JUSTICE LEAGUE, VOLUME 2: UNITED ORDER (DC Comics)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis.

Art by Steve Pugh; Sanford Greene; Phil Hester; Scott Godlewski; Eric Gapstur; Nick Filardi; Romulo Fajardo Jr.; Trish Mulvihill; Hi-Fi; Gabe Eltaeb; & Josh Reed.

Collection Cover Art by David Marquez & Alejandro Sánchez.

SUMMARY:

In 2022, DC Comics released this 158-page hardcover compiling Justice League # 64-71 (from 2021-2022).  Presently, the active League roster consists of: Queen Hippolyta; Black Canary, Green Arrow, Naomi McDuffie; Superman; Hawkgirl; Black Adam; Aquaman; & Batman. 

First up is the five-part United Order storyline.  Escaping custody at his trial before the newly formed United Planets, the seemingly invincible Synmar Utopica attacks Earth to destroy his closest cosmic rival: Superman.  Yet even the League’s reinforced firepower is not enough to keep from the Hall of Justice from being demolished. 

Also facing the team, as allies and/or potential adversaries, is the intergalactic United Order: they are the 21^st Century precursor to the Legion of Super-Heroes.  Despite sharing him as an enemy, they dispute the League’s means of neutralizing Synmar Utopica.    

After some much-needed downtime, Green Arrow & Black Canary must contend with would-be assassin Leonardo Lane (Lois Lane’s kid brother — aka Daemon Rose) and a bumbling seven-member squad of Deathstroke impostors.  Later, amidst the Hall of Justice’s wreckage, Naomi struggles to find her foster parents.      

In the three-part “Biggest Score Ever,” the League reluctantly partners with Checkmate once they discover that the Royal Flush Gang has committed its biggest heist ever: plundering the Fortress of Solitude.  It is up to the League to rein in the dire repercussions stemming from the Royal Flushes’ moronic actions.  Aside from Green Arrow’s exposed alliance with Checkmate, it is also hinted that another Leaguer has an ongoing covert affiliation.  

Guest stars and cameos include: Lois Lane; Katana; Firestorm; The Wonder Twins (Zan & Jayna); Doctor Fate; John Constantine; Blue Devil; Booster Gold; The Question; Bones; Steve Trevor; Kate Spencer’s Manhunter; Supergirl; Kimiyo Hoshi’s Dr. Light; Metamorpho; Fire; John Henry Irons’ Steel; Vixen; Ragman; Jaime Reyes’ Blue Beetle; Captain Atom; Plastic Man; & Atom Smasher.

Note: This title is also available digitally and will presumably be released as a trade paperback at a future date.

REVIEW:

The superb visual look from Volume 1: Prisms initially carries over to Volume 2.  That asset is welcome compensation for an unimpressive storyline courtesy of Brian Michael Bendis.  Approaching the halfway point, however, the artwork’s quality starts taking a downward shift towards average and even sub-par visuals.  Bendis’ plotting tries to make up the difference with his semi-amusing Royal Flush caper, but the result is not enough. 

Justice League, Volume 2: United Order, suffice to say, is not must-have reading.  For most fans, finding this book at the library should prove sufficient.           

ADDITIONAL CONTENT:

Original covers by David Marquez & Alejandro Sánchez (Issues # 64-67); David Marquez & Ivan Plascenia (Issue # 68) and Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn (Issue # 69-71) each appear in a full-page format.  The variant artists consist of Jason Howard: Issue # 64; David Talaski: Issue # 65; and Alexander Lozano: Issues # 66-71.   

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         5 Stars