Justice League Dark #5

Justice League Dark #5 is another stellar issue for one of DCs best team books going today. Read Full Review

A wonderful jumping on-point for new readers, this series is magically fantastic! Read Full Review

James Tynion IV and company are heading into their second story arc on Justice League Dark, and the title is as strong as ever. Read Full Review

A darkly gorgeous trip through the magical realms of the DC Universe. Read Full Review

Issue 5 marks five great issues in a row for this book. And it looks like the next one will be just as good. Read Full Review

Simply put, between the plotting, character work, and art Justice League Dark is the best book coming out of DC's Justice League line. Read Full Review

While the storylines in Justice League Dark #5 are relatively tangential for the majority the protagonists, it allows for significant character development and explores some fallout of The Witching Hour without dwelling on it too heavily. Overall, Justice League Dark #5 feels like a much-needed breather between reality altering events, providing an adventure with real stakes that are more personal to the protagonists and, in turn, the reader. Read Full Review

This series has a lot of dangling plot threads, and most of them are holding a ton of promise. This is easily the class of the DCU's team books at the moment. Read Full Review

Justice League Dark #5 was another strong issue from this creative team and is definitely a story that should be read by those fans who enjoy the darker side of the DCU. Read Full Review

It pushes the limit of the genre without going off the edge into overpowered ridiculousness that we often see in team comics. Read Full Review

This issue is both fun and tragic in equal measure with Bobo desperately trying to come to grips with power and responsibilities that he didn't want and doesn't believe he can handle. Read Full Review

Yet, the start of The Shadow Pact is less eldritch horror, and more personal demons. Whereas the last couple of issues have been exceeding high fantasy with world-ending spells at the ready, the journey into Myrra feels more subdued, although no less dark. This arc looks like it will be a chilling examination of Detective Chimp as the rest of the Justice League Dark continues to try and preserve the magic of the DC universe. Although Tynion and Sampere seem to be imparting magic every issue, I think everything will be fine. Read Full Review

Justice League Dark #5 proves to us that the potential in storytelling and plot for this book is practically endless. I was captivated by the balance put into the character moments, the action, and every scene that took advantage of the wonders we needed to take from the world of magic. There is nothing else like this book out there right now and that is something to appreciate if you are looking for a full embrace. Read Full Review

With the "Witching Hour" arc fading away in the rear-view mirror, Justice League Dark begins moves into a new arc that shows promise. Read Full Review

A look at Detective Chimp's past reveals that he's been a bad monkey. What? That's offensive? What do you mean, "a chimpanzee isn't a monkey?!" They swing through trees and eat bananas, don't they? Well whatever he is, Bobo has done a bad thing, and now it comes home to roost. Read Full Review

Justice League Dark redirects course slightly coming out of 'Witching Hour' with a darkly funny and poignant piece that puts characters first. It's infinitely more interesting than most of what's come before and genuinely excites for what's to come despite a few missteps. Read Full Review

I'm really looking forward to the rest of this arc, especially if the quality of writing, art and surprises continues. Look out for screeching dragons, (thanks Rob Leigh… GREAT SCREECH) – not a spoiler, thanks to the cover – and more special guests than you can shake a magic wand at! This book is at the top of my monthly pull-list, and I don't see that changing. Read Full Review

This ongoing Justice League Dark series is a breath of fresh air in superhero comics and I will continue to read it. Read Full Review

Tynion to a step inward from expanding the magical mythology of the DCU in order to focus on character, and it really paid off. Read Full Review

I am incredibly impressed with each issue. This book is my favorite out of the entire DC line. And this is weird, because I hate magic. I hate magic in movies and books. Yet, I am drawn to this title. A good writer is able to bring in those who are not interested in the story. And, the art enhances an already enchanting story. This book is so good. Read Full Review

Beware that you need to read Wonder Woman and Justice League Dark: The Witching Hour #1 in order to be caught up to the beginning of this issue. Otherwise, I recommend. Read Full Review

Sampere and Albarran definitely deliver in the art department, especially once they get past the heavy block design of the first few pages of somberness, and it has a really great sense of flair and fun as we get to Myrra and all the creativity gets to be unleashed. It's definitely what I was looking for in this title and seeing it come to life makes me hopeful that there's a good bit more of it ahead still. Read Full Review

Things are improving in the magic corner of the DC Universe. Read Full Review

This was a fun issue with a killer opener. This new art team should be welcomed with open arms as they are simply fantastic. This is a two-part story so I'm looking forward to seeing how Tynion paces this story overall. Read Full Review

While it could perhaps be viewed as a bit of a filler/reintroduction to the main plot, this is still a cool issue and well worth picking up as we begin the journey towards the impending big boss battle that were clearly heading for in the coming months. Read Full Review

The middle part of Justice League Dark #5 is a little rough, it is not bad but it was a little trudge to get through at times. The beginning in ending definitely pick the issue up. The art while not jaw-dropping, it is good art and fits the series well. I continue to love the team of this New Justice League Dark team. Wonder Woman makes a good leader; with Zatanna packing a magical punch, Swamp Thing adds a nice elemental theme and Detective Chimp and Man-Bat are two standout characters. Read Full Review

I couldn't bring myself to care about half the issue because I don't know much about Myrra and the main hero just spent the whole time alienating me. Though the weakest instalment of the series so far, Justice League Dark #5 is a solid, handsome read. Read Full Review

Samuel Almeida

Nov 21, 2018

What an ultra good issue! It has a lil bit of drama but then it gets really fun. I like when Tynion write in a kind of 'poetic' way. The art was 10/10 and the special appereances are so good! I freaking love JLD <3

Psycamorean

Nov 23, 2018

Luckily, this series recovered after the potential misstep at the end of the Witching Hour.

