About a decade ago, Paul Dini and Bruce Timm helped design a new Batman cartoon with Warner Bros. Years later, Dini and
Timm haved done other shows based on the DC universe such as Superman and the Justice League. The comic book version of these
shows are usually good. So when I saw the Justice League Adventures TPB at my local library, I had to read it. Was it any
good?
For those of you who didn't catch it in my intro, Justice League Adventures is based on the popular tv show, Justice
League (which is based off of the superhero team in DC's comics). This team features names such as: Superman, Batman and Wonder
Woman and names that aren't as popular like Hawkgirl and Martian Manhunter. This graphic novel follows the team
on adventures ranging from fighting ice-based villains in Bijouti to meeting aliens who have abilities like Superman, but
may or may not appear as they seem.
This graphic novel remains faithful in the art style that the show features. All of the artists do a great
job of impersonation of Bruce Timm and tell the story well. There are seems to be some great moments in this trade paperback
such as in "The Moment". And let's not forget how great to read a comic that is more fun than dark and gritty.
With all of that being said, this graphic novel talks down to the reader. Now, this may be made for children, but a comic
like
Bone, which features great dialogue despite it's all ages tone, there is no excuse. To give you an idea of how bad the dialogue
comes off, here's an example:
Flash-Gee, that was worthwhile! Any other ways we can make ourselves look stupid?
Batman-If you can't grow up you shouldn't be on this team!
Hawkgirl-Hey,what this team doesn't need is a pointy-eared bully!
And on top of the fact that there is some bad dialogue, some of the moments in this comic don't make since. Like how
is it that Gorilla Grood is being turned-in by the Justice League, without anything to explain the fact that there is no explanation
on why he isn't making someone serve for him with his mind (Grodd can force people to do things with his mind, if you haven't
read DC comics with him or have never seen the show). And why is it that the villains in "Wolf's Clothing", have no idea what
their fellow villains, let alone the heroes voices sound like?
Overall, Justice League Adventures is a dumbed-down graphic novel. Even with great moments, fun, and the style from the
show, this graphic novel can't make up for the facts that it dumbs down the dialogue and leaves the attentive reader a little
confused. Hardcore fans of the show and DC comics will find a lot to like, but new readers, who may not read comics, may not
like it much. This graphic novel receives 3* out of 5*
