REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 2

Justice League Unlimited Issue 2 is published by DC Comics, written by Mark Waid, art by Dan Mora, colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and letters by Ariana Maher.

The Justice League travels to Costa Rica to stop an invasion of Parademons that have kidnapped children and the Blue Beetle.

Another chapter in this new flagship series, the concepts are beginning to take more shape. Justice League Unlimited Issue 2 follows up on the subplot that started in the previous issue. The squad has been changed slightly to freshen up the energy. Like with other books, a focus is placed on the death of Darkseid and the ramifications of such a huge event. These Parademons have now lost their leader, but someone else has taken their place. What the League finds in the jungles of Costa Rica is unique and fascinating.

The action occurs throughout Justice League Unlimited Issue 2, but with varying severity. At first, the battle concerns damage control and fighting the first wave of interstellar insects. But as the issue progresses, violence erupts, born from anger and frustration, with more damaging consequences. Alongside the main story, other threads and adventures take place. There are investigations on the Watchtower and experiments down on Earth.

Waid uses Justice League Unlimited Issue 2 as a springboard for other series and avenues for the DC Universe. There is a segment centered around the atoms, which will directly lead into their comic. Secrets are also aboard the Watchtower. Established, trusted members of the League have experienced upheavals and significant changes that could have serious consequences out in the field. Despite all of the threads in the series, the structure and pacing of the book are perfect.

What also becomes more apparent within Justice League Unlimited Issue 2 is how the team’s makeup will take shape. Many field team members like Black Lightning, Batman, Wonder Woman, and Star Sapphire have continued into this issue. But others have stepped in with varying degrees of popularity.

Mary Marvel has led her series, but Dr. Occult is an intense cut. An ancient character in terms of publication, it was a surprise to see such a peculiar figure in the team. Waid has an extensive knowledge of comic book history and uses that in Justice League Unlimited Issue 2.

The constant changing of the team keeps the energy and generates storylines. There are fresh conversations with characters old and young; heroes who have never spoken now fight alongside each other. One of the best moments in the issue is between Mary and Wonder Woman, who kept discussing the similarities between the pantheons that granted them their powers. Martian Manhunter also becomes essential to this specific issue but can’t be used as he once was.

The art is spectacular in Justice League Unlimited Issue 2. Mora celebrates the heroes for what they are and how they look. Their costumes look terrific, and the Justice League members are outstanding when standing together. There’s excitement in each issue to see which heroes teleport in. The landscape and the enemies have changed entirely, with a horror influence seeping into the story. The Parademons are new, with an even more feral appearance than usual. Their eggs are wonderfully alien, and there are even baby Parademons.

These Parademons have more emotion, too, and the subtle details from Mora are exceptional. That and the forest make Justice League Unlimited Issue 2 creepy and unnerving, even with heroes crawling through it. The situations they encounter are not just things to punch, leading to a great variety within the pages. With new characters added in, a range of powers and combinations is displayed.

The colors have also altered from the first chapter. Justice League Unlimited Issue 1 had a lot of red, but Bonvillain implemented more green and purple in the jungle. This can be seen everywhere, from the leaves to the monsters. It also matches the color scheme of Martian Manhunter, who quickly becomes the key hero in Justice League Unlimited Issue 2.

The comic can be dark in terms of lighting, but the background gets lighter in the pivotal part of Justice League Unlimited Issue 2 because the creators want the reader to see everything that happens. The letters are great at creating voices for the characters, whether naughty or nice.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 2 shakes up the roster. Each issue shakes everything up, from the location to who shows up to save the day. Even the art and the colors are changed. There may be an enormous amount of characters at the disposal of Waid, yet he still makes impactful stories out of specific ones. Martian Manhunter, Air Wave, and others are part of a more expansive tale within the many smaller ones being told. This series has become the new heartbeat of the DC Universe, but that also means it has the highest chance of seeing it bleed.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 2 is available now wherever comics are sold.