Justice League #14 Review – Continuing The Streak Of Quality And Creativity

NOTE: Review may contain spoilers.

Justice League #14, The Secret of Hawk World!, finally updates us on the missing League members after following the core team for so long. Whilst the issue starts with the heavy hitters such as Batman and Superman, we quickly move to the trio that left Earth searching for answers.

We find Green Lantern, Hawk Girl and Martian Manhunter on their information journey heading towards Hawk World, the home of Hawk Girl. Since our last visit there, under the control of Synn, a lot has changed within that period of time. Our heroes must navigate this re-adjusted world, although never quite getting the answers they seek. This story is an exploration of some of the fears and expectations of these Leaguers as well as continued analysis of the Universe around them. Will we learn more about the multiverse from this narrative arc?

This story is an exploration of some of the fears and expectations of these Leaguers…

Justice League #14 does open with Batman prying into the mind of Star Man, using Jarro to seek out answers about what the spaceman is hiding. However, after the process nearly kills him, due to the sheer force of Star Man’s mind, Superman stops this experiment and we move away from the Earth Justice League as they argue about how best to move forward.

Meanwhile, the space League members have encountered some problems of their own after meeting initial resistance upon landing on Hawk World. Their arrival poses some problems in Hawk Girl’s understanding of her own Universe. Because the Empress of Thangarian Prime is, in fact, a reincarnation of herself, the two should not exist at the same time, unless there has been some time travelling involved.

The trio is invited to the local festival, although not without some grief, due to Martian Manhunter learning that the elder of his people and one who held all of their knowledge, had passed away. That means J’onn is the last Martian alive. This was a great representation of grief and one that was linked to painful memories of J’onn’s past, exploring his deeper troubles about his understanding of his own universe.

…J’onn is the last Martian alive…

As they continue to explore the planet and subsequent festival, things don’t quite seem right. The answers they first sought are denied but, during their time there, they have uncovered something more. Realising that the elder Martian is alive and captured, the trio leaps into action with a renewed sense of purpose. However, the Savage Hawkman is unleashed upon them, only adding to the dimensional confusion that has been established.

Back on Earth, Star Man has awoken seemingly in crises as he comes close to exploding in the conclusion of the issue.

The Secret of Hawk World! has already shown a different side to our space-bound Leaguers and I imagine this tale will continue to uncover not just the truths of the multiverse but the truths of the characters themselves.

This was an interesting exploration into a different part of the Universe, as well as a continued look at the secrets of the multiverse. The art was particularly stellar, showcasing the Hawk World and its people in an imaginative display of visual creativity.

Justice League #14 continues to deliver the quality expected from the new run of Justice League.