Justice League Dark #4 Review and **SPOILERS**

The Vines That Bind

Writer: James Tynion IV 

Pencils: Alvaro Martínez Bueno 

Inks: Raul Fernandez 

Colors: Brad Anderson 

Letters: Rob Leigh 

Cover: Riley Rossmo 

Variant Cover: Greg Capullo, Jonathan Glapion, Fco Plascencia 

Assistant Editor: Andrew Marino 

Editor: Rebecca Taylor 

Group Editor: Marie Javins 

Cover Price: $3.99 

On Sale Date: October 17, 2018

**NON SPOILERS AND SCORE AT THE BOTTOM**

Here’s the penultimate issue of this Witching Hour event, and I think it’s been pretty great so far! Right now, however, is where the whole thing could seriously falter if not handled well. You can find out whether or not that happens by reading my review of Justice League Dark #4, just below!

Explain It!

While Manitou Dawn is destroying Nanda Parbat, Justice League Dark heads over to try and stem the destruction. They’re a little too late, however, since much of the place is already flaming rubble. Some of the palace guards attempt to take down the reluctant Manitou Dawn—and in doing so, forfeit their lives to become ethereal Deadman-type ghosts of their own—but they are no match for the power of Hecate. Those three ladies show up, themselves, when Rama Dass manifests herself to survey the chaos. Deadman wants Rama Dass to split, but she’d rather do battle with Hecate. But even the goddess-level power of Rama Dass can’t contend with Hecate, there’s only one person who can: Hecate! Via Wonder Woman! 

When Diana shows up in her witchy form, she distracts Hecate long enough for Rama Dass to get away. Still, Wonder Woman possesses only a fifth of the power that is Hecate, she can’t take them down. Already, boasts Hecate, another witchmarked soldier, Black Orchid, prepares to take down the Parliament of Trees and destroy the Green. You know, the thing that Swamp Thing protects, that keeps the other aspects like the Red and the Rot at bay? If the Green falls, we die, folks. 

Diana doesn’t let up her assault on Hecate, and allows Zatanna and the rest of the Justice League to escape using Bobo’s dimensional-piercing sword. Zatanna doesn’t like how Wonder Woman uses magic like a blunt weapon, and feels like she’s falling into Circe’s trap by being so headstrong and quick to act. And she may be right, folks, for on the last page we find that Wonder Woman is imbued with the power of Hecate—and is now willing to do their bidding! 

Wow! There is a lot going on here to munch on. And despite Jim’s claim that these issues between The Witching Hour are padding, I think I wouldn’t have wanted to miss them. Sure, you may get all the story you need in those two issues, but seeing Hecate go up against Rama Dass is too dope. We can thank, of course, the estimable art team for that, they are making magic and all the evil shit surrounding it look cool as hell. I love this series and I have been enjoying this event like crazy. Can’t wait to see how it all wraps up!

Bits and Pieces:

The story continues to raise in this event that should have fans of the DCU's Dark line rejoicing. A new agent of Hecate threatens the Green, and Nanda Parbat is all but lost. Can Wonder Woman fight past her witchmark to take down Hecate? I can't wait to find out!

8/10