Dinosaurs and superheroes, two species separated by 65 million years of evolution, have just been suddenly thrown back in the mix together. How can we possibly have the slightest idea of what to expect?
I’ll tell you how. Jurassic League has been straight bangers since issue #1. Issue #3 does not disappoint.
Wow, I can’t believe that that’s the first Jurassic Park reference I’ve made.
Listen, the Jurassic World dig last review doesn’t count, okay?
This issue gave me everything I wanted from last time. We open on Green Torch and Flashraptor, finally giving us a look at our full roster. I’ve been super excited to see the full team in action, and with this issue being an all-out slugfest between our heroes and the surprisingly large cast of villains.
A quick note on that: I think it’s a little curious that Green Torch is mentioned specifically in the solicit for this issue, while Flashraptor doesn’t even get a vague allusion. They’re both in the issue for about an equal amount of panel time, and they’re both doing things. Maybe they intended this to be Green Torch’s big issue, while Flashraptor takes issue #4, but if that’s the case, then why does the solicit for #4 imply that it’s time for three whole characters to get the spotlight? It’s really not a huge deal, it’s a nonexistent deal, even, but I just found it odd.
Okay Cam, but like, how was the book?
Oh, it was good! Gedeon and Johnson are extremely talented writers, managing to keep the overall plot both moving and interesting while spending a pretty decent chunk of the book on fight scenes.
On THAT note, we’ve spent three issues now in the timespan of the same fight. Normally, I’d be a little frustrated with pacing like this, but honestly, the writers know how to make this one work. New characters enter the fray right as things are starting to get a little dull, creating remarkable anticipation for what comes next.
We’re also getting a lot of lore development out of this issue, Wonderdon’s lasso comes in real handy. I’m incredibly excited for the Dark Embryo’s reveal, Gedeon and Johnson have built it up incredibly well.
The dialogue this issue is a little hit or miss, more like a classic comic or children’s cartoon than previous ones, but I think it works with the action packed flow of the issue.
Speaking of the action…
It looks a little different this time around, to what I feel is the book’s detriment. Juan Gedeon has stepped away from the visuals, with Rafa Garrés taking the helm this issue. The two artists look incredibly similar, but something about Gedeon’s art just felt… cleaner? Like Garrés is still good, but his art can be chaotic, messy to the point of detriment. The end result of this is a book that definitely maintains the vibe of its predecessors, but just a little worse, in this case.
Take, for example, this panel of Supersaur fighting Brontozarro. To be clear, this is not bad. I think it’s very good, in fact. Mostly, this is a personal gripe, but the proportions are off, Supersaur’s body is a weird mass of bulging lumps and muscles, Brontozarro’s body kind of melts into a purple blob, also consisting of a bunch of fleshy lumps. I know this style is Garrés’ whole thing, and I really do like it elsewhere, I promise, but I think this book was already visually complex enough without adding another layer of mess on top.
I really hope that didn’t come across as mean as I think it might have Rafa if you see this I love you and your work I promise
I don’t have too much else to say about this issue, it was overall solid, but I do want to give a shoutout to my favorite moment. I have no proof that this was intentional, or any kind of in-joke, but I absolutely LOVE that in Green Torch’s first appearance, he HITS HIS HEAD AND PASSES OUT.
There’s something beautiful about the fact that, even in dino form, Hal Jordan will still find a way to get concussed.
Recomended if…
- Blah Blah Blah dino Justice League
- You’re interested in one of the best Elseworlds in recent memory
- A comic full of high-octane cool stuff is up your alley
Overall
What can I say that hasn’t already been said? This is my favorite book out from DC right now. Check it out.
Score: 8/10
DISCLAIMER: DC Comics provided Batman News with a copy of this comic for the purpose of this review.
