I have been meaning to write about JLO #12 for about a week or so now. I will be using some things that might be considered SPOILERS, but really any of you that care probably already know what has happened in the series. It has been a strange book in many ways. With the exception of Cyborg, one might assume it was just an "OK, you can write a story using Darksied and some of the characters we just do not want to use right now." It would be easy as many would consider Azrael, Starfire, and GL Jessica Cruz to be niche characters. They have their fans and are promoted sometimes, but not really part of what the DCU is about right now. The other way of looking at it is that these are characters in some form that has been promoted over the past of Rebirth. All but Azrael have been part of multiple media platforms by DC. So we have this odd off the map Justice League hanging out here on the shelves.
What is Justice League Odyssey about? Well all the stuff that has happened with the Source Wall falling and the big past events lead to these planets that Brainiac has shrunken and collected being regrown and a place called the Ghost Sector of space being created. Darksied has sent an invitation to Cyborg, Azrael, and Starfire to come to the Ghost Sector. Jessica Cruz was out there on a mission when she sees the three's ship breaking an embargo to enter the dangerous sector. She forces herself into the mix. From there we get alot of doubt in the mission and the duty of heroes to see it through.
One can see the Jessica Cruz is targeted for death from the start. Darksied has no part for her to play. She has no planet that has worshipers. As they travel across the Ghost Sector her ring expends energy, but she cannot recharge her ring. The writing was literally on the page screaming she would not survive.
It is a strange story where Darksied is offering to help. That is bull, we all know that, so what is his game? Cyborg has hubris in the arrogance of his ability to outsmart Darksied. Starfire seems even more rage filled than she normally can slip into as a character. Add Blackfire is also in the Ghost Sector and she has issues. Azrael is on a holy quest. His divine calling has him here even though it is apparent he is out of his depth.
Issue #12 is the endgame. Darksied plays the three like we expect, it just seems that they are truly defeated and transformed into his New Gods. It is kinda cool seeing how it all comes together. It is a 4% ring charged Jessica that stands before the biggest of the baddest in the DCU and says NO! She knows it is over, she knows she cannot win, yet like the Lantern she is, she stands tall. Darksied even praises her, offers her a place as one of his new creations. I have place the panel that shows what she thinks about giving up.
I know she survives, it is in the solicits, but still seeing her hand crushed, seeing the ring lose charge, seeing her fight until she is destroyed by the Omega Beams was emotional for me. The book is flying under the radar, but I think it might have a place in the Year of The Villain. I mean we now have the biggest villain of all with a new how planet and a whole sector of space under his control. It is a great read.
Writer: Dan Abnett
Art: Will Conrad
Colors: Rain Beredo
Letters: Andworld Design
Cover: Will Conrad with Ivan Nunes
Variant Cover: Lucio Parrillo
Editor: Harvey Richards
Group Editor: Jamie S. Rich
ARS
