Justice League #30 (DC)

writer: Geoff Johns
artist: Ivan Reis

via Reddit

I chose that for the image from the issue because of that last panel.  I forgot about that moment, but looking back, it reminds me of Shazam (the erstwhile Captain Marvel) and Lex Luthor's relationship in Kingdom Come (which, I suppose, the former's comments to Superman do as well).

This is what I love about Justice League, about Geoff Johns, about DC in general.  As far as I can tell, in a Marvel team-up book, the characters are busy falling all over themselves making quips (such as you'll find in one of their movies).  In a DC book, especially one written by Johns, relationships matter.  Not because you want to remind people about the "fastball special" or somesuch callback nonsense like that, but because even when things change, they stay the same.

(Say that with me, Internet fans who still can't understand the appeal of the New 52.)

Anyway, this issue is also known as the first one since the end of Forever Evil.  It features the immediate and most obvious fallout of the event, Lex Luthor in his new context, being viewed as a hero, and as such his decision to draft himself into the League.

There's a moment where Wonder Woman's lasso of truth is used on him to reveal his motives, too, in case you were wondering.  Unless he's found a way to subvert the lasso, this change of heart seems to be genuine.  He admits to having a massive ego.  But even he sees the crisis hinted at on the last page of Forever Evil as being reason enough to continue working on the level.

Well, for now.

Other plot points worth mentioning: Captain Cold as he makes his own transition to League membership.  The Doom Patrol continuing to work its way into the New 52.  Jessica Cruz making her debut.

Wait, who's Jessica Cruz?  She is going to be the first bearer of a green ring on Earth.  (Technically Jade had Kyle Rayner's ring for a hiccup.  But we'll overlook that.)  She's gaining possession of the Crime Syndicate's Power Ring ring.  As of this issue, she's paralyzed with fear over the prospect.  (A bit ironic, that.)  But you would be, too, if that ring were telling you this:

"You have been chose, Jessica Cruz -- to annihilate the Earth."

Yeah, so things will be interesting.  Did I mention that Luthor figured out that Bruce Wayne is Batman during Forever Evil, and as of this issue isn't taking that information quietly?  He's the kind of guy who will casually visit Wayne Manor and request an audience with Batman...

Good times.