What do you think?
Rate this book
Justice League Dark (2011)
Justice League Dark (2011-2015), Vol. 3: The Death of Magic
Transported to another dimension by the Books of Magic, Tim Hunter and Zatanna awake in a world where magic once ruled in peace until mad scientists banned magic and forced all of the magical creatures underground in exile.
Tim soon finds out that his ancestors are tied to this world and that only he, through the Books of Magic, can free the ""Wild World.""
Unsure of what transpired when Tim and Zatanna disappeared, the remaining members of JLD, with the help of Tim Hunter's father, manage to transport themselves to the ""Wild World"" and soon find that the rules of magic here are very different and very deadly.
This volume collects issues #14-21 of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK.
Tim soon finds out that his ancestors are tied to this world and that only he, through the Books of Magic, can free the ""Wild World.""
Unsure of what transpired when Tim and Zatanna disappeared, the remaining members of JLD, with the help of Tim Hunter's father, manage to transport themselves to the ""Wild World"" and soon find that the rules of magic here are very different and very deadly.
This volume collects issues #14-21 of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK.
170 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 4, 2014
About the author
Jeff Lemire
1,485 books3,958 followersLibrarian note:
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name
Jeff Lemire is a New York Times bestselling and award winning author, and creator of the acclaimed graphic novels Sweet Tooth, Essex County, The Underwater Welder, Trillium, Plutona, Black Hammer, Descender, Royal City, and Gideon Falls. His upcoming projects include a host of series and original graphic novels, including the fantasy series Ascender with Dustin Nguyen.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews
June 5, 2014
This was one of the titles I was really looking forward to reading, so I'm pretty disappointed that it wasn't nearly as good as volume 2.
In fact, it was quite blah in comparison.
It's not bad, just not awesome.
At the end of Justice League Dark, Vol. 2: The Books of Magic, Hunter and Zatana disappear into...something.
Pop!
In The Death of Magic the rest of the JLD are frantically trying to locate them, with the help of A.R.G.U.S. and their scientists.
Seems that by opening the Books of Magic, Tim accidentally transported the two of them to an alternate world where magic has been outlawed.
There's a Big Reveal when some pretty big secrets come to light concerning Tim and his family, but most of the issues were sort of lackluster.
The JLD manage to open a portal and cross over, but once there it immediately becomes obvious that something is messing with their various powers. Madam Xanadu starts rapidly aging, Deadman is alive, and poor Constantine can't lie.
And really, Constantine without the ability to pretend he doesn't give a damn?
Well, that was the highlight of the entire book.
It was pretty funny seeing John tell everyone how much he cares about them, and then watching them get really creeped out.
There was a good running dialogue between him and Deadman that kept this from turning totally boring, and I'd recommend this one for that reason alone.
Things pick up a bit when someone steals Constantine's House of Mystery. This was a far more interesting story line, but there were a few hitches in it.
The biggest glitch, for me, was a secret revealed from Madam Xanadu's past.
Maybe it's silly, but I simply don't like her character anymore.
Also, now that Frankenstein's tile has been cancelled, it appears that he will be part of the JLD line-up. And while I didn't particularly like him that much in his own book, I do like his addition to this one.
The rest of the issues seem to be leading up to what (I assume) will be the big crossover event, Justice League: Trinity War.
I wasn't super-duper impressed with this, but I'm not giving up on it either. Worth reading if You're a fan of Justice League Dark.
August 28, 2019
Hmm. I miss some of the members of the League that started out with us and are now gone. I like the technicolor coat guy. Also, I do enjoy Zantana and she was out of the main action for most of the book. During the 1st part she was off protecting a kid and then the 2nd half, she was nowhere to be seen. She was missed.
Madame Xanadu is one of my favorites, but it's so irksome that she can basically see everything unless they don't need her not to for a plot point and then she is blocked. We started out with her not seeing anything and then the 2nd half, she could still see nothing. On no, the writers must want to hide the plot. It's annoying.
