Injustice: Gods Among Us: Year Three Vol. 2

This is a series that continues to exceed my expectations concerning not just how far Superman is willing to go for world peace, but what his continued actions say about who he really is with layers of his humanity removed.

Year 1 Vol. 1 explored the loss of Superman’s innocence and how the that loss splintered the superhero universe, Year 2 explored how his actions have bigger implications for not only the physical, but the metaphysical as well, with losses on both sides adding up, civilians included. With Year 3 Vol. 2 that hope for a return to innocence is dashed, and the reader is forced to grasp at moments of lightness as they peek through the pages.

The main themes that ran through this volume between both factions was fear in fighting and loyalty. Superman is a tyrant. There is no other way to put it, and his actions prove we are too far gone to return to business as usual. It opens with a calm tone not only in its writing but imagery as well, but Superman’s will to control ultimately darkens even those moments. That same tenacity and determination that made him such a great superhero has also made him a supervillain to contend with.

The wonderful array of characters we are presented with never feel overwhelming and enough time has been spent fleshing out their motivations. We have Harley Quinn’s quirkiness on full display, the loss of Detective Chimp, and a touching moment between Dick and Batman that definitely hit a high note with me. With nonstop action and the introduction of new actors, we also wrap up our magical storyline with Constantine. And, oh boy, the shenanigans he pulled off was something to be experienced as he diverts everyone’s attention from his true motive.

By the end of this volume, I once again experienced every form of emotion possible. That’s what kept me coming back for more of Tom Taylor’s writing, so I’m glad to see that with Brian Buccellato’s work here. With an excellent blend of artistry and writing, Injustice: Gods Amongst Us continues to be a work of art pushing boundaries, and asking us to imagine a world with a Superman none of us wanted.