a. Dmitri Pushkin. He probably repaired the teleporter at the J.L.I.’s Australian Embassy after Earth’s heroes repelled the Dominion-led invasion, sometime after Justice League International #24.

Remember that the future Justice League’s battle against the OMACs seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #14 took place in Tokyo. What importance, if any that this city has to Max’s plans remains to be seen.

Page 19: Ouch. That had to hurt.

“Gotta say…I’m getting a little tired of getting my can kicked.” That’s what happens when you’re the most powerful guy in the room; you just get beaten-up and thrown around all the time. Ask Superman. He knows.

Page 20: Oh good, a mind-controlled Power Girl…this won’t end well…

BRIGHTEST DAY #17

2011-03-26T12:04:00.000-04:00

“Homecoming”

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Ivan Reis, Ardian Syaf, Scott Clark & Joe Prado

Inkers: Vicente Cifuentes & David Beaty

Editors: Adam Schlagman & Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

Although they, at first, think that they have destroyed the universe, Ronnie and Jason realize that they have been transported to the Antimatter Universe. Firestorm flies off towards Qward in search of the White Lantern power battery…

After being transported to Zamaron, Hawkman and Hawkgirl team-up with Carol Ferris to battle Shrike. Hawkman handles the Manhawks while Hawkgirl confronts her mother, but the Predator entity is drawn to Shrike and chooses her as its next host…

Boston Brand visits his aged grandfather and reacquaints with the man, apologizing for his actions while alive. In an effort to bond with him, Boston takes his grandfather out for a motorcycle ride. Mysteriously, the White Lantern power ring begins to charge…

Notes

Page 1: Firestorm last appeared in Brightest Day #16.

“Did we just blow up the universe?” In Brightest Day #10, Professor Martin Stein revealed to Jason and Ronnie that, due to the instability of the Firestorm matrix, their arguing and bickering could lead to the triggering of a new Big Bang.

Pages 2-3: Shadow Demons were former Thunderers of Qward transformed by the Anti-Monitor into his personal warriors.

Page 4: Qward is a planet located in the very center of the Antimatter Universe; its analog in the positive-matter universe is Oa.

Page 5: Boston Brand and Dove last appeared in Brightest Day #14.

“Cheeseburgers for breakfast. Again.” Since returning to life, Boston Brand has indulged in his love for cheeseburgers every chance he can get.

“I could tell from last night.” Oooooooh, sexual innuendo.

Page 6: Boston’s wearing an apron with a dove on it. How cute.

Notice that there’s a huge hole in the wall from where Hawk barged into Dove’s apartment in Brightest Day #4.

Page 7: Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Shrike and Carol Ferris last appeared in Brightest Day #13.

“The curse is done. Hath is dead. We can’t die today.” Hawkgirl killed Hath-Set in Brightest Day #13, thereby ending the curse that had plagued herself and Hawkman for millennia.

Carol Ferris became queen of the Zamarons in Green Lantern (fourth series) #57.

Pages 8-9: “The ancient hearts of Khufu and Chay-Ara. You’ve come back to us.” The crystallized corpses of Prince Khufu and Chay-Ara – Hawkman and Hawkgirl’s original lives – were housed within the Star Sapphire power battery and powered their rings. In Green Lantern (fourth series) #46, they were revived as Black Lanterns and escaped, nearly destroying Zamaron.

Page 10: Mr. Brand, Boston’s grandfather, was last seen, in flashback, in Brightest Day #14.

“My grandsons are dead.” In addition to Boston, Mr. Brand also had a grandson named Cleveland.

Page 11: Awwww…cue the tears.

Page 12: “You held the record for long distance jump on a Harley Davidson, right?” Said record of 157 feet is held by Bubba Blackwell; it was set in 1999. It was first benchmarked by Evel Knievel in 1975.

Page 13: The Predator is, as Carol explains, the entity of love that powers the Star Sapphires, similar to how Ion and Parallax power the Green Lanterns and the Sinestro Corps respectively. It first appeared in Green Lantern (fourth series) #43.

