Monday, September 10, 2012

Heading into Year 2 of the "New 52"

WARNING: THIS POST HAS SPOILERS FROM ISSUE #12 OF "JUSTICE LEAGUE". IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS ISSUE, YOU DEFINITELY SHOULD. ANYTHING THAT ISN'T SPOILER-RIFFIC IS MY OWN PERSONAL OPINION.

At the end of "Justice League" #12 we got our first look at the second year of both "Justice League" itself and what may be happening in the rest of the New 52.



This is what we see at the end of "Justice League" #12. I believe that the page on the left is teasing the four major story arcs that will be happening in issues #13-23. Obviously we know that two of those issues will be devoted to the panel on the far left (which will be the League vs. Cheetah).

The second panel shows Aquaman and the Atlanteans coming out of the ocean with a full-scale invasion force. I'm wondering whether that means that the Justice League refuses his leadership of the team. Maybe Aquaman tries to take charge of the League and they don't want him to and ultimately shove him away. Now this is very unlikely, but you have to wonder what about the surface world would set Arthur off so badly that he would go back to Atlantis (who has tried to kill him many different times).

Next up, is the panel of Shazam punching Superman. I assume that will probably be a one-off issue, as I can't figure out what exactly how long a story arc we could have to introduce Billy to the League. It seems pretty simple, though. Shazam and the League have an initial fight, then end up teaming up.

The last panel is the only one that isn't very straight-forward at all. All we know from the last panel is that the League allows someone into membership (I'm assuming it isn't Shazam as he will probably be a member for a longer period of time) who ultimately ends up betraying them. And I'm going to guess that that person is not a member of Trevor's soon-to-be-created "Justice League of America."

The question I have about the page on the right ("AND COMING IN 2013") is the picture of the League shows Green Lantern who, if you read #12, we all know quit the League. And obviously since he kind of just, well...died...in the Green Lantern Annual #1, it makes sense that he doesn't stay with the League.

What are your thoughts on the next year of "Justice League" and in the second year of the New 52 overall? Sound off below if you want.