Justice League #59

Both stories in Justice League #59 are both setting up their upcoming story arcs, and there's a lot of potential on display in this issue. I have no doubt that Ram V and Xermanico have a fantastic story arc prepared for us. And Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez's story shows promise as well. Regardless of which story holds more interest for you, this is an auspicious start for the Infinite Frontier era of Justice League. Read Full Review

The art is stunning in all phases and all areas. And we have a plot in place to build on. You know it is a win when the issue was done and wished the next was already in my hands. Read Full Review

David Marquez delivers some great looking panels throughout the story. The art reflects the kinetic action and pace of the story. Xermanico's art perfectly matches the dark, gritty tone of the storyline and makes the characters look amazing. Read Full Review

Final Verdict: Justice Leaguewas billed as the cornerstone of the Infinite Frontier era in DC comics. If this is the direction they're heading, count me in. Read Full Review

Bendis' Justice League debut is a solid start for what promises to be an interesting take on the flagship DC team.  Read Full Review

Getting to the end of Justice League #59, I felt like this book was once more worth having on your pull-list. This new creative team gave us an issue that was a breath of fresh air. Read Full Review

Though somewhat light on plot,Justice League #59 is the beginnings of a thoughtful, philosophical reworking of the classic team. This is a great jumping-on point for new readers! Read Full Review

Bendis' take on the League is pretty strong so far. His take on the A-listers fits, and he's obviously having a lot of fun writing Green Arrow and Black Canary. Read Full Review

Justice League #59 features the start of two very different stories. Each one has polarising tones and characters. Each one is fantastic, but it's difficult to truly get invested because they end too quickly. They don't have the pages to explore each chapter fully. Justice League and Justice League Dark deserve to thrive on their own. Read Full Review

The comic is surprisingly free of any of the usual Bendis ticks"the main story is neither overly decompressed nor does it feature an abundance of Bendis's usual dialogue hallmarks. As a longtime follower of Bendis's work, it was a bit disconcerting, and it seems like a deliberate choice to lean away from some of his more divisive script choices. Read Full Review

Brian Michael Bendis starts off on the right foot, on his new Justice League run. There is a new interesting set up, and The League will have a new and unique status quo. The only issue is Bendis pulls his punches when dealing with race. Read Full Review

"Justice League" #59 is a strong, fun debut for Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez that bodes well for the future of DC's premiere team Read Full Review

Thanks to a one-dimensional baddie and the usual Brian Michael Bendis decompression issues, Justice League #59 only gets a slight recommendation for me. However, David Marquez and Tamra Bonvillain's take on DC's A-list is truly awe-inspiring, and their Black Adam exudes power and contempt as well. Hopefully, there's more Naomi, Green Arrow, and Black Canary in future issues and less alien punching bag. But the real reason this comic crosses the line from trade wait to a purchase is Ram V, Xermanico, and Romulo Fajardo's “Justice League Dark” backup, which features both Arthurian legends and supernatural hijinks and has a formidable villain plus witty, yet emotionally honest writing for its leads, John Constantine and Zatanna. Read Full Review

Brian Michael Bendis' run on Justice League begins on a strong note. The bulk of the story may seem ordinary, but this narrative is packed with a compelling analysis of the godlike status of superheroes. The breathtaking art from Marquez and Bonvillain perfectly complement Bendis' script. Read Full Review

Come for the Marquez artwork in Justice League and stay for the art and story in JLD. Read Full Review

Final ThoughtsJustice League #59 isn't the nightmare some might have envisioned it to be, which is helped by some great art but it's not without its problems. It's an average comic with excellent art and a story that could go either way in the next couple of issues depending on Bendis' dialogue and story choices. The backup story by Ram V is mostly setup with great art by Xermanico. If you've read his Future State: Justice League Dark story, then this will feel familiar to you. Read Full Review

I see a lot of potential in this comic; even if it isn't realized, it's nice to be reviewing a comic with an ongoing story again. There's a cool new angle to the mainline Justice League, and a fun new subject matter for Justice League Dark " and if you can get over the price, both have the makings of a good story. I'm looking forward to talking about each new development as Bendis and Ram V's visions unravel" whether or not I like what their final picture is. Read Full Review

