Summary
At the end of the last issue, the JLI was bombed right as the U.N. officially announced them to the world. The first page opens with Booster Gold holding Fire's unconscious body in the middle of rubble and destruction that was once a stage. We see Booster, Batman, and Guy Gardner carting off both civilians and JLI teammates alike to the local hospital for treatment. Apparently, there are some energy creatures running around causing more problems at the scene of the explosion. It seems to be that Godiva is okay (although a little roughed up), but Fire was knocked out. Bats and Booster run back in to find more survivors, while Guy handles the energy beings. Bats and Booster come across Vixen who potentially has a spinal injury. We then see a new villain named "Lightweaver" on a rooftop across the street from the destruction, watching Guy and the rest handle the situation. He wants to jump in an take the rest of the JLI down, but whoever his boss(es) is tells him not to. Guy gets increasingly worried about Ice, Booster gets worried about Rocket Red, and Batman...he just seems to be handling civilians. Booster find Ice and takes her back to the hospital in time for August General In Iron to carry Rocket Red out...dead. (Ranting to come. I promise you that.) Godiva begins freaking out, questioning how a mere bomb could do this to a bunch of super-heroes. Batman runs off to find "whoever did this," leaving Guy, the General, (a beat-up) Godiva, and Booster to be the remaining healthy members of the J.L.I. Booster goes back to the scene and finds Andre Briggs and Emerson Esposito (the ambassador's for the team to the U.N.) dead. We see Lightweaver land across from the hospital when Booster, the General, and Godiva all return where Guy is. We learn that Vixen may never walk again and that Ice broke both her legs and has "serious" internal injuries. Oh, and Fire's in a coma. There go the strong female leads. Then Chairwoman Bao (a member of the Security Council who agreed to form this team) announce that the team is officially disbanded, or else they will all be sued. Booster storms off to the roof of the hospital, where he meets Lightweaver who has been allowed to attack the rest of the J.L.I. Lightweaver quickly knocks down an angry and unfocused Booster, leading to Batwing's first appearance in the series.
Thoughts
Well, first let me say that I'm sorry for it being so long-winded on the summary. Its just that SO much happened in this issue that I couldn't help but leave NOTHING out. Now. Onto the injuries.
Fire: She seems to be relatively okay, just in a coma. I know that sounds cruel and uncaring, but considering the other injuries...she should feel lucky. When she wakes up, that is.
Ice: Okay. She's getting a little worse. Two broken legs and "serious" internal injuries are pretty bad. But she was the only one who talked in the issue out of all those who were injured (besides Godiva), so I have a feeling she'll be okay in the long run.
Vixen: She may never. Walk. Again. You want to see how cruel DC Comics can get, here you go. Potentially (so far) three heroes may be going into a very. Early. Retirement.
Rocket Red: I...honestly, I don't know what to say or think. I know he was a relatively new character to the comics (hell, he was created...what? A year and a half ago?) but he quickly became one of my favorites. Not only did he fit well on the team, he was the comedic relief. For him to just die? I'm appalled. Dan Jurgens, you're a cruel, cruel man. And it wasn't like they really cared, either. The heroes just kept on moving. The next issue (or soon after) better feature a funeral for Gavril...he deserves it. Forget it about Vixen's thing being cruel...this is cruelty. Killing a character before he even got the chance to shine.
All in all, this was a great issue. Not surprised that Batwing was featured near the end and that he seems to be joining on full-time, it fits better for the "International" part. Good art, interesting new villain, and now we get to see the newly-formed team begin to rebuild after tragedy. "Yippeee..."
It would have been a 9.5/10 without Rocket Red's death. Now I'd say it's a 7/10 even though I loved everything else. Here's to hoping he is not easily forgotten.
Booster Gold: "But the J.L.I. needs--"
Batman: "Wake up, Booster. With everything that's happened today, the J.L.I. we knew--" (looks over at Rocket Red's body being put in a body bag) "--is done for."
