Justice League of America #4 (New 52)

The above image taken from issue #4 of Justice League of America says it all, someone dies in this issue. Who? Well, I am sure some of you already know but it is a shocking turn of events. So shocking that people will be talking about this for years to come. A major character in the DC Universe is gunned down and killed while the others try to save them, Who dies? Well, you will find out by the end if this review.

First, let catch you up to speed. In issue #1, we find one masked stranger running through the woods being attacked by what appears to be members of the Justice League. We then find ourselves in a secret government facility where Director Waller is assembling a team of heroes to combat any threat to the world, even the Justice League itself. This group of heroes consist of Martian Manhunter, Katana, Hawkman, Catwoman, Stargirl, Vibe, and Steve Trevor. The JLA does not realize they are the world’s back-up plan to fight the Justice League. Only Director Waller and Steve Trevor knows the truth. Speaking of truth, at the end of issue #1 we find out the masked stranger was none other than the Green Arrow in an undercover ops for Steve Trevor. The information he obtains nearly costs him his life.

The Information he obtains is the formation of a Secret Society of villains, the likes of none they have ever seen before. The new team is sent on their first mission to see if they can locate this society. As the are on their mission, they are attacked and nearly escaped intact. This leads them to plan B, which simply is to make them interested in Catwoman, who is not a known member of the JLA, at least not to the world. Well, the plan works and Catwoman is captured by the society for an “interview”.

This is where issue #4 begins. We find Catwoman snooping around the Secret Society’s lair while the other JLA members try to locate her position so they can bring down the society once and for all. Since Catwoman is otherwise detained, Green Arrow joins the team on this mission. With the help of Dr. Light, they are able to trace Catwoman’s location so they take the Invisible Jet and arrange a rescue. That is when it hits the fan. The JLA is ambushed by Professor Ivo’s Shaggy man and Catwoman is caught by Copperhead. While all this is going on, Dr. Light is monitoring the signal when the society decides to turn it up causing a feedback that, well appears to kill the good doctor. But he is not the only one who dies. A member of the Justice League of America is killed as well. And that is where issue #4 ends, with a cliffhanger.

We all know that Geoff Johns is a brilliant writer, but this is truly some of his best work to date in my opinion. The characters come to life with the way they are drawn by Brett Booth and colored by Andrew Dalhouse. I give this issue a perfect 10 out of 10 rating and I cannot wait to see what happens in issue #5.

SPOILER: You wanted to know who dies, well here you go. I wonder if she will have 9 lives?