Injustice Gods Among Us Year Four #2 Review

Heart-broken.

Renee Montoya, formerly of the GCPD, takes center-stage as she goes up against Superman and the tyranny which he stands for – and everyone knows where this is going.

Brian Buccellato manages to make an obvious battle exciting through Renee’s motivations and missions. Mark Millar complements him well with some great artwork.

SPOILERS FOLLOW……………..

Poor Renee Montoya. This was my thoughts through the entire issue – you knew what was coming, yet it still came as a shock that she died like that. Not a snapped neck or a relentless pummeling – she dies from overdose.

Let’s dial things a little back. Over the last few years in Injustice, she’s seen and endured so much – first, Gotham falling to Superman’s Army. Then, her mentor James Gordon dying – followed by Harvey Bullock (her best friend) and Helena Bertenilli aka Huntress being killed.

We’re first brought four hours from the present, where Renee is saying her goodbyes to former lover and mentor Maggie Sawyer. A drunk Renee has decided to go all out – taking as much Super Pills as she can.

Catwoman, disenchanted by Bruce’s broken Resistance, leaves Gotham in one of his planes but has a stowaway on board in Renee, who stuns her and takes Robin hostage.

Superman, visiting his parents in a tense environment, is drawn away from the conversation by Renee’s demands for him.

In Olympus, Hera seduces her husband Zeus into declaring war on Superman – starting by asking Ares to bring in Hippolypta to collect a debt (most likely the one which helped Diana out of her mystically induced sleep).

On the other hand, Harley Quinn’s attraction for Shazam has grown to very weird proportions, as she impersonates his mother (Billy, Shazam’s human avatar, is an orphan. Low blow, Brian. Low blow) and then flirts with him to change into his superhuman state. Finding him uncooperative, she knocks him out.

A battle ensures, during which Renee starts popping more pills. She gets some good hits and there’s a callback to the classic Dark Knight Returns as we see a more empathetic Superman warn Renee she’s overexerting herself.

But it’s to no avail as Renee dies of a heart attack just as Bruce arrives on the scene. Bruce blames Superman and the rest of the League for her death, but we see a rare scene from Superman where he symphatizes with Bruce and lets him leave without injury – on the condition he gives his word that it’s over.

But it’s not that easily over. Even as Bruce puts on his cowl (with a repentant Catwoman back) alongside Batwoman and Zatanna, we see Barbara Gordon in contact with Luthor – who seems to be making a clone of Superman.

Somethings never change, eh.

SPOILERS END…………….

This issue was about how much Superman has decimated the characters of this universe. While his killing of the Joker was atrocious, his subsequent dictatorial actions have left thousands in the ground. No one loves him outside the League – the only thing left is fear.

Renee stood for the person Superman should have protected; instead she became the emblem of his betrayal.

Mike Millar was a great fit for this issue and gave some good visuals.

So, I give it a 8.0 out of 10.

+Renee Montoya’s fleshed out well

+Great artwork

+The ending

-Selina is being tossed about without any direction

-The Gods felt like an unnecessary diversion