Though the first issue of this limited series end up offering some pretty basic super-hero fare, it opened on a strong nite, with a strong post-Civil War scene with great, human characters. That glint of strength is not to be found here. Instead, we get some more typical super-heroics, characterization that inconsistent and uninteresting, and a tug of war between the script and the art. The real unfortunate thing about this story is that there's no emotional component; the plot seems to focus on action and peril only.
The Justice League is shocked to find two of their comrades -- Green Lantern and the Flash -- felled by unknown forces. While the Martian Manhunter peers into their unconscious minds for answers, Superman and Batman survey the unusual forest and with every answer they uncover, new questions arise. Meanwhile, Wonder Woman keeps busy by rescuing an injued boater, but her dip in the lake proves to be a horrifying one, as ancient evils lurking beneath the waters attack... not to harm, but to infect.
There's a gritty quality in Hood's work that suits the demonic nature of the antagonists here, but overall, his work just doesn't grab me. It's capable enough, for the most part, but there scenes in which the script and Hood's artwork seem to be in direct conflict. Wonder Woman notices that when she smacks into a sheet of ice, nary a crack appears. But Hood includes a number of cracks. And when Diana first notices that spikes are growing out of his skin, there's nary a blemish to be seen. Such inconsistencies takes the reader right out of the story.
One of the major scenes in this book is one in which Batman and Superman compare notes, but Claremont errs when he has the two of them palling around like old friends. There's a closeness here that's in line with the characters' pre-Crisis-continuity relationship, and to be honest, I find the tension -- tempered with respect -- that exists between the two radically different characters to be far more interesting. Batman's dark, grim demeanor is completely lost here as well.
I'm surprised to find that the plot isn't advanced much at all in this second issue. We know no more about the supernatural threat, and the book seems to lack a human side, something -- or someone -- down to earth that we can connect with.
