Written by John Ostrander
Art by Val Semeiks; Prentis Rollins; John Kalisz; Heroic Age; & Ken Lopez
Cover Art by Val Semeiks; Prentis Rollins; & John Kalisz — in homage to Justice League of America # 9
Role Call: Batman (Bruce Wayne); Wonder Woman; Martian Manhunter (J’onn J’onzz); Plastic Man; Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner); Flash (Wally West); Superman (Clark Kent); & Aquaman [plus lots of brief cameos].
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for December 2001, the 40-page finale of this seven-part mini-series is entitled “Inspiration.” With Earth destroying itself, the League must incur a rematch vs. the Appellaxian invaders from JLA: Year One.
With the team’s reserves staying behind, the main team breaches an interdimensional doorway to confront the alien invaders on their home turf. An ongoing insurrection amongst the Appellaxians impacts the outnumbered League’s strategy. Meanwhile, back on Earth, super-hero journalist Tully Reed’s ongoing storyline concludes with a déjà vu experience with death and an encounter with a mythical goddess.
Note: This series’ continuity builds off 1998’s Justice League: Year One twelve-part mini-series.
REVIEW:
Though Issue # 7 sports Incarnations’ most formulaic and probably least-compelling plot, writer John Ostrander still deftly lands a satisfying-enough finish. In essence, it’s very much resembles the kind of plotting that Grant Morrison did for JLA.
For instance, Ostrander replicates a Morrison device by smarting inserting the vast number of reserves into background cameos without surrendering much screen time. Further, the team chemistry and corresponding dialogue solidly continues the work Morrison did with this particular League. Ostrander, in that sense, doubles up what DC was already doing at that time vs. the glowing nostalgia he imbues Issues # 1-6 with.
Completing Ostrander’s seven-issue gauntlet, the art team’s top-caliber visuals don’t ever disappoint. Case in point: the parallel evolution of supporting character Tully Reed’s aging over the years subtly depicts the emotional toll reporting the League’s exploits has had on him.
As of this writing, this mini-series inexplicably hasn’t been collected by DC Comics as a trade paperback. Should it ever become one, consider such a book a fan’s treasure. From start to finish, JLA: Incarnations conjures up reliable DC Comics magic that readers of all ages can duly appreciate.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Retitled “Justice for All,” the letters-and-answers column offers fan commentary on this series.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
