It’s time to reshape the world!
Creative Staff:
Story: Tom Taylor
Art: Bruno Redondo, Juan Albarran
Colors: Rex Lokus
Letterer: Wes Abbott
What They Say:
While recovering from his injuries, Batman is visited by two allies from the past. But the happy reunion is interrupted by bad news from Superman’s prison.
Content: (please note that content portions of a review may contain spoilers):
The opening few issues of Injustice 2 have been clicking very well and the consistent team of Taylor, Redono, and Albarran have definitely been a big part of that. I don’t expect it to maintain for too long on a weekly basis but the setup is strong here in getting this new series underway. We’ve had a lot going on in the first trio of issues with Faux-Batman breaking out a bunch of villains, killing several, and forming his own Suicide Squad. And we’ve had the Prime-Batman get his backside handed to him after a pretty gripping fight the last time around. It’s been kept small but the stakes are already looming with what you know is in the offing and that helps to make it tense and exciting.
It’s no surprise to see Batman get knocked down from time to time as it just reinforces his desire to come out on top and we get that here as he wakes up in the care of Barbara and Lucius, having been given information on what happened to him. While he’s intent on getting back out there, the game has changed a bit with a message from Luthor about how Bruce has to be the one to reenvision the world along with others so that it doesn’t need a Batman anymore. Luthor has been fun in this property overall and I like how he puts things into play here by beefing up what Bruce has at hand, and that it has Bruce realize that he cannot and should not go it alone. Hence bringing others like Ted Kord and now the other world Green Arrow who can pick up the Oliver Queen mantle and wealth here. While the Dinah/Ollie bit is a little forced, it fits well in the narrative of how these characters would act with the circumstances what they are and it’s a nice bit of positivity.
While all of this gets things in motion, it’s not going to be an easy time to focus on just that with Faux Batman out there. That provides a glimpse of the action in this installment, which is more dialogue than visual, about the attack on Strykers with the power out and Warden Turpin freaking out. There are more than enough villains in there to be worried about in being freed as they are, but the power side of it also means that Superman’s red sun cell is weakened and his time to be free is just about here. You knew it wouldn’t last long, even if you kind of wanted it to in order to see just what kind of place this brain trust could put together and how Superman would react to it, but it plays well and sets the stage for what’s to come in a pretty fun way – especially those last two panels from Redondo and Albarran.
In Summary:
The first four issues of Injustice 2 have been a blast and I don’t see that dialing back anytime soon. While I would prefer a bit more relaxed material and worldbuilding in the mix I also know that’s not the intent or style of this series, as much I wish there was more of it. Tom Taylor continues to craft a fun and engaging piece that’s juggling several things already while having it wonderfully brought to life by Redondo and Albarran, two creators who definitely work well together. The fun is really just beginning here and the excitement already feels like it’s about to push the needle past ten and I can’t wait.
Grade: B+
Age Rating: 13+
Released By: DC Comics via ComiXology
Release Date: May 2nd, 2017
MSRP: $0.99