Pages 14-15: Ok, pay close attention. See how Hawkgirl is going into battle without her helmet? Not the best of moves, I agree, but considering that she hasn’t worn it since she arrived on Hawkworld back in Brightest Day #5, what are you gonna do? Fly back through an inter-dimensional portal to accessorize?

Page 16: Yes, it seems like that’s exactly what she did, because, as she’s swatting at her long-lost mother with her mace, she’s once again wearing her helmet. Where the bloody nass did that even come from? Does she carry around a spare, collapsible helmet in her belt for these special occasions?

Page 17: “Your bodies – are suddenly immune to my Nth metal control --” Shrike used ability to control Nth metal to incapacitate Hawkman and Hawkgirl in Brightest Day #13.

Page 19: Shrike’s full name is revealed to be Khea Taramaka.

The Predator entity is easily attracted to and corrupted by its hosts, as seen here and in Green Lantern (fourth series) #57. Unlike Parallax, which completely takes over and influences its host, the Predator becomes subservient to its host’s desires and needs.

Page 20: Shrike has become a female version of the Predator, who made its first appearance in Green Lantern (second series) #178.

Page 22: Well, it’s about freaking time that White Lantern power ring did something other than look like fancy bling…

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #16

2011-03-25T16:43:00.000-04:00

“Scary Monsters”

Writer: Judd Winick

Penciller: Fernando Dagnino

Inker: Raul Hernandez

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

While Booster Gold, Captain Atom, Rocket Red and Blue Beetle find themselves under attack from the Creature Commandoes outside the J.L.I.’s Australian Embassy, inside, Ice tries frantically to save Fire’s life. Batman and Power Girl have a conference call with the heads of Checkmate that only arouses the Dark Knight’s suspicions of the group. Sensing that they can’t hope to win against their foes, Booster tells the team to retreat. Blue Beetle and Ice uses Aten’s healing bandages to save Fire, only to be attacked by Medusa and the G.I.Robots. Maxwell Lord, masquerading as one of the robots, kidnaps Blue Beetle for the next phase of his scheme…

Notes

Page 1: Blue Beetle, Captain Atom, Rocket Red and Booster Gold last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #15.

Project M is a secret government organization that began in World War II. It specialized in experimental biotechnology and necromancy; known creations of the Project include the Creature Commandos, Miss America and the G.I. Robot.

“Why we keep being attacking from peoples who are said to be on ‘our side’?!” This is a running theme with the J.L.I in this series. Thus far, they have been attacked by the Rocket Red Brigade, Fire, Ice, the Metal Men, Magog and now the Creature Commandos.

Page 2: Pvt. Elliot “Lucky” Taylor, Sgt. Vincent Velcoro, Warren Griffith and the G.I. Robots last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #15.

Page 4: Fire and Ice last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #15. Fire was shot in that issue.

“My dad was a mass murderer, you know.” As revealed in Checkmate #11-12, Fire’s father worked for a military dictatorship in the 1970s and had ordered the deaths of thousands.

Page 5: “I killed...a lot of people, too. For…for Checkmate.” As seen in the pages of Checkmate, Amanda Waller blackmailed Fire with evidence against her father and forced her to perform covert assassinations.

It was revealed that Fire’s mother was bipolar and had a psychotic break in Justice League: Generation Lost #3.

Page 6: Batman and Power Girl last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #10.

“And all caused by Captain Atom battling and killing Magog.” This is how the world interprets the events of Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

Col. Taleb Beni Khalid-Isr and Alton Janus last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #8.

Page 7: “Magog thought he was ordered by Checkmate to kill Captain Atom?” Exactly!

Page 9: Aten and Medusa last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #15.

Page 10: Bogman last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #15.

Page 12: “You think I’m a @#$$%?” She can be. She can so be a total @#$$%.

Page 13: “Ola, Jaime. Que o tem fazer hoje.” I think that this roughly translates to, “Hello, Jaime. What do you have to do today?” Or something like that.

“Eu estou tao frios.” This one’s a bit clearer, “I’m so cold.”

Page 14: I find it interesting that Aten’s healing bandages work on artificial life forms like the G.I. Robots as well as living beings.

