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.

Flashpoint: Abin Sur, the Green Lantern #1

Issue: Flashpoint: Abin Sur- the Green Lantern 1 (Emerald Isolation
Arc: Flashpoint
Released: June 1, 2011
Writer: Adam Schlagman
Artist: Felipe Massafera
Colorist: Rod Reis
Letterer: Dave Sharpe

Rating: 100% (10 Fresh 0 Rotten)

Critical Consensus: Schlagman and Massafera do a wonderful job telling a "What if" type story and shedding light on Abin Sur, Hal Jordan's inspiration.

Comic Vine 4/5 (Fresh) Tony Guerrero Even though I knew about this mini-series for months and that it would feature Abin Sur, it wasn't until I started reading that I thought about how crazy things could be. It's often said that one little incident that happens differently could greatly affect the outcome of things, Abin surviving does away with Hal being a Green Lantern. The thought of everything he was involved in as a Green Lantern makes you wonder how it all turned out. This issue does try to give us glimpses of some of those huge events but it starts to give you a feeling of too much. This issue has the task of catching us up on this new world along with where the mini-series will go. I felt like I had to pause to catch my breath after reading. Lots of cool things here. My fingers are crossed the next issue blows me away further.

IGN 6.5/10 (Fresh) Jesse Schedeen No doubt this series will gather steam as it veers away from simply showcasing alternate takes on familiar GL concepts and more directly intertwines itself with the events of Flashpoint. But with only two issues remaining, Schlagman has precious little time in which to pick up the pace.

Acomicbookblog.com 95/100 (Fresh) Phillip Carson Overall, this was the tie-in I enjoyed most this week.  Being able to cull Green Lantern’s rich mythology to create a universe where the Black Lanterns are still tearing things up, the Red Lanterns are still prophesying  on Ysmault, and Abin Sur and Sinestro are still GLs reminds you just how vast that mythology has become in recent years.

Cx Pulp 3.5/5  (Fresh)Blake Petit There are good moments here, but not great ones, although the tie-in to the Flashpoint: Hal Jordan miniseries is appreciated.

Weekly Comic Book Review B- (Fresh) Minhquan Nguyen If you’re looking for an illuminating glimpse into one of the most mysterious Green Lanterns of all, this title doesn’t really give you that, but you still get a mildly engaging premise for his one chance in the limelight.

Sciencefiction.com (Fresh) Brian Tudor I am a big fan of this Flashpoint tie-in and it promises big things in the remaining two issues of the mini-series. I’m also guessing Abin Sur’s time as a Green Lantern in this timeline is short, but wow! I wonder if perhaps some of his spirit was left in the ring on some sub-conscience level to influence Hal Jordan to become the greatest Green Lantern. And loudest voice of dissension to the Guardian’s hands off approach to spreading their brand of order to the Universe.

Cosmic Book News (Fresh) Matt McGloin If you are on the fence about picking up the Flashpoint titles for fear they may be meaningless, take off the Yellow Power Ring -- and don the Green! Flashpoint: Abin Sur - The Green Lantern #1 should be on the pull lists for all Green Lantern fans!

CBR 3.5/5 (Fresh) Doug Zawisza   Staying off of the world of “Flashpoint,” this story offers just enough of an “Elseworlds” feel to be enjoyable, and save some distinctions otherwise could easily be a tale from the adventures of Abin Sur before he died and passed the ring of Sector 2814 to Hal Jordan. This issue is an intriguing glimpse at what could have been, given a surreal focus when directed through the lens of designs of the “Green Lantern” feature film.

Inside Pulse 6.5/10 (Fresh) Grey Scherl Adam Schlagman is an assistant editor at DC Comics, and to my knowledge, this is his first full length job as a writer. I believe he does a fine job both with the universe building as well as with the characters. By no means is it perfect, but it is definitely enjoyable…far more so than I anticipated. If you’re a fan of the Green Lantern Corps, or a fan of What If?! stories, or, like me, a fan of both; then this book is for you.

iFanboy 3.5/5 (Fresh) Ken Goach The story was a mixed bag. It was interesting and I like how it tied in things from Blackest Night and the Red Lanterns. I liked the changes, which are what an Elseworlds-like event should have. But there were two things I did not like. I thought Abin Sur striking Sinestro was sort of out of character, despite the insults and painful past events. Also, the "Prophecy of the Flashpoint" just sounds dumb. Not another mystical Lantern prophecy!

Next: Flashpoint's Wonderful World