Justice League 5

Issue: Justice League 5

Arc: Justice League (Part 5)

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Jim Lee

Released 1/25/12

Rating 80% (8 Positive 2 Negative)

Critical Consensus: Johns and Lee finally put the Justice League together in this blockbuster issue, but despite all the action, it has its flaws.

Comic Vine 5/5 (Fresh) Tony Guerrero  We are so close to officially having the Justice League in action. With Darkseid on the scene, there is some major destruction. He's proving to be quite an adversary for the heroes in the "New 52" and he barely has to do anything. Geoff Johns continues to develop the characters in their 'early days' and we're already seeing changes and they try to figure out how to get through this battle. Jim Lee and Scott Williams keep the action going with their amazing layouts that remind fans why they love seeing their work.  JUSTICE LEAGUE is like a treat for the fans and I don't want it to end.

CBR 2.5/5 (Rotten) Greg McElhatton "Justice League" in general has had an extremely up-and-down first storyline, and this one is further proof of that. Fortunately we've still got another issue in which to see everything click back into place. I think Johns and Lee can do it, but for now this feels like an unfortunate step backwards.

IGN 7/10 (Fresh) Erik Norris Look, Justice League #5 is still a fun ride, it just doesn't offer much depth -- or, better yet, the depth it does offer is suspect -- and the artwork lacks consistency and feels lazy at points. But I have to admit, I'm still a sucker for the Justice League fighting Darkseid. I always will be. And for that, Justice League #5 was worth my money.

Sciencefiction.com (Fresh) Scott West And Johns’ Darkseid is perfect in the new DCU! Throughout the issue, the uber-villain doesn’t speak a word. But Jim Lee’s art at facial expression says it all. This guy’s expression doesn’t move much beyond mere annoyance at the superhero pests as they try to attack him. Darkseid is a god of his own world… and for the first time in a long while, he acts like it. Darkseid as the enemy is a wonderful way to introduce the League to a new generation of DC fans.

What Culture! 4.5/5 (Fresh) Jamie Slough I think Justice League has finally hit its stride through finding the right balance between character moments, humor and all out blockbuster set pieces. This is a defining moment for the series as it finally shows that the book has a strong heart beyond its initial appearance and that the creative team is genuinely beginning to hit their stride. I’m certainly hoping the series will continue and expand on the tone established in this issue and run with it for the next few years to come.

Batman News 7/10 (Fresh) Andrew Asberry I have my problems with Justice League? Yeah, but not to an offensive degree. I want it to be more of a TEAM book and the characterization could be better for some people, but the art and the action are too good to stay mad for long. It’s an energetic, fun book and I think anyone could pick it up and find something to appreciate as long as your inner child isn’t dead. It’s the comic book equivalent of a kid bashing their action figures together which is a book that can only succeed if it’s drawn by an artist as good as Jim Lee. Also, if you enjoyed last month’s STAR LABS secret files supplemental material you’ll be pretty disappointed by what this book has to offer: New 52 character designs—essentially what we’ve seen at the back of every DC New 52 book for the past 5 months.

Comic Book Movie 8/10 (Fresh) Overall, Justice League #5 was a bit underwhelming. The writing just isn't that great, when it could be much more smart. Some of the characters are there just to be there filling up the space. They better do something big in the next issue, cause it seems only Hal and Batman are getting fleshed out right now. However, it's still a blockbuster issue with some great action and stellar art.

Weekly Comic Book Review  C+ (Rotten)  At some point, this issue ceased to be about a team and more about a couple guys and their tagalongs.  Johns has to rectify this soon, or this title will soon lose its credit and reputation.

Bleeding Cool (Fresh) Rich Johnston  This is a comic about powerful people who have never really been defeated by something, coming smack bang against something that is so above their power levels, they are completely helpless, the only possibility is that they and think their way around an alien intelligence. Superhero comics are so often about hope, this sees that hope dashed again and again and again.

Inside Pulse 8/10 (Fresh) Grey Scherl At the end of the day, flaws aside, this issue was ridiculously fun. It’s constantly going from start to finish, and really, that’s what I wanted out of this book. I wanted my to get my moneys worth, and I wanted it in the form of action, and thankfully that’s what I was given. I think this first arc is going to make an awesome trade.

Aquaman #5

Issue: Aquaman 5
Arc: Lost (Part 1)
Released: 1/25/12
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Ivan Reis

Rating: 100% (5 Positive 0 Negative)

Critical Consensus: With great art from Ivan Reis, the second arc of Aquaman starts out with a look at the mysteries of Atlantis.

