Justice League #69
The Justice League run down clues about the fake Deathstrokes in Justice League #69, by writer Brian Michael Bendis, artist Phil Hester, inker Eric Gapstur, colorist HI-FI, and letterer Josh Reed. In the backup, by writer Ram V, artist Sumit Kumar, inker Jose Marzan Jr., colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr., and letterer Rob Leigh, the JLD tries to deal with Zatanna's loss of control as Merlin makes his move in the temple. This is yet another great outing by both teams.
In the main story, the Justice League, along with Checkmate, interrogates three fake Deathstrokes. After identifying the weak link, they let him escape, but he's mysteriously killed, an attack that even damages Superman. They go for the nuclear option, retrieving the Lasso of Truth and working their way through the suspects until they find a most unlikely source behind the whole thing. As they talk that out, Kelex gives them disturbing information that sets them on the next branch of their search. In the backup, the team deals with the manifestation of the Upside-Down Man in Zatanna, with Ragman using knowledge he learned from one of the books in the Library to save her. Aquaman tries to stop Merlin and is about to get trounced when Dr. Fate and the Eternal Knight show up, they fight Merlin off, but it's too late, as he summons his Sapphire Knight, a very familiar Atlantean.
The main story is classic Bendis, in both good and bad ways. For example, there is a lot of Bendis speak in this issue, more than he's usually thrown out in Justice League so far. It's okay in places and fits when Green Arrow and Black Canary do it, but it just feels weird in a lot of the other places. The good part is how he plays the mystery parts of the book. Justice League isn't usually a mystery book, so it's novel, but it does feel a little weird.
The coolest part of the issue is the reveal of who is behind the fake Deathstrokes. It's a classic DC group of villains, which is entirely unexpected. Add to that the last page reveal, and this story looks to be rather interesting. If there's one qualm, it's how little Bendis has used new members Hippolyta and Black Adam in the series so far. It's still a fun story, though. The back is yet another clinic by Ram V in using page space perfectly. This chapter has momentum and is exciting throughout. V keeps readers on the edge of their seats for the entire chapter and links in the Eternal Knight from earlier in the story. The last page reveal is awesome for any student of DC magic history, and while it's not entirely unexpected, it's still great.
Hester's art is great, as usual. He and Bendis did a great job putting together mystery stories in Powers, and they work well together here as well. Hester does great work with DC books and character acting, so the art is perfect for Bendis's story. Kumar continues to kill it on the backup as well, although one can tell the difference when inker Marzan Jr. takes over. Everything still looks great, and Ragman's costume has rarely looked this good.
Justice League #69 is yet another entertaining issue of this book. While the main story has a few problems, it's still overall entertaining and different from other Justice League stories. The backup is worth the price of admission alone. This is such a good book, and that's all there is to it.