John Constantine was hilarious in this story. The 1st half, the characters are taken into a dimension where magic is illegal and suppressed. There, John can no longer lie or hide things. He can only say what he means. He starts talking about his feelings and he can't talk his way out of it. It is wonderful. I would love to see more of that Constantine. Xanadu ages rapidly and almost dies. Deadman is alive again and promptly dies quickly. And Frank doesn't change. Anyway, that story ends and they get home again. The story didn't feel like it mattered because it wasn't their world and it was short. Oh well.
They get home and guess what. The mansion they hang out it has been taken over by someone else and it's spreading nightmares all over the city. They have to stop it, but all the team isn't there. Somehow, it's a child of one of them doing this. Ho hum is how I feel about it.
I felt this issue was a step down from the rest of the story. I do hope that the next volume will pick things back up and it will get better. This story was a low point so far. I do like the characters and fun times seeing the flash show up. What's funny is these guys are the ones who are supposed to fight magic and the Flash shows up and is able to stop these nightmares when our characters can't. It's all pretty soft magic. It's just a convenient tool for the writers and I don't feel it's done well.
Here's hoping they can pull it together.
Madame Xanadu is one of my favorites, but it's so irksome that she can basically see everything unless they don't need her not to for a plot point and then she is blocked. We started out with her not seeing anything and then the 2nd half, she could still see nothing. On no, the writers must want to hide the plot. It's annoying.
John Constantine was hilarious in this story. The 1st half, the characters are taken into a dimension where magic is illegal and suppressed. There, John can no longer lie or hide things. He can only say what he means. He starts talking about his feelings and he can't talk his way out of it. It is wonderful. I would love to see more of that Constantine. Xanadu ages rapidly and almost dies. Deadman is alive again and promptly dies quickly. And Frank doesn't change. Anyway, that story ends and they get home again. The story didn't feel like it mattered because it wasn't their world and it was short. Oh well.
They get home and guess what. The mansion they hang out it has been taken over by someone else and it's spreading nightmares all over the city. They have to stop it, but all the team isn't there. Somehow, it's a child of one of them doing this. Ho hum is how I feel about it.
I felt this issue was a step down from the rest of the story. I do hope that the next volume will pick things back up and it will get better. This story was a low point so far. I do like the characters and fun times seeing the flash show up. What's funny is these guys are the ones who are supposed to fight magic and the Flash shows up and is able to stop these nightmares when our characters can't. It's all pretty soft magic. It's just a convenient tool for the writers and I don't feel it's done well.
Here's hoping they can pull it together.
March 20, 2019
"How the hell did I get myself into this mess? One minute I'm . . . a member of the Justice League. Fighting shoulder-to-shoulder with the 'big guns' - Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. The next I'm in the sewers with Frankenstein. Yes . . . Frankenstein. I'm a superhero. Yet here I am cleaning up the streets of Manhattan with a bunch of magical ghouls and mystical oddballs." -- The Flash
Flash and Swamp Thing lending assistance in the second story was one of the better segments in Vol. 3: The Death of Magic. The other would be the addition of Frankenstein - or 'Francis,' as he is repeatedly referred to by John Constantine (it was funny . . . maybe only the first time, dude) - to the ever-fluid JLD line-up. He seems to work well with Madame Xanadu, Black Orchid, and Deadman.
Otherwise, this was a good but not great volume. The first story was a little long-winded, and then the second story was too brief - plus Zatanna and Black Orchid were absent from the action - but it had a decent ending. Lastly, John Constantine has just worn out his welcome with me. He has zero character appeal (even in an antiheroic way) and also doesn't seem to bring anything to the table - other than sarcasm - for the team. Is it wrong that I wish he'd be banished to another dimension?
Flash and Swamp Thing lending assistance in the second story was one of the better segments in Vol. 3: The Death of Magic. The other would be the addition of Frankenstein - or 'Francis,' as he is repeatedly referred to by John Constantine (it was funny . . . maybe only the first time, dude) - to the ever-fluid JLD line-up. He seems to work well with Madame Xanadu, Black Orchid, and Deadman.
