This was a really good volume of the New 52 Justice League. Darkseid is just one of the Justice League's problems. There are many and their villains are ruthless with no respect for life. The JL has their hands full and I really thought most of them were goners more than once in this book. I hope my library gets the next volume soon.

This is set in the aftermath of discovering that there is a parallel earth where the Justice League is bad. The JL has Superman's arch-nemesis Lex Luthor clamoring to join, and doing good deeds (for his own intentions), and a young woman is claimed by the Dark Green Lantern Power Ring (one that feeds on fear instead of will). The JL steps in to help her before the ring destroys her and those around her, and a virus is released from Lex's lab that causes humans to manifest metahuman power. It also attacks members of the League with disastrous consequences. Obviously, the League has their hands full.

I didn't find much to dislike about this volume. Plenty of action and suspense, and some nice twists.

If I used one word to describe this book, it would be 'dated.' The other word I'd use was 'cheesy'. I don't think these stories have aged well at all. I checked this out because I am a huge fan of the character Zatanna, and I was curious to see her search for her father Zatara played out. Now I know what happened back then, and I'm ready to move forward and explore the newer Zatanna stories.

I think there is definitely a sensibility of the earlier age, including the sexism that was evident in the early to mid 20th Century. I cringed when Zatanna is referred to as the "Maid of Magic." I was happy that in later stories, she receives her current moniker of "Mistress of Magic." It sounds better, less chauvinistic.

As far as other aspects of the story, I felt like the science and magic explanations are simplistic and the ways in which Zatanna and the other Leaguers defeat their foes are too basic for me to feel they are credible. I guess it's due to the fact that I didn't read a lot of the older comics. I don't know if that is typical for the older ones.

The artwork is okay. It's just dated and sometimes corny.

After going back in the day with the stories in this collection, I'm glad that the new comic writing is more sophisticated.

If someone asked me if this is worth reading, I'd have to say, sadly no.

Overall rating: 2.5/5.0 stars.

I liked this a lot. I'm glad, since I wasn't that fond of the first JLA adventure I read. This book captures the darker side of being a superhero, and asks, "What happens afterward?" A writer whose family was caught in a crisis that the JLA successfully resolves, comes down with a mysterious affliction that causes their premature deaths. David Graves is grief-stricken and enraged by the experience, seeking revenge. He comes across a mystical force that allow him to harness the angry ghosts around him to destroy the league.

The artwork was very good, conveying the dark storyline and the action. I liked the way all the Leaguers were drawn. Of course, I am a huge Green Arrow fan, so it was great to see him show up (although he is Connor, Oliver's son).

Overall, I don't have any complaints with this graphic novel. I think that this is accessible to people who are crossing over from the DC Comics movies and TV shows to the comic books.