Written by Christopher Sebela.
Art by Tom Derenick; Daniel Sampere; Juan Albarran; Marco Santucci; Jheremy Raapack; Pop Mhan; Derlis Santacruz; Andy Owens; Miguel Mendonca; Rex Lokus; J. Nanjan; Mark Roberts; & Wes Abbott.
Collection Cover Art by Mike S. Miller & J. Nanjan.
SUMMARY:
Released in 2017 by DC Comics, this 136-page hardcover reprints Injustice: Ground Zero # 7-12 from that same year. Continuing her snarky narrative, Injustice’s Harley Quinn has derisively dubbed six marooned DC Universe lookalike counterparts as residents from the so-called ‘pancake dimension.’
Aside from the Joker, the stranded alternate-reality Justice Leaguers consist of: Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern; Aquaman; Wonder Woman; Oliver Queen’s Green Arrow, and, as ordered by the Injustice Superman for public execution, a captive Batman. Though the Joker wears his familiar garb, these five counterparts are all wearing variants of their familiar costumes.
A faint sense of renewed hope looms. Allying with this short-handed Justice League, Injustice’s Batman leads a desperate rescue mission to save his tortured ‘pancake dimension’ counterpart from imminent death. Simultaneously, the Injustice Lex Luthor makes a solo last-ditch attempt to neutralize the corrupted Man of Steel. The Injustice Superman subsequently murders Luthor and Captain Marvel/Shazam. They fatally dared to oppose the Man of Steel’s dual scheme: to decisively subdue Earth’s rebellion forces and then, for further measure, conquer this rival ‘pancake dimension.’
Both powered by magical green pills, a super-strong Harley Quinn and the ‘pancake dimension’ Joker trade off multiple times violently double-crossing one another. With nudges from Doctor Fate and Zatanna Zatara, a pivotal interlude at the mystical Tower of Fate may forever change Harley’s mind. Harley’s street gang later splinters into opposing factions, with one joining the Joker and the other still her loyalists. Somehow, the fate of Earth may be determined by the outcome of this chaotic Gotham City feud.
Meanwhile, the arrival from ‘the pancake dimension’ of its Cyborg and ultimately, Superman, sets up a final showdown. The outcome is essentially a transition towards the premise of Injustice 2.
Note: This title is also available in paperback and digital formats.
REVIEW:
As its dubious best asset, Volume 2 offers a marginally better read than the wretched Volume 1. Despite a few good moments, glaring plot holes in writer Christopher Sebela’s repetitively padded storytelling are just too hard to ignore.
Among such conveniently flawed details: why should Poison Ivy readily know the security access protocols from the JLA Watchtower to Batman’s ultra-secret Gotham safehouse (aside from being an ex-prisoner herself)? Or how do certain characters already know of ongoing plot twists elsewhere without being present? Worst of all: given the multiple setbacks Batman’s Insurgency forces have faced in five years, the relative ease of finally accomplishing their climatic victory comes off as ridiculous and underwhelming. Deciding that all it really takes is for one good Superman to quickly defeat an evil one is a hardly satisfying resolution pitched to readers.
Like with Volume 1, the art squad’s reliably likable visuals will compensate only so much for bewildering logic gaffes, not to mention a predictable excess of fight sequences. Sebela’s plotting, in that sense, fixates on pushing gaudy, practically nonsensical violence vs. rendering plausible substance – or, for that matter, a remotely compelling storyline. Harley’s definitive romantic future – does she choose either the Joker or her own reality’s Poison Ivy? – is as close as one gets to actual character depth.
Everything else, unfortunately, is superficial truth-and-consequences, including how Injustice’s Barry Allen/Flash is the only ex-hero appalled by Captain Marvel/Shazam’s vile homicide. Otherwise, Injustice’s irredeemable Hal Jordan, Wonder Woman, and its Superman are simply bland Crime Syndicate knock-offs. Hence, the lukewarm Ground Zero, Volume 2 is primarily for those fans who prefer Injustice’s signature brand of sadistic mayhem. There’s minimal justification for this storyline’s generally tone-deaf existence.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In a full-page format, the cover (both in color and slick black-and-white) precedes each story. The cover artists are: Issue # 7 (Matthew Clark, Sean Parsons, & Andrew Dalhouse); Issue # 8 (Renato Guedes); Issues # 9-10 (Stephen Segovia & Elmer Santos); Issue # 11 (Mike S. Miller & J. Nanjan); and Issue # 12 (Clark & Dalhouse).
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 4½ Stars