I really enjoyed the contrast between the two stories in this issue. I felt that the main tale didn't have enough of a diversity of voices, but it's exciting to see what complexity Black Adam will bring to the team. I also like the idea of making the heroes relatable, not just to us readers, but to the fictional citizens of the DCU touched by the Justice League. The effects on the lives of their charges can be far more satisfying than punching bad guys through mountains, and I hope this can be followed through with meaningful development. The final story was a strong first chapter to a Justice League Dark story that I hadn't realized that I wanted. Read Full Review

It's got a lot of interesting components, but like so many Bendis stories, it sort of circles around the point. Still, this take on Black Adam is new and different, and the backup tale of the JL Dark is nice as well. Read Full Review

Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez deliver readers an opening Justice League issue which is a 5, but is dragged up by Ram V and Xermanico's amazing Justice League Dark backup. Read Full Review

While the first issue of Brian Michael Bendis' run on Justice League comes off a bit forced at times, with dialog that doesn't feel like anyone in particular, there's still something that doesn't completely throw me off here, and ultimately, I'm still on board simply because I like the idea of the team he's putting together here. I just hope that this title isn't BMB's personal vehicle just to flesh out his owned characters. Beyond that though, the Justice League Dark backup is solid and what I'm really looking forward to as this book goes on.6.5/10 Read Full Review

Get yourself all worked up ... for nothing to happen as the world's most recognizable heroes have a fight you won't remember. Read Full Review

It's a case of a thin main story and a back-up that shows what can be done with a little. Bendis's pacing has become more relaxed as his career has gone on; nevertheless, it is still surprising to see him be so upfront with a thesis by putting it on the first page and not manage to take it further than this. Still, after a few years where the title has been a somewhat impenetrable series as a result of Scott Snyder's big plans, Justice League #59 is a much easier jumping-on point for new readers. Just they might find it lacking in reasons to stay on board. Read Full Review

Is it worth buying Justice League #59 purely for the glory of the Justice League Dark back-up? Can one truly tolerate a world full of demons for the sake of an angel? That is a decision you will have to make for yourself. For me, this book averages out as decent, at best, and were it still possible for me to purchase Justice League Dark on its own, I would do so. Read Full Review

A solid and unremarkable start with some gorgeous artwork. The characters and the story could have used a lot more personality. Read Full Review

Spawnish

Mar 28, 2021

I didn't enjoy what I read of Bendis' Superman, but this one feels so refreshing. I love every line of dialogue. It felt so human. I hope it continues with this quality.

cincyfan

Mar 31, 2021

I was really looking forward to this justic league is one of the books I always read and when I heard bendis was taking over I was very excited. After reading it I have to say I couldn't be more excited for what's to come! This was a fantastic setup that had fantastic writing and artwork. Terrific start!! The second story was also fantastic! I have never actually read a justice league dark book but was thoroughly Impressed with this story it looks like I will be reading justice league dark now as well. Wonderful book

Green_Lantern_1992

Mar 16, 2021

I was pleasantly surprised by Brian Michael Bendis' first Justice League issue. I read his entire Superman/Action Comics runs, and found his writing style grating, his stories bland and boring, and some decisions he made were nonsensical and unnecessary. So I was not expecting to enjoy this book as much as I did. It's not great, mind you, but it's pretty good. Bendis has introduced some good ideas, I'm interested to see what Namoi and Black Adam bring to the table as Justice League members, and bringing Black Canary and Green Arrow back into the team makes for some interesting diversity in the powerset of the team. The largest plus to this issue is David Marquez's art, which is phenomenal, especially with the color palate brought by Tamra B onvillain. The main Justice League story is just a pleasure to look at. One critique I have, and it may seem minor, but can get bigger as more characters are introduced is the way the narrative boxes are colored. They're all white with an offset color border around them, with the first using a logo to introduce who's speaking/thinking. Normally this wouldn't be an issue, but the offset border colors can be incredibly similar for some characters, such as Aquaman and Hawkgirl in this issue. Nothing major, but it should be addressed. The backup Justice League Dark storyline is interesting but short. I'd like to see where it goes, which for a first issue after such a large initiative like Infinite Frontier is always a good sign. more

Retro1999

Mar 16, 2021

The 8.5 is really for Justice League Dark, great first issue to open up a new chapter in what’s already been an amazing run. Bendis’s Justice League was okay, the art was phenomenal but the story wasn’t too compelling. Seems like it’ll be fun but from this issue, my expectations are staying low

F.T. Wolf

Mar 16, 2021

Brian Michael Bendis is of to a solid start on his first Justice League issue. A slow yet enjoyable start with humour & heart that's supported by good art. It's too short though & lacks some momentum because of it. It ends before really getting 'into things' is what I mean to say. The Justice League Dark backup is good as well, but less enticing To be honest. It's a clear setup for the Future State Justice League Dark story which I'm not a fan off. Still, I can't argue with the quality of the writing and art.

