Justice League #14 Review
The Cheetah's Curse Original Review by Johnkmccubbin91 at Comic Vine
I have enjoyed this series so far and although it has had it's ups and downs it has overall been a good series. I have loved what Geoff Johns has been doing with the series and although I was slightly disappointed with how he used Darkseid in the opening story he has done a brilliant job since adding some surprises along the way. The other thing I have loved about this series for a good few issues is the Shazam! backup story which was nice to see back after not making an appearance last issue.
Plot
This issue sees the Justice League trying to cure Superman from Cheetah's attack (which turned him into a Cheetah like creature). Meanwhile Wonder Woman along with the Flash and Aquaman try to capture Cheetah.Shazam! Part 7
In the backup story featuring Shazam! sees Black Adam with Dr. Sivana aiding him tries to understand this world and starts by dealing with a rich man who's taken pensions away from his workers. Meanwhile Billy Batson along with his friend Freddy Freeman decide what to do with the money that's left from Billy saving a woman.Review
This was a good issue, but I felt that it was a bit of a disappointing ending, which was nothing like I expected. This issue was kind of rushed and Johns used the space to continue on the Superman, Wonder Woman relationship, whereas it would have probably been better leaving that for a later issue. He did however add a few added questions and bonuses to the issue which left the door open for future stories but as I said I'd rather it was focused on finishing what was the start of a good story. His work on the Shazam! backup story was a lot better in this issue, and probably the best thing about the issue, although I'll talk about that more further on.Tony Daniel's art in this issue was amazing and I'm happy to see him back at what he does best. His art over the course of the last two issues have been fantastic and although some of the panels haven't been as good as some of his previous work it's still very well done. I like how he adds elements from the style he used on Batman during Detective Comics and prior work whilst adding both something new and something that fitted with the style Jim Lee had already established for the series. Seeing Daniel's art on these two issues have made me remember why I'd buy a comic cause his name was on it and I'm looking forward to seeing him work on Action Comics next year. I am also looking forward to seeing Ivan Reis join this series next issue and look forward to seeing his skills utilized on this series, although I will be sad to see him leave Aquaman and hope the series doesn't go down hill after that. Gary Frank's art on the back up story is brilliant and I love how he draws all the characters, whether Billy, Freddy, Black Adam or Dr. Sivana, and love how his unique style along with Brad Anderson's colors make this a brilliant back story.
The fight between the Justice League and Cheetah in this issue was very short and it felt like no effort was put into it at all. I was expecting a huge blown out fight that would be epic whereas we got a fight that wasn't really a fight and fizzled out not long into it. It is teased that Cheetah might not be gone and I hope if she features in this series again that we will get the fight we deserved to see this time.
Superman and Wonder Woman in a Cafe |
Batman Looking On |
Shazam! |
Final Verdict
This was a good issue but a slightly disappointing and funny way to end what looked to be a brilliant two part story. The backup story featuring Shazam! is probably the best thing about this issue and although the story's slow progressing it's still very good. I would recommend this issue for the Shazam! backup but if you're not bothered about that and missed last issue I'd recommend waiting till Throne of Atlantis starts next issue (Prelude to Throne of Atlantis in Aquaman #14 next week).Rating: 4/5
What I Thought
Cover - 5/5
Art - 4/5
Colors/Ink/Lettering - 4/5
Layout/Flow - 4/5
Story - 5/5
Verdict - 4.6
Overall I enjoyed this issue. The only part that disturbed me was the art change with inking/colors after the battle in the jungle. At first I thought it was a completely different artist. But the art in the first part of the book was outstanding, especially the full page images. I also wasn't really a fan of the Shazam art. I'd have to agree with John in that the flow between Cheetah's capture and the next page with her being in jail is kinda confusing. It would have been nice for them to spread that out another page.
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John McCubbin is a blogger at http://imaginationcentre.blogspot.co.uk/ and a comic book reviewer at Comic Vine. The use of this review has been authorized by the original author.