Ride of the (mini) Valkyries - Justice League of America #184

Apokolips Now

Justice League of America #184
Cover Date: November 1980
Released: 14th August 1980

A very pop art opening splash page reminds us that we're on Apokolips where Darkseid is being raised from his trapping in the Source Wall. We then get another splash page of Darkseid before we're right into the action with Power Girl, Firestorm and Orion attacking the Injustice Society. For once the fight goes pretty well for our heroes, with most of the bad guys getting taken down pretty quickly. And for once Kara gets some great moments, including to frame of both her and Orion attacking Icicle from different angels as he says "Oh no!" at both, only for them both to go "Oh yes!". We also get a frame of her flirting? or just bantering with Firestorm that's he's being "cute". Alas, the Fiddler plays a tune and the heroes see their worst fears, which for Power Girl is being tickled by lasers of something.

Meanwhile, Superman, Wonder Woman and Big Barda go deep into Grannie Goodness's place wherein an amazing splash page we find an underground of escape kids. The leader of this little group, Crimson, is unconvinced by the adults until in an amazing six panels Barda explains to her about the idea of love. Yes, it may be a little cliche but it is the kind of thing I love about Superhero comics. A useful exposition psychic child then tells how the Injustice League was recruited from Earth-2 to help bring back Darkseid, who appears a giant golem made out of the sidewalk. Crimson then takes them to Granny to find out just what Darkseid has planned on his return.

Fate and Oberon imprison the guards they'd been fighting before meeting up with Hal, who's found the bound up High Father (in our fourth splash page). Combining magic and ring energy they free the High Father where he tells them Darkseid will soon become solid and carry out his fiendish scheme so they rush off to stop whatever plan he has in mind.

Meanwhile, Batman and Huntress are scaling the fortress wall to break into the place, whilst Mr Miracle sneaks in on his own to take down some of the guards. He then lets in Bruce and Helena and takes them to a room where they've helpfully put up Darkseid's plan for conquest. Basically, he plans to replace Earth-2 with Apokolips, which will destroy that Earth in the process! Apparently, there are no New Gods in Earth-2 dimensions so there he can conquer with the New Gods stopping him.

This is a really nice midway point in the story, all the characters are given something to do and the plot is driven along as each group learns something about what Darkseid has planned. And whilst the fight at the start is fun I personally enjoy the quiet bit in the middle where the heroes gain allies just by showing kindness to others. The art is great, especially the splash pages that show some great Kirby tech, it's only a shame that this is due to Dick Dillin passing away between issues. Whilst the comics is credited to just Pérez some of the art looks just like Dillins art, or he copied his style to almost perfection which is impressive in itself.

Still, I'm looking forward to seeing how this three-parter ends!

 ⋅ Writers: Gerry Conway ⋅ Pencilers: George Pérez ⋅ Inkers: Frank McLaughlin ⋅ 
Colourists: Gene D'Angelo ⋅ Letterers: Ben Oda ⋅ Editors: Len Wein ⋅ 

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