Red Hood

Mar 31, 2021

Justice League: This was a very interesting read. Bendis' take on the characters are a bit different, I noticed a difference when Black Canary spoke and wasn't too happy about that change. Though, the artwork was really nice and flowed really well to introduce Naomi in the next issue. 8/10 Justice League Dark: A continuation from Future State, or should I say a prequel to the events that will happen. I'm happy to see the events that took place to see how Merlin collected all magical artificats. It was a bit slow though. 8/10

mrDovydas

Apr 08, 2021

Actually enjoyed Bendis' story much more than I've expected. It's very much a set-up issue, but made me excited to read more. I haven't read any of Ram V's JLD before besides the Future State story, but it was as much new reader friendly as it needed to be, and I've had a lot of fun reading it.

the green death

Mar 16, 2021

Great art from start to finish, but Bendis (whom I neither adore nor loathe) just doesn’t do enough in the lead story to hook me. There’s a fight, it looks pretty but never reads as particularly exciting, and there’s some talking that sets up the themes Bendis wants to explore, but does so in a kind of boring fashion. Ram V does more in 10 pages than Bendis did in 20 and I’ll pick up the digital trade for JL Dark because it is highly intriguing - I just can’t see myself buying the book monthly with the lead being so lightweight. I need to enjoy more than 1/3 of a title to fork over for it.

Mout

Aug 01, 2021

I am a huge Bendis fan, sad to see how his writing now, super generic. A bad guy from another dimension wants to rule/destroy Earth, really?

REYNARD

Mar 16, 2021

Bendis cringe as usual = 4/10 Ram V and Xermanico start strong but the backup compression sucks = 8/10

EDiakota

Mar 29, 2021

" You keep this up, John i might even mistake you for a romantic ?" - ZATANNA

allenquanobi

Mar 16, 2021

It was just a bunch of meh. My major complaint here was the panel layouts. I read a lot of comics, but even the layouts on many of the splash pages were confusing, leading to a confused reading order. The plot is paper thin, bad alien(? demon?) guy shows up and the Justice League shows up to punch bad guy. It had less depth than a Saturday morning cartoon show. Naomi also shows up because Bendis wants to put the character on the team in hopes that she will be a major character in other media. Keep in mind, I really like Naomi as a character, but she has no place to be on the Justice League right now. If anything, she should be on the Teen Titans or in another solo series to flesh out the character more. Characters usually graduate u p to the league, this felt rather rushed. The JLD backup was better than the main story, but I'm sad and disappointed in DC that they relegated what probably was one of DC's best ongoings to backups. EDIT: wow i didnt even notice this until someone pointed it out to me, but the Flash in this issue is colored wrong or there's some shenanigans going on. He's referred to as Barry but has Wally's red hair, so either the colorist messed up or Bendis didn't communicate it to them clearly. more

Psycamorean

Mar 17, 2021

The Bendis part wasn't as annoying as I assumed it would be, although that first page seemed very desperate. This was fine. The back up was also fine. I feel like Ram V takes a second to get going so a 10 page back up isn't very helpful.

Boudi

Mar 29, 2021

Art and colours are good on both stories. Ollie and Dinah are finally back on the League! Thank you Bendis. It's sad the plot isn't interesting and that Naomi seems like a bad character with horrible side characters. The JLD story is very bland and I expected more from Ram V.

Spacey Medicine

Jul 10, 2021

God it's so embarrassing how the opening of this comic is Bendis insisting that it was actually very cool and sexy of him to make Superman reveal his identity to everyone. Also, you’re so right, literal billionaire. The best thing you can do to better this world is take on more unpaid interns. Hang the workers all power to the parasites tbh.

