Title: Justice League.
Story-Arc: The Grid.
Volume: 4.

Writer(s): Geoff Johns.
Artist(s): Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Jesus Saiz, Oclair Albert, Jonathan Glapion, Zander Cannon, Gene Ha, Andres Guinaldo, Rob Hunter & Eber Ferriera.
Colourist(s): Rod Reis, Jeremy Cox, Art Lyons & Hi-Fi.
Letterer(s): Dezi Sienty, Nick J. Napolitano.

Publisher: DC Comics.
Format: Paperback.
Release Date: April 8th 2014.
Pages: 176.
Genre(s): Comics, Science-Fiction.
ISBN13: 9781401247171.

My Overall Rating: ★★★☆☆.

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Previously on DC Universe New 52’s Justice League series:
Justice League (Vol. 1): Origin by Geoff Johns
Justice League (Vol. 2): The Villain’s Journey by Geoff Johns
Justice League (Vol. 3): Throne of Atlantis by Geoff Johns

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It’s easy to say that the Justice League is there to save the world from any form of cosmic crisis but what happens when there isn’t just one team of heroes who are ready to put their lives on the line? It can only get worse if you also consider politics in there with questions around territorial jurisdiction. Mix in a mysterious and villainous entity looking to take control of the whole world, you have a recipe for disaster. As the New 52 Justice League comic book run continues after its epic Throne of Atlantis event, it now looks to build up the tension that will lead to the next big thing and it isn’t looking good for anyone.

What is Justice League: The Grid about? Collecting Justice League #18-20 and #22-23, this story arc plants the seeds to an epic war that will occur in the DC Universe, pitting the Justice League, the Justice League of America and the Justice League Dark against each other before the grand arrival of a team of villains like none other make their spectacular debut. While a mysterious plan is being executed in the dark, right under the eyes of the greatest heroes of the universe, deception runs in the veins of some heroes while others are manipulated into doing things they’d never imagine doing. Those behind the tragedy to come aren’t here to play around and only the enigmatic Pandora might have the answer to it all.

Not uncommon at all to the New 52 era of DC Comics, Justice League: The Grid is a fine example of why collected editions were dreaded by fans. This fourth volume of the series is actually some sort of prelude to Justice League: Trinity War which actually contains all the necessary issues that allow readers to have a better understanding of the context and world-building for this story arc. In Justice League: The Grid, a lot of plot holes are present due to this unfortunate marketing strategy employed during that time. The structure of the story essentially presents mysteries after mysteries which don’t exactly make for a cohesive whole and ultimately end with the reveal of the mastermind behind it all which teases what is to come.

In fact, the story starts off with the Justice League looking to expand as they start of tryouts for numerous heroes until new unknown threats appear out of the blue and questions start popping up from left and right. It then ends by sending the three Justice League teams around the world into international territory, creating a conflict with Pandora at the heart of it all. Who is Pandora? Who dared to steal Batman’s secret weapons? Who is controlling Superman? Who is the Grid? And the Butler? The number of questions skyrocketed quickly and answers are only to be found in the next event.

The artwork wavered in this one. It’s not consistent as it usually was, and ends up having different styles—some that I simply preferred over others. The upside was that the artists on this story arc maintained the high-octane action sequences and illustrated some wonderful two-page spreads with heroes in their best superhero poses. It is no joke when I say that every character fly off the page and convey their godliness through their mere physique. The colours are also vibrant, allowing the action to pack as much punch as possible.

Justice League: The Grid is a messy and unnecessary arc serving as a prelude to DC’s next major event found in Trinity War but allows for a quick summary leading to the arrival of an invincible and troubling evil.

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