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3.93 AVERAGE
3.93 AVERAGE
My bro recommended this to me and we have kind of different taste! I can definitely see where some people would love this--I think it was a well-done, kinda gritty noir-y mystery, but with 2nd-tier DC superheroes as protagonists. But I tend to prefer more witty, dry superheroes.
SO, well done for what it is, but what it is isn't my fave, sorry not sorry.
SO, well done for what it is, but what it is isn't my fave, sorry not sorry.
Wow. Did not know about this one or what happened before reading. I've just been going over old arcs that i've missed and... jeeeeeeeesus.
Wow...
Good stuff and horrible stuff all in one book. Good job. I hate you. :)
Wow...
Good stuff and horrible stuff all in one book. Good job. I hate you. :)
Someone has killed Sue Dibneym and the superhero community is pulling out all the stops to discover the murderer. The Justice League, the Reserves, the Justice Society and the Teen Titans beat the bushes and the criminals to try and determine what monster would do such a thing. But when a second attack occurs, the realization begins to hit that the heores secrets may not be as safe as they thought.
Ralph and Sue Dibny are the backbone of the Silver Age Justice League. They are the old married couple, used for comic relief and "Aw" moments, so when Brad Meltzer decided to kill off Sue, he had to know he was messing with DC DNA. What we get is a weak, and sometimes implausible, murder mystery to find out who killed Sue.
But that is not the strength of this book. Where this book shines is in the character moments of the later silver age heroes that Meltzer gives us. We see why Sue and Ralph are so in love. We see how the A-listeres (Batman and Superman) are there for the big fight, but are quickly called away to deal with other issues, leaving the clean-up for the B and C-listers like Green Arrow and Zantana. We learn that the clean-up frequently means wiping minds.
It's those character moments that lift this book to three stars. We see the friendships and relationships between the various heroes. I can honestly say that this is what lifts this book out of the two star range into a three star range. Without those, this is just another "women in refrigerator" crisis to sell books that has sadly become old hat at DC.
Ralph and Sue Dibny are the backbone of the Silver Age Justice League. They are the old married couple, used for comic relief and "Aw" moments, so when Brad Meltzer decided to kill off Sue, he had to know he was messing with DC DNA. What we get is a weak, and sometimes implausible, murder mystery to find out who killed Sue.
But that is not the strength of this book. Where this book shines is in the character moments of the later silver age heroes that Meltzer gives us. We see why Sue and Ralph are so in love. We see how the A-listeres (Batman and Superman) are there for the big fight, but are quickly called away to deal with other issues, leaving the clean-up for the B and C-listers like Green Arrow and Zantana. We learn that the clean-up frequently means wiping minds.
It's those character moments that lift this book to three stars. We see the friendships and relationships between the various heroes. I can honestly say that this is what lifts this book out of the two star range into a three star range. Without those, this is just another "women in refrigerator" crisis to sell books that has sadly become old hat at DC.
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I knew the answer to the mystery going in. It had been spoiled for me a long time ago. But even so, the execution of this story made the whole thing worthwhile. Isn't that the hallmark of a good mystery in any genre? It's not just the twist at the end, it's the ride that brings you there.
Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales do a superlative job with this story, and the notes at the end made me appreciate it even more. I read a library copy, but now I want to buy my own so that I can reread it for the small touches.
Identity Crisis was a love letter to the Justice League of my youth. It planted the seeds for events to come. It was about superheroes' true weaknesses, their loved ones. And it was (for a while) the swan song of Ralph and Sue Dibny, the Elongated Man and Sue -- the Nick and Nora Charles of the superhero set.
It makes me want to reread my old comics, to read more by Mr Meltzer, and maybe some Dashiel Hammett for good measure.
Oh, Ralph. Oh, Sue.
Oh, Ray.
Oh, Jean.
Brad Meltzer and Rags Morales do a superlative job with this story, and the notes at the end made me appreciate it even more. I read a library copy, but now I want to buy my own so that I can reread it for the small touches.
Identity Crisis was a love letter to the Justice League of my youth. It planted the seeds for events to come. It was about superheroes' true weaknesses, their loved ones. And it was (for a while) the swan song of Ralph and Sue Dibny, the Elongated Man and Sue -- the Nick and Nora Charles of the superhero set.
It makes me want to reread my old comics, to read more by Mr Meltzer, and maybe some Dashiel Hammett for good measure.
Oh, Ralph. Oh, Sue.
Oh, Ray.
Oh, Jean.
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Loved the twist. Such a sad ending but I'm glad Dibny finds peace.
I saw the older edition years ago and did not think much of it. But I came across this on Google Books, previewed it and became interested.
Thrillers and mysteries are my favourite genre a the moment. And what a great way to get into graphic novels again. This has to be read as a physical graphic novel, I struggled to read all the dialogue on my phone. I was so happy to get a copy at my library.
I don't know much about Ralph Disney "Elongated Man" except from the Flash tv series at the moment. Nonetheless, the way his relationship with Sue is shown is just lovely and made all the more sad when she is brutally murdered.
Then I learnt about the secret league within JLA and a decision they made that now has come back to haunt them. I like the idea of exploring just how dangerous it can be to be associated with a superhero and on the flip side worry for them. Yet while we hold these people to such high standards, thinking they will never cross the line. It seems shocking but human when they do.
The rape scene was not graphic but it is in what we do not see that is scary. I wished it did not happen. I could not figure out who did it and was glued to the pages as the members of the JLA rush to solve it.
I liked that this edition featured notes on pivotal scenes by Brad Meltzer (Writer), Rags Morales (Artist ), Micheal Blair(Artist), Alex Sinclair (Colurist), Ken Lopez (Letterist). It showed how much people go into creating the graphic novel I held in my hand.
As well as how much detail and work went into the pictures drawn, words said, tone of colour and expressions. These processes are hardly shown and readers would probably take it for granted. I am glad for these notes as I saw each scene in a new light.
A very enjoyable and yet sad story about superheroes, the mistakes they make and their strength.
Thrillers and mysteries are my favourite genre a the moment. And what a great way to get into graphic novels again. This has to be read as a physical graphic novel, I struggled to read all the dialogue on my phone. I was so happy to get a copy at my library.
I don't know much about Ralph Disney "Elongated Man" except from the Flash tv series at the moment. Nonetheless, the way his relationship with Sue is shown is just lovely and made all the more sad when she is brutally murdered.
Then I learnt about the secret league within JLA and a decision they made that now has come back to haunt them. I like the idea of exploring just how dangerous it can be to be associated with a superhero and on the flip side worry for them. Yet while we hold these people to such high standards, thinking they will never cross the line. It seems shocking but human when they do.
The rape scene was not graphic but it is in what we do not see that is scary. I wished it did not happen. I could not figure out who did it and was glued to the pages as the members of the JLA rush to solve it.
I liked that this edition featured notes on pivotal scenes by Brad Meltzer (Writer), Rags Morales (Artist ), Micheal Blair(Artist), Alex Sinclair (Colurist), Ken Lopez (Letterist). It showed how much people go into creating the graphic novel I held in my hand.
As well as how much detail and work went into the pictures drawn, words said, tone of colour and expressions. These processes are hardly shown and readers would probably take it for granted. I am glad for these notes as I saw each scene in a new light.
A very enjoyable and yet sad story about superheroes, the mistakes they make and their strength.
A really good mystery. I really enjoyed this one. :)