C.V.R. The Bard

Mar 19, 2021

Bendis just came off a compelling run on "Action" - what more was there to expect? Here on his first issue of JL - Black Adam gets eased in to his membership, a villian tests the League and makes the new team look weak, and Naomi gets previewed to become a heavy hitter in a book that began with the questioning of the weight of symbolism. Bendis is at the top of his game telling memorable stories , but the artist on this issue makes every character looked blushed up like their starring in a romantic fan-fic. The art just isn't appropriate for the atomsphere Bendis' words creates, and it makes Bendis' story suffer. As for the JL Dark story, it's a slow bubble , but serves as a solid precusor for hopefully a full run, because this side- story stuff has to be left in the past where "Future State" is. - Audiomack.com/cvrthebard more

TheKize

Mar 24, 2021

The main JL story by Bendis couldn't have felt more rote and inconsequential. The villain is uninspired, the central conflict is vague and uninteresting, and so far this book has done nothing to win me over to the idea of having Black Adam or Naomi join the League. The Justice League Dark backup story, however, is great. It starts a brand new arc related to what we saw in Future State, and it's just as good as it was when JL Dark appeared in its own title. That's the only reason to buy this comic.

Dave

Mar 16, 2021

Mediocre comic written by Bendis for Bendis fans. Talking heads and nothing happens , typical Bendis book

Bats44121

Mar 16, 2021

Justice League issue #59 "Prism" goal is to set stage to introduce Naomi McDuffie into Justice League, who is on the cover, but DC wants its "mystery" of blacking out "faces" - aka its' "Prism" realignment of the Justice League. Another Wonder Woman (apparently Hippolyta) is also on the Justice League 59 cover (with a blacked out face), but not in this issue. Among lots of other characters in a Variant B cover. Other than introducing Naomi literally on the LAST page of only 18 page story... that's it. Otherwise, "Prism" is pretty quick, incomplete, and forgettable. Or as another reviewer Matt Meyer delicately writes "somewhat light on plot" (LOL). Good for DC making $$$. We really don't need the horned weirdo villain from Naomi's Earth to introduce her. Rather have a better (and more complete) story. To those who think readers will hanging on each month to see DC Comics dole out drips of this non-story, just to see Naomi, Hippolyta, and who else is "replaced" / "changed." Maybe. Not for some readers. Also Justice League isn't Young Justice/Teen Titans (where Naomi has appeared the most in 10 issues). Moving Justice League to Young Adult Justice League is a "plot," but it doesn't appear Bendis/DC is thinking that coherently. Just.. whatever. Who is Naomi? She did appear in Justice League before, on January 29, 2020, issue 39. You don't remember? You read Issue 39 and didn't see her? You missed the cameo at bottom of page 21 with Young Justice figures (including Teen Lantern's Keli Quintela)? Well... Marvel's Brian Michael Bendis started writing Superman in Action Comics in June 2018, which ended in December 2020, and in Action Comics (AC 1014-1016, 1020-1021, 1028... what you weren't reading those?), the "energy-powered" character from another Earth, Naomi, was introduced. The Naomi character was also created by Bendis, and he developed a six issue mini-series about her, creatively called "Naomi," (part of label "Wonder Comics," DC's "new teen-focused, in-continuity imprint") run in 2019, starting in March 2019. In Young Justice 10 issues, her own 6 issue "Marvel Comics" miniseries, and 6 AC issues, Naomi has had over 20 appearances in DC Comics, and of course bottom of page 21 in JL 39. No clever name, not "Energy Girl" or anything like that. Just Naomi. I wonder if we would have bought comics named, Clark, Bruce, Diana... or even Brian? But some fans did with Naomi, who is being promoted in the CW's Arrowverse now. So Naomi will be coming to a television show on CW near you! In Justice League issue #59, some weird creature from Naomi's (ozone layer mostly destroyed) Earth has found this Earth by focusing on Naomi's energy signature and wants to invade it. It fights Black Adam (not Shazadam LOL), Superman, and punches Aquaman of the Justice League, then flees back to its alternate Earth. Naomi flies around on her own on the last page, to show that she can. Black Adam appears to talk to her. That's all. Quick, quick 18 page read. Five dollars later, you finish and think, that's it? It's over? Mostly a Superman and Black Adam book with cameos by friends. Ollie makes a cameo to gripe with Dinah Lance (both do nothing). The point of Oliver Queen's Green Arrow is to make an obvious and pointed call for diversity in the Justice League, "We need to get new voices in here. Some disruption. Some dissent." So Bendis philosophy on Justice League is going to be "Disrupt Justice League." The thing is that plot actually has been done... a lot of times. But we will see Bendis' take on it - if he can actually move the story along. Flash is wearing a lab coat over his costume, Hawkgirl, Aquaman (getting punched), Batman also have minimal appearances. Wonder Woman Diana Prince is GONE of course, and Hippolyta is going to be in Justice League in the near term future, as she is on the cover - with her face blacked out (just not in THIS issue). And there are lots of non-story characters on variant cover too. BTW, DC Comics, can we put other characters on main covers that don't appear in the stories? Not just "variant covers," but also main story covers. (And FYI there are apparently Zack Snyder variant covers too.) That's a cool idea. Then we could just buy them for the covers and not the stories. How about Sandman? Spectre? JSA? Calvin Ellis Superman? Why do we need to have characters on the main cover that are in the story? Just put any characters you want on the main cover. I agree. Let's change it up a little and make it more exciting (off sarcastic soap box). Green Lantern is also GONE. But I expect we will be seeing John Stewart soon... I have learned John Stewart is apparently on the variant cover... along with a lot of other characters not in the story... or Jo Mullein.. or Teen Lantern? After all, Teen Lantern's did appear in Justice League 39 along with Naomi's cameo. (By the way, so did Guy Gardner... on page 7.) We need some lightness to Justice League beyond Ollie's drop of complaining. Maybe it is the art, but they are "god" like. I never thought I could miss Guy Gardner. Go figure. Then there is JLA Dark about Merlin returning, killing someone, taking stone from Arthur's sword, Zatanna losing powers, and Jason Blood's return. Meh. I wouldn't have bought this, but it is stuck on JLA issue, to justify only giving us 18 pages of real JLA story, since we aren't paying 8 dollars for this. Other reviewers say to buy this just for the JLA Dark story, which had its own series (CANCELLED three months ago), but obviously if JLA Dark was THAT popular it would not have been cancelled. Overall? Meh. I would rather be reading Bendis at Marvel. I read this and think about how I would rather be reading Spider-Man or Daredevil. Although the weird new costume thing at Spider-Man is creepy. But Bendis says the main JLA characters are going change in their books. DC Comics then "interviews" Bendis "What does it mean for Naomi to Join the Justice League?" I mean they can't tell us. They have to "interview" Bendis to tell us. And he answers: "This lineup is just a hint of the major changes the Justice League will be going through over the course of the year. A lot is going to happen to these characters in their solo books, and that will reflect wholeheartedly in Justice League." So there, see? As you can see in the JLA cover with their faces all blacked out... (hint hint)... the JLA is due for "changes...." "wholeheartedly." I believe they wanted to fake out readers who thought Yara Flor was joining the league, instead of Hippolyta. Not "half-heartedly," Brian? No, "wholeheartedly." Yes, people don't "talk" like that (maybe Brian does). But hey its DC's comic, if they want to put pretend interviews in it, that's their choice. However, it explains the "reason" behind JLA Issue #59. The lineup is going to be "changing" and "wholeheartedly" too. Get it? "wholeheartedly." It is ironic that the week of Synder cut JLA release, we have a Justice League starting with the goal to replace main line-up. But that may be part of Synder's epilogue too. Who knows? And who would believe I would miss Guy Garnder? Not me for sure. ----------------------- (P.S. - By the way this is NOT part of "Endless Winter" storyline CB Roundup. Unless Naomi is here to warn about her new Earth's ozone layer... which I think she could have already done in 20+ previous appearances?) more

Halodystroyer44

Mar 16, 2021

If you've read Bendis' other crap, you've read this too

Merlyn

Mar 16, 2021

Cringe, or in other words, classic Bendis by now.

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Merlyn - Mar 16, 2021

Why are negative reviews disappearing from here? A few hours ago there were a lot more. I mean, do we really HAVE TO like Bendis' JL?

Merlyn - Mar 16, 2021

Never mind, I confused the reviews here with those from Nightwing lol. :))

Sup3rsa1yan1990 - Mar 16, 2021

Words cannot describe how much I despise that hideous untalented living tumor

Mingthemerciless - Mar 19, 2021

Are DCs money woes worth keeping Bendis on the roster? His run in Superman was a dud. Jon Kent as a teenager isn't working. His villains were throw away. Now hes using JL to push his own property the ninth starter Naomi. Is DC editorial on extended leave?

Mingthemerciless - Mar 19, 2021

Tupo: nonstarter Naomi

Sup3rsa1yan1990

Mar 16, 2021

Eat shit bendis, you untalented, waste of life