Written by Len Wein
Art by Tom Derenick; Pow Rodrix; Marlo Alquiza; Walden Wong; Dan Green; Pete Pantazis; & Rob Leigh
Cover Art by Eddy Barrows; Ruy Jose; & Rod Reis
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Royal Pain! Chapter One – Luck of the Draw,” the Royal Flush Gang returns to Las Vegas in this issue published by DC Comics for September 2009. Taking the posh Startopia casino’s guests and staff hostage with an impenetrable force-field, the Royal Flush Gang intends a mass extortion scheme against the city’s other casinos. Vixen leads Firestorm (Jason Rusch), Dr. Light II, Red Tornado, and Plastic Man into battle.
For their unknown boss, the “Wild Card,” the Royal Flushes carry out a covert agenda. Another Royal Flush is revealed, as the masked villains have had a hidden ace all along in this scheme. Two familiar underworld figures play cards against one another, as the League is being set up for an ominous win-lose-or-draw.
REVIEW:
Supported by top-caliber visuals (including a wonderful in-joke cover image), writer Len Wein pens a rollicking action-adventure that exploits this makeshift League’s chemistry. Minus a few mild profanities, Wein’s inspired dialogue alone makes this issue a real treat. Between the amusing Dr. Light/Plastic Man mini-feud and some spot-on banter between Vixen and Firestorm, fans receive plenty of good-natured entertainment value.
Ironically, the League’s big guns aren’t needed to make this storyline work, even the villains grouse that there isn’t a single Superman, Wonder Woman, or Green Lantern in sight. With Wein on his game and stellar visuals, Justice League of America # 35 is a delightful ‘can’t miss’ prospect.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The single-page “DC Nation” promotes the imminent Blackest Night saga. There’s a five-page preview of the rebooted Adventure Comics # 1, as Conner Kent (aka Superboy) crosses a few items off his to-do list upon his resurrection.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
