Written by Adam Beechen and Art by Carlo Barberi; Walden Wong; Heroic Age; Pat Brosseau; & Travis Lanham
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2006, Volume 3 reprints Justice League Unlimited # 11-15 (from 2005) as a 102-page, digest-sized trade paperback. Its five stories consist of:
- “Postcards from the Edge” (Issue # 11). Written by Adam Beechen; Pencils by Carlos Barberi; Inks by Walden Wong; Letters by Pat Brosseau; and Colors by Heroic Age.
- Heroes: Stargirl; Aquaman; Wonder Woman; Superman; and Steel.
Told from Stargirl’s perspective, she is a member of the JLU’s delegation at the annual Coronation Day in Atlantis. After a rocky introduction to Aquaman, she is offered insight from Wonder Woman. An underwater crisis ensues, as the behemoth Umbra dispatches Wonder Woman, Steel, and Superman. Only Stargirl and the King of Atlantis are left to face Umbra. .
- “Old School” (Issue # 12). Written by Adam Beechen; Pencils by Carlos Barberi; Inks by Walden Wong; Letters by Pat Brosseau; and Colors by Heroic Age.
- Heroes: Golden Age Flash (Jay Garrick) and Flash (Wally West), with single-page cameos from Superman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, Blue Beetle (Ted Kord), Green Lantern (John Stewart), & Red Tornado.
Stung by an unimpressed schoolboy’s accusation that he isn’t the real Flash, Jay Garrick is summoned by Wally West’s Flash for help. Unaware that Wally has been captured by Mirror Master, Jay finds that his JLU support team has been trapped in a teleporter beam. It’s up to Jay to stop Mirror Master and rescue Wally in time.
- “Nuts and Bolts” (Issue # 13). Written by Adam Beechen; Pencils by Carlos Barberi; Inks by Walden Wong; Colors by Heroic Age; and Letters by Travis Lanham.
- Heroes: Red Tornado & Steel; with cameos by Power Girl; Zatanna; Gypsy; Vigilante (Greg Saunders); Flash; Superman; Green Lantern (John Stewart); Wonder Woman; Atom; Elongated Man; Animal Man; Booster Gold; Ice; Stargirl; Captain Atom; Blue Beetle (Ted Kord); Fire; Wildcat; and Batman.
Red Tornado inexplicably goes haywire nearly crippling the Watchtower. While most of the JLU repairs the damaged Watchtower, Steel leads a squad to Earth to stop the rampaging Tornado. It comes down to Steel vs. the Tornado. Only Batman might deduce who has secretly sabotaged the Tornado to sway public opinion against the JLU.
- “Everybody Limbo” (Issue # 14). Written by Adam Beechen; Pencils by Carlos Barberi; Inks by Walden Wong; Colors by Heroic Age; and Letters by Travis Lanham.
- Heroes: Zatanna Zatara; Wonder Woman; Superman; Flash; Batman; Booster Gold; Green Lantern (John Stewart); Martian Manhunter; Deadman; Phantom Stranger; Dr. Occult; Etrigan the Demon; Dr. Fate, & Zauriel.
Deadman needs JLU firepower to thwart the Demons Three’s invasion of Limbo. Only the League’s mystical Trenchcoat Brigade (Zatanna; Phantom Stranger; Dr. Fate; Etrigan the Demon; & Zauriel) are able to accompany Deadman into Limbo where they are captured. The opportunistic Etrigan double-crosses them, as he is willing to slit a defenseless Zatanna’s throat. To the end, only Etrigan knows his warped reasoning.
- “Urban Legends” (Issue # 15). Written by Adam Beechen; Pencils by Carlos Barberi; Inks by Walden Wong; Colors by Heroic Age; and Letters by Travis Lanham.
- Heroes: Vibe, with cameos by Batman; Black Lightning; Ragman; Gypsy; and Black Canary.
Vibe bails his younger brother, Armando, out of jail only to find out that he is being recruited by Jaime, a gang leader of the local El Lobos. The gang are new recruits of Dr. Sivana, seeking to utilize his newest threat: the robotic Mr. Atom. Once the JLU confronts this threat, Vibe’s brother must make a life-changing decision.
REVIEW:
As stand-alone original stories and good artwork mimicking the TV series’ animation, this compilation should be construed as JLU adventures between episodes. Champions of Justice makes an enjoyably light read with “Everybody Limbo” and “Nuts and Bolts” serving as its highlights. “Postcards from the Edge” is a nice contrast for its unusual team-up of Stargirl and Aquaman. The Golden Age Flash and Vibe spotlight stories are fine yet very routine. Overall, Champions of Justice serves up a welcome delight for all comic book fans.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
None. It’s frankly a cheat considering that the cover art is not provided.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
