Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Justice League #8

By Avi Weinryb
November 4, 2016 - 10:46

After previously surviving an onslaught of alien beings known as the Kindred, our heroes are recuperating and mourning the loss of a sole civilian casualty. Alone on the Justice League watchtower, Cyborg is watching television news coverage of recent events when a subliminally coded message triggers a virus that begins to control him. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne and Alfred have just finished some work in the Batcave, enabling some autonomous features on the many Bat-vehicles. The two are in for a rude awakening when a similar virus takes over, aiming every vehicle weapon on the two of them. As chaos unfolds, Bruce and Cyborg will need to protect themselves and defend against an invisible but dangerously potent threat.

Bryan Hitch has crafted a simple but pleasurable introduction to a new story arc. It will be fun for readers to explore just how deep this rabbit hole goes. There are some smart bits with Cyborg thinking he has outsmarted the virus only to discover that it’s actually playing him for a fool, digging deeply to undermine our young hero. At the same time, we’re treated to an extended scene of Bruce Wayne, in a batsuit but no cowl, fighting side by side with everyone’s favourite butler, Alfred, in an effort to stay alive as every Bat-plane, boat and car attempts to kill them. Their repartee is especially enjoyable -- and when Alfred fires a shoulder mounted missile into the cave’s resident dinosaur’s head, you can be sure Alfred is smiling from ear to ear. Yes, you read that correctly.

The illustration work by Neil Edwards is top-notch. He accounts for every detail in everything from busy fight scenes to stunning close-ups. Inker Daniel Henriques complements his work well. The final sequence of the issue is a cliffhanger involving Green Lantern ring constructs, and their portrayal is mesmerizing and terrifying in equal measure. If you didn’t start collecting the series when it first started, this is a great jumping-on point for casual readers looking for a thrill.

Rating: 8 /10

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12