Miracleman92

Dec 06, 2020

Another great issue! Tynion is knockin' it out of the park with this incarnation of JLD. Its cool to see Tynion acknowledge Shadowpact (which was kind of a proto-JLD) and I'm excited to see what happens next.

Spacey Medicine

Jun 03, 2019

Yes, I liked this for the most part.

Nihilist

Nov 21, 2018

Justice League Dark is on its way to become a modern classic. Judging what I've seen so far, I can confidently say it's one of the best runs out there, and could definitely recommend it to any comic reader, doesn't matter if they care about the magic aspect or not. There's way more to it that sheer magic - character interactions, and character choice to begin with, is absolutely brilliant. Each hero posesses unique personality and traits making them one of a kind, valuable parts of the cast. Justice League of America may have been a spectacular fiasco, but Justice League Dark, as long as it keeps its current momentum, is going to be a must read, remembered for years to come.

ohhaimark

Nov 22, 2018

THE GOOD: -I did like the added depth to Bobo's character. Probably my favorite part of this issue. -Really great writing. I especially liked the narration for "The Chimpanzee Drinks" scenes. -I quite enjoyed the Myrra scenes as well. They weren't as good as some of the magical scenes in the series, but still were pretty cool. -I do like the reveal that Bobo made some kind of deal with the Blue Devil in his past that has negatively affected Myrra. THE BAD: -Daniel Sampere's art was good, but it couldn't hold a candle to Alvaro Martinez's. I actually kind of wished Greg Capullo illustrated this issue. That dragon scene was straight out of Reborn. That might be too much to ask for however.

egonnn244

Nov 22, 2018

"There's like five apocalypses going on each week" Magic took a big hit during the Witching Hour, but there's no time to mourn because the Otherkind and the super-creepy Upside-Down Man are still out there. So the JL Dark splits in two in the search for a way to defeat them. Constantine and Swampy confront Dr. Fate and the rest lead by Wonder Woman goes to a magical land of Myrra (Bobo is not pleased). We have action, battles and huge spectacle of magic, but then the Stranger and the Devil show up leaving us with an interesting cliffhanger. Aside from writing and an interesting story, I have to give Tynion credit for one more thing. Talking chimpanzee that is a detective is a ridiculous concept when you say it out loud. But he s omehow made me feel for the little fella. I'm just sayin', that takes skill. Also, I wouldn't be mad seeing more of Sampere, Albarran and Lucas' art in the coming issues. more

Señor Smokey

Nov 30, 2020

Sad chimp

waltgator93

Nov 20, 2018

Great last half of the story and amazing artwork! Could have done without so much dialogue and narration in the beginning. This issue has some for most characters in this, everyone except Kirk. Feels like we have not had much from Chimp since this comic started, feels nice to finally get one! The cliffhanger does a really nice job as I now look forward to the next issue.

I Review Comics

Apr 23, 2019

With my review of "The Witching Over" storyline finally ending, the series gets back to normal, whatever is normal for Justice League Dark. The comic shines the spotlight on Detective Chimp as he mourns the death of his friend and mentor, Nightmaster. After Nightmaster dies Detective Chimp is left with the bar, The Sword of Night and given responsibility to protect the Realm of Myrra. He drowns his pain in liquor before being interrupted by Wonder Woman and Zatanna. They bring a new mission and requires his assistance. The sword is needed to travel to the realm of Myrra. A realm that the Chimp wants nothing to do with.  As this plot is going there is a B-Plot in which Swamp Thing and John Constantine have a brief fight with Dr . Fate The book isn't the most "High T" comic, and is actually kind of a downer. It's also not the most accessible issue. If you've been reading the series to this issue you'll have some familiarity with the characters you won't be completely lost but if you're casual to the greater DC Universe the events here may still be kinda confusing. There is a lot going on in the comic and sets the table for the next story-arc.  The highlight of the issue is the Detective Chimp segments. He's quickly becoming one of my favorite DC characters. The writing for these segments of the comic is extremely strong, exploring the grief of a guarded individual touched me because I'm also an introverted individual and don't share my feelings easily. The other moment that stood out to me was the fight between Dr. Fate and our heroes. I don't know these characters well but it's cool to establish power level tiers amongst characters. I now see Dr. Fate as a step above Constantine and Swamp Thing. The Phantom Stranger also makes an appearance and I'd wager he's a step above the rest. The art provided by _ is excellent but is sort of let down by the downcast script. Even the scenes that you'd guess would be exciting, feel meh. It's not the art direction that is letting the issue down. It's the lack of energy in the plot. Aside from these observations, the issue is okay and a solid start to the current storyline though I wish the comic was a bit more fun. more