Comic Vine: 5/5 (Fresh) Mat Elfring Super-awesome, amazing, fantastic, and other positive adjectives book! This book keeps getting better and better, and it's become one of my favorite on-going comic books from any company. I loved the story in this issue and how we get to see more of where Atlantis came from.


CBR 4/5 (Fresh) Doug Zawisza Plenty of mysteries and plot threads are started for the upcoming issues as the mystery of Atlantis continues to deepen. This title is a fun read with outrageous adventures that, as this issue proves, are unpredictable. Johns and company have found the way to make “Aquaman” a great title, and they’ve even done so without relying on any of Aquaman’s traditional foes.

IGN  8.5/10(Fresh) Erik Norris While I enjoyed the end of "The Trench" storyline, I will admit that the series lost a little bit of steam by the end of that story. Thankfully, Geoff Johns and Ivan Reis have managed to suck me back in with the start of their latest story arc. Aquaman #5 is an incredibly well drawn comic that sets up an sure-to-be epic storyline.

comicbookmovie.com 9/10 (Fresh) This issue is mainly a set-up for the larger story Johns is telling, and I'm certainly interested to see where the story will go. Although was a little disappointed with how Aquaman escapes his situation(he just gets rescued), its still a great survival issue featuring some nonlinear story-telling. Overall, this series continues to show great art from Reis, and Johns starts to reveal the scale of his story. 

My Humble Review (Fresh)  Readers will also find they are being smoothly bridged from one arc to the next as the mystery behind the sinking of Atlantis is introduced.  Great issue, and even better yet will be the next one when Mera goes solo!

Flashpoint #2

Issue: Flashpoint 2
Arc: Flashpoint
Publisher: DC
Released: June 1, 2011
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Andy Kubert
Inker: Sandra Hope
Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Rating: 70% (7 positive 3 negative

Critical Consensus: With the introduction of the new versions of Batman, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman, Flashpoint's suspense builds, or does it? Your mileage may vary.

Comic Vine 4.5/5 (Fresh) Tony Guerrero Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert keep you on the edge of your seat

with amazing visuals and kick ass dialogue. The best part is the interaction between Barry Allen and this world's version of Batman. If you've ever had an interest in DC Comics and plan on reading them, you really need to be here for this. With the little peeks at some of the other characters in this world, it does feel a little like a tease for the mini-series but there's no denying the feeling of reading a comic universe again for the first time.

IGN 8.5/10 (Fresh) Erik Norris By the time you reach the final page, you'll be begging for it to be next month. The cliffhanger of Flashpoint #2 hits like a wrecking ball, and fittingly, might tear down all your expectations for where this series is headed. I was disappointed with Flashpoint #1, but after issue #2, I'm onboard for the duration.

Furiousfanboys.com (Fresh) Jeremy Conrad Flashpoint will change the DCU forever, and while we do know some of the end result, the journey there is still great.

Acomicbookblog.com 85/100 (Fresh) John Barringer Overall, this issue is a bit of a disappointment given the last one.  It’s more about setting the stage for what’s to come and meeting characters we’ve heard about than it is actually doing anything.  Perhaps all this information reinforcement is a necessary evil, laying the foundations and such, but I’m hoping something really exciting happens next issue, and we don’t just keep treading water.

Major Spoilers 3/5 (Rotten) Matthew Peterson Unfortunately, even as it’s interesting, it serves to remind us of how ridiculous The Flash’s origin actually is, and even after the issue recovers from Steve’s exposition, we end with a quiet “OMG?” feeling.  The intent of these types of stories is always to disorient us, to put familiar faces in the wrong places, but then bring them back together at the end to prove your thesis.  We’re theoretically 40% of the way through the main story, and we’re just now getting to the action and the reveal of the strange new status quo of our heroes.  I think the greatest failing of the issue for me is the realization that you WILL have to read other supporting material to get a full story.

Too  Dangerous for a  Girl! (Fresh) Martin Gray This issue usefully adds meat to the bones of the story laid out last month. It's good to move around this changed world, and see villains Aquaman and Wonder Woman, rather than simply hear about them. And the Flash/Batman sub-story takes a very interesting turn once writer Geoff Johns quits indulging his taste for brutality.

