JLA: Crisis of Conscience (Identity Crisis) (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) [Paperback]

Geoff Johns (Author), Allan Heinberg (Author)

Book Description

In the wake of Brad Meltzers IDENTITY CRISIS, the JLA decides the time has come to tell Batman that they stole part of his memory. However, the League is attacked by the Secret Society of Super-Villainsout for vengeance now that their own memories are restored. As the JLA battles, Martian Manhunter confronts Desperothe alien conqueror behind the villains memory-restoration. By the time the dust settles, the League may have won the battle but lost the war.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Alan Davis is perhaps best known for his work on the legendary Excalibur series, but has also worked on X-Men, Wolverine; Bloodlust and various Batman titles. Mark Farmer is one of the most highly-respected inkers in comics today. His resume is vast and includes Wolverine, Captain Britain, Excalibur, Animal Man, Allen Legion, Hulk, etc... --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 126 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics; First Print edition (January 11, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401209637
• ISBN-13: 978-1401209636
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 0.2 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #433,654 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The JLA's Downfall: A Crisis of Conscience, April 3, 2006

By 

Hound Dog (Boise, ID, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JLA: Crisis of Conscience (Identity Crisis) (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) (Paperback)

Hot from the pages of the best-selling "Identity Crisis" mini-series and last year's controversial "Sacrifice" storyline in the Superman comic book series comes DC Comics's excellent sequel: "JLA: Crisis of Conscience." Its finale (including the mysterious last page) will literally explode into the opening of DC's current mega-crossover event, "Infinite Crisis."

JLA Roll Call: Batman, Superman, Black Canary, Hawkman, Aquaman, Zatanna, Green Arrow (Oliver Queen), the Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), Flash (Wally West), Wonder Woman, and guest star Catwoman.

Taking the revelations of "Identity Crisis" one step further, readers find out that members of the Justice League not only mind-wiped the psychotic Dr. Light and then Batman to cover their tracks, but they also committed the same questionable act against several other familiar super-criminals. Why, you ask?

Years before, multiple villains had discovered the secret identities of the JLA members, and were deemed potential threats to harm the heroes' extended family members. To protect their loved ones, some of the League (Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Hawkman, Zatanna, Black Canary, the Flash Barry Allen, & Green Arrow among them) reluctantly chose to erase the villains' minds of this knowledge using Zatanna's magic, and keep this secret hidden away for years to come.

However, their dark pact will backfire as Batman, the Martian Manhunter, the Flash Wally West, & Superman all discover the shocking truth and choose to each deal with the violent repercussions. Meanwhile, the alien Despero (an old enemy from classic JLA lore) has restored the villains' memories and sends them on a search & destroy mission against the JLA. It can be revealed that Superman's beloved wife, Lois Lane, will be among their first targets, as they launch an assault against the Daily Planet in Metropolis.

If this threat isn't enough, vicious in-fighting may rip apart the Justice League forever, as an enraged Batman confronts his teammates over their betrayal, and Green Arrow & Hawkman storm back by going nose-to-nose with the Dark Knight over his deep-set paranoia and possibly his own hidden agenda. Additional sub-plots include a remorseful Zatanna and a self-exiled Wonder Woman both contemplating their status with the JLA and the controversial decisions they have made leading up to the current rift within the League.

The climatic battle soon erupts within the Batcave and then the halls of Wayne Manor, as tha JLA must fight each other to escape the mind-bending clutches of Despero. Who will make the crucial difference to save the League from itself? Who will quit the team? Who else may have been mind-wiped? And how does the story's conclusion suddenly leap into the beginning of "Infinite Crisis?" The answers are definitely worth checking out.

We certainly agree with another reviewer that prior reading of "Identity Crisis," and the "Sacrfice" storyline, as well as some basic knowledge of the JLA's past exploits (from the Silver Age through the 1980's), would be advisable before diving into this saga. Still, we highly recommend this book for all fans of the classic JLA roster, as Geoff Johns has crafted an unforgettable tale testing the bonds of heroism, trust, & friendship vs. the effects of betrayal, vengeance, and possible redemption.

Story Rating: A+
Art Rating: B+

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good, exciting, September 20, 2006

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JLA: Crisis of Conscience (Identity Crisis) (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) (Paperback)

In Identity Crisis, it was discovered that, to protect their loved ones, the Justice League of America had tampered with the memories of Dr. Light, the Secret Society of Super-Villains, and even Batman himself. Well, now the repercussions of their acts are coming home to them, and it's tearing them apart. Someone has corrected the SSSV's memories, and sent them on a quest for vengeance. Can the JLA stand together as they always have, or will this be the JLAs final doom?

Overall, I found this to be a very good graphic novel. The illustration work is excellent, and the storyline quite gripping. I do, though have two complaints against this book. First of all, the authors did not do a good enough job of convincing me that tampering with a villain's memory to protect a loved one would weigh quite that heavily on the JLA's consciences. And second, this book ends with a cliffhanger. How does everything wrap up? Buy Infinite Crisis to find out. (Sorry, but I do dislike cliffhangers.)

But, that said, this is a good, exciting book, one that my son and I are quite glad we read. We highly recommend this book.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars There's a lot of baggage in this book., March 17, 2006

By 

Michael Griffith "mgriffith123" (PA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: JLA: Crisis of Conscience (Identity Crisis) (Countdown to Infinite Crisis) (Paperback)

You almost need to have been keeping up with current events in the DCU to enjoy and understand this TPB.

In particular, if you did not read Identity Crisis and the Sacrifice stories, you'll be left out in the cold feeling like someone looking in on a coversation and only being able to read the lips of the speakers, not able to hear their voices.

The art is solid, as it has been for most DC titles in the past year or so.

Batman plays a major role in this story. Or should I say his "attitude" and paranoia do.

There are moments of sheer greatness inside. (This is NOT the Hawkman you silver and bronze agers knew!) But too much background knowledge is needed on the part of the reader to make this story work on all levels.


Some