Otherwise, this was a good but not great volume. The first story was a little long-winded, and then the second story was too brief - plus Zatanna and Black Orchid were absent from the action - but it had a decent ending. Lastly, John Constantine has just worn out his welcome with me. He has zero character appeal (even in an antiheroic way) and also doesn't seem to bring anything to the table - other than sarcasm - for the team. Is it wrong that I wish he'd be banished to another dimension?
January 31, 2016
It’s more of the usual misfit magic as Justice League Dark goes to alternative worlds, deals with more enemies and meets The Flash. The story and character quality has dropped off some but I’m still enjoying the series enough to continue. The artwork is very good as usual.
OVERALL GRADE: B.
OVERALL GRADE: B.
November 2, 2024
Whew waaaaay to overstuffed. Two big fat storylines mixed with so much magic mumble jumble I just know Lemire was on auto pilot half of this. But when we're out of the magical orb of destiny shit the dialogue between characters actually hits well. I like Frankestein even on this time. I also thought the art was solid throughout. But overall this series tries too much sometimes.
June 27, 2024
I’m three volumes deep into the “Justice League Dark” series by Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes, and I’m definitely hooked. Each volume has been better than the one before it, which is always better than the alternative.
In this, the third volume, “The Death of Magic”: Timothy and Zatanna have been zapped into an alternate dimension in which science has tried to eliminate all vestiges of magic; Constantine, Deadman, Xanadu, Frankenstein, Black Orchid follow, only to find that their powers either don’t work or work differently in the other dimension; Swamp Thing joins the team, reluctantly (yay!); villainous Doctor Destiny unleashes literal nightmares upon Central City, and the Flash temporarily joins the JLD; Xanadu and Deadman have a moment, but Xanadu knows that it is a love that dares not speak its name… for real, ‘cause it would have, like, seriously bad repercussions for the universe…
Definitely wasn’t expecting to dig this series as much as I do.
In this, the third volume, “The Death of Magic”: Timothy and Zatanna have been zapped into an alternate dimension in which science has tried to eliminate all vestiges of magic; Constantine, Deadman, Xanadu, Frankenstein, Black Orchid follow, only to find that their powers either don’t work or work differently in the other dimension; Swamp Thing joins the team, reluctantly (yay!); villainous Doctor Destiny unleashes literal nightmares upon Central City, and the Flash temporarily joins the JLD; Xanadu and Deadman have a moment, but Xanadu knows that it is a love that dares not speak its name… for real, ‘cause it would have, like, seriously bad repercussions for the universe…
Definitely wasn’t expecting to dig this series as much as I do.
October 8, 2014
A disappointing follow up to The Books of Magic. I didn't like the storyline much in this one. I felt the story built up to an exciting plateau, but to me, the conclusion wasn't that well done. I feel like that was a nod to Harry Potter, which is kind of fun. And all the magic creatures looking to young Andrew as their lost leader.
I kind of liked the "What If" when the team lands in the anti-magic kingdom, where their powers don't work. Even Constantine can't lie or dissemble. That was funny, since Constantine is the most honest and forthright you'll ever see him in his life. Kind of felt bad for Deadman and Madame Xanadu since being in the place was particularly bad on them both.
Yeah, I don't remember much else because it's been so long since I read this. Just that it wasn't as good as the last volume. I'll keep reading though.
I kind of liked the "What If" when the team lands in the anti-magic kingdom, where their powers don't work. Even Constantine can't lie or dissemble. That was funny, since Constantine is the most honest and forthright you'll ever see him in his life. Kind of felt bad for Deadman and Madame Xanadu since being in the place was particularly bad on them both.
Yeah, I don't remember much else because it's been so long since I read this. Just that it wasn't as good as the last volume. I'll keep reading though.
July 9, 2015
This felt like a huge divergence from the first two volumes. I'm not a big fan of the new members of the team (Black Orchid and Frankenstein) and I doubt I could care less about some kid named Tim Hunter. The traipse around an alternate magical universe felt off-topic and distracting.
Take us back to the real world and build the relationships between your core characters, please.
