By Geoff Johns, Kevin Maguire, Phil Jimemez, Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Scott Kolins, Jason Fabok, Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Brad Anderson, & Alex Sinclair

The highly publicized and anticipated story arc “Darkseid War” has finally arrived! The primary artist on this storyline is Jason Fabok, but a stellar all-star team of artists was assembled to kick off this event right. Geoff Johns’ prologue presents readers with Metron the observer. He sees that the main DC universe is still stabilizing from the events of “Flashpoint” and can’t handle another crisis so soon. Obviously a war involving Darkseid and the Anti-Monitor would be cataclysmic, so he forgoes being passive and tries to take matters into his own hands…

This is a dense issue, but, no surprise, Johns makes the content easily digestible. He has so much experience developing and executing stories on this scale and it really shows: past crises are revisited, a new spin is placed on a classic pact made long ago, and in-depth insight is given to powerful foes. Digging this deep into the DCU canon makes any fan really appreciate the scope and detail Geoff is crafting. There is so much ethos and pathos at work in this one book, one can’t even imagine what comes next!

With an art team consisting of Kevin Maguire, Phil Jimemez, Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Scott Kolins, Jason Fabok, Scott Williams, Brad Anderson, and Alex Sinclair, one could almost write a dissertation on the panels alone. Everyone brings something fascinating and colorful to the table, which makes turning the page such a dazzling treat. Kevin Maguire handles the first nine pages dutifully, then Phil Jimenez does an amazing two-page spread depicting Crisis on Infinite Earths. Dan Jurgens, Jerry Ordway, Scott Kolins, and Jason Fabok depict the following events. Jim Lee and his usual collaborators Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair beautifully end the issue on a dangerously strong note. Colorist Brad Anderson is, crazily enough, able to color the work of so many artists and cater to their specific, intended styles…an impressive feat by anyone’s standards! Practically every page in this issue could a gorgeous print or poster, not many comics can say that.

DC has some heavy-hitting issues this week, but Justice League may well be the top pick (yes, even with the conclusion to “Endgame” in Batman). It is rare for this reviewer to be so blown away and immersed in a comic such as he was with this book, even rarer is to re-read it three times in two days. Please, do yourself a favor and pick up Justice League #40 and prepare for the Darkseid War!

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About The Author Erik Gonzalez

I was exposed to comics early on, one of my earliest vivid memories was picking up the entire run of Dark Horse’s Aliens vs. Predator(1990). Odd and perhaps morbid choice for a kid, I know...At the same time, I was immersed in the pop culture of the time which included, but not limited to: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Ghostbusters, Jurassic Park, Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, and of course, Batman: The Animated Series. Upon reflection, it’s fairly evident why I’m such a zealous geek. My day job is in television operations, so basically I’m exposed to media at every turn, which is where I want to be! Writing comic book reviews is another outlet to convey my respect and fanaticism for the this graphic medium. I hope what I have to say will resonate with others and also spark heart-felt discussion. Simon Pegg said it best, “Being a geek is extremely liberating.”

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