Comic Book Review: Justice League 80-Page Giant

Written by Chuck Kim, Josh Williamson, Rich Fogel and others

Art By Art by Mahmud Asrar, Adrian Syaf and others

Plot: A villain by the name of Epoch, a time traveling inventor, goes on a hunt for a man by the name of “Time Commander” in hopes that he (Time Commander) will never pose a threat to Epoch ever again.  The Justice League attempts to stop him, but Epoch makes quick work of the League and sends them to different periods in time so that his hunt is uninterrupted. 

In teams of two, the Justice League fights their way to freedom in places like the old West, Medieval Japan, and during World War II.  We later find the real enemy who we might not think it to be.

My Thoughts: I wasn’t entirely sure what the point of this issue was.  We first have Superman and Wonder Woman, who have retire from the JLA, two Green Lanterns, one of which is taking a leave of absence with his new branch of the League, and Green Arrow who is going along with Jordan in fighting crime in their own fashion. 

When in the world did Epoch come around, and why is he after this “Time Commander?”  There are so many unanswered questions that I can’t make heads or tails of the plot or why this issue was even introduced into the monthly comic distributions.

Now, I was completely baffled by the conveyance of the league being split up into teams of two to different parts of the world and different time periods.  I understand why this happened, as a distraction!  But what was learned from all this?  Why make this issue as long as it is when none of the heroes learn from this experience, nor do they gain any information about the mysterious attacker, Epoch.  PLUS!  Once each duo won their respective battles, how in the world did they transport back to their own time as if they knew how to do that in the first place. 

And the hourglass!  Why in the world did Time Commander need it?  When was this eluded too previously?  Is there a series going on where this hourglass has some importance?  There are so many un answered question and confusion going on, apart from the fact that this issue seemed pointless and very, VERY flawed, that it made me start pulling my hair out of my head!

The art was great.  It was the only thing that saved this book from being a complete and utter waste of time and garbage.  The segment with Wonder Woman and Steel on the pirate ship was fantastically drawn, and in fact is some of the best artwork I’ve seen in a while.

Overall: I want to give this issue 0 stars out of 5 because of how pointless and confusing it was.  But, since the art was great, I’ll give it a little score….

.5 stars out of 5