Justice League #38 Review

Made in the Shayne

Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Jorge Jimenez, Daniel Sampere, Juan Albarranm Alejandro Sanchez and Tom Napolitano
Cover Price: $3.99
Release Date: December 18, 2019

It's the penultimate issue of the Justice/Doom War and Scott Snyders run on Justice League.  It's been a hell of a ride, but I am hoping he can stick the landing, especially since his departure seemed sudden and in the middle of a huge story.  So, does this issue look like it sets up a great ending?  Let's find out...



The issue opens with the Trinity saying they aren't here to win (not with that attitude!) but to lose in style.  I said it before, but this is Bill Murray's plan in Meatballs and it worked against Camp Mowhawk then so why can't it work against Lex now?  Don't answer that...I know the Justice League doesn't have Spaz, but I don't see anyone stacking and walking with teacups so I think they are good. 

**Jim Note: If you don't know what I'm talking about then you haven't seen Meatballs and thus, must be some sort of hobo who rides the rails... but how are you reading this then unless they have wi-fi while riding said rails?  Let me ponder that for a bit and I will get back to you**

We continue with Shayne trying his best to make his mommy and daddy proud while the rest of the heavy hitters square off against Lex and his Apex Army.  If you forgot that this is a supercharged Lex, don't worry, Snyder has you covered.  What he does to John Stewart is so badass and also shows us what the Lex can do with the rest of the Legion of Doom's powers now that they are locked up in tubes in Perpetua's throne.

That continues with Lex pretty much setting up Barry for the ultimate "Ok Boomer" joke, but isn't that getting old?  No?  Well, I can't say the same for Barry!  Where is my rimshot?  I mean, he is almost 80 years old, am I right?

Wonder Woman steps up to the plate next and instead of an up-to-the-plate homerun (as much as Eric wants it, this is not a real thing), she slices Lex from neck to waist, but like the T-1000, he just shrugs it off and reforms his body whole.  If you have been wanting to see Lex's power-set, this is the issue for you.

We get even more as he defeats Batman and Jarro and that "defeats" would have been "kills" if Superman didn't show up.  While Supes tries to talk sense into Lex, Lex's actions and the work of Shayne and Ms. Martian start turning the tide for Justice.  Of course, this pisses Lex off and we get a good juxtaposition between Lex and Superman and how they view the world and its people.

This is the point where I thought the Justice League had finally won... but that would be silly (would it?) and so Perpetua shows up acting like, "If you want something done right...", even as Lex is whining and saying he was just toying with them.  I half expected him to start crying he was going to Tosche Station to pick up power converters!

With Perpetua in the house, the tide shifts quickly back Doom 's way... until Kendra and Shayne step up and go for the heartstrings.  It all leads to an awesome cliffhanger that I am sure will have everyone pumped and ready for the big finale next issue.

**Jim Note: Now that I thought about it if you haven't watched Meatballs, you just don't have good taste in movies and that may or may not be based on riding the rails.  It's probably because your parents didn't raise you right.**

This was a good setup issue to get everyone fired up for the big finish in two weeks.  We get to see Lex's powers at play, get Perpetua to the fight and get back a big hero for #TeamJustice.  As Snyder is wont to do, the Justice League is really far down, but not out and I don't see any kumbaya circle getting them out of this one... maybe.

After falling off of the Jorge Jimenez train recently, I may be back on because I thought this issue looked damn fine and I am now looking forward to what he will be doing on the Batman book in the coming months.  Of course, Daniel Sampere is on this issue too, but I have always been a fan of his so par for the course there.

Bits and Pieces:

Scott Snyder gets all the pieces in place for the big battle next issue and I liked it.  We get to see what a threat Lex is, but also how the power of being good can combat that to the bitter end.  The art is really good as well and if you aren't fired up by the time you are done looking at the cliffhanger page, you might be a hobo.

8.5/10