Lately, I keep coming back to political subject matter in my reviews. It upsets some readers. I get e-mail, telling me that expressing my views about terrorism, the Bush administration and the war in Iraq on a comics review site is inappropriate. Obviously, I don't agree. One of the things I have to consider in writing a review of a comic book is context. My feelings about the genre, the creators' styles, my mood when I'm writing. It's all context, as are images of war in Iraq and Western warnings about consequences of igniting oil fields.
Case in point: JLA #79.
Joe Kelly would have penned this script months ago, and even if he was on a tighter deadline than usual, this story would have been finalized months before the war began. That makes the parallels between this intergalatic super-hero story and the real-world conflicts and politics we're facing all the more impressive and chilling.
The JLA faces an ethical conundrum. They've rushed to the aid of a planet that's being threatened by an invading coalition, intent on bringing peace to the universe even if it means ramming it down a culture's proverbial throat. Clearly, the Paciforce must be stopped, but in doing so, the heroes will guarantee that a ruthless dictator will rise to power and tighten an
iron grip on the rights of the people he's meant to lead. Meanwhile, the American military takes steps to have Faith returned to its custody and control.
I love Mahnke's new design for Kanjar Ro. He looks like a fierce bird of prey, his nose jutting out like a sharp, deadly beak. He exudes strength, cruelty and cockiness. The significance of the Peacemaker's girth isn't lost on me either. The Peacemaker's obesity is a powerful visual and important symbol. He clearly represents the United States, engorged on its own prosperity and power. I also remain impressed with Mahnke's take on Wonder Woman. The straight, wet-hair look adds an intensity and anger to the character. Baron's colors reinforce the darkness and edge that's established in the linework, and it brings out the power and energy of the title characters quite well.
While the politics behind the story are complex and particularly fascinating, given the real-world parallels, the resolution of the conflict lacked that complexity. Faith's all-too convenient power burst and Kanjar Ro's comeuppance struck me as being too tidy and traditional for a premise that's so relevant.
Kelly sells the politics and the premise with strong bits of dialogue and characterization. The opening faceoff between Wonder Woman and the Peacemaker is powerful, and it grabs the reader's attention. Faith bring an alluring sense of mystery to the team, and Manitou and his bride add a flair of unconventional culture to the title. JLA hasn't been this strong in some time.