Page 18: From what I can recall, Medusa didn’t have the abilities of a true Gorgon, just the hair of living snakes. She must have been upgraded recently and given the ability to paralyze others with her gaze.

Page 21: Maxwell Lord last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #15.

Page 22: “It’s okay, Bea. I’ll take real good care of him.” Max doesn’t have a great track record in his encounters with Blue Beetles over the past few years…

BRIGHTEST DAY #16

2011-03-01T18:27:00.000-05:00

“Short Fuse”

Writers: Geoff Johns & Peter J. Tomasi

Artists: Ivan Reis, Scott Clark & Joe Prado

Inkers: Dave Beaty & Oclair Albert

Editors: Eddie Berganza

Synopsis

After making sure that the Hyde’s are safe in the Aquacave, Aquaman takes Jackson Hyde to an undersea cavern so the teen can learn of his heritage and responsibility to the world. Jackson lashes out in anger and just wants to be left alone, but Aquaman confides in the boy, telling him that he knows he how feels, and that he wouldn’t heap this pressure on him unless he knew that he could handle it. Jackson accepts the costume left for him and adopts the mantle of Aqualad…

On the Watchtower, the JLA and JSA attempt to help Firestorm stabilize himself, but Ronnie and Jason can’t keep their emotions in check. Their argument escalates, and everything around them erupts in flame, leading them to believe that they have destroyed the universe…

Notes

Page 1: We open on the Aquacave, located at the bottom of the Atlantic. It looks much cooler now than it ever has before.

That’s an image of Aquaman, Mera, and Arthur, Jr., a.k.a. Aquababy, in happier times. Happier, as in, before Black Manta killed the kid and Mera went a little crazy and fled back to her home dimension.

Jackson Hyde last appeared in Brightest Day #11.

Pages 2-3: Aquaman last appeared in Brightest Day #11. An alternate-future/mental-illusion version of Aquaman appeared in Brightest Day #15.

“My son. He was murdered by your biological father. Black Manta.” This took place in Adventure Comics #452.

Mr. Hyde (no relation to Dr. Jekyll) last appeared in Brightest Day #11. Mrs. Hyde last appeared in Brightest Day #10.

“Which world do you belong to?” This seems to be a theme here in Brightest Day, that of heroes torn between worlds. Aquaman, the Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, Hawkgirl and Deadman (in a way) all straddle two worlds, never seeming completely comfortable in either one.

Page 4: Firestorm and Congorilla last appeared in Brightest Day #15.

The Atom last appeared in Brightest Day #2.

Mr. Terrific II, real name Michael Holt. First appeared in The Spectre (third series) #54. The third-smartest man on Earth, possesses a Genius-level intellect. An Olympic-level athlete, aided by his T-Spheres that he can mentally control. Invisible to all forms of technology.

Doctor Mid-Nite II, real name Pieter Anton Cross. First appeared in Doctor Mid-Nite #1. A medical doctor who can see perfectly in the dark. Wields blackout bombs and wears special ultrasonic lenses.

Supergirl, real name Kara Zor-El, also known as Linda Lang. First appeared in Superman/Batman #8. Possesses the standard Kryptonian powers of superhuman strength, speed, senses, invulnerability and flight.

Jade, real name Jennifer-Lynn Hayden. First appeared in All-Star Squadron #25. Through a birthmark on her palm, able to channel the power of the Starheart, allowing her to create energy constructs and fly.

Page 5: Deathstorm, Martin Stein and Alvin Rusch last appeared in Brightest Day #12.

Deathstorm stole the White Lantern and corrupted it, recreating the Black Lantern Corps in Brightest Day #11.

“I can transmute organics.” As he did in Blackest Night #3 when he transformed Gehenna Hewitt into salt. Firestorm is unable to use his molecular abilities on organic objects.

Page 8: Oooh, that Deathstorm is such a mean guy…

“Where is this “Elsewhere” that Deathstorm is hanging out in? Looks like he’s on freaking Qward.

Page 10: “I’m so sorry, Kaldur’ahm.” As a fan of the Young Justice animated series, I was wondering when they were going to reveal Jackson’s real name.

