REVIEW: ‘Justice League Infinity,’ Issue #5

This issue is what’s often referred to as a ‘filler episode’ of television, as it mostly takes place in a flashback with the present sections confined to the Alliance’s Javelin. ‘Filler episodes’ of television often get a bad rap, as most viewers see them as nothing more than a stopgap in the ongoing narrative. However, I feel that good ‘filler’ can act as both a recap of previous episodes and a reflection on how characters have grown over the course of the narrative. And this issue falls into both camps. Also, if I’m being honest not every episode needs to be plot-driven.

DeMatteis and Tucker also take the time to further explore the differences and similarities between characters in their script. Both the main Superman and the Superman from Earth-D are driven to do the right thing, even if they aren’t on the same scale power-wise. Wonder Woman tries to connect with her fellow Amazon Unatti, only to learn that on Earth-D Themiscrya was utterly decimated. And the J’onn J’onzz of Earth-D comes face to face with his counterpart on Savage’s Earth, who turns out to be a tormented recluse who didn’t form the same connections he did. Keeping in line with past issues, this issue is also narrated by J’onzz, with the word balloons once again taking on the same hue as his green skin. It’s fun to see how these different characters interact with each other, and it’s always fun to see superheroes punching Nazis.

And make no mistake, plenty of Nazis are sent flying. Page after page yields the superhero action that Justice League Unlimited became famous for, thanks to Beavers. Both Supermen come face to face with a new version of Brainiac; the Justice Alliance, alongside General Zod’s forces engage in battle with a fleet of Nazi warships; a splash page features the heroes being swarmed by an army of Vandal Savage robots. Filardi’s colors add to the action-packed chaos, as the sky grows blood red in a similar matter to the original Crisis on Infinite Earths storyline. The void of the Multiverse is also a sight to behold. Its crystalline structure continues to crack, with acidic green energy leaking through and creating a massive, swirling vortex.

Justice League Infinity #5 is an action-packed flashback that features Superman and the Justice Alliance battling against a horde of Nazis and sets the stage for the series finale. With only two issues left, the Multiverse is at stake—and the answer to saving all of existence is out of reach.