Here is the latest in our year-long look at one cool comic (whether it be a self-contained work, an ongoing comic or a run on a long-running title that featured multiple creative teams on it over the years) a day (in no particular order whatsoever)! Here's the archive of the comics posted so far!
Today we look at a neat two-part crossover between Justice League International and Suicide Squad, beginning in the 13th issue of the former title and finishing in the 13th issue of the latter title.
Enjoy!
In Suicide Squad, one of the members (Nemesis) was tragically left behind on a mission to Russia. He was naturally disavowed and was now sitting in a prison cell in Russia.
As Justice League International #13 begins (plotted and penciled by Keith Giffen, scripted by JM DeMatteis and inked by Al Gordon), Batman (who had had a few notable team-ups with Nemesis) is not pleased that Nemesis is locked up and being treated like a criminal. However, what he doesn't know (or doesn't care about) is that the Russian authorities leaked the info that he was captured in an attempt to lure the Suicide Squad in after him, which is exactly what Colonel Rick Flag wants to do.
Batman has a great exchange with Rocket Red, the JLI's Russian member (who should still be alive in modern DC continuity - his death was so lame)....
However, Batman is shocked that after trying to get the JLI to go with him to rescue Nemesis, they instead are told by Maxwell Lord (who has made a deal with Amanda Waller) that they ARE going to Nemesis' jail, but to STOP the Suicide Squad!
In Russia, the Rocket Red Brigade learn of a possible enemy attempt to rescue Nemesis (this is a cute scene by Giffen and DeMatteis)...
This of course ends up with the JLI and the Squad opposed each other in Suicide Squad #13 (written by John Ostrander, penciled by Luke McDonnell and inked by Bob Lewis)...
The combatants have a lot of shared history.
Batman just recently tried to expose the Squad (but Amanda Waller outfoxed him - I should featured that issue for Cool Comics), Vixen and Martian Manhunter were teammates and Nightshade and Captain Atom secretly work together for the US military.
Vixen and Manhunter have a great moment...
Flag thinks he can work with Batman, but he is not prepared for how stubborn Batman can be...
Really, the whole fight scene is well developed, as all of the characters get pretty good moments (some better than others).
Eventually, Rocket Red decides that Nemesis HAS been unfairly held and the teams call a truce, but is it too late to tell Batman and Flag to stop fighting?
I won't spoil the ending. This two-parter is well worth seeking out. The art by Giffen and McDonnell was good, the story was compelling (and a very natural reason for the characters to interact)...just an overall very satisfying comic book story. It was one of the better usages of the shared universe concept that you'll see.
Also, the covers were cool - they were sort of mirror images of each other. I forgot to include them when I began (which is weird, because I even uploaded them on to the server but just forgot to insert the images), but I'll add them now...
Click on either cover to enlarge!