Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter #9 Review

Freedom Terrorist Fighters

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran, Rex Lokus and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: February 16, 2016

Injustice continues and while I liked the action that Hawkman brought to the book last week, it was more filler than I want (and expected) in the final year of the book.  By the end of the issue, the sexist Hawkman was put in his place and I'm hoping Buccellato gets things rolling again this week.  Let's all join hands and find out, shall we?




The issue starts in South Korea and it becomes obvious in no time at all that Team Batman is planning something big.  As Barbara Gordon looks on, a bunch of rogues (or is that Rogues?)  are getting into position for...well, we aren't really sure at this point.

The issue continues in Smallville where Superman is attending the "Clark Kent Day" celebrations and with everything that he's done in this book, it's a joke there is such a thing.  I guess that his hometown will support him through anything...well, most of his hometown.  His parents are not there and if the art is to be believed, it's a pretty sparse crowd in general.

The issue then gets explosive...literally.  We see that Team Batman has begun coordinated attacks across the world, even one in Smallville.  While the semantics will depend on which side you support, Batman has made sure there are no collateral damage, but Superman is going to treat these as straight up terrorist attacks and act accordingly.  With his Regime scattered across the world dealing with the attacks, Superman goes on a little fact finding mission to see why Lex has stopped production of the green super pills.  This issue really does not shed a good light on Superman and after yelling at Lex and nearly coming to blows with Barry Allen, he really looks like a dick.

That may seem like the opposite of what Superman should be, but with Bizarro also in the book, you have to be careful what you say.  I love Bizarro and it looks like this is the issue where he steps up his game from a cute little joke hanging out in Germany to a in the field superhero.  Don't worry, I'm sure it will be as fun since he really does think he is Superman!

The issue ends with Bizarro showing up in Central City just as a dejected Trixter is trying to prove his worth to the Rogues and maybe himself.  While there really isn't a kick ass, surprising cliffhanger, there is an awesome end page that I hope continues right into next week's issue.

I liked this issue and it does feel like it's getting things back on track.  I liked seeing Batman's guerrilla warfare and also am intrigued by some of the hints that are dropped by Trixter as to the current issues for the Rogues.  On the Superman side, the Man of Steel is certainly alienating his own troops and it looks like Lex and Barry are on thin ice when it comes to their leader.  Finally, any issue that has Bizarro in it will get some extra points in my book, but I want more, more, more!!!

Bruno Redondo kicks ass as always in this chapter, especially when it comes to Bizarro.  he looks awesome!  There is a bit of action this week and Redondo handles it with ease.  Yes, I am a fanboy, but the guy always nails the art in this book.

Bits and Pieces:

After last week's filler, I liked seeing Buccellato roll up his sleeves and get back to business.  We see the beginnings of Batman's new plan (but no Batman) and Superman becoming more of a jerk than ever.  Don't worry though, there is another Superman in town and while most non game characters are doomed in this book, I hope we get a whole lot more of him,

8.0/10