Cosmicbooknews.com (Fresh) Chris Bushley This was a fun read that had interesting ideas and new concepts, ones that get you excited for not only the next issue but for the future of the DCU as well. See, you don't always need a reboot or "younger" characters to make a great book -- you just need a good story and an expertly talented artist! If you are not reading the core Flashpoint book, you are missing out on a great read. So get in line and be the next to ride the lightning into the world of Flashpoint!

Weekly Comic Book Review B- (Fresh) Minquan Nguyen Considering how quickly this storyline wants to move, it seems we’ve already hit the deadly Big Fat Middle of the plot, where things seem to slow down, despite obvious attempts to speed things up.

CBR 1.5/5 (Rotten) Greg McElhatton "Flashpoint" is going to end up being a curious footnote in DC Comics history. If it wasn't for September's reboot, I have a feeling that it would turn out to be a crossover that was largely forgotten like, say, "Genesis" or "Final Night." Now, it's going to serve as the end of an era. Sadly, it's heading more towards a whimper than a bang.

Comics Bulletin 3/5 (Rotten)  Chris Kiser For the past couple years, a steady decline has been evident in the quality of Johns-penned comics, and Flashpoint fits that bill as well. It’s good fun, but not great fun. Maybe-read, but not must-read. The core concept just isn’t brilliant enough for Johns to get away without having to do some heavier lifting.

Next: Spinoffs and minseries

Flashpoint #1

Issue: Flashpoint 1
Arc: Flashpoint
Publisher: DC
Released: July 1, 2011
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Andy Kubert
Inker: Sandra Hope
Colorist: Alex Sinclair

Rating: 90% (9 Fresh 1 Rotten)

Critical Consensus: Great talent in Johns and Kubert leads to a great start to the DC event of the summer. It's not perfect, but then nothing is as it seems in the Flashpoint universe.

Comic Vine 4.5/5 (Fresh) Tony Guerrero  Flashpoint is finally here. Everything does indeed change. Forget about the DC Universe you know and enjoy the story by Geoff Johns and Andy Kubert. We've seen the numerous teasers and now we can get ready for this crazy ride.

IGN 6.5/10 (Fresh) Erik Norris Flashpoint #1 is probably the rockiest start to a DC event in years. If DC had held back on the marketing push prior to launch, maybe a lot of the moments found within would have had more punch. But when you break it down, it's essentially a glorified version of the various press releases that lead up to this first issue's release and offers nothing new.

CBR 3/5 (Fresh) Doug Zawisza This is, however, the first issue of what will be, once complete, well over fifty) comics that tell the story of this new world. To judge the entire story on this initial step would be folly. To commit to the entire story based on what is given to us here would be insanity.

Too Dangerous For A Girl (Fresh) Martin Gray This is how to begin an event. Surprises, mysteries, strong artwork, sharp dialogue ... any doubts as to whether I'd follow Flashpoint have been wiped away with this first issue.  

Geeksofdoom.com (Fresh) Hunter Camp It’s a little difficult to follow because of reasons like that, but with blockbuster events like this, the pieces of the puzzle don’t really starting making sense until further down the line. It was a strong first issue with beautiful art from the amazing Andy Kubert, so the series is on the right track, so let’s just see if it keeps this pace up.

Cosmic Book News (Fresh) Chris Bushley Johns and Kubert converge on a story that burns brighter than Brightest Day, has the tenacity of Blackest Night and the pure adrenaline of Emerald Warriors! Get in on the ground floor of DC's next big summer event, one that promises to astound and excite readers for the next few months

A Comic Book Blog 95/100 (Fresh) Phillip Carson Overall, Flashpoint is shaping up to be a fun story, devoid of the angst and info-dump that was Blackest Night.  It’s good to see the Flash take point as the lead in an Event book.  Here’s hoping he gains his powers back pretty quick, and starts kicking butt next issue.

iFanboy 2.5/5 (Rotten) Paul Montgomery Summarily, I think Flashpoint is the perfect runner. Coiled, roiling potential energy just waiting for the starter pistol. Then? I'm not sure. A poor night's sleep? A flash of a camera? Something happened to sully the execution of that run. And there's a stutter step. Race ain’t over though.

The Weekly Crisis (Fresh) Kirk Warren Great issue that hooked me instantly and never let go.  After one issue, I want, no, need to know more about this world and these characters and am already picking out various tie-ins I want to try out simply because of how engaging and interesting this world and story is so far. 

Weekly Comic Book Review  B+ (Fresh) Minhquan Nguyen  A very strong, promising start to DC’s most talked-about storyline, though much depends on the follow-up