The second story about Xanadu's "past" and how it ties into the theft of the House of Mysteries is pretty good, but a little flat and formulaic.
I hope they can get this series back on track, because it was one of the best titles in the DCnewU.
2.5/5
Take us back to the real world and build the relationships between your core characters, please.
The second story about Xanadu's "past" and how it ties into the theft of the House of Mysteries is pretty good, but a little flat and formulaic.
I hope they can get this series back on track, because it was one of the best titles in the DCnewU.
2.5/5
June 13, 2015
I liked it, but I really wish that it would have been just about the first storyline, regarding the world where magic was outlawed. I thought that was a really interesting setting for the team and I think it could have really been expanded upon by a lot.
The second storyline wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. (It was also missing Zatanna which made me sad.) It just wasn't as interesting as the first despite having the Flash as a guest star. I really didn't like how the Flash was written in this, it didn't sound or feel like Barry Allen.
Consistency, people. It's helpful.
The art was really good I will admit, and it fits the book extremely well.
Honestly, with this book I want a little more character development overall instead of non stop action. (Never thought I would say that...)
The second storyline wasn't bad, but it wasn't great. (It was also missing Zatanna which made me sad.) It just wasn't as interesting as the first despite having the Flash as a guest star. I really didn't like how the Flash was written in this, it didn't sound or feel like Barry Allen.
Consistency, people. It's helpful.
The art was really good I will admit, and it fits the book extremely well.
Honestly, with this book I want a little more character development overall instead of non stop action. (Never thought I would say that...)
March 11, 2014
When I first started out I wasn't even too sure I wanted to read JLD. Superheroes with magic? I wasn't sure. But, boy, am I ever glad I got into this because it is one of my favourite series!!! This volume is fantastic. So much is going on and I'm going to have to give a SPOILER alert just in case I let too much slip from previous volumes or even this issue. So don't read any if your afraid of learning more than you might want! OMG! I love Deadman. He is my absolute favourite guy on this team, DC, please don't kill him off and if he has been already, don't anybody tell me! I hate Constantine, he's a conceited jerk but it sure looks good on him when the magic world messes with him and he can no longer lie, that was funny. Things get really intense in this volume. The whole Books of Magic story line is wrapped up with some stunning conclusions but we have the introduction of two new heroes from other groups: The Flash & Swamp Thing (I have never read ST in my life). This series is taking me places I've never been before in the DC Universe. Flash ends up kind of liking working with JLD, he likes the camaraderie the have here as opposed to his always in-fighting JL. The stage is set though with the various JLs, there is tension in the air, vying for leadership roles, lots of dissension against Steve Trevor, sorry don't like him can't get past hearing Lyle Waggoner every time he speaks LOL. And just what are the Justice League groups going to look like when this is over. Can't wait for Trinity War (on pre-order) for March. Then I'll get up to date with the Trinity of Sin books/Pandora/Phantom Stranger, man, this is wicked stuff.... I'm hooked, I'm a fan! Call me a Leaguer!
June 17, 2017
Justice League Dark has become a book of mental ambush.
I was ambushed by the absorption, in Volume 2, of Timothy Hunter and Black Orchid of the Vertigo Universe into JLD.
I was ambushed here by this and the New 52 is the first hint of this? Shame, shame, shame, DC.
Xanadu's foretelling fails to come true as she describes.
Where did Black Orchid go to for the last two issues?
'Nuff said.
[Fulfills the N-3 "Free Choice" square of my St. Mary's County Library Summer Reading Challenge bingo board. Fulfills The Seasonal Reading Challenge Task 15.4: Summer of Love [Mani page genre Fantasy; AND subtitle contains "magic"].
I was ambushed by the absorption, in Volume 2, of Timothy Hunter and Black Orchid of the Vertigo Universe into JLD.
I was ambushed here by this and the New 52 is the first hint of this? Shame, shame, shame, DC.
Xanadu's foretelling fails to come true as she describes.
Where did Black Orchid go to for the last two issues?
'Nuff said.
