Written by Louise Simonson.
Illustrated & Cover Art by Tim Levins.
SUMMARY:
Based off the Justice League Unlimited animated program’s continuity, Stone Arch Brooks released this 88-page paperback in 2018. It’s among at least eight titles in this series.
Hired by Lex Luthor, the Joker & Harley Quinn conspire to abduct the Justice League by holding them captive in a secret subterranean cavern below Arkham Asylum. The big prize is Luthor’s ulterior motive: a defeated Superman at his mercy (or lack thereof).
With the Huntress and Flash as their first prisoners, the villains reveal that the Leaguers have been chained to an elaborate death trap where Gotham would be decimated by a bomb. One catch is that the heroes’ vast powers have been conveniently neutralized. The far more diabolical one is that the sole means to prevent detonation is steady (forced) laughter at video replays of the Joker’s favorite ‘greatest hits’ schemes.
Despite already knowing the identities of their adversaries, the Man of Steel is lured into a kryptonite trap. It’s up to Wonder Woman, Batman, Cyborg, and John Stewart’s Green Lantern to launch a counter-strike to save their teammates. To make their strategy work, Wonder Woman risks her life to infiltrate the villainous duo’s lair by posing as their next prisoner.
The question becomes: will this dangerous gamble save Gotham City and her teammates in time?
Notes: Neither Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern nor Aquaman appear in this story. The back cover reiterates the League roster, including its reserves.
REVIEW:
With excellent production values (including an easily readable font), this book doesn’t cheat its young target audience.
Veteran comics writer Louise Simonson devises a fun little plot that seemingly evens the odds pitting two wacky Bat-villains vs. seven Justice Leaguers. While ‘screen time’ is generally well-divided, Wonder Woman earns this story’s MVP award as Simonson’s best-written character. As for the visuals, Tim Levins’ artwork nicely homages the look of Justice League Unlimited. Suffice to say, this Justice League caper should be a fast read where kids will outgrow it sooner vs. later.
Still, Justice League: The Joker and Harley Quinn’s Justice League Jailhouse is a welcome find for an elementary school library.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a table of contents. The League’s ‘roll call’ highlights its primary seven members: Wonder Woman; Batman; Superman; Cyborg; Flash; Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern; and Aquaman. Another twenty League reserves are also depicted. The League’s ‘database’ reviews a quick profile on the Joker and Harley Quinn, along with images of another thirty-four Legion of Doom villains. An ad also identifies the covers for all eight (so far) titles in this series.
While there is a single-page glossary, it ironically omits the climax’s biggest word: “doppelgänger.” A few questions and some creative writing prompts are then provided for students. Paragraph-length bios on Simonson and Levins are on the last page.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
