By: Mark Waid Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 160 Publication Date: August 01, 2001 Reading Level: Young Adult Release Date: August 01, 2001
Decent read, but overrated writing. When I came into this book, especially after reading the Amazon.com reviews, I was expecting something epic. When I heard that this book dealt with Batman's ultimate plans against the rest of the JLA in the case of a superhero gone rogue, I was anticipating some brilliant ways to take down the most powerful beings in the universe that only Batman could devise.
I have to admit, when I read this book, I was let down a little. Let's just say that I was let down enough to write my first Amazon.com review so I could at least provide a counter to what most of the reviews say.
Now let me say WHY I was underwhelmed by this trade, without spoiling things beyond what is listed the back of the book. First, let me explain the premise of the book. The bottom line is, in his typical always-prepared style, Batman has collected a dossier on each Justice League member with detailed information on how to defeat that member. This idea is similar to the "Xavier Protocols" on the X-men which spawned a similar story. Basically this information falls into the wrong hands (Namely Ra's al Ghul) and is used against the league.
The first thing that bothered me was the simple fact that this information was leaked AT ALL. We are talking about the Batman here. The single most intelligent, prepared, and secretive person on the planet. You don't just walk up and ask him for these files. The fact that anyone even knew these files existed was never explained. Batman is just too damned careful to let anyone take these files. I understand it had to happen to advance the story, but it never sat right with me.
Now some of the methods used against the JLA were pretty cool, and I was satisfied with them. However, some of them were downright ridiculous (I won't give much away). For example, what reason on earth would someone who is trying to kill Superman have to use ANYTHING other than green kryptonite against him? There is none. It is never really stated why someone would choose to simply incapacitate Supes instead of trying to kill him. It doesn't add up for me. Similarly, the methods used against Green Lantern and the Flash are a little "out there", and I feel like Mark Waid could have thought of better ways to take them out.
In the end, the league loses trust in Batman, and votes whether or not to kick him out of the league. I feel like this was an unnecessary plot point, seeing as how historically Batman is known for this type of stuff. Hell, the man carries green Kryptonite with him wherever he goes. It doesn't make sense that they were surprised at all by this development. I chalk it up to poor writing in the end.
One more reason that I gave this book a 3/5 stars was the art. It was very cartoonish looking for the serious nature the writing tried to convey. The art pretty much bothered me throughout the book.
Overall, it is a solid entry into JLA history, but it will always bug me the way Batman was infiltrated so easily and that his methods were very non-batman-like. I hope that makes sense.
One of Best JLA Stories This book contains four stories of which the main one, Tower of Babel is definitely the best of all four stories and possibly one of the best stories ever told.
It is about Batman and discovering that he kept a record of weaknesses and traps for all the Leaguers in case something happened to them that made them turn against humanity. The discovery was only made after these records fell on an enemy's hand and he was using them against them. It is interesting to see everyone's weaknesses since we always see the invincible side of each Leaguer. It is also interesting to see if they can conquer these traps and what they will do to Batman afterwards.
The first short story is basically a JLA incredible shrinking man story where they are shrunk to battle disease in a sick boy's body. It is somewhat interesting but not a whole lot.
The third story is possibly the weakest one where Batman tries to find out if Superman is quilty of murder. Starts out strong but ends very quick and disappointedly.
The fourth is the shortest story of all where we find out a secret Aquaman has been hiding.
My hero I bought this book because Batman was the central charater. I like the other characters, but let's face it, Batman rocks! You shoud definately buy this book.
conspriacy theory Excellent depiction of batman's preparedness. Good story, unlike any graphic novel I have read before.
Graphic SF Reader Batman's ex-lover Talia rips his heart out, by infiltrating the Justice League Watchtower. She knows him better than his friends, as what she is after is his secret files on how to defeat his own teammates if it becomes necessary.
Of course, she uses them against the League, and this forms a rift that is the very long beginning of the end for the JLA.
Anything Goes Trivia
Trevor
Megaton Man