Page 11: Why do the people of Xebel need Jackson as a key? Obviously they could travel to Earth, because they came here to capture David’s parents in the first place, correct? Or did they unwittingly travel to Xebel through the rift and were then taken prisoner?

Page 12: “Osmosis” is the movement of water through a selectively-permeable membrane from an area of high water potential to an area of low water potential. And I actually still remember that from high school Biology class.

Page 14: Ah, Jackson’s decided to become a rebellious teenager. They grow up so fast, don’t they?

Page 15: Jeez, Arthur, you really think sending freaky-looking eels is really going to calm the kid down? Have you been taking parenting lessons from Bruce Wayne lately?

Page 16: “You d-don’t understand what I’m going through.” Wah, wah, wah, I hate my life, no one gets me, I want to run away from my responsibilities.

Deal with it, kid. You’re in the DC Universe. Grow a set and get ready to man up already.

Page 17: Aquaman gives a quick-little recap of his post-Infinite Crisis origin, for those who have arrived late to the show. Now I’m thinking that an Aquaman: Secret Origin mini-series might be in order, hmmm?

Page 18: Aqualad II, real name Kaldur’ahm, also known as Jackson Hyde. First appeared in Brightest Day #4 (as Jackson) and Brightest Day #16 (as Aqualad). Able to increase the density of water and manipulate its shape into weapons, as well as discharge bolts of electricity.

Page 19: “We’re waiting for Metamorpho?! Why?!” Yeah, really. I mean, like, everyone knows that Metamorpho’s never on time for anything. The dude’s always late. Better off just starting without him…

Uh-oh, Martin said that Ronnie and Jason need to keep their cool…

Page 20: Great. Now they’ve done it.

Page 21: Universe go “Boom.”

Page 22: “I think we just destroyed the universe.” Well, I guess that’s one way to defeat Deathstorm…

JUSTICE LEAGUE: GENERATION LOST #15

2011-02-17T14:13:00.000-05:00

“Tomorrow is Today”

Writer: Judd Winick

Pencils: Joe Bennett

Inks: Jack Jadson & Ruy Jose

Editor: Rex Ogle & Brian Cunningham

Synopsis

Maxwell Lord is enraged that not only does no one in the world remember who Wonder Woman is, but he can’t find her, putting a huge wrench in his plans. Meanwhile, with Captain Atom recently-returned form the future, the J.L.I. regroups at their Australian headquarters. Fire consoles Ice, while Captain Atom declares that he’s ready to hunt down and kill Max. Booster Gold reminds Captain Atom that they are heroes and that they won’t be killing anyone, only so Booster can beat Lord himself. The team’s downtime is interrupted by an attack from the Creature Commandos, whose opening salvo critically injures Fire…

Notes

Pages 1-2: Another recap of Maxwell Lord’s death at the hands of Wonder Woman as seen in Wonder Woman (second series) #219.

I get it, this is driving Max, and he wants his revenge on Diana. I just feel like Winick’s beating this horse into the ground. Enough with the flashbacks, move on…

Why does Diana have a red star on her belt in panel two on Page 1? And how does her tiara flatten out into a golden throwing disc?

Page 3: Why does this issue have the same exact title as last issue?

Maxwell Lord last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

Professor Anthony Ivo last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #11.

Page 4: All records of Wonder Woman’s existence have been removed, as per the current events in her ongoing series.

“I guess there’s irony in this.” Because Lord himself erased all knowledge of his existence from the world, he is now stymied by the fact that no one can help him find Diana.

Page 5: “Not after everything I’ve done. Everything I’ve worked towards.” What? You mean all of this plotting and planning wasn’t to benefit the world, to prevent Magog from starting a metahuman war? You mean Max had a bigger plan? Who knew…

Page 6: “Or she and the rest of her spandexed, super-powered varsity squad are messing with me.” And now the paranoia sets in…

Page 7: The events depicted on this page, in which Captain Atom seemingly kills Magog in Chicago, took place in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

“ - as if the radiation was absorbed completely, leaving no trace of -“ That was courtesy of Captain Atom, who absorbed the radiation at the cost of quantum leaping into the future.

