Justice League #12
Written by: Tim Seeley
Art by: Christopher Duce
Colored by: Mat Lopes
Publisher: DC Comics
Taking place before the events of Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1, Justice League #12 presents the Rebirth of Maxwell Lord. Since his introduction in the mid 1980’s Lord has always fluctuated between and amoral philanthropist and an out and right villain, but in this issue Tim Seeley is tasked with crafting an origin story for him in the post-Rebirth universe, as well as set up his motivations for the events in the Justice League vs. Suicide Squad crossover, in which he takes center stage. Although he has always been portrayed as smart and cunning, what is most important in this issue is to establish what his motivations are for taking on not only Amanda Waller and her team of conscripted criminals but also the might of the entire Justice League. What could possible cause one man to take on such a challenge, and what about his life gave him the confidence to believe he can win?
The issues flashes back and forth between a one on one conversation between Max Lord and Amanda Waller, which takes place right before the events of the crossover, and various points throughout Lord’s life that shed light on his motivations and what he is willing to do to accomplish his goals. Instead of just presenting Lord as a mustache-twirling villain, Seeley uses this issue as an opportunity to explore Lord as a character. Although it is a foregone conclusion that he is the villain of this event series, what we are presented with in this issue is a character that is unflinching in his determination, has used his own personal tragedy as his driving force, and may be just capable enough of taking on the two top teams in the DC universe and winning.
What is learned in Justice League #12 is that Max Lord is not only back in the DC universe but also that he may be the only person that can outwit the combined intellects of Batman and Amanda Waller. While other tie in stories may just be a one-shot that is tangentially linked to the main narrative, this issue not only sets up the villain beautifully but also acts as a true prequel to DC’s main event of 2017. The Max Lord that Tim Seeley writes is not a fanatic bent of world domination but rather a calculating tactician capable of psychic abilities that as this issue has shown, has been planning his vengeful ascension for some time. The Justice League may be full of heroes, and the Suicide Squad may be full of villains, but Maxwell Lord is an amoral man with a righteous cause and that may prove to be too much for even the combined might of these two very different teams
Art by: Christopher Duce
Colored by: Mat Lopes
Publisher: DC Comics
Taking place before the events of Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #1, Justice League #12 presents the Rebirth of Maxwell Lord. Since his introduction in the mid 1980’s Lord has always fluctuated between and amoral philanthropist and an out and right villain, but in this issue Tim Seeley is tasked with crafting an origin story for him in the post-Rebirth universe, as well as set up his motivations for the events in the Justice League vs. Suicide Squad crossover, in which he takes center stage. Although he has always been portrayed as smart and cunning, what is most important in this issue is to establish what his motivations are for taking on not only Amanda Waller and her team of conscripted criminals but also the might of the entire Justice League. What could possible cause one man to take on such a challenge, and what about his life gave him the confidence to believe he can win?
The issues flashes back and forth between a one on one conversation between Max Lord and Amanda Waller, which takes place right before the events of the crossover, and various points throughout Lord’s life that shed light on his motivations and what he is willing to do to accomplish his goals. Instead of just presenting Lord as a mustache-twirling villain, Seeley uses this issue as an opportunity to explore Lord as a character. Although it is a foregone conclusion that he is the villain of this event series, what we are presented with in this issue is a character that is unflinching in his determination, has used his own personal tragedy as his driving force, and may be just capable enough of taking on the two top teams in the DC universe and winning.
What is learned in Justice League #12 is that Max Lord is not only back in the DC universe but also that he may be the only person that can outwit the combined intellects of Batman and Amanda Waller. While other tie in stories may just be a one-shot that is tangentially linked to the main narrative, this issue not only sets up the villain beautifully but also acts as a true prequel to DC’s main event of 2017. The Max Lord that Tim Seeley writes is not a fanatic bent of world domination but rather a calculating tactician capable of psychic abilities that as this issue has shown, has been planning his vengeful ascension for some time. The Justice League may be full of heroes, and the Suicide Squad may be full of villains, but Maxwell Lord is an amoral man with a righteous cause and that may prove to be too much for even the combined might of these two very different teams
A Look Inside
