Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Five Chapter #14 Review

Guardian Angel

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Mike S. Miller, J. Nanjan and Wes Abbott
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: March 22, 2016

Last week's issue of Injustice was the first part of a two part Damian story and while I have been asking for more overall story progression, it was a nice diversion.  I couldn't be that upset as we haven't got a ton of Damian in any of the previous years and with this final one being extended, there is no better time than now.  It all continues this week and while last week's issue had a bit of a playful attitude (having Harley show up will do that), this one was dead serious, but was it any good?  Let's find out...



The issue opens up in Bludhaven where Damian is doing his best Nightwing impersonation while we get a very familiar sounding narration.  It's not very hard to figure out who it is, but I still got so excited when it was confirmed.  That comes a bit later and for now it is just cool to see Damian jump from rooftop to rooftop and then crash smack dab in the middle of one of the craziest group of Gotham villains I've seen in a while.

Black Mask, Tweedle Dee and Dum, Man-Bat, Mad Hatter and Scarecrow...all there ready to fight Damian and he's all for it.  In fact, he wants it that way.  The fight is going Damian's way for a bit...until another crowd of villains arrives lead by Bronze Tiger.  That's when the tone of the entire issue changes a bit and we see Damian begin to struggle while the narrator tells us that the former Robin is not the finished product and may just be a little too hard headed for his own good.  This is nothing new to Damian fans, but when we see it's Deadwing (Dick Grayson as Deadman) telling us all this, it hits home that much more.  It also made me smile since I am such a huge fan.

The next thing we know, Damian is waking up in the Hall of Justice Infirmary, trying to piece things together.  It's obvious to the reader what happened and that makes the scene even better.  The goodness continues as Damian receives a new wardrobe from beyond the grave and I loved it.  The issue ended with Damian opening up to Superman about what Alfred said last issue about him and Batman.  It seemed like a nice little bonding moment between Supes and the former Robin, but the way it ended, Alfred better pack his bags and get out of town now!

Maybe it's because I've wrapped my head around the pace of this Year a little more or maybe this was just a kick ass issue because I loved it.  Seeing Deadwing is always a plus, but seeing him looking after his little brother after what happened in Year One was great.  Brian Buccellato does an excellent job with the characterization of Damian, but Injustice is proving that Dick Grayson's super power is being a nice guy...dead or alive.

Mike S. Miller's art this week started off great, but stumbled at the finish line.  Damian, Deadwing and the multitude of villains looked great, but then something happened.  I think someone hit Damian with the ugly stick after he was knocked out because when he woke up in the Hall of Justice he looked awful.  I'm not talking about the cuts and bruises, either.  I'[d still say that the art was good overall and was not a deal breaker in any way.

Bits and Pieces:

This week continues featuring Damian Wayne and while it only pushes the story forward a tiny bit, I really liked it.  It's mainly because of the awesome guest stars, both good and bad and the great characterization of Damian that Buccellato gives us.  The art is a tiny bit inconsistent, but doesn't detract from the issue at all.  Recommended.

8.8/10