Justice League #32 Review

Freaks.

We get a retelling of the Doom Patrol’s origins with some nice additions by Geoff Johns as Power Ring goes amuck.

Doug Manke brings his A-game to the book as the artwork improves leaps and bounds.

SPOILERS FOLLOW…………..

We see Superwoman chant a distorted version of the Mockingbird lullaby to her unborn child.

Forever Evil's shadow hangs over this book as multiple elements of that event make their presence known here. 

Going a week back, the location of Element Woman is finally seen – in a gas chamber belonging to the 'Chief' Niles Caulder.

Apparently, he saved her from completely diluting into nothingness after the events of the Despero attack on the Watchtower and introduces her to her fellow ‘unfortunates’, Cliff Steele (former racer, now a robot with his brain in it), Larry Trainor (exposed to radiation and can now send his lethal astral projection into battle) and Rita Starr (former actor suffering from cellular distortions).

I did love how they added that Rita had to smile all the time to control her body, and if she didn’t, she would break down.

It adds a poignant touch to each of them (Steele has only his brain left where once his body was primary, Larry seems to be a people person but is now isolated while Rita, who had to give fake smiles to flashbulbs must now do it to ensure her survival).

Coming back to now, we see the Doom Patrol about to engage Power Ring (who’s controlling Jessica) in battle.

Element Woman learns that the Ring is controlling her, and in that moment of confusion when she tries to stop Niles from firing at Jessica, Power Ring manages to hit a building.

We see the hold Niles has on his team as they hesitate to save the trapped civilians, that is, until the Justice League arrive and do it for them. I thought Johns portrayed Niles' overt need for manipulation as well done through it makes him come across as too cold and calculating.

Cyborg attempts to shut her down, but Power Ring gets in his head and reveals that the ‘thing’ chasing them is after Superwoman’s child, alongwith images of Earth 3.

This interaction leaves both Cyborg and Power Ring drained, as Niles attempts to retrieve the ring from an unconscious Jessica.

That is, until Lex arrives (after appointing Captain Cold as head of Lexcorp’s security division) with a laser blast aimed at Niles’ spine. It appears they share a past history given their conversation.

It is also interesting to note that Niles has been portrayed mostly as a wheelchair bound figure, and Lex's actions here.

SPOILERS END……………..

The artwork improves over last week, while Geoff does an excellent job retelling the Doom Patrol’s origins with some great add-ons.

The Justice League cameo in their own title, as more hints of what is to come are dropped.

So, I give it 9.0 out of 10.

+A great retelling of origins
+Some great artwork
+Nice character touches

-Mostly filler material that takes away from the conflict last issue