If nothing else, Milligan’s mishandling of Justice League Dark shows why pairing Justice League members off for issues has always worked. Because when you try to tell eight individual stories, you end up with a Deadman comic with some pointless guest stars.

Sadly, Janin’s art doesn’t hold up this issue. The first half or so is absolutely gorgeous, like the previous issues, then Janin starts to get sketchy and lazy. It’s not bad, it’s just nowhere near as good and, without Janin being amazing, what’s the point in reading Dark?

Milligan’s so disinterested in the characters, he resorts to the occasional sex joke (Zatanna and Constantine, Deadman and the girl he’s protecting), but without any enthusiasm. Cheap sex jokes are supposed to be funny, but Milligan apparently disagrees.

The series does show signs of eventually becoming cohesive, but the pacing makes waiting painful.

Or, with Janin off his game, pointless.

CREDITS

In the Dark, Part Three: Shibboleths and Alcohol; writer, Peter Milligan; artist, Mikel Janin; colorist, Ulises Arreola; letterer, Rob Leigh; editor, Rex Ogle; publisher, DC Comics.

Strangely, I don’t care about any of Justice League Dark‘s significant problems. It’s got Janin on the art still and he’s still fantastic, so it can pretty much be about anything. And Milligan isn’t going to write anything offensive. It might get bad, but it won’t offend on any level other than wasting time.

But there’s Janin’s art, so Dark can’t be a waste of time.

Now, it is interesting what a big part Deadman plays here. He’s got this book, DC Universe and Hawk & Dove. I’d hate to think DC is overexposing him just because there’s a TV show in the works.

Sadly, Milligan writes Deadman like he’s a Seth Rogen character. He always begging Dove for sex… and considering she’s not even on the team, it’s strange she gets more page time than the erstwhile principals.

Still, Dove by Janin is awesome.

Dark‘s both bad and wonderful.

CREDITS

In the Dark, Part Two: Dark Matter; writer, Peter Milligan; artist, Mikel Janin; colorist, Ulises Arreola; letterer, Rob Leigh; editor, Rex Ogle; publisher, DC Comics.

Who is Mikel Janin and why isn’t he on a better book?

Janin is an exquisite artist. He brings a sense of realism to his figures and settings… and the magical nonsense in Justice League Dark. He’s not an inappropriate artist for the comic at all, he just should be on something much, much better.

Because, so far, Peter Milligan isn’t doing anything interesting with Dark. Some of the problem is the plotting. He’s going to introduce the reader to the whole concept—along with the regular Justice League failing. Now, as far as I know, this comic is the first appearance of the “modern” Justice League.

And Cyborg is apparently Robocop.

Milligan doesn’t even get the cast together, which is a peculiar move. He mostly narrates from Madame Xanadu’s point of view. Either he’s not doing a good job writing it or she’s boring.

Regardless, Janin makes Dark worthwhile.

CREDITS

In the Dark, Part One: Imaginary Women; writer, Peter Milligan; artist, Mikel Janin; colorist, Ulises Arreola; letterer, Rob Leigh; editors, Rex Ogle and Eddie Berganza; publisher, DC Comics.