[Fulfills the N-3 "Free Choice" square of my St. Mary's County Library Summer Reading Challenge bingo board. Fulfills The Seasonal Reading Challenge Task 15.4: Summer of Love [Mani page genre Fantasy; AND subtitle contains "magic"].
April 13, 2018
This volume collects two somewhat underwhelming stories. One of them goes on for a bit too long, and the other one is wrapped up much too fast. We also get a pretty good Flash cameo and a Swamp Thing cameo. If you are a fan of the Swamp Thing (like me!) be aware that he spends most of his cameo effectively knocked out.
Also, fans of Constantine will likely be disappointed in the first story, as Constantine is forced to act in the opposite manner from what he normally does. It's a pretty funny joke for a little bit, but it just goes on and on.
Another problem that the Justice League Dark has is its endlessly revolving membership. Every single volume sees members leaving and/or joining. Also all of their problems always stem from one of the members (usually Madame Xanadu) doing something underhanded/short-sighted/just plain stupid.
Here is to hoping the next volume is a little better!
Also, fans of Constantine will likely be disappointed in the first story, as Constantine is forced to act in the opposite manner from what he normally does. It's a pretty funny joke for a little bit, but it just goes on and on.
Another problem that the Justice League Dark has is its endlessly revolving membership. Every single volume sees members leaving and/or joining. Also all of their problems always stem from one of the members (usually Madame Xanadu) doing something underhanded/short-sighted/just plain stupid.
Here is to hoping the next volume is a little better!
February 23, 2014
Not quite as delightful and exciting as the Vol. 2, which was astonishingly great. Bit of a let down really. Not giving up on this title yet. But it does need to improve.
October 10, 2016
Excellent read.Frankenstein,Swamp-Thing, and The Flash are in it.Nothing not to love about that.
October 19, 2016
The best volume so far in the series. The fantasy element to the storyline was great and the addition of Frankenstein and Cameos from the Flash and Swamp Thing only added to it.
March 2, 2022
This one was just...boring? I did have a mild flare of interest at the end with the Deadman/Madame Xanadu thing, and I am always here for the Zatanna/Constantine stuff, but there wasn't enough of either to keep me super, super interested.
August 11, 2018
Considerably better paced, more easily followed, and featuring more interesting concepts than the previous two volumes, but Lemire just does not seem to know how to explore characters or premises. He's all in on the initial idea, then just kind of flops his way through to the end. It's really starting to bum me out, since I have pretty much hated all of his contributions to the New 52 despite loving his other series, Sweet Tooth.
This volume features two stories that feel wholly independent of one another. The first is the conclusion to the Books of Magic storyline set up in volume two. The JLD gets sucked into a parallel universe where Tim Hunter, the powerful boy magician, is somehow heir to the magical throne of the realm. The rules and world of this reality are established, oh, zero. We're just dropped into it and expected to ooh and ahh because it's a different place that has (kind of) altered our heroes.
For instance, when they arrive, Constantine can no longer lie, Black Orchid turns into a purple Swamp Thing, and Deadman comes back to life (briefly). However, Zatanna only seems different in that she's a little more powerful, and Frankenstein is unchanged altogether. Tim Hunter also doesn't have any noticeable changes. So, why did three of our heroes fundamentally change while three basically stayed the same? Never explained!
From there, the story is meant to build to a big, epic battle in this realm between science and magic, but it goes so fast and skips so much world building that I truly did not care about anything that happened. Wild leaps are made in the story in an attempt to, I guess, blow right past it, and then it's over and everything's fine. Nothing in this world feels lived in or explored.
Then we get another story that also does not explore its premise almost at all. Someone steals the House of Mystery from Constantine, and uses it to wreak havoc on New York City. The JLD are scattered across the city to fight all manner of nightmares, and just when they seem like they're going to lose, Flash shows up and saves them. Flash. That notorious wielder of magic(?).
What follows is an impossibly lazy crossover and a tale that resolves itself almost immediately. Truly this series just refuses to live in anything. It rockets past every idea without allowing it to sink in or take root, thereby making every subsequent storyline feel like it will also be a too-easily-resolved bit of frivolity.
