Justice League 3000 #14 Review

Written by: Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Art by: Andy Kuhn
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 11, 2015

Message in a Bottle

Justice League 3000 is one of my favorite books for many reasons, but a fast moving story isn't one of them.  I'm not complaining one bit, however, since the slow burn story of a parasitically cloned Justice League born into a Universe that barley remembers the reality of their past has been awesome. A great book became even better when a Pre New 52 Booster Gold and Blue Beetle joined the fray and adding Etrigan and Ice felt like icing on the cake that couldn't be topped.  My God, I was wrong. This issue is so full of guest stars and comic book references that it topped it three times and then put a big old cherry on top of the top of toppings.  I don't know if that's actually a sentence, but I do know this issue continues the greatness of Justice League 3000 with one minor exception.  On with the review.

Last month's issue ended with Ice and I promise no Frozen references will invade this review.  I was never a big Ice fan, but having an immortal confront the League is something I've been waiting for since this book debuted.  She knew the real Justice League and everyone wants a history lesson.  She reluctantly takes a walk down memory lane and while it's obviously painful for her, it's awesome for the reader.

We finally get to see the screwed up things that lead to the reality of the Year 3000.  It's not pretty, but involves Kamndi, the Atomic Knights and Etrigan among others.  Giffen and DeMatteis also throw in Oberon, Fire and the Super Buddies just to make me smile.  At least that's what I think.  All of this would have been enough stuff for at least a couple of issues, but they were just getting started.

For those faithful readers waiting to see more of the promised Injustice League, the wait is over.  Lois Lane and Sinestro are on Camelot Nine doing a little recon and I loved every panel.  I can't wait for more Lois because what we get here is so good.  She is an egotistical bitch and the back-and-forth with her and Sinestro was so good.  But that's not it...

We get a quick bit of Booster and Beetle and after a reference that would make Charlton Heston and Richard Fleischer grin, they are off to Cadmusworld.  Any DC fan knows that spells trouble and it quickly proves to be the case.

Back on Camelot Nine, Etrigan has gathered his troops and is on the move.  Even though Wonder Woman and Arthur's men are aware of what is happening, Etrigan has a little help that is one part Futurama and about a million parts fantastic.  I laughed out loud and pumped my fist at the last page.

This issue had so much happening and all of it was good.  We finally get some solid information on what happened between our time and the Year 3000.  We get a kick start to the Injustice League and some more great guest stars.  If you have been reading this book, this issue has to have you pumped for everything going forward.  I hope this all bleeds and blends into the new Justice League 3001.  It better.

I mentioned in the introduction that there was a minor exception to the greatness in this issue and that was the art.  It's not that I didn't like Andy Kuhn's work, it's just not Howard Porter's.  Since Howard has been on the book since the get go, his style kind of defines it.  Kuhn's is as far from Porter's as can be and while it had a classic comic book feel that fit most of the story, especially Camelot Nine, it just felt off.  This was purely personal so I didn't take much off the score because of it.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue solidified this book at the top of my pile.  It is funny, action and character packed and just plain awesome.  Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis do such a great job mixing together old school references with new versions of characters to make a book that is oddly comfortable while being completely unique.  It also doesn't hurt that it's got charm and wit to boot.  Everyone should be reading this book.  Highly recommended.

9.5/10