Injustice 2 #23 Review

Injustice 2 #23

Writer: Tom Taylor

Art Team: Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Rex Lokus

DC Comics Digital First

Release Date: Sept 12, 2017

Cover Price: $.99

Alfred Knows Best

Well I apologize first and foremost for missing out on Marvel Monday this week, I ran around all day Monday arguing with mortgage people instead, it was a real enjoyable experience all around.  Anyway, I definitely looked forward to this Tuesday, for a much needed day of relaxation and Injustice 2, after work of course, and well Tuesday came through in a big way.  On the heels of last issue's cliffhanger, where Alfred put a stop to Bruce and Damian's fighting, lets see what emotional punch we’re in store for inside the pages this week.

Things start here with Batman and Alfred, his father figure, embracing for a long hug, since Alfred seems to finally be in working order once again, post Lazarus pit exposure. After calming the two man children's attitudes once again, he orders the father and son pair make up, or else!

Before things get too touchy feely and anyone walks out of here unharmed, Ra’s decides now is the time to make his entrance, increasing the tensions once again.  Alfred, since it worked the first time, once again tries to play role of peacekeeper, this time between Ra’s and his army and Batman with his group of heroes, since he seems to be about the only one thinking with a level head here.

However, just when things look like they may come to a peaceful resolution Blue Beetle starts firing on Ra’s sanctuary, after seeing the entrance to Ra’s base cave in the previous issues. As

Blue Beetle blows his way in, cut off from communication with the team, his damage causes animals in Ra’s sanctuary to be killed, which doesn't please Vixen, who lunges at the young hero.  

Before Vixen is able to make contact though Plastic Man restrains her, which sets of a chain of events, causing battle to erupt between the two sides once again, which leads to this issue's cliffhanger. The impromptu offensive and defensive actions, of two specific characters in this fight, lead to very bad things happening, but you'll have to drop those $.99 cents to figure out the who, what, and why of it all … so what are you waiting for?

Overall, Injustice 2 this week comes to the table with a strong emotionally paced issue, that see’s a resurrected Alfred try to get both sides to see there is a place for them both, on this spinning rock we call Earth. The dialogue was very effective this issue throughout the book, with Tom Taylor doing a fantastic job of really capturing the voice of Alfred in particular, while delivering once again with a great cliffhanger. I look forward to a change in scenery in the future, as the story works its way out of Ra’s basement, when it finally arrives though.

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The art team does a great job of rendering the action scenes but the transitions towards the end of the battle got a little confusing here. However the emotions on characters faces are really noticeable in this drama filled issue and all look fantastic. This team is always on their A game and their hasn't been a week yet I've been disappointed with what we’ve been given artistically.

Bits and Pieces

Tom Taylor and company keep up the unrelenting pace, action, and drama in a great issue this week. The highlight of a long gone character from this series is a welcome addition to a crowded cast I'm becoming very attached to.  

8.3/10