Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Art: Miguel Mendonca, Enrica Angiolini, AndWorld Design, Diego Rodriguez, and Darick Robertson
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Release Date: June 8th, 2021
The League hopes to impede galactic rebellion by defending a ruthless murderer. Therefore, the only way to protect this vile killer is to travel to the spectacle of their greatest negligence! Nevertheless, can SUPERMAN disregard the specters of his past to do what needs to be done? Let’s dive into JUSTICE LEAGUE: LAST RIDE #2 by Chip Zdarsky and find out!
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THE DISPATCH
Immediately out of the gate, Zdarsky throws readers into the heat of the battle. However, it’s not the battle you think… it’s the battle that led to this fallout between our JUSTICE LEAGUE heroes. And by JL Heroes, I basically mean BATMAN and SUPERMAN only. Now, this skirmish was massive. Apokolips vs Earth lead by Darkseid himself and the Guardians Power Battery at the epicenter of everything. Nevertheless, great storytellers know when to throw on the breaks just when they have you at the edge of your seat wanting more. So, that’s exactly what Zdarsky does as he jumps back to the present as our heroes are heading towards Apokolips to hide LOBO. And ultimately, the issue wraps leaving readers caring more about the past than the future storyline.
Now, as someone who was a bit disappointed with how JUSTICE LEAGUE: LAST RIDE began, I can’t help but wonder if I made a mistake. You see, the last issue wasn’t overly characteristic of a Zdarsky comic. Plus, the tension between BATMAN and SUPERMAN seemed unwarranted. That said, we got little to no backstory in issue one. Now, readers leave issue two getting a better understanding of the repercussions that transpired. We can only assume MARTIAN MANHUNTER died saving everyone. Yet, we actually can’t affirm anything. If I was to guess, SUPERMAN feels responsible for something really big that went down. And truthfully, it must be pretty big to fracture the team as it did.
Nevertheless, it’s this explosive battle on multiple fronts that truly carried the weight behind this installment of JUSTICE LEAGUE: LAST RIDE. Why is the war happening? How does the team get to this point in the fight? What does Darkseid need the Power Battery for? Now, I could think of dozens of more questions to ask but that in itself should tell you how fantastic this second story was. When you read a comic and feel like your in the middle of the battle with the heroes, that’s when you know you’ve found a great story. Furthermore, when you read a comic and find yourself asking dozens of pertinent questions to a narrative that’s just taking off, you know your reading something special. And fans, that’s exactly what Zdarsky is dishing out in JUSTICE LEAGUE: LAST RIDE.
ART
When your story is centered around action, suspense, explosions, and intensity, that’s the moment in a comic where the artist truly becomes the storyteller more so than the writer. And Miguel Mendonca doesn’t disappoint. Mendonca’s illustrations are packed full of vigor and intensity. He utilizes the WONDER WOMAN suit from the most recent movie, showcases an AQUAMAN in full force, and a splash page of Darkseid that makes him look practically unstoppable. There is so much dramatic, vivid and brilliant detail within this comic that fans will be captured alongside LOBO waiting to be released before this issue is done. Mendonca’s style is powerful, thorough, and engaging taking Zdarsky’s story to another level. Together with Chip, the sky is the limit!
FINAL THOUGHTS
I was wrong. The anger between BATMAN and SUPERMAN “may” be warranted. After what we saw this week, something big is most certainly going down. And yes, SUPERMAN and BATMAN have not always seen eye to eye in the past. Nonetheless, this is beginning to feel different. It’s starting to feel as powerful as a Zdarsky comic normally does. The art is truly outstanding with enormously graphic detail that propels fans right into the heart of the story. Plus, the selected style of telling this anecdote by time-hopping is unique, refreshing, and inviting.
Readers will leave this story feeling the tension of the prior battle while caring more about the past story than the present. If you enjoy action, intrigue, and fast-paced excitement, JUSTICE LEAGUE: LAST RIDE is totally for you. Plus, this series just “feels” important. Excellent job Chip and Miguel. I can’t wait for the next issue. Let me know what you think, have a great week, and God Bless!