REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 11

Justice League Unlimited Issue 11 is published by DC Comics. Written by Mark Waid, with art by Carmine Di Giandomenico, colors by Tamra Bonvillain and letters by Ariana Maher.

In this latest issue, the Watchtower is getting ripped apart as a swarm of Parademons is released. Justice League Unlimited Issue 11 puts the most pressure on the heroes since the series began. Their precious base is being torn apart in two places. The injury to the Time-Trapper is causing an explosion of time energy right at the heart of their space station, whilst the Parademons are in their way.

The pace is unbelievably intense, pressurizing the heroes and forcing them to make desperate decisions. They’re running out of space and time, with certain heroes trying to hold the pieces of the Watchtower together. None of the Justice League prepared for this, which becomes a major problem for those who pride themselves on their preparation. The team can only show their strength in the face of its greatest weakness.

The ending is brilliant and feels satisfying and earned. What’s fascinating about the last page is that it matches seamlessly with Superman Issue 30. It’s not necessary to read both issues; the stories are independent, but they are both important to what’s coming.

The cast of Justice League Unlimited Issue 11 shrinks down again. Whilst there are so many members of the League on call, they aren’t all present on the ship. None of the Trinity are on the station, and most of those that are available are focused on trying to keep it intact.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 11 is a great issue for Mr Terrific. He has been the star of the whole series so far, serving as the de facto leader of this massive squad. He shows tenacity, sprinting across the Watchtower with a whole horde of Parademons on his heels. With the adrenaline pumping, he’s still able to work out ways to succeed.

Other major voices in this issue are Flash, Metamorpho and Martian Manhunter. There is also a team of the Justice League in the kingdom of Markovia. Power Girl, Geo-Force, Captain Atom, and Cajedo see members of the Legion of Darkseid literally crawl out of the centre of the Earth, as if they’re crawling out of the depths of Hell. Not only do they come face to face with evil, but these figures bring dark elements out of the heroes themselves.

There is a change in artist for Justice League Unlimited Issue 11 that is perfect for the tone. Di Giandomenico steps in and makes the book messier, which is superb. It makes the comic scarier and closer to a horror comic than a superhero story. The Parademons appear horrifying, with individual masses of teeth, claws, and wings. There are multiple sizes; their limbs don’t always look right, but it makes them monstrous and savage. They’re also newborn, so they haven’t fully developed yet.

At the same time, the damage to the Watchtower looks incredible. It’s being ripped apart, with Space suddenly looking deathly. And on the faces of the heroes are a myriad of emotions. They’re straining to survive. Terrific is running for his life, whilst the others are desperately trying to stay alive. There’s a fusion of pain, fury and even flickers of fear. Some of the heroes are not getting out of this issue in one piece, and the injuries are shocking.

The colors are magnificent. The shades around the Justice League members are alien and hostile, heightening the intensity. The Parademons are various shades of pink and purple, which mimic the energy that’s progressively expanding out of the Time-Trapper. The two threats aren’t related, but they’re combining to destroy the team. And when the lights go out, everything becomes a menacing shade of red.

This is similar to the depths of the Earth, where the ferocity of the heat only makes the situation more dire. The lettering is fantastic, with screams drawn out of the heroes, looking terrifying on the page.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 11 has the League fighting for their lives. The setting Waid creates is phenomenal and powerful. It’s not a battle where the team can retreat from, nor on some barren planet. It’s a desperate scramble to stop their home from falling apart. It’s wonderfully scruffy and dramatic, making the team pull out all the stops to stay alive.

In Justice League Unlimited Issue 11, the most secure place in the universe suddenly becomes a dangerous deathtrap. And all of this is just a precursor for an oncoming storm.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 11 is available where comics are sold.