REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 9

Justice League Unlimited Issue 9 is published by DC Comics and written by Mark Waid, art by Dan Mora, colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and letters by Dave Sharpe.

In the aftermath of the We Are Yesterday crossover, the League tries to assess the changes in the entire universe.

This is an epilogue to the crossover, attempting to pick up the pieces and assess what happened. New characters are scattered everywhere, Air Wave is missing, and the entire universe is fractured. These pressing issues are brilliantly explored by Waid, with a comic filled with chaos. But it’s controlled within the narrative. The structure is constantly fluid, moving between the moments and the pressing matters at hand.

It’s energetic from the beginning, creating a spark before discussing the collapse of the universe. Figures from the Superman series make an appearance, and we are more aware of the causes of the oncoming crisis. However, their allegiance is uncertain, with significantly less morals than the members of the Justice League. It doesn’t take long for friction to begin and a fight to break out. It’s fun and exciting, with switching sides and a fascinating stake at its centre.

The other storyline that runs parallel to that one is Mr Terrific and his guilt over losing Air Wave. It’s actually surprising that this side of the book ends so quickly, because it seemed like it was going to be a longer-running saga. It’s a little disappointing to see it concluded so really, but it provides Justice League Unlimited Issue 9 with a hopeful and happier ending than the ominous possibilities.

An intriguing aspect of this issue is the lineup and where certain characters are. On the Watchtower, there is suddenly an abundance of new faces. Some are cooperative, others are combative. It leads to a diverse range of voices, some of which are particularly helpful in a fight or intense situation. As Time-Trapper, a futuristic iteration of Doomsday that had been a thorn in the side of Superman and his ally, arrives on the Watchtower, the various voices make the exposition livelier and more digestible.

Meanwhile, Mr Terrific is furiously working to find Air Wave, with the last version of himself and Ted Kord. Mr Terrific is more emotional than he’s ever been before due to his failing to see what was wrong with Air-Wave before the crossover even started. He’s questioning his own intelligence and genius, something he never does, which makes him angry.

However, the most noticeable aspect of Justice League Unlimited Issue 9 is the absence of the Trinity. Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman are not on the Watchtower, leaving it to Green Lantern to be the commander on deck. Bruce, Clark, and Diana have a meeting of their own, one that’s more suspicious and clandestine.

The art is phenomenal, capturing both the business and the solitude. On the space station, there are bodies everywhere. Lanterns, heroes, and the time-displaced characters. You’ve got different versions of the same characters in the same room. When the fight breaks out, Mora illustrates it fantastically. You can both follow it and understand the chaos. And throughout Justice League Unlimited Issue 9, there are time quakes that take the characters away.

The effect used to achieve this is truly fascinating, a combination of afterimages and something resembling photo negatives. Alongside the noise, when the scene cuts to a character alone, the book appears spacious, and the silence is deafening. There are members of the League who are huddled away, working on their secret projects. There’s a real hustle and bustle within the issue.

The colors are vibrant, dazzling, and fantastic. Bonvillain gives the issue so much energy. There are blasts, costumes, and so much to look at. It doesn’t just radiate positivity, however. The dark red that surrounds Terrific is ominous, highlighting how low his mood is.

It’s also Omega Energy, which comes from Darkseid. The white that shines during the time quakes are intense, shining alongside the red and green that is generated in those sudden panels. The lettering is brilliant. The word balloons themselves can be fun and adventurous, but the font is always easy to read.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 9 both ends stories and starts new ones. The storytelling is fluid and exciting, telling multiple tales at the same time. Because this cast is bigger than any other comic, perhaps ever. So it needs to feel lively and keep figures busy, so they don’t face into the background. And yet, there’s never a feeling of getting lost or losing track of the threads. This is where the direction of the DC Universe is heading, and yet Waid keeps the huge concept on the edge of comprehension.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 9 is available where comics are sold.