I can't recommend this series to anyone, really. It doesn't do magic well, it doesn't do teamwork well, and its stories are empty. What a waste.
This volume features two stories that feel wholly independent of one another. The first is the conclusion to the Books of Magic storyline set up in volume two. The JLD gets sucked into a parallel universe where Tim Hunter, the powerful boy magician, is somehow heir to the magical throne of the realm. The rules and world of this reality are established, oh, zero. We're just dropped into it and expected to ooh and ahh because it's a different place that has (kind of) altered our heroes.
For instance, when they arrive, Constantine can no longer lie, Black Orchid turns into a purple Swamp Thing, and Deadman comes back to life (briefly). However, Zatanna only seems different in that she's a little more powerful, and Frankenstein is unchanged altogether. Tim Hunter also doesn't have any noticeable changes. So, why did three of our heroes fundamentally change while three basically stayed the same? Never explained!
From there, the story is meant to build to a big, epic battle in this realm between science and magic, but it goes so fast and skips so much world building that I truly did not care about anything that happened. Wild leaps are made in the story in an attempt to, I guess, blow right past it, and then it's over and everything's fine. Nothing in this world feels lived in or explored.
Then we get another story that also does not explore its premise almost at all. Someone steals the House of Mystery from Constantine, and uses it to wreak havoc on New York City. The JLD are scattered across the city to fight all manner of nightmares, and just when they seem like they're going to lose, Flash shows up and saves them. Flash. That notorious wielder of magic(?).
What follows is an impossibly lazy crossover and a tale that resolves itself almost immediately. Truly this series just refuses to live in anything. It rockets past every idea without allowing it to sink in or take root, thereby making every subsequent storyline feel like it will also be a too-easily-resolved bit of frivolity.
I can't recommend this series to anyone, really. It doesn't do magic well, it doesn't do teamwork well, and its stories are empty. What a waste.
January 17, 2016
Justice League Dark continues with volume three, The Death of Magic. The graphic novel collects two different arcs, The Death of Magic, which resolves The Books of Magic storyline begun in volume 2, and Horror City, where the House of Mystery is taken captive. The Death of Magic is the stronger arc of the two. It's epic and scope, focusing on a fascinating science vs. magic world, and manages to squeeze in some really nice character moments. Horror City is a little weaker but is ultimately enjoyable.
I found The Death of Magic to be a worthwhile read, but much like a previous volumes in the Justice League Dark series, I'm glad I'm getting them from the library and not paying for them, as the comic does have its weak points. I really like all of the characters gathered here, but I can't help but feel that writer Lemire can't handle this rather large cast. Madam Xanadu seems to be the character he struggles the most with. She doesn't do much more then stand around and get cursed in The Death of Magic storyline, and her motivations don't make much sense in the Horror City arc. On top of that, there are a lot of cameos from other characters such as Amethyst, Phantom Stranger, Swamp Thing, and The Flash, that can feel a little awkwardly shoe horned in. For example, Amethyst, who I quite like here, just completely vanishes from the comic and no one seems to notice. Guess that's what happens when your book get cancelled and DC no longer feels the need to promote your solo series by sticking you in a Justice League book.
Despite my complaints, I did genuinely enjoy this volume and will make sure to pick up volume four, The Rebirth of Evil, when I am able to get it from my library.
I found The Death of Magic to be a worthwhile read, but much like a previous volumes in the Justice League Dark series, I'm glad I'm getting them from the library and not paying for them, as the comic does have its weak points. I really like all of the characters gathered here, but I can't help but feel that writer Lemire can't handle this rather large cast. Madam Xanadu seems to be the character he struggles the most with. She doesn't do much more then stand around and get cursed in The Death of Magic storyline, and her motivations don't make much sense in the Horror City arc. On top of that, there are a lot of cameos from other characters such as Amethyst, Phantom Stranger, Swamp Thing, and The Flash, that can feel a little awkwardly shoe horned in. For example, Amethyst, who I quite like here, just completely vanishes from the comic and no one seems to notice. Guess that's what happens when your book get cancelled and DC no longer feels the need to promote your solo series by sticking you in a Justice League book.
