Justice League 3000 #15 Review

Written by: Keith Giffen and J.M DeMatteis
Art by: Howard Porter
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: March 4, 2015

Fire, Ice and Everything Not So Nice

I've often wondered about the crazy pitch meeting DeMatteis and Giffen gave to convince the DC Bigwigs to publish this book.  "It's the Justice League...kind of", "Get this, Superman is a real douche bag", "Trust us, we know what we're doing (while nudging each other and winking)".  Whatever happened behind closed doors, I'm glad it did.  This book immediately went from a head scratcher to one of my favorites each month.  The inside and outside (?) jokes that poke fun at everything from pop culture to comic history and the industry itself has been spot on and right up my alley.  Every issue has had at least one memorable moment including some LMAO ones.  All this makes it so fitting that the series was cancelled...sort of.  Come June, the book will continue as Justice League 3001 and whether that is a reboot (soft or hard) is still up in the air.  This issue does hint at a slightly new direction, but we will get into that after the break. In fact, it's time I stop kissing ass and get to this month's review.  Here we go...


The first thing that every fan will notice is the return of Howard Porter.  I know he only missed one issue, but I am so glad to see him back.  The book looks fantastic.  The book opens with Etrigan in a pose that every Robert E. Howard fan will love, "talking" with Fire.  I'm a big fan of Etrigan and loved this opening except for one thing.  Where is Darkseid?  I was waiting for him all month and we get nothing.  Did his bottle sprout legs and run away?  Thankfully, this is the only major disappointment this issue.

Watching Superman and Batman fight is never a disappointment and we get a pretty good one here. While Ariel tries to recruit Ice in the battle against Etrigan, Superman acts like his usual jerk off self and it is so good.  He is such a pompous ass and while that was one aspect that took me longer to warm up to, I wouldn't want it any other way.  While all this is happening, Wonder Woman and Teri/Flash are on the front lines with Arthur's men.  We are reminded that Wonder Woman loves War and Love (maybe not in that order) right as Etrigan's demons attack.



If you like epic, awesome fantasy battles in the vein of Warhammer, this issue is for you.  It is so cool, even if Teri keeps mentioning her soiled underpants.  Diana is the big hero, kicking ass like she always does until Ice steps up to the plate.  If you want, you can insert any and all of the tired Frozen references right here and I'll be back when you're done.............Okay, I'm back.  Did you mention that Ice froze the whole Kingdom and and all of Etrigan's demons?  Good.  That was awesome, wasn't it?  Unfortunately, it was only a minor victory as Fire enters the fray with a new set of monsters at her side.

Round two of the battle is just as good as the first.  Superman gets to punch things, Wonder Woman and Teri get a little team building and as everything goes on around them, Fire and Ice make up.  It's actually a touching scene among the fighting and jokes and I loved it.  However, that was only the second best thing this month.  The best was the cliffhanger.

Remember above when I told you that we get a hint at the new direction this book will take in June? Well, it involves the Injustice League and after reading the two pages of them this month, I can't wait.

This issue was near perfect.  I wish we got a little Darkseid (and Blue Beetle and Booster Gold for that matter), but what we got was stellar.  The fight scenes and character work was great and the part with Fire and Ice was one of my favorites in the series.  I don't know the how and what that this book is to become, but I applaud what we have been given so far.





I also applaud Howard Porter.  His art in this book is stupendous and I never want anyone else on this book ever.  No vacations, no breaks, no guest or fill-in artists ever again.  I also have to give a shoutout to Hi-Fi's colors.  They make everything look that much better.



Bits and Pieces:

I know I come off as a fanboy when I talk about JL 3000, but I don't care.  I love this book and this issue continues the greatness that Giffen, DeMatteis and Porter have given fans each month.  I'm so glad this book will return in June and I'm very interested in the hint of the new direction.  I hope this rebirth will convince more people to jump on board.  It's a crazy ride, but one I guarantee you will love.

9.5/10