From Cinescape
JLA #109:
When worlds collide...it's not always pretty
Dateline: Monday, December 13, 2004
By: TONY WHITT
(excerpt)
Inject the name "Qward" into any comic book, and my eyes tend to glaze over. I've rarely thought the Antimatter Universe was used all that well in DC titles, and in the post-CRISIS continuity it strikes me as an easy way for writers to have their cake and eat it too. Want to bring back the Crime Syndicate, late of Earth-3? Put 'em in the Antimatter Universe. It's not a real alternate universe, anyway. Plus it's got those Qwardians in it, and everyone knows how boring they are.
Despite Kurt Busiek's writing, my eyes still crossed a few times while reading the third installment of "Syndicate Rules" - though they may come as much from not having read the first two installments as anything else. But even for those who have been here from the beginning, there's still a lot of catching up to do, as a great deal of this issue is given over to exposition as the Crime Syndicate tries to figure out how – gasp! – a black man has now become Power Ring, and while the Qwardians chose a new Warlord in their oh-so-democratic way. The League, in fact, doesn't show up until two-thirds of the way through the book, and even then it's only for three pages.
From Silver Bullet Comics
Sunday Slugfest - JLA #109
Posted: Sunday, December 12
By: Keith Dallas
“Syndicate Rules” (Part 3)
Writer: Kurt Busiek
Artists: Ron Garney (p), Dan Green (i)
Publisher: DC Comics
(excerpt)
Jason Cornwell
Ron Garney’s work reminds me quite strongly of John Byrne’s current work, and while part of this could be Dan Green’s inks, the panel layouts, and the simple storytelling tricks that are used are quite similar. Of course, the truth of the matter is that I’m not overly fond of John Byrne’s current work, so Ron Garney isn’t exactly in good company, as while the material tells the story in a clear enough manner, it lacks the sense of visual excitement that is needed to grab and hold my attention. I mean the characters have a rather limited range of expressions, and even the one big action shot of the issue struck me as less than impressive, as it’s more a pinup than an engaging display of action. I will concede that the page where we see the aftermath of the various hit and run attacks that the Crime Syndicate have made was a solid little sequence though, as was the look of delight on the faces of the villains as Johnny Quick reveals his plan.
Michael Deeley
To understand what’s going on, you do need to read the last issue. You don’t need to read JLA #107. Although that’s called part one of this story, it really doesn’t have anything to do with anything that’s happened so far. You really need to read the JLA/Avengers crossover to learn how the universes were reformed. But if you haven’t, you’re probably not reading this. It also helps to read the graphic novel JLA: Earth 2 to understand why they’re destined to lose an open battle with the JLA. Okay, so this isn’t exactly a jump-on issue; it’s still a darn good comic.
From DC Comics
Topic: **JLA #109 Cover & Solicitation!**
Posted: 2004-09-12 05:32:28.0 by Rob Frenay
JLA #109
Written by Kurt Busiek
Art and cover by Ron Garney & Dan Green
Part 3 of the 8-part "Crime Syndicate of Amerika!" The Crime Syndicate of Amerika invade Earth and make themselves at home, robbing, pillaging and causing general unrest. How long before the JLA can put a stop to this?
On sale Dec 8 ¥ 32 pg, FC, $2.25 US
View the cover image here:
www.popcultureshock.com
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