JUSTICE LEAGUE #28 (REVIEW)

Justice League #28
Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Ivan Reis
          Joe Prado

Cover: Dan Panosian






The Rundown:
Things start off with the newly rebuilt, Cyborg, asking Dr. Will Magnus for his help in the battle against his former "cybernetic-self" Grid and the Crime Syndicate. Magnus reveals that although Cyborg was the first "cyborg" created, but Grid isn't the first "A.I" (artificle intelligence) ever made, but it is the Metal Men who were the first to be created. Victor is then informed that they wouldn't be able to help him, and would in fact make things worse.

We're taken back to when Magnus was working with the Department Of Defense, trying to create a group of search and rescue robots. A rep from the Department Of Defense is trying to check in on his progress, to which he is denied access by Magnus, who is described as being the stereotypical genius type, reclusive and a tad bit "weird", but his upbringing wasn't very favorable, with his parents making him hack bank accounts for them and then letting him take the blame in end. For which he spent time in juvenile detention. He's developed a slight disinterest in human beings viewing them as unreliable, where with Robots that is not the case. Dr. Morrow even thinks of him as a "foolish dreamer". We then get an explanation as to how the Metal Men were created by Magnus. Then all six members of the Metal Men come online and operational. Will is appears to be shocked that he was able to do it, create artificial intelligence. Members are; Gold (who is loaded with self awareness and confidence, also anoints self team leader), Tin (seems eager to prove himself and please others), Lead (walks slow, talks slow, thinks slow), Iron (the "jock" of the group, confident and eager to go), Mercury (only "liquid" member of team, seems like a bit of a hothead), and Platinum (lone female of the team, kind heart). After being in awe of his achievement, Dr. Will Magnus realizes he needs to test other things to ensure they fully work, and proceeds to order them to "line up". Will quickly learns that the team is free willed and also have emotions and feelings. Suddenly, a rep from the Department Of Defense blows open the door (Lead forms a shield to protect Magnus), is also in awe over discovering the Metal Men (who took a more generic form when he entered the room). This is when Will finds out that his work wasn't just for search and rescue, but any mission the department requires them to do, such as being assassins. Upon hearing this, the Metal Men retake their initial forms, refuse to do such things, and then proceed to escape. They appear to think Will is involved in all of this.
While the army searched for the team, Magnus did his own search so that he could fix them, their only problem is "too much independent thought". He explains to Cyborg that while he was away, someone stole his Metal Men prototype responsometers and then threw it into a vat of toxic waste to create a "new" type of Metal Men. When Magnus returned to his apartment, he discovers that his Metal Men were in his home all along, taking shape of various objects through out his place (Tin was a waste basket). He explains to them how he can "fix" them, and that he doesn't want them to be used for killing, and that they aren't the problem, it is humans who are flawed. The toxic waste version of the Metal Men, shows up after its creator sends it after Magnus. The teams initial programming kicks in (rescue those in danger) and help people in it's path. It is their only "instinct", having no regard for themselves to achieve their goal. The Metal Men's second function is to neutralize the threat, with again no regard for themselves even to the point of sacrificing themselves. Which they do by fusing themselves to the toxic waste version, which causes a chemical reaction blowing them all up.
Flash back to present, Will tells Cyborg that it wasn't because they wanted to destroy humanity, but because they wanted to become apart of humanity and be like them, and this is why he and they can't help him. After sensing their responsometers, Cyborg points out that the Metal Men's hearts and minds are still intact and that it is Magnus' fear of losing them causing him to not help Cyborg. He then convinces the doctor to do what the Metal Men would "want" him to do. Metal Men responsometers, activated.


The Review:
To be honest, I wasn't looking forward to this issue at all really. Wasn't a fan of the Metal Men from my limited exposure to them, and although "Forever Evil" has been pretty good, I'm ready for the ending. That being said, Geoff Johns turned the tables on me and I actually really enjoyed the issue, as well as my little lesson on the Metal Men as well as Dr. Will Magnus. I actually enjoyed their origin story, I have no idea if any of the scientific stuff to create them is accurate at all, but I enjoyed it none the less, and am a bit interested in how they will develop now that they are about to be "reborn". As well as how they affect the events within "Forever Evil". I liked how their character traits are reflections of their metal type (Mercury is liquid, and hot tempered. Gold knows gold is valuable and acts as such, Lead is slow, etc). I guess we will have to see how "Forever Evil" plays out before we have an idea of where they take this team of characters even in a "title" sense. Will they get their own? Will they appear in others? Johns did his job as a writer I guess, if these are questions being asked. Although it is being slightly over used, but then again this is a reflection of reality so can't blame them I guess, I did enjoy the "typical" government approach to the Metal Men. They were created for safety, but immediately are wanted to be used as weapons.

The art was good as "Justice League" seems to always be (not complaining). Even though I'd have liked to see more of the Metal Men, it was compensated with good visuals when they battle their toxic waste counterpart (missed the explosion though) especially the two-page panel, as well as Dr. Will Magnus' lab where he created them. Even the toxic waste formed Metal Man (didn't catch a name, but am sure already exists as I've seen it before in DCUOnline) was done pretty well. Like with their story, also looking forward to seeing more of the Metal Men, and what forms they take with their shape shifting abilities. Thinking it will make for a nice break from the Green Lanterns and company with their "see through" constructs. Hopefully they don't limit the team to simply spikes, walls and puddles.

Overall it was a really good issue. It provided a small break from the events of "Forever Evil", while setting the stage for the next issue and Cyborgs plan to stop Grid and his Crime Syndicate comrades.

Stay Nerdy!