Well, here we are with the penultimate issue of Justice League vs. the Legion of Super-Heroes. Last we saw them, the heroes were still talking about how dangerous the Great Darkness is. Will they finally take action, you ask? Of course not. Where did you get a crazy idea like that?

I have such a strange relationship with this series. By any metric, as a story, it’s really bad. At the same time, I enjoy it more with each passing issue. There are so many things I could complain about (and rest assured I’ll get to some of them) but I enjoy reading it enough that they don’t upset me. I’ll get it out of the way right now: I recommend this comic. Of course, there are caveats that you are probably well aware of by this point. Don’t buy it if you need a notable plot or thematic depth to enjoy a story. Don't buy it if you like character development. Do buy it if you like silver age adventure comics. That’s how it shines.

It’s a story that doesn’t matter and isn’t pretending to be important but somehow retains the bombast of an event comic. It's content with being what it is, and in an odd paradox, that earnest feel and carefree tone gives this comic more weight than Dark Crisis. Weird, I know, but I am more invested in this one-dimensional pseudo-event than I am in the massive earth-shaking event that is publishing simultaneously. Dark Crisis feels very contrived to me. It reeks of construction and it wants to say something deep but it really has nothing to say. Thus it subsists off its art and "shocking" moments. One of these two comics is succeeding with its intentions while the other flounders.

Now maybe I shouldn’t bring up Dark Crisis and make such bold statements about it. After all, I’m not reviewing that title. However, I think it bears mentioning for a few reasons. First off, both comics feature the “Great Darkness.” It’s unclear if they are the same great darkness, but they share a name, which begs comparison. Additionally, they are both event comics in some way. The gathering of large groups of characters to fight a universal threat is evidence enough of that. I think the main difference between Justice League vs. the Legion of Super-Heroes and Dark Crisis is marketing. One received a huge push while the other received none at all. Perhaps marketing is what really makes an event an event in the eyes of the consumer? I can’t say for sure but this comic has all the DNA of an event to me and that forces a comparison on my part. I think part of my job as a reviewer is to help readers sift through the mountains of content published by DC. I don’t expect to make decisions for anyone but perhaps I can be of assistance. So, I have to say it: I enjoy reading Justice League vs. the Legion of Super-Heroes more than Dark Crisis.

But as I mentioned, Justice League vs. the Legion of Super-Heroes is by no means a great comic. Now it’s time to make note of a few of its issues. This is a story that continues to lack direction. At this point it is very clear that there was very little plot to begin with. Issue five actually has more development than the last three as the conflict over the Gold Lantern ring is finally brought up again and then seemingly resolved. It’s all rather anticlimactic but at least something happened. Much of the comic is (once again) spent discussing what they should do next. One positive: this time around they actually make some discoveries and the issue ends with a bang. I won't be surprised if more happens in part six that the first five put together. As least issue five did its job setting everything up.

Now, there are two moments I’d like to point out that are emblematic of the problems here. First, this page, where the story just takes a break and draws out an exchange that could be shown in one panel.

I suppose it’s supposed to be a dramatic moment but you’d never know it. Besides the fact that it's written so flippantly, these characters are just one/three of probably hundreds that have been featured in this comic. I can’t say I have much of a personal connection with them. The merging of these characters also leads to the discovery of a major plot point which feels cheap and unearned. Essentially they figure out a key element of the Great Darkness because they are smarter when joined. This is also a particularly jokey issue which undermines some of the gravity of the situation these characters are facing.

Then we have this double page spread.

I about fell over when I saw it. “Overwriting? Never heard of it.”

The art remains strong throughout this issue. This team was definitely the perfect choice for a comic like this. They don’t get as many interesting backgrounds to draw this time around but there is a very cool sequence at the end of the comic that Scott Godlewski and Ryan Cody totally nail. Great work guys.

Recommended if…

• You want to read something light and fun that simultaneously retains the feel of an event
• This still has great art!
• Misleading titles are cool (I'll never get over this)

Overall

This is one of the most decompressed comics I’ve ever read but it focuses mostly on creating a sense of fun and I’ve come to enjoy it for what it is. If you’re a fan of silver age comics especially, this will probably appeal. On the other hand, I think anyone can enjoy this if they go into it with the right mindset.

Score: 6/10

DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.