Written by James Robinson
Art by Mark Bagley; Rob Hunter; Norm Rapmund; Rob Leigh; & Hi-Fi
Cover Art by Mark Bagley; Rob Hunter; & Hi-Fi
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for January 2011, the Omega storyline’s second chapter is entitled “The Power of a Million Souls.” Outside Washington D.C., DC’s biggest guns (including Superman; Zatanna Zatara; Green Lantern Hal Jordan; Doctor Fate; and the Golden Age Green Lantern) can’t breach an interdimensional emerald dome over the city.
Inside the crumbling Hall of the Justice, a short-handed League (Dick Grayson’s Batman; Jesse Quick; Jade; Donna Troy; and Supergirl) face off vs. the ominous Omega Man and Earth-3’s evil Crime Syndicate. Despite back-up from Blue Jay and Tangent’s Green Lantern, the League faces imminent destruction. Jade & Supergirl make last-ditch efforts to thwart Omega Man and stop the machine destroying parallel universes.
Note: Though the image isn’t available here, there is a variant cover by artist David Mack.
REVIEW:
Though some elements of writer James Robinson’s story are structured well (i.e. the irony of why Superman’s forces can’t breach the emerald dome), the storyline is still too muddled. It’s as if Robinson is cramming too much Crisis on Infinite Earths into one issue. With the Omega Man and the Crime Syndicate heavily involved, deciphering which villain is doing what and why is bewildering, other than the Earth-3 Superwoman’s epic slugfest with Donna Troy. Further, ongoing combat in the Hall of Justice’s crypt unnecessarily deploys some morbid taste, as a corpse’s leg is used as a blunt weapon.
Despite this story’s creative jumbling, artist Mark Bagley’s work is excellent, including a glimpse of a corrupted Supergirl, as well as the intriguing cover image. Justice League of America # 51 proves worth a read, but Robinson should have tried harder refining his plot.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In the single-page “DC Nation” column, writer Scott Snyder talks about his 2011 Bat-plans for Detective Comics.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
