Justice League #28 Review

Sexual Tyrannosaurus

Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Javi Fernandez, Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarran, Hi-Fi, and Tom Napolitano
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: July 17, 2019

I have been enjoying the Justice League book lately and while I still am trying to put my finger on what exactly the Year of the Villain will end up being, this is the place to be for that.  While all the other big books are dealing with offers big and small, the one that Lex Luthor ended the last issue of Justice League with seems like it's the big one.  So, does this book keep getting bigger and bigger this month and is it any good?  Let's find out...



The issue opens with a little narration (not a surprise from a Tynion issue I might say) that gets us up to speed with what took place after Lex's offer.  It's not much, actually, with Jonn and Kendra flying to the Midwest to meet up with Luthor.

While Kendra is along for the ride, it's obvious Lex only has eyes for Martian Manhunter and we get the two of them talking telepathically and with Luthor's demands, it kind of reads like a crazy hostage situation.  Lex makes Jonn take out Kendra (she just gets put to sleep, don't worry) so they can get on to the business at hand.  What is that business?  Doom!  And business is very good these days!

Tynion sets up this issue well and it's not just about what Lex does, but how and why.  We have all seen Lex-bots give out offers left and right, but seeing him here in the flesh was cool and just the way he carries himself shows he has stepped up his game.

Meanwhile, the rest of the Justice League is already in the Antimatter Universe looking for the Anti-Monitor, but he is no longer home.  He has left them all an ominous message and a bunch of dead Weaponeers, so at least they got that going for them.  It's obvious that getting the Anti-Monitor on board with Justice is not happening this issue and if the Legion of Doom (or at least three of them) have anything to say, they never will.  It's funny that Lex told Jonn that the Legion was babysitting Perpetua at the moment, yet here almost the whole team in the Antimatter Universe.

Back with Lex and Jonn, it seems like Luthor lied a bit last issue.  He said he would give himself to Martian Manhunter when all he wants to do now is take...everything!  It's kind of sad if you've been reading this whole run knowing that Jonn actually wants to save Lex and even thinks of him as an old friend.  I think there are little hints here that Lex isn't totally of sound mind, but that's not helping Jonn out...yet.  Speaking of help, Kendra is badass trying to save Jonn, but for the moment it seems as if Lex has thought of just about everything.

There is a third part with Jarro, Shayne, and Starman and while it doesn't seem that important now, I am pretty positive all three of these heroes are about to play a huge part in the story.

The issue ends with Lex upgrading himself big time and a cliffhanger that shows he is ready to rumble.  While I have been enjoying the art in this book lately, the final page was a bit of a letdown, but it didn't make me less excited to see what Lex does next.

I liked everything with Lex in this issue.  What we find out and see in this issue sets up the coming Justice-Doom War and I always love seeing a super-powered Lex Luthor.  The Justice League's part, however, didn't amount to much and felt like we were stalling that part of things to deal with later.  That's fine if that's the case, but why give us a bunch of nothing here just to have the League get a couple pages of facetime?  I am keeping an eye on Shayne, by the way, since he is the only bit of Green Martian out and about and not in Perpetua's grasp now.  Side Note...Miss Martian is a White Martian so don't give me no lip!

Like I said, I have been enjoying the art in this book lately and that's because Javi Fernandez has stepped up his game a bit.  I am having a bit of a problem with these last two issues, though.  In both, Javi's art is outdone by Redondo last issue and Sampere here.  It sucks when a couple fill-in pages look better than the rest of the book.  Just saying.

Bits and Pieces:

Lex Luthor reveals more of his plan and it's all about upgrading and jacking himself up to the next level.  I wish there was more for the Justice League to do besides run into a dead (very dead!) end, but I am still enjoying the series and am excited to see where it's going. 

8.0/10