Justice League #13

by John White on January 18, 2017

Written by: Tim Seely
Art by: Scot Eaton
Publisher: DC Comics

The shadow of Eclipso’s conquest has overtaken the United States and its citizens tear each other apart? With the world’s superheroes turned into pawns and faced with such wanton destruction, what hope is there left? That is the question that the reader’s and the issue’s protagonist are faced with in Justice League #13. As seen in the pages of Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, nearly the entire Justice League is now a pawn of Eclipso, so the focus of this issue is on someone, who although never an official member, has been an ever-present figure in the pages of Justice League and other titles in the DC universe. Steve Trevor is forced to fight his way through a decimated DC as he makes his way towards his family, all the while fighting the ever-growing influence of Eclipso.

This issue revolves around Steve Trevor trying to get home to see his sister and her kids, hoping that they have somehow stayed safe in a world gone mad. Taking place simultaneously with Justice League vs. Suicide Squad #4, Trevor is forced to face a world where Eclipso has infected nearly everyone with his wrath. It is interesting to view this kind of earth shattering even from the point of view of someone, though by no means an outsider, who is not directly connected to the precipitating events. While the Justice League and Suicide Squad fought Max Lord with the hopes of keeping the Heart of Darkness safe, Steve Trevor was just clocking into another day at the office. His surprise at seeing a world gone mad is genuine and presents an interesting opportunity for Tim Seely to explore just how someone would actually view such a horrible event.

As he makes his way through a ruined Washington D.C., Trevor witnesses first hand the depraved depths someone under Eclipso’s influence will go and although he finds some who have been able to resist it, they do not last long. As he continues to hold out hope that things will get better, he begins to hear a creeping voice in the back of his mind, pushing him towards his worst instincts and fears. Above all else, Justice League #13 explores how Eclipso’s power is more like an infection than anything else.
Tie in issues are often difficult in that they are forced to operate within the context of a larger narrative, but are limited to telling stories that do not necessary affect the outcome of the main story. Tim Seely does an excellent job of crafting a story that, although built upon the events of Justice League vs. Suicide Squad, very much stands on its own.
 

Our Score:

8/10

A Look Inside