Justice League #15 Review

Time After Time

Written by: Bryan Hitch
Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Matt Ryan, Brad Anderson and Richard Starkings
Cover Price: $2.99
Release Date: February 15, 2017

I was not as much of a fan of the last issue of Justice League as others, but if having the League get together and hug it out will lead to better stories from here on out then I guess I'm in.  I mean, they already saved the world at least four times together so nothing should be able to stop a team that has "regrouped", right?  They are going to need it in this book, since it seems like every day is Earth's last.    So, what does Bryan Hitch have in store for the League this week and is it any good?  Let's find out...


The issue opens with Batman on his kick ass 4-wheeler, heading off to something "dramatic".  It turns out he meant the Infinity Corps building and before we know it, Bryan Hitch thrusts the reader into a convoluted tale of world ending time travel nonsense.

The main problem with this issue is Hitch doesn't seem to want to set up or explain anything.  I understand this story has a time travel element, but the worst part is the out of sequence storytelling.  Superman and Batman are at the Infinity Corps building while the rest of the Justice League go from a U.N. Meeting to "somewhen" else thanks to Molly, The Keeper.  She says they are being attacked by the Timeless because their kind disrupts the natural flow of life.  Okay...  If you can't follow along, join the club!

The actual parts in the future (?) are pretty cool, but without a proper setup, they are a bit too confusing to make me care.  Aquaman is in an awesome looking Atlantis, Wonder Woman is about to witness the moment Zeus ends his daddy issues, Cyborg is in Legion of Superheroes territory and the Green Lanterns are in a future that doesn't look kindly on using their rings.  Like I said, it's all pretty cool, but figuring out where it all fits into the story takes some leaps of faith, some head scratching and even that may not be enough.

While this is going on, Superman and Batman get a sixth grade education on time travel and Barry ends up with Holly at the day he became Flash.  It all wraps itself around itself when we see everyone (sans Bats and Supes) at the center of the problem with Holly.  They are going to have to stop the Timeless here...I think...I'm not sure..,I'm really not sure if I care!

I think there is a story somewhere here beneath the layers of convoluted setup, non explanation and cliched writing.  Maybe "story" isn't the right word because this issue feels like Bryan Hitch just added some things he saw on Netflix last night on top of his cancelled JLA book.  It wasn't a great mix to begin with and then he throws "Crisis" and "Flashpoint" in and I really thought he was fucking with me.  Should I look in my closet to make sure him and Ashton Kutcher aren't punking me?  For the record, I did check.

The saving grace of this mess is the art.  Fernando Pasarin and the rest of the team do a great job here, but they can only do so much.  Shinning a turd as they say...

Bits and Pieces:

It amazes me how bad this book has become.  Fans deserve so much better, but it looks like this is what we are stuck with.  If you like it, explain why to me because I must be missing something. Actually, I miss the Justice League and hope to see them soon.

4.0/10