Release: April 2026 | Writer: Mark Waid | Artist: Clayton Henry | Colorist: Tamra Bonvillain | Letterer: Ariana Maher
As the villains officially join The Justice League, how will they coexist with their former foes?
*Justice League Unlimited #18 SPOILERS ahead!*
TRYING TO PLAY NICE
Villains are welcome.
Batman, Wonder Woman and Captain Marvel discuss the monumental change to the Justice League going forward. The villains that have experienced the same visions that the heroes have experienced after the Omega Tournament all stand united for a bigger end goal. But the general public cannot know about this until its proven to be a successful decision.
The only way they can be ready for Darkseid's eventual future arrival, they need to learn to work together. And that includes heroes giving these villains a second chance at a better future. As long as they behave.
Jaime Reyes, Air Wave and The Boom all question how these villains can even be redeemed. Before Plastic Man who is disguised as a lamp shockingly appears and explains to them that he was once a villain himself. And he was given a chance to redeem himself. So they should keep their minds open to this plan. After Ted Kord asks where Guy Gardner is, we're brought to Bialya.
Lex Luthor, Giganto, Aquaman and Starro save two scientists from the Synchronus Project. Lex Luthor says that he knows this about them because they are his competition and he hopes to God that they didn't give any information to the terrorists that were holding them hostage.
They fearfully tell Lex that they didn't but are worried about their families. Luckily Kid Flash and Dr. Occult are on the scene, saving both of their wives and children before being brought to safety.
Weirdly enough none of the heroes or villains really don't want to talk about what their vision was. Especially Lex Luthor who actively avoids the conversation. In the same vein, Ted Kord goes to talk to Guy Gardner about what his vision was.
He tells Ted that his vision was to be something similar to the Pope but for the Green Lantern Corps.
Ted finds this to be HILARIOUS as he knows Guy's personality. Guy informs Ted that he's busy putting away a case that holds a bit of everyone's super powers from the tournament. Just in case they ever run into a situation that they won't have their powers again.
Ted Kord, Booster Gold, Martian Manhunter and Mary Marvel all meet up in a secret meeting. They are trying their hardest to go and find where Superman is.
Booster feels like he needs to save Superman after he freed him from being trapped by Darkseid. The thing about this is that they are doing this behind Batman's back. This won't be easy because when they enter the time machine, they're met by Epoch, The Lord of Time who's looking to kill them where they stand.
The Leaguers that are in Bialya continue to research into what's going on in that country that has an alarming amount of terrorists. Instead they're met by Thomas Morrow who sets them up with a Molecular Disruption Machine that puts them to the ground. And is so powerful that it even breaks Giganta's fingers when she tries to reach for it.
Luckily Green Arrow is there and when he tries to destroy the machine...it turns off. Thanks to Lex Luthor that has struck a deal and used his super power of money to buy the machine and turn it off so that they no longer need to worry about it.
On top of that, he's broadcasted this all to the world, who now knows that villains are members of the Justice League.
CONCLUSION
Villain Takeover!
Are we surprised that Lex is taking matters into his own hands and singlehandedly screwing up the villain's chances at redemption for his own gain? Some unique concepts and team ups presented in this book which is pretty enjoyable. Not sure what the end game is, but for some stories it's about enjoying the ride to that end goal that'll reveal itself in due time.
There's a lot that can be done with this concept of villains being a part of the Justice League. I hope it's not short lived and they can get some life out of this. The idea of having hope in those who have done wrong, all in the name of Superman is a very honorable thing. Hoping it doesn't come back to bite these heroes in the long term!
This issue, while having action and things set up, did feel a little slower than last month, causing the grade it has now. Even with that in mind, I'm invested!