Customer Reviews

JLA: World War III - Book 06

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

These were originally published as JLA #34 - #41.

The World War III story is the best one of the JLA series so far. Not only does it bring together many of the previous stories, it also yet again brings forth the basic characters of several of the key JLAers.

This is the end of the world saga foretold in several earlier JLA issues. The Injustice League is back as well, recruiting previous nemesis Prometheis (although Batman, whom Prometheis handily whooped last time, has a few tricks in store for him). The injustice league also rescues General Eiling from an asteroid where he was marooned several issues ago. But the return of the Injustice League isn't the main event; the end of the world as foretold by many (Meteron, Hourman, Zauriel to some extent) is coming, in the form of the aptly named Mageddon. This is the threat that Orion and Barda were sent to Earth to fight, although it seems even greater than their powers.

Batman, Superman, Green Lantern and Plastic Man all get to show their character, flaws and all. Again, this is what makes JLA among the best graphic novels: the heroes have character flaws, even Superman, and the JLAers sometimes dig into each other.

The best bit is Batman, the king of despair, helping Superman, the eternal optimist, overcome mental anguish caused by Maggedon.

The worst part of the JLA is all of the changes that happen in the characters own comics. Diana is back as Wonder Woman, replacing her mother with no explanation. Other characters wander in and out (though there is some great interaction with Huntress, Superman and Batman).

Fav panel: pg 176: Zauriel, getting volunteers from the Pax Dei!

Its difficult for me to review Morrison's wrapup to his run on JLA. Personally, I thought many of his stories were excellent- I have never seen Barda and Orion used as well as they were by Morrison, for one thing. This volume starts well - the new Injustice Gang (sigh- with the exception of the Queen Bee, who is possibly the dumbest mega-villain I've ever seen) reunites to take out the JLA, not realizing a greater menace is on the horizon. Luthor, Prometheus, the Colonel (good villain, stupid name) are pretty fun villains, though Luthor seems to have almost nothing to do.

Unfortunately, after the Injustice Gang attacks, the story starts to slide as the menace is revealed. For me, Megadon is another dumb idea- without spoiling anyone's read, its not a person or an entity, its a weapon, an automated machine- because of this, all the personality usually associated with a terrific villain is not in evidence here. Yes, the earth will be destroyed, yes the heroes ban together with heroes past to defeat the menace, et al. Unfortunately, the menace is so stupid and underwhelming that by the time the JLA comes up with the ridiculously cheesy manner in which they defeat Megadon, you're ready for it all to be over anyway.

In short, the first 100 pages are a thrill ride - I just have issues with the last.

Morrison's trademark apocalypse comes right on schedule in his version of the JLA, which looks for all the world like a big-budget, mid-summer blockbuster movie. All the loose ends that you thought were forgotten about, all the characters that you thought just showed up for one issue, every superhero you can name and few that you can't come to the rescue in Morrison's admirably surreal take on the end of the world at the hands of a giant, planet devouring menace. It's a great read, and Howard Porter has finally gotten a handle on anatomy, as well as the classic Superman. The best of the series.

So dark and forebodin and ominous. Superman is captured by Mageddon and normal human beings are recruited to save the universe, even though not many survive it. It is a really really great work, incredible illustrations and attention to detail make this comic one of my all-time favorites!

A Very Very good epic done Marvel style. Slam Bang effects, great art, great characterizations, great everything. A terrific addition to the DC Universe canon as it progresses the long-talked about theory that everyone on earth has a meta-human gene. Two caveats though: you don't have to be a regular reader to enjoy it but it SURE WOULD HELP!
Secondly, and this is the big one, the epic storyline gets no payoff at the end, as they end on a corny "superfriends" note.

This is so much fun that I want to give it a 5. However, it's not cohesive enough to deserve it(some reviewers give out 5's like water). Grant Morrison puts in an admirable effort but it comes up a little bit short. The story he wrote is too huge, too unwieldy. It's not his fault; you try writing a story this colossal. And I can't blame him for trying to go this over the top - every story was bigger than the last. I mean, the JL of America was fighting angels bent on the apocalypse in just his third story arc. Mark Waid didn't set himself up so that he'd have to keep writing a bigger & bigger story - too bad he didn't stick around too long.

Yes, WW3 is confusing, but not any less confusing than any of Morrison's other work. Regardless, this huge epic has its moments. Flash & GL have defining moments that make u say "wow." I agree with a previous review, GL's fight for control of the ring should've been a bigger part of the story. It could've something special. And as always, and as it should be, we see that it's Batman that makes JL of America go.

I'm tempted to give it a 3 because of this one corny part. I won't reveal the ending, but there was an occurence that wasn't necessary for the good guys' victory. I believe it was only there to make a bigger, in your face splash. However, it just ended up gratuitous & corny. Very corny.

The art by Howard Potter (and others) can look amazing in one panel and awkward in the next, but for the most part, the art is great.

Well, read Rock of Ages or New World Order if you want to see the stories this guy can come up with when he's got a grasp on it all the elements. WW3 is still good fun.

This book collects the final issues of Grant Morrison's stellar run on "JLA." And it is a grand, sweeping epic that closes this chapter of the Justice League's history beautifully. Bold, loud, and full of the "mad, beautiful ideas" that made Morrison a critical and commercial darling.

I can't understand the low rating for this one. WORLD WAR 3 was everything that was great about Morrison's JLA tenfold. Great character dynamics and awsome "widescren" action right up there with the best Authority story. Don't forget that it was Morrison who made popular the whole widescreen, cinematic style of storytelling that can now be found in just about every other comic book today. I remember loving this story when I read each individual issue and it's only better collected into one book that you can sit down, relax, and read in one sitting.

WORLD WAR THREE ROCKS!!!

This storyline had TOO much hype behind it to begin with and it didn't deliever everything the fans were promised. I mean first of all the title World War 3 doesn't fit the story! They should've just called it Mageddon it would've made more sense. Second, they had A LOT of old super hero's that you don't normally see in the DC universe in the comic but they bearly used them at all. Like Captain Marvel (Shazam) for example he didn't do ANYTHING! The only reason why I gave this book a 3 is because of the fight between Batman and Prometheus! THIS WAS THE HIGHLIGHT of the comic and one of the best action scenes! To tell the truth its the only reason why I got it. However, I wouldn't exactly recommend this graphic novel to someone instead I recommend you go get "Rock of Ages", "Tower of Babel", or "Strength in Numbers".

Like I said before the only thing good about this storyline is the fight between Batman and Prometheus. So if you have no other reason to get this graphic novel at least get it for that fight!

I followed Grant Morrison's run on this book. He had some good story lines and some even better story lines. He seemed to me to be infallible. That is until DC kept him on for ten more issues than he wanted or was prepared to do. In this collection this very evident. This story line was drug out so long that I'm afraid either Grant Morrison got burnt out or did not write this at all.