Justice League Beyond 2.0 #5 (2013) Review

Power Struggle Part 5 of 8: The Art of War

Written By: Christos Gage
Art by: Iban Coello
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: October 12, 2013

The last issue featured the return of Superman Villain, Jax-Ur.  This issue gives a few answers and a whole bunch of fighting.  Jax-Ur was Krypton's greatest military technician (sorry Zod) and he has been given a lot of time to plan...and he is pissed.

 

Everything that has happened in the past issues seems to be Jax-Ur's plan to lead a powerless Superman to the Phantom Zone.  When he gets there he sees how sick Jax-Ur really is.  He is using his son to mentally control Superman Robots that are attacking the team in the Fortress of Solitude. The end game?  Kill the Justice League and subdue Batman to use his "authorized" body to escape the Phantom Zone and turn Earth into a new Krypton, ruled by...you guessed it, himself.

The highlight of the issue is definitely the fights happening on the two fronts.  A powerless Superman holds his own against Jax-Ur while the League works together to take down the Superman Robots.  The issue ends with everything looking pretty bad for the team.  Batman is down and the Phantom Zone is seconds away from opening.

I have a bit of a problem with Jax-Ur's treatment of his son.  I know he is evil, but why abuse your son?  Not to mention that his son is his only ticket out of the Phantom Zone.  A military genius may not be a great father, but I don't think he'd abuse his only weapon.  It just seems like a cheap way to prove how evil he is.

Bits and Pieces:

Justice League Beyond 2.0 #5 (man that's a long title) is a pretty good read.  The action is nonstop and everything has fallen into place for Jax-Ur's ultimate plan.  The issue ends with a cliff hanger that should make the next issue another intense ride.

7.0/10