REVIEW: ‘Justice League,’ Issue #75

Justice League #75 is published by DC Comics, written by Joshua Williamson, pencils by Rafa Sandoval, inks by Jordi Taragona, colors by Matt Herms, and letters by Josh Reed. Members of the Justice League are mysteriously teleported to a different world along with the Justice League Incarnate. Here, old enemies and friends have been possessed by a dangerous force, one that may lead to the death of everything.

This issue serves as a prelude to Dark Crisis, but it also sees the end of this run of Justice League. Bendis makes way for Williamson in this issue to detail an epic plot. The story is set in motion almost instantly, teleporting members of the League to the setting of the fight. Plucking them out of their own lives gives the book the air of a Secret Wars or Avengers: No Way Home feel. There is a lot of exposition to get across, but Williamson achieves this and builds tension for what is to come. When the villains of the comic are revealed, it seems like the stakes can’t get higher, only for an even larger trump card to take their place. The title of the issue gives away the ending, but that does not mean that it isn’t shocking when it happens. The final part of Justice League #75 is a battle that is just as emotional as it is awesome, and it sets up the real story fantastically.

This isn’t the full Justice League team that Bendis had utilized, but it is as comprehensive and representative of a League lineup as you can get, plus Black Adam. The switch in writers isn’t too intense as Williamson appears to emulate the tone this team exhibited under Bendis. The banter and the jovial tone are still there, meaning that it feels like the same team. This is very important, considering how powerful this issue gets. What is slightly different is that this writer gets very dark, something not quite seen in the previous one. This shows the transition into Dark Crisis. Perhaps the most meaningful connection in this issue is between Green Arrow and Black Canary. Because they are the only couple in this selection, the battle weighs much more.

The art is superb, capturing the scale of the situation. Every location is big, with huge battlefields that serve as the landscape for the fight scenes and broken planets in the sky. All of the characters look incredible. Even with many of them, Sandoval and Taragoni give them intricate details. Everyone looks awesome and powerful, and the villains have their already terrifying designs ramped up to a new level. The panel layouts are different and escalate the excitement, helpful during the intense battle. The inclusion of a penciller and inker allows for some excellent changes in line weights, with Taragona’s influence of darkness and shadows crucial to the look of the comic. The battle itself is chaotic and phenomenally choreographed.

The colors are simply excellent. It should be noted that many of the heroes involved are among the most colorful in DC’s playbook. The vibrancy and variety in the tones are brilliant, and this is nicely juxtaposed with the sleek black and grey foes that they face. Despite the incoming crisis, this isn’t an overly dark comic, with Herms using a lot of stark white, which is much easier on the eyes. The lettering is bold and dynamic, standing out among the action.

Justice League #75 is a huge issue, bridging two stories together. Williamson brings this series close with a crushing blow. Bendis’ contribution should no be understated, as building this group up to this point is very important for what Williamson does to them in this issue. It is loud, epic, and unrelenting, as the artists reveal in a remarkable battle. It also shows what these creators are willing to do as we plunge headfirst into Dark Crisis.

Justice League #75 is available now wherever comics are sold.