Injustice: Year Four #2 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran and Rex Lokus
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: May 12, 2015

Summer of Our Discontent

I shouldn't have to keep repeating myself, but in case you didn't know...I'm a huge Injustice fan.  I am also a fan of Brian Buccellato and because of those two things, I can overlook a bunch of stuff that others seem to get stuck on.  Last week's issue of Injustice, for instance.  While some seemed to take umbrage with Superman's new over-the-top meanness, I trust Buccellato and believe that it's all in the name of good storytelling.  They may be right, I may be crazy, but it just may be a lunatic...  I guess that everyone can cool their jets for a week at least because this issue has zero Superman.  It also has zero Batman.  It does have Renee Montoya, Harley Quinn and a pretty cool cliffhanger.  Is that enough to make everyone run outside and join hands across America?  Let's find out...

The issue starts with a Renee Montoya flashback from ten years ago.  Her and Maggie Sawyer (who I always love to see) are investigating an old house that looks scary on the outside...and things only get worse when they go inside.  I'm talking possible child abduction and very real cult worship.  It is a really odd (but cool) way for this issue to start until Huntress shows up and we head to the near present where Renee is trying to drink her problems away.

The pacing of this start may be a bit off, but I don't care.  This book used to be all about crazy deaths week in and week out and while that was good fun for a while, I like seeing that those deaths have repercussions to those left behind.  It's not just Renee, either.  Catwoman straight up leaves Team Batman while the getting is good.

We then drop in on Harley Quinn.  She is bored and after Poison Ivy shoots her plans for fun down the toilet, she heads off to visit Billy Batson.  I have no idea what she has planned, but it actually weirded me out a bit seeing her try to get the little boy's attention.

I really can't get enough of Harley in this book.  Tom Taylor nailed the character and while it took a little bit for Buccellato to catch up, I thought he was right there by the end of Year Three.  This little bit takes a few steps back.  Sure, the fun factor might be there, but it was the heart beneath the crazy exterior that made her so special in this book.  I hope Buccellato remembers that going forward.

The issue ends by revealing the attacker from last month's cliffhanger.  You remember, right? Cyborg getting punched in the face and Damian ready to fight the assailant?  Well, we find out who it is and while it makes sense in the context of this issue, it didn't seem to match up from last week's ending and I didn't really like who it was.  That being said, this week's cliffhanger was pretty damn awesome and I have a feeling this character is not long for the Injustice world after what they do.

Year Four may have been hinted at being the "Year of the Gods", but so far it's been the "Year of Discontent".  Both sides are showing their frustration with their leaders and this issue shows members quiting and even taking matters into their own hands.  Superman may have been a real dick last week, but Batman has become a deadbeat leader to his gang.  Something tells me that this cliffhanger is going to wake them both up big time!

I always love me some Bruno Redondo and this issue is no exception.  I may question why Harley got a bit of a haircut, but I'll chalk it up to her being bored.  I love everything else and continue to preach that Bruno is one of the best artists out there.

Bits and Pieces:

This issue continues showing that not all is well in Injustice land.  This week we see that Team Batman is falling apart at the seams and while Batman isn't doing much about it, not everyone is sitting on their hands.  The art as great as usual, but the story was a bit more setup than I expected after last week's cliffhanger.  However, Brain Buccellato makes sure to pick up the pace at the end just in time to give the reader another awesome cliffhanger.  This issue won't drop any jaws, but it sets up a few things that might in the very near future.

8.0/10