Written by Tom Taylor
Art by Mike S. Miller; Bruno Redondo; ‘Xermanico;’ Juan Albarran; J. Nanjan of NS Studios; Rex Lokus; & Wes Abbott
Cover Art by Neil Googe & Rex Lokus
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Xanadu,” this issue was published by DC Comics for January 2015. Inside the extradimensional Tower of Fate, Harley Quinn chastises Doctor Fate’s lack of help, as she feverishly works with Zatanna Zatara and Alfred Pennyworth to save a mortally-wounded Detective Chimp. John Constantine angrily refutes Fate’s observation that Constantine’s young daughter, Rose, is exhibiting magical talents.
Batman & Constantine investigate one of three potential options to stop Superman. At the Hall of Justice, Superman reluctantly doesn’t halt Sinestro’s brutal interrogation of a defenseless Officer Sprague, who might divulge info re: Batman’s whereabouts. The Spectre warns Superman and his allies of a new powerful threat against them. Batman accompanies Constantine to recruit Madame Xanadu, who angrily blames him for the death of her lover, Jason Blood. Xanadu’s fortune-telling cryptically foresees six prophecies.
Note: Despite Swamp Thing’s looming presence on the cover, this issue has nothing to do with him.
REVIEW:
Though nothing is remotely resolved, writer Tom Taylor’s dark storyline continues to impress. Between Constantine’s tense scene with Doctor Fate re: Rose, Harley Quinn’s medical efforts to save Detective Chimp, and the Xanadu-Constantine sequences, this issue packs plenty of dramatic tension in an alternate DC reality.
Capably supported by the art team, the visuals are often excellent. The only rub is the cover’s deceptive advertisement that the Swamp Thing participates when he isn’t even actually mentioned (or, for that matter, Superman doesn’t return to the red, blue, and yellow, either). For fans, Injustice (Gods Among Us): Year Three # 3 is a great and unpredictable read that justifies wanting to grab the next issue.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The single-page “DC All Access” column plugs the LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham video game.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
