Justice League #20 Review

JUSTICE LEAGUE #20

by Geoff Johns, Gene Ha, and  Gary Frank

It's... the TALE OF DESPEREAUX-- I mean, Despero.

So, Justice League #20 focuses on the 3 (or 4 if you count Firestorm as two people) new recruits of the Justice League. And it's a really, really weird issue. It cuts back  and forth between Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman talking about the Kryptonite Ring, and the newbies fighting Despero. The Despero fight steals the show, as it's awesome watching the three heroes banter back and forth (Element Woman is my new favorite character. "Well you could breath me instead!"). However, it's so boring and enraging reading about Supes, Bats and WW just talking about the ring, and not doing anything about the  big alien monster trying to tear the Watchtower from the sky. And a lot of the dialogue in these scenes are horrible. But in the end, Johns redeems himself in a reveal I legitimately did not see coming, and a fun Martian Manhunter cameo.

JL #20 is drawn by Gene Ha, who drew one of my favorite issues of the series (#7, #8 is really good too). His art looks absolutely beautiful, as it shines with a digital sheen but looks pure comic booky. However, the fill-in art of Andres Guinaldo and Joe Prado detracts from much of the book. Now, I'll admit, I actually thought Ivan Reis was drawing a portion of the book during Prado's scenes, but it doesn't mesh with Ha's art. The transition is really bad, and the differences are VERY noticeable. 

Now, the Shazam backup is supposedly at its high point... BUT NOTHING HAPPENS. Not even a single punch is thrown! They just waste time by showing a little bit more of Black Adam's origin, and Billy turns into Shazam again. That's literally all you need to know. But at least Gary Frank's art looks good!

Justice League #20 is an okay issue. It's still not as good as some issues of the series are, and I know Johns is capable of telling a better story. Thankfully, it's worth it just to look at Gene Ha's art.

STORY: 3.5/5

+ The  newbies steal the show

+ Fun Martian Manhunter cameo

+ Unexpected traitor

- Really bad dialogue between Superman, Batman and Wonder  Woman

- Poorly done scenes with the Trinity

- Lack of other JL members

ART: 4/5

+ Both artists look very good

+ Gene Ha's art is awesome

- Jarring transition

BACKUP: 1.5/5

+ Gary Frank's art

- EVERYTHING ELSE

VERDICT: 3/5