60 WEEKS WITH THE JUSTICE LEAGUE: Week 60

Justice League America #60
Mar. '92
Breakdowns Part 15
Andy Helfer presents:
The long-awaited conclusion to Breakdowns
"Swansong"
by Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis
Kevin Maguire, pencils
Terry Austin, inks
Bob Lappan, letterer peculiaire
Gene D'Angelo, colorist
...and let's not forget that wide-eyed kid from College Point who grew up right in front of our eyes...
Kevin Dooley

Justice League Europe #36
Mar. '92
"Breakdowns: Postscript (Part 16 of 15)"
Assembled by Jones, Wozniak, Campanella, Schubert, D'Angelo and Augustyn from pieces left lying around by Giffen, DeMatteis, Dooley and Helfer. Thanks to Dan Jurgens.


Lest we end on a sour note, let me begin with the briefest of rundowns on JLE #36. I love the Kevin Maguire-penciled cover--one last variation on the old theme--but there's really nothing beyond the cover worth anyone's while. The Wozniak/Campanella art is disappointing, to say the least, and the story--which ultimately serves as nothing more than a setup to Justice League Spectacular #1--reads as though the usually solid Jones didn't even bother to skim JLA #60.

But, ah, JLA #60--now that's another story altogether, and the true point at which to bring these 60 Weeks to a close. First and foremost, there's Kevin Maguire's return for one last go-round on penciling duties, and a wonderful go-round it is. (Compliments to Terry Austin's inking skills, too, of course.) And then, there's the pitch-perfect script, a loving farewell to this most eclectic cast of characters. While Max Lord's own rise from the ashes of despondency to reclaim his well-earned place at the head of the League (with Oberon by his side, natch') provides the script's throughline, Giffen and DeMatteis still manage to give all due attention to the rest of the bunch, including General Glory and Catherine Cobert...

...BlueJay...

...Ralph (Elongated Man) and Sue Dibny...

...Guy Gardner and Power Girl...

...Metamorpho, Rocket Red and Flash...

...Blue Beetle...

...Fire...

...Ice...

...Crimson Fox...

...and, of course, J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter.

Oh, yeah, and did I mention Guy Gardner?

There will be "More Weeks with the Justice League" at some point down the line. After all, we still have the Annuals and Justice League Quarterly to discuss, not to mention the miniseries Formerly Known as the Justice League and I Just Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League. So, yes, the adventure will continue. But not for a little while. For now, I'll sign off, but in so doing, I'll kick things over to the far more capable and qualified J.M. DeMatteis. Here's how he finished this run back in '92:

The complete 60 Weeks with the Justice League on The Danger Digest:
#1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23, #24, #25/1, #26/2, #27/3, #28/4, #29/5, #30/6, #31/7, #32/8, #33/9, #34/10, #35/11, #36/12, #37/13, #38/14, #39/15, #40/16, #41/17, #42/18, #43/19, #44/20, #45/21, #46/22, #47/23, #48/24, #49/25, #50/26, #51/27, #52/28, #53/29, #54/30, #55/31, #56/32, #57/33, #58/34, #59/35


All images this post copyright DC Comics. Original text copyright Jon D. Witmer/The Danger Digest.