Justice League 3001 #6 Review

Brain Stew

Written by: J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen
Art by: Colleen Doran, Hi-Fi and Marilyn Patrizio
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: November 25, 2015

I have been a fan of this book since the good old days when I called it Justice League 3000.  Yep, back then I was captivated by the humor and fun of an alternate Justice League based on incomplete and erroneous history books and a crazy parasitic cloning process.  I didn't need much of a story, just some laughs and boy did this book deliver.  Unfortunately, not many people followed and DeMatteis and Giffen started adding more and more characters in hopes of gaining an audience, but what it really did was make it an overcrowded mess.  Did I forget to tell you I walked to school uphill...both ways...in the snow?  Because of all that (including walking to school), I have fallen off this book and it's a shame because it was one of my favorites less than a year ago.  Throw in the fact that Howard Porter is gone to more Super pastures and this book has the cards stacked against it when it comes to winning back my love.  So, did this issue win despite the odds?  Let's find out...



The issue starts with Batman, Supergirl and Batman on Takron-Galtos and no, that isn't a typo.  If you read last month's #4, you'd know that I am talking about the pretty cute and awesome Tina Sung...the fifteen year old, robo suit wearing Dark Knight of the prison planet.  While the pint size dynamo and Supergirl go back and forth, Batman tries to figure out what to do with her and ends up kind of adopting her.  While that's funny enough, we find out that she is actually the Great (x5) Granddaughter of Bruce Wayne which really pisses of Supergirl.

Okay, this is a step in the right direction.  Sure, we add another character, but Tina is brand spanking new, hilarious and gives Supergirl something to do.  It also doesn't hurt that the robo batman is a great dig at the current state of Batman affairs.  Those are all pluses in my mind and having an extra Batman around never hurts either.

Going back to last issue for the final time, it ended with an awesome cliffhanger introducing Harley Quinn into the JL 3001 world.  I know, too many characters, but Harley is hotter than Hansel right now and was one of the characters I really wanted in this series.  Well, the dream doesn't last long as she is attacked by Scullion (think Silver Surfer meets Multiplex) and killed almost immediately.  It's a shame because we find out her backstory and it turns out she is besties with Tina and up until recently they were passing the time playing Batman v Harley Quinn.

The villains then go after their main target, Batman (version Tina.0) and it's a pretty good action scene that again gives Supergirl something to do (she really hasn't had much up until this issue) and shows Batman (older, cloned male version) knows his way around a utility belt.  Through all of this, Tina just yells for her robot suit and Batman calls for Justice League backup.

After a prolonged battle that establishes that Scullion also reminds me of the T-1000 and is pretty much invincible, the Justice League shows up lead by trash talking Superman.  If you're like me, you have grown to love jerk off Superman and even recognize that he is the key to this book, meaning that he is everything wrong with bringing back these heroes in the first place.  To say this issue changes up the game as far as Superman is concerned is an understatement along the lines of Admiral Beatty talking about his ships.  Shocking!  Once the rest of the League snap out of it, they get in battle stance and the issue ends with everyone (including Bat Bot Tina) ready to go to war.

This issue is a kick in the pants to this series and just what the doctor ordered.  DeMatteis gives us over-the-top action, the start of another great back-and-forth duo in Tina and Supergirl and a shocking twist.  If you have fallen off this book, it's time to get back on the trolley because this issue might just remind you why you stamped your ticket in the first place.

Colleen Doran is the guest artist this month and I wouldn't mind one damn bit if she stayed on for the long haul,  WHile I am a huge Howard Porter fan, Doran's style just might fit this book better.  The cartoony look really fits the story and tone of this series and I really like her character models for the entire League.  Now, if we can combine Howard Porter's awesome futuristic backgrounds with Doran's League, we might just have the perfect book.

**Note: Anyone who listened to this week's podcast (HERE) may notice the difference in my final score here.  After sitting down and taking my time to read and write my review, I actually liked this issue a whole lot more than when I did so quickly for my Flash Review.  I'd love to say that DeMatteis and/or Doran slipped me a fin, but I don't even know what that means.  I think it has something to do with fish and I do not own an aquarium.

Bits and Pieces:

While I loved Justice League 3000, I kind of fell off it when it added that extra year.  Well, after this issue, I'm back on the trolley and can't wait to see what happens next.  This issue addresses and takes care of a slew of problems I had with the series and did so in pretty shocking ways.  Colleen Doran fills in on art and I really liked it and remember, I am a card carrying Howard Porter fanboy.  I don't know if it will win any new fans, but this issue will make some tired old ones happy again.

7.8/10