Despite my complaints, I did genuinely enjoy this volume and will make sure to pick up volume four, The Rebirth of Evil, when I am able to get it from my library.
June 15, 2014
Not as spectacular as volume 2, but this series is still packing a punch!
Jeff Lemire started off his run on this series with a bang in the previous book. Writing an amazingly woven story of imagination and action. So when it ended with a cliffhanger I was expecting something just as great, but unfortunately this book doesn't quite live up to that. In saying that it's still a really solid price of writing.
Here we have 2 stories, the first one picking up where we left off. With Zatanna and Timothy Hunter being transported to another dimension by the books of magic. The second story involves someone stealing the house of mystery, projecting "nightmares" into Manhattan. Joined on these adventures we see what seems to be a new team member Frankenstein, along with appearances from Swamp Thing and The Flash. Both stories were good fun, although nothing as intricate as the last book. We get to see more of The Cold Flame, who seem to want Constantine's head on a plate, but then again who wouldn't? We see a lot more of Constantine's deceitful ways here, with him keeping files on pretty much everyone in the DCU.
If your a fan of this series then chances are you'll enjoy this book. Overall it's a great read, but still a little lacklustre after reading volume 2. Hopefully Lemire thrusts the next book back into awesomeness!
Jeff Lemire started off his run on this series with a bang in the previous book. Writing an amazingly woven story of imagination and action. So when it ended with a cliffhanger I was expecting something just as great, but unfortunately this book doesn't quite live up to that. In saying that it's still a really solid price of writing.
Here we have 2 stories, the first one picking up where we left off. With Zatanna and Timothy Hunter being transported to another dimension by the books of magic. The second story involves someone stealing the house of mystery, projecting "nightmares" into Manhattan. Joined on these adventures we see what seems to be a new team member Frankenstein, along with appearances from Swamp Thing and The Flash. Both stories were good fun, although nothing as intricate as the last book. We get to see more of The Cold Flame, who seem to want Constantine's head on a plate, but then again who wouldn't? We see a lot more of Constantine's deceitful ways here, with him keeping files on pretty much everyone in the DCU.
If your a fan of this series then chances are you'll enjoy this book. Overall it's a great read, but still a little lacklustre after reading volume 2. Hopefully Lemire thrusts the next book back into awesomeness!
July 17, 2014
Aaaaaaaaand JLD goes downhill again. Come on Lemire, you were doing such a great job!
The dimension Zatanna and hunter went to was pretty disappointing, as were the events that occurred there (maybe I'm biased because I really like Xanadu and it broke my heart to see her like that).
The second half of the trade is slightly better, but not by much. The big reveal with doctor destiny and Xanadu was good, but again the absence of Zatanna makes me biased not to like this arch. Swamp thing and Deadman were great together in the last issue of this volume though.
I will continue to read it, but if the next volume is rubbish, that'll be it. Sorry mr Lemire!!
The dimension Zatanna and hunter went to was pretty disappointing, as were the events that occurred there (maybe I'm biased because I really like Xanadu and it broke my heart to see her like that).
The second half of the trade is slightly better, but not by much. The big reveal with doctor destiny and Xanadu was good, but again the absence of Zatanna makes me biased not to like this arch. Swamp thing and Deadman were great together in the last issue of this volume though.
I will continue to read it, but if the next volume is rubbish, that'll be it. Sorry mr Lemire!!
February 6, 2017
The end of the "Hunter" saga was interesting, and honestly the rest wasn't bad either. I like Madame Xanadu more as a character now and wish there was something to her and (blank).
I loved the Flash in this; I thought he was a great side-character, and liked 'hearing' his own thoughts on the Justice League Dark group (even though they hate that name and aren't working for Trevor anymore).
I loved the Flash in this; I thought he was a great side-character, and liked 'hearing' his own thoughts on the Justice League Dark group (even though they hate that name and aren't working for Trevor anymore).
January 9, 2017
