The Justice League has a new villain. He is the author of the book Gods Among Men. He was once a believer but now he is bitter and angry at them. He is dying and has nothing left to lose.
Steve Trevor is hurting over Diana's rejection of him. It must be me but my sympathy is marginal. Diana was like a child in the world of male/female dynamics, having just come out in the world and what would she know really? I would assume this guy has some relationships under his belt and Diana's looks and all of that makes her a rather hot package but he should know better. The jab about her leaving him for Superman (or Batman) was amusing. And I am even wondering why the Paps are wasting time with him...when they should be hounding "them"...to get the scoop. But Johns really wants you to feel sorry for poor Steve. We also see he has a sister.
We cut to Batman and Superman and get to see their world as civilians. Both have their own issues. Clark is the odd man out because he chooses to be alone. But he still has a reason to smile. He has a friend in none other than Bruce Wayne. They team up to kick some butt and are joined by Cyborg to search for someone called the Key in Arkham.
Meanwhile Flash and Green Lantern do their hilarious good cop/bad cop routine. Which fails utterly and they have to call Wonder Woman in. Diana does her thing with her lasso. And we see her memories and possibly guilt over Steve.
Essentially, Graves wants to find out how to hurt the Justice League and I assume by showing Alfred, the Daily Planet, Trevor...we are seeing how he might do that. His plan is to get Steve to help him because Steve is close to the League and knows a lot about them. He tortures Steve until he breaks.
I will say this issue was better than the last two. Jim Lee is back. So art is gorgeous. But Jim's ladies, once again, look like clones. Lois and Diana look no different to each other. We also get to see more of the League and Superman actually speaks! Still my quibble with this book is that I want to read Justice League and I feel I have not gotten that. It still feels too much of Steve Trevor guest starring the Justice League. And a Justice League who seems still disjointed and reactive than the truly proactive, well oiled machine that we know. Johns is telling us and truly not showing us. He's busy trying to show Steve Trevor hence cutting the team's panel time.
I give this 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Best Panel: Superman busting through the wall.