Page 8: Captain Atom last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #14.

Blue Beetle and Booster Gold last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

Rocket Red last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #12.

Why the J.L.I has a headquarters in the Great Victoria Desert in Australia is completely beyond me. Last I recall, their embassy was in Melbourne.

“I’ve seen the future. Twice now.” In Justice League: Generation Lost #6 & 14.

“Does the world see Magog being brutally forced to turn his own weapon upon himself?!” The real version of what transpired in Justice League: Generation Lost #13.

Page 9: “Oh man, just grow up.” Heh. Funny that Booster Gold is telling someone to grow up.

Page 10: Fire and Ice last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #12.

“There was a scientist. He was charged with recruiting for the Global Guardians. We said I was a princess from an ancient tribe of magical Norsemen.” A slightly-altered version of events originally depicted in Secret Origins #33, which told the origin of Ice, then known as Ice Maiden.

“I was living with my mother and my sister in Otta.” Otta is a town in Norway of approximately 2,750 inhabitants.

“We more or less had been on the run for a decade.” After Tora’s powers went out of control and she accidentally killed her father, as seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #12.

Members of the Global Guardians shown here, from left to right, include Godiva (partially-seen), Ice Maiden, Bushmaster, Wild Huntsman, Olympian, Little Mermaid, Doctor Mist and the Tasmanian Devil.

“Not always.” Fire’s father had ordered thousands of deaths under a U.S.-supported, South American-sponsored anti-communist program that involved assassinations, torture and disappearances. Not a nice guy.

Page 11: “But Tora…that level of power you wielded after the fight with the Metal Men, when you attacked me…What happened?” As seen in Justice League: Generation Lost #11-12, Tora’s powers went a little haywire.

Page 12: J.A.K.E. is a designation given to a series of robots known as the G.I. Robot, which first appeared in Star-Spangled War Stories #101. The most recent version, J.A.K.E. 6.1, was a Rook for Checkmate that first appeared in Checkmate (second series) #24.

Page 13: “- I’m gonna beat the every-loving @#$% out of him.” Booster is still smarting from the beating Max gave him back in Justice League: Generation Lost #1.

Page 15: Skeets last appeared in Justice League: Generation Lost #11. Where the hell has he been hiding out lately?

Why do Max, Booster, Captain Atom Fire and Ice remember Diana when no one else does? Because this isn’t some simple mindwipe that Max did, this is big. Max couldn’t remove all evidence of his existence from the world, so people just selectively ignore it when presented with it. Bit with Diana, it is as if she was never there.

Page 16: “So…just you, me, Fire and Ice. Again.” They were the only four who remembered that Maxwell Lord ever existed after Lord mindwiped the world in Justice League: Generation Lost #1 and Brightest Day #0.

However, as seen in Brightest Day #14, the recently-returned Bruce Wayne might know about Lord.

“This is revenge. Even if it plays into some larger scheme…He’d kill her with the whole world watching.” The Brother Eye satellite broadcasted Max’s murder at the hands of Wonder Woman so that the entire world could watch and see her as a killer, as seen in The OMAC Project #6.

Page 18: “It’s been a while, and they look different.” Not sure when Booster Gold ever met the Creature Commandos; maybe he was flipping through some old issues of Who’s Who and recognizes them from there?

Pages 19-20: The Creature Commandos, first appeared in Weird War Tales #93. The modern-age team debuted in Creature Commandos #1, but that took place at an unspecified point in the future. They first appeared in current continuity in The OMAC Project #6.

Members include…

Aten, mummy-like communications specialist;

Bogman, an amphibian grunt that resembles the Creature from the Black Lagoon;

Patchwork, Pvt. Elliot “Lucky” Taylor, who resembles the Frankenstein’s monster;

Medusa, Myrra Rhodes, who has snakes for hair and resembles a Gorgon;

Velcoro, Sgt. Vincent Velcoro, A vampire that can change into a bat and requires human blood to survive;

And Wolfpack, Warren Griffith, who suffers from lycanthropy allowing him to change into a werewolf.

Page 22: Ouch. That looks like it hurt.