Now this is more like it. Don't get me wrong... the first two issues of this limited series were quite entertaining, but in this issue, a real conflict arises that brings a much-needed sense of focus and direction to the story. the dialogue is as snappy and hilarious as ever, but there's also a shift to a more intense tone in this issue that's sudden and packs a powerful punch as a result.
Just as Max Lord is ready to get his new super-hero business off the ground, his heroes are suddenly spirited away to parts unknown. As he and Sue Dibny look for clues as to who could be responsible, the heroes find themselves the prisoners of a mysterious woman named Roulette, who plans to pit the heroes against one another in battle. Of course, they have no plans on fighting one another... but then again, they are starting to get on one another's nerves.
The Giffen/DeMatteis Justice League was always at its funniest when pencilled by Maguire, and that holds true today as well. His expressive artwork really brings out the comedy. When one of the heroes rolls his eyes at the other, it drives home the gag, for example. In this issue, though, he also gets to prove there's more to his art that facial expressions. He captures the raw power of one of the heroes incredibly well, and he reinforces the much darker, more grave tone the story takes in the latter part of this issue. Loughridge's muted colors are still far too dark for the over tone of this story, though.
Some of these characters have through some significant changes since the days of the humor-era Justice League, notably Blue Beetle (in Chuck Dixon's run on Birds of Prey). I love that Giffen and DeMatteis don't ignore those changes, but rather use them to great effect. The conflict between Beetle and Booster isn't the same slapstick, Laurel-and-Hardy dynamic from years ago. No, now it's a conflict between maturity and irresponsibility. Beetle has changed, has grown up, while Booster's reverted to an even more self-centered, superficial personality. It brings a new dynamic to a a classic comedy pairing, and it enables the writers to explore the characters from a different, fresh perspective.
The shift from humor to action in this issue is a striking one, and it's an important one. The writers bring a palpable sense of tension to the story by transforming a vision of innocence into a brutal warrior. It's an unsettling change. While I love the humor of this book, this more urgent and ugly tone draws the reader further into the story.
