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Justice League of America #21 arrives with a "SIGHTINGS" banner across the cover, noting that it is part of the bigger story in Final Crisis, DC Comics' major cross-over for the summer. Writer Dwayne McDuffie has broken the issue into two parts, starting the issue with a focus on Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman, and later shifting to B-Level villain The Human Flame and his meeting with Libra, the mastermind behind a growing force of villains in the DC Universe.
The segment involving the DC Trinity of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman is a low-key affair centered around their conversation concerning the leadership of the Justice League and the direction of the team. All 3 heroes know that so much of the team is riding on them, but they also realize that they will not be able to stay with the team forever. Are there future leaders lurking within the current roster? Should new members be added, or at the least, built into a reserve corps? These are main items discussed and while that may sound bland and uninteresting, McDuffie has written the conversation in such a way that it feels completely natural and intriguing. Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman all come across as strong, competent leaders, yet still retaining that sense of flawed humanity (and Krypton-ity?) that keeps them humble. In many ways, I wanted the conversation to continue for the entire issue.
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The second segment follows the recent DC Comics trend of taking a mostly forgotten villain who never had much impact, and turning them into a more formidable foe. The Human Flame narrates the segment with his own inner-monologue which helps readers to figure out who he is, what powers he has, and ultimately how lame he really is. After robbing a bank, he is pursued by Hawkgirl and Red Arrow. He is able to gain the upper hand for a moment, but eventually falls to the heroes. As he is about to get hauled off by Hawkgirl, Libra appears. Libra had assembled the original Injustice Gang, but later created a device that stole the powers from the Justice League and transferred them to himself. Libra became too powerful and his energy dispersed throughout the universe. It was assumed that this energy dispersal had killed him, but he appears to have returned, and is still very powerful. Libra takes The Human Flame to a meeting of villains and as a show of his power, he appears to read the thoughts of The Human Flame. The Human Flame was defeated and humiliated by The Martian Manhunter and of course, wants revenge. Libra promises this, and appears to teleport The Martian Manhunter to an unknown location.
There is nothing in the story that sounds like it should be a gripping read or must see issue, but everything in it is incredibly well done. Carlos Pachelo and Jesus Merino provide the art, and never is it confusing or hard to follow. Their characters look good, and the emotions on the heroes, even though they are just talking, are very well done. Those looking for Final Crisis tie-ins will want to pick this issue up, but even those who are just fans of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman should take a look at this issue. Justice League of America 21 is $2.99 and is available at your local comic book shop.