This limited series is an absolute delight, but then again, the original Justice League humor series holds a special place in my heart. It's one of the first comics -- if not they first -- I bought at the first-ever comic-book shop in my hometown during my high-school years. The goofiness of the dialogue combined with the action and excitement of super-heroes struck me as new and even daring, given that some of DC's icons were involved with the book. Well, the icons aren't really to be found in the core cast anymore, but the same fun is still there. Unfortunately, this fifth chapter of the series seems to dwell on the source material a little too much. Newer readers may find this issue to be rather inaccessible at times. But them again, the plot really isn't the point here, I suppose. The jokes are, but some of those jokes are dependent on one's knowledge of stories told well over a decade ago.
Fire, Elongated Man and Mary Marvel return to "Super Buddies" headquarters only to discover an immense spaceship hovering above it and robot sentries outside the doors. Beyond those doors is Maxwell Lord, who learns that Manga Khan, master of the space-faring trading community known as the Cluster, has come to Earth not with revenge on his mind, but the retrieval of an item left behind on the planet during a previous encounter. Khan has even authorized his robotic agent to offer a trade, and the merchandise in question harkens back to past Justice League fiascos. Meanwhile, the Blue Beetle desperately and frantically tries to get medical attention for Captain Atom, and both heroes are in the middle of meltdowns -- but two very different kinds.
George (JLA/Avengers) Perez's influence in Kevin Maguire's work on the cover for this issue. The energy and expressiveness immediately remind one of Perez's style. There's a softer quality to be found in the interior artwork, though, that's a trademark of Maguire's art. A thinner line is employed to achieve that effect, and Rubinstein's meticulous inks preserve that thin, soft look. I still feel Loughridge's colors are too muted and dark for the lighter tone of this book, though.
Giffen and DeMatteis call upon readers to be familiar with the Blue Beetle's passing role in Birds of Prey, the surreal notion of Justice League Antarctica and a one-time member's favorite snack food in order to pick up on several major and minor laughs in this issue. As someone who was there for all of those references the first time around, I had a blast, but there's definitely an accessibility problem with this plot and script.
Nevertheless, there are moments when they shine as well. Fire shines as a real heroine in this issue as opposed to the flightly, image-obsessed and materialistic character she was back in the original Justice League International/America run. Furthermore, the Captain Atom crisis combined with the comedy of Beetle's frustrations works surprisingly well. The characters all act in a rather silly manner given the critical nature of events, but then again, silliness is rather the point.
