Justice League #12 Review

Before I get into this review, let me premise this by saying what a three weeks this has been! When DC teased this gorgeous cover, the story went global, the comic book community buzzed with reaction and Superman/Wonder Woman fans like myself were pinching ourselves to believe it was true and actually going to happen. We had rumors for a while now it might happen but we have been so accustomed to being only thrown scraps, we did not want to set ourselves up. The Super and Wonder books were not showing anything and the Justice League book was being very careful to keep it subtle. In my past reviews I have picked on shared chemistry and hints but I really did not expect this now. I expect DC had a lot riding on this and wanted to keep it secret up until the last minute. Well, it paid off because the book has gotten so much buzz and the first printing has sold out. I would say to fans go back now and re-read the books from Justice League #3 where Clark and Diana lay eyes on each other for the first time and onwards and study the interplay and what was going on with other characters, like Steve Trevor. I am going to show all the shared Superman/Wonder Woman moments from the book here as well.

The League, as we last saw them, went to Mount Sumeru to find Graves and there we saw an apparition of Steve Trevor, suggesting he was dead.

While they confront Graves himself, we cut back to the real world where TMZ is discussing the kidnapping of Steve Trevor, his relationship with Wonder Woman (or at least what was perceived) and a run down of the fight between the League and how David Graves might be involved.

Graves is manipulating the League and using the pain they have for their loved ones to try to get them to help him release the souls of the dead. He used Steve Trevor to get to Wonder Woman because according to him, she never suffered any human loss (so are Hippolyta and her sisters chopped liver?). We can see how focused Clark is on Diana even amid his own pain.

Steve appears to announce he is not dead. I kinda laughed here at how arbitrary this was but it is the thing that gets the League to realize they are being manipulated.

The League take down Graves and once again we see how pissed Clark can get when anyone tries to hurt Diana. Recollect when Darkseid tried to hurt her in #6. Note:heat vision can't affect magic. The League triumph and Graves is defeated. He turns out to be a feeble, sad,lonely man who is grieving for his family.

Twenty four hours later Diana visits Steve. This is a painful scene because it deals with the aftermath of a breakup and normally there is never anyway to do this right or react. However, Diana has been single for a year. She broke it off with Steve because she was concerned for his safety even back then and we are teased with a tidbit about the Cheetah. How was the Cheetah involved in their past and what went down that Diana felt compelled to leave off the relationship? We are not even clear how far the relationship went as well. What is clear is that Steve is fuming. Again. He seems to blame it all on Diana. Insinuating she threw "them" away.

Judging from what we know, I would say he is being very unfair. When we go back to former issues we learned Diana was only 18, fresh faced and inexperienced. She knew nothing about relationships. Steve Trevor is a Colonel and an experienced man. In his thirties now, I would guess. So am I to believe he really thought they would not have problems? The girl did not even know what holding hands meant. Steve appeared impatient and demanding and in my mind should have taken things slower even if Diana had initiated it.She was like a teenager. It was as if he took advantage of her naivete and when it did not go as he wanted, he was quick to lay blame at her feet.

In issue #7, Steve is shown to clearly hate his desk job, and he is being raked over the mud by the media. Diana even challenged him about it there as she is here and it's kind of ironic he looks so offended. But she is hitting the nail on the head, I think. He only stayed for her because he does not like the other members of the League, not did he appear to believe in them. He said they had no social conscience and was doing his shady government dealings by trying to build another League. He also never corrected his sister's impression that Diana crushed his heart and self worth. I wonder if Tracy met Diana how she could even blame her for all the woes that befell her brother? If I were Tracy I would be asking Steve, what were you thinking? He seems more concerned here with what the media would think.

Diana clearly has feelings for him and I believe she loves him ( she loves everyone) but she is not in love with him. I believe this scene shows a maturer young woman, feeling guilty for causing someone she cares about more pain and realizing it is time to move on. She tells him they will be getting another liaison. If I were Steve and I truly cared for Diana's feelings I would have resigned a year ago.

The rest of the League minus Superman and Wonder Woman, discuss what went down and they come to the realization that they need to buck up. That they have not been a united team and they need the support of the public. Green Lantern volunteers to resign and let them pin the blame on him.

Superman, worried about Diana, goes to Washington to find her. It might be that the League knows her intention to tell Steve he was being removed as liaison. Superman asks how Steve was and she tells him he is angry. I would say they know. Clark's expression also shows enormous empathy for her as he watches her sitting alone.

The two open up to each other. Diana talks about her naivety. Note she never mentioned love but like. Superman reveals his identity. (Once again, in this continuity he tells her before Lois) Diana wonders if that works in protecting people he is close to.

Clark admits that it helps but he still has to keep secrets from everyone. Diana contemplates how different they are, and asks him if he feels alone. It says to me even when she was with Steve, she felt loneliness. It's a moment of instant connection. The attraction that is already there, suddenly is magnified. Diana's face is so beautiful when she looks at him. Vulnerable but open and giving him the signal his feelings are reciproacted. They both lean into towards each other.

We end with Amanda Waller giving Graves (in Belle Reve Prison) a type writer to finish his story.

From a shippers point of veiw, I found the moment of Clark and Diana's connection tender, poignant and resonant. There are so many of us out there who know how this feels and we are not heroes or aliens or demi-gods. You can be a normal person, with a great job and friends and date but times, you can still feel alone if you have not found that deeper connection you need. Their chemistry is obvious and Jim Lee did stellar art in this issue. My only critique with this is I would have preferred if we could have seen more stories of them in the five year build up. We know they have worked on and off and have an attraction but would have been nice to see more of that sexual tension. The fight with Graves was not the most interesting and I still don't see him as such a great villain. He served his purpose, I guess. I am waiting now to see how DC handle this dynamic and I really hope they do not drop the ball for the dull, predictable status quo. This romance has so much potential for new stories and for both characters to grow.

I give this 4 out of 5 stars.

Best Panel. THE Kiss. The most anticipated part of this issue.