Some thoughts about Justice League #32

Lex Luthor has just become one of the most important heroes in the whole world, not everyone is happy with that.

The Justice League has lost a lot of members over the last few months due to the constant crisis they had to face. One of them, Element Woman  now has no other choice but to fight alongside Niles Caulder and his Doom Patrol, a new and completely unique group of heroes that fit her nature much better or at least that's what Caulder wants her to believe.

I have been waiting for this issue for a while since Geoff Johns actually introduces one of my favorite teams from the DCU in the New 52, does it succeed at doing so?

Well, for the most part yeah, but it has some flaws.

Let's start with the new characters being introduced. We have already seen Niles Caulder being presented before in titles like The Ravagers but this time he arrives with a characterization much more similar with his old and classic incarnation, a smart and manipulative man who likes to control everyone.

Robotman's personality is one that actually fits him quite well since Cliff Steele has always been considered as a pretty normal man who just happens to live in a robotic body. Negative Man, I have some problems with it since his characterization is kinda one-note and heavyhanded, he pretty much follows whatever Caulder says. Elasti-Woman's portrayal has some potential but it's need to be explored a bit better.

The Jesssica Cruz/Power Ring sub-plot continues to be developed and so far it's an interesting one.

The story progresses at a good pace. The main plot-point continues to be focused in the Luthor and how he tries to be the greatest hero he believes he can be and bringing other characters like Captain Cold along with him. The narration is okay but sometimes can get a bit blunt, it's kinda overexpository at times.

Doug Mahnke is on art duties for this issue and his work is outstanding, his characters are quite expressive and his storytelling techniques are impressive. Everything has a pretty distinctive and beautiful style.

It's a solid issue despite of some complaints I've about it, I would suggest you to check it if you want more Doom Patrol.