Customer Reviews

JLA: Crisis of Conscience (Identity Crisis) (Countdown to Infinite Crisis)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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+

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.

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

This book is essentially the aftermath of Identity Crisis. You should know what happened in Identity Crisis by now, and this continues the road to Infinite Crisis. This book continues to prove that DC is the dominant and most reputable comic company at this point. The story is good, the characters and their struggles are true to their personalities, and continuity. Artwork does the job; all covers appear. If you read Identity Crisis and/or Infinite Crisis, this is a must have.

Crisis of Conscience, co-weaved by Infinite Crisis writer Geoff Johns, links the fallout of the status-quo shaking Identity Crisis in the beginning, and concludes with the beginning of Infinite Crisis. In between all that, we see the beginning of the dissolving of the JLA, as paranoia abounds within the group as Batman conceals his own hidden agenda, Wonder Woman is in exile, and the rest of the team is at each other's throats. During all this, various villains whose memories were erased or altered by Zatanna's magic have had their lost knowledge of the JLA restored (thanks to Despero), and are now targeting family members and friends of the costumed super heroes. While it is too short for it's own good, Crisis of Conscience packs in a lot of action frame after frame, and Johns' story is electric to boot. The art isn't anything really spectacular, especially compared to that found in other Crisis books, but it does the job. The closing cliffhanger will leave you begging for more, which may be a good thing or a bad thing depending on what you think of the Crisis books or crossovers in general, and only sets up the cataclysmic events of Infinite Crisis.

This collection reprints JLA issues #115-119, and bridges the gap between Identity Crisis (DC Comics) and Infinite Crisis, two major recent events in the DC Comics Universe. The Justice League wiped Batman's mind in the past, and now must deal with how he'll respond to their betrayal. But the bad guys have also realized their own minds have been violated, and come seeking revenge.

Crisis of Conscience may exist to bridge two larger comic book story arcs, but it does so in a rather capable fashion. The action (and there's a lot of it) supplements the character-based drama, which is strongly defined and challenged by moral ambiguity. The inclusion of characters like Hal Jordan (recently returned to active status as Green Lantern in this timeframe) and some of the League's classic foes highlight the 'legacy' nature of what's at stake. The art is consistently excellent across the board, toning down the heroes' status as olympian gods in favour of their vulnerable, humanized personas.

What doesn't quite work, and this often applies to DC comics across the board, is that the inclusion of Batman blurs the line between what is wrong and what Batman simply will or will not approve of. Especially taking into account stories like JLA Vol. 7: Tower of Babel (suggested reading at the end of this book) where Batman will take offense even when he's the one to blame, the moral compass is occasionally flawed and heavily skewed in Batman's favour (to make up for him being a non-powered hero who can fight alongside the likes of Superman and Wonder Woman).

That aside, this is a highly recommended read if you want further exploration of DC Comics' event from 2006.

...but still good! This wanted to be Identity Crisis! It wanted to have the same heft to it that the wonderful Identity Crisis had but it just wasn't there. Also, all the little quips that were thrown in when the Society attacked the JLA just felt forced. This was an epilogue that was a shadow of the former. Still good and still important for Infinite Crisis but not good enough!

This story immediately Identity Crisis (a great story and you have to read before this volume) and is part of the preparation for INfinite Crisis. Basically, the League crossed the line, messing with the minds of villians. This is the after math of Ident Crisis and is part of the story leading up to Infinite Crisis. A definite must read, probably the best JLA story ever written.

Combining 5 issues of JLA, this chronicles the final breakdown of this incarnation of the Justice League. Torn apart by recriminations over
the brainwashing revealed in Identity Crisis they are unable to deal with their mistrust and anger. This is all particularly centred around Batman, and part of the problem is his feelings towards Catwoman and what has been done to her.

Zatanna walks out.

Despero is behind a plot by the Secret Society to attack the League, and so separate out his most dangerous enemy, J'Onn Jonzz. It takes the appearance of some old allies not currently serving to hold out long enough for Zatanna to come back and save them.

Thinks leads to the League basically dissolving except for the Manhunter and John Stewart, and an explosive finale with an attack on the Watchtower.

This collection follows up on some of the loose threads from the "Identity Crisis" series. Geoff Johns infuses more super-hero action into this series than Meltzer did in "Identity Crisis," and one of the JLA's earliest villains makes a stunning return. It doesn't stand alone--I wouldn't attempt to make sense of what's going on here before first reading "Identity Crisis." Also, it's not a sequel to that book but more of an extension of the storyline--an epilogue of sorts. This book also sets up the "Infinity Crisis" mini-series/company-wide crossover, so it could also be considered a prelude as well.