Tom Taylor really want us to feel the burn in this latest addition to the emotional treadmill that is Injustice 2. We took a little break from the big action last time as we digressed into the arrival of Supergirl on the scene, but now we’re back to the Bat-gang, but in an usual way.
Yes, it’s wedding bells for Ollie and Dinah–because they can’t waste any time when they both know how precious each second is. Naturally having a big no-holds-barred wedding in a comic book is basically asking for trouble, so I’m not sure why nobody saw the disaster coming long before they got to exchanging the “I dos”.
Digital Firsts 13 & 14 (“Green Wedding”) puts a lot of emphasis on the character development–something which Taylor always excels at. Even though we have no cause in particular to understand or know much about the relationship between Wildcat and Dinah in this world, we’re immediately drawn into their warm affection through their banter and familiarity. And then there’s Damian. Damian who does something so disturbingly weird I still feel a little uncomfortable shudder when I even think about it.
Yes, with the introduction of Ras and Talia in this new Injustice world I suppose we could predict it wouldn’t be long before the Lazarus Pit made an appearance as well, and here it is in all it’s gory glory. So who’s going into the pit? Did anyone see this particular unholy resurrection coming?
Meanwhile, Batman? Well, he’s being Batman:
In the honeymoon car, no less!
I guess Batman assumes everything will be fine at the ceremony, so he goes darting off after an emergency call. Fair enough, I suppose, given that the church is full of high-powered superheroes and all, but really? Is everyone inside smelling the flowers and milling among the pews? And really, did nobody think to consider security for some big public event like this? And for that matter, did Ollie and Dinah need a big public event, or could they have just signed a license and made it official? I know I’m nitpicking here and part of the point is that it all comes together so fast, but when the bad guys are literally the next building over surveilling the heck out of your nuptials, you would think they should have been easy to spot, detect, anticipate, etc.
And Batman getting that emergency phone call? He didn’t see that as a potential trap?
Okay. But this feels a lot more convenient than organic for Taylor’s usual fare. Even so, this packs in the action alongside the emotion. From teary reunions to a literal wedding crash, this is a fun read that jags like a racecar at the Indy 500. Think it’s going to go bad? It does! And then even worse!
Let’s just cluster about: it’s not like anyone’s paying attention
Bruno Redondo and Juan Albarran make a triumphant return as penciler and inker and the art throughout is mostly fabulous. Redondo excels at these big brawls full of fun characters punching out each other, and the colors by Rex Lokus bring out the soft sentiment of the pre-wedding scenes in stark contrast to the harder and darker edges during the fight. There’s also further lovely environmental “flavors” in the opening rain, as well as the final grisly graveyard moment and thereafter.
My one small criticism is that Canary and Wildcat have an all-own brawl just before he walks her down the aisle (in good fun and the moment is played for its humor). In typical impeccable Taylor jump-cut style, we see them suggest the fight and then next time we see them they are coming down the aisle looking worse for wear–clothes torn, hair mussed, etc. Unfortunately Redondo doesn’t really capture this. The tear in Wildcat’s suit is barely noticeable and Dinah’s hair barely looks different. It doesn’t help that the gag is delivered by the coupe with their backs to the frame. Great joke, but poor staging on this one, unfortunately.
Recommended If…
- You need some romantic cheese on your superhero knock-out platter.
- You like Batman vs. Damian (and all the rest of the Batfamily on the outs).
- You love Alfred and miss him still.
Overall
Batman’s extended family constitute the bulk of the villains in this Injustice, and they have a lot of help from Superman’s leftovers (and the dregs of the very short-lived Suicide Squad). So when Green Arrow insists that he and Black Canary need to exchange vows, you know it’s a party no one wants to miss. Despite some curious lapses of judgment on Batman’s part, this book has it all: romance, cherished friendships, family squabbles, and one big super-brawl. Also, there’s some grave-robbing, so brace yourselves; this one’s leading to grisly goings-on in Gotham!
SCORE: 8/10
