REVIEW: ‘Justice League Unlimited’ Issue 13

Justice League Unlimited Issue 13 is published by DC Comics, written by Mark Waid, art by Dan Mora, colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and letters by Ariana Maher.

This issue is part of the DC K.O. event. A select team of expendable heroes journeys into Hell to battle Neron.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 13 is a devastating surprise. The preceding issue, which set up the mission, mentioned the heroes being expendable, but it didn’t really explain how dangerous the mission is. They are in Hell, with no backup and no one willing to save their lives. The first ones fall in brutal, startling fashion, and it becomes clear just how ruthless Waid is going to be with them. After their death, a state of shock sets in for the reader and the team. That level of violence hasn’t been seen in this series yet, so it’s a hit to the system. The mission now has greater severity, with nefarious monsters capable of causing significant harm.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 13 becomes a war story, with soldiers deep behind enemy lines and suffering diminishing numbers. Except this is Hell, and the enemy is terrifying. It’s a wicked horror comic, too. Above friends, the rest of the Justice League are scattered across Earth, struggling to battle against the easiest villains. This again raises pressure on those in the depths of Hell. The switch in location slightly slows the pace and momentum, but the sprawling nature of the plot shows what the team is fighting and dying for.

Waid fantastically controls the characterization. There are members of the team that aren’t given the time to be explored; they’re ripped apart before they have a chance. And that makes the moment even more alarming. There are some lines, though, dialogue that show glimmers of personality. Both Alan Scott and Batman Beyond are very different from their usual selves, especially the latter. He’s rattled, shell-shocked, and disturbed by what he’s seen, still only a kid.

These moments make the sacrifices even more emotional in Justice League Unlimited Issue 13. Mister Terrific is also fascinating, as he’s callous towards those in danger. He’s willing to leave soldiers behind, accepting their fate before they’re even gone. But he chose heroes that were doomed anyway, and has made peace with his decision.

The art merges horror with heroes brilliantly. Mora is working on so many comics at the same time, but Justice League Unlimited Issue 13 is something different. It’s a messy, vicious comic, with classes and twisted creatures instead of villains. The reality warps as the team enters a realm where the enemy holds sway. The enemies are magnificently demonic, deep cuts from the history of DC Comics and the incredible, encyclopedic mind of Waid.

The violence is extraordinary because it’s so sadistic and honest. The first deaths are in silhouette, but it’s still easy to see what is done to the heroes. The others are gruesome and stomach-churning, truly exposing the survivors to what’s to come. Elsewhere on Earth, there are numerous villains and fights, where the heroes are in for a world of pain.

The colors add to the chaos of Justice League Unlimited Issue 13. The heroes are submerged in a land that’s almost entirely deep reef and bright yellow. It’s disorienting and suffocating. The characters’ colors try to break through those shares, but it’s hard to keep fighting and pushing back. The letters are crisp and clear to read.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 13 tears the team apart. Literally. Such a huge cast in this book, with powerful heroes and an endless amount of backup, makes it difficult to generate danger. But this team has been gathered because if they die, the consequences are minimal. So there’s no one coming. And they will die. It’s a mad book brimming with hellfire and horror, giving intensity to the heroes left behind while the heavy hitters are away.

Justice League Unlimited Issue 13 is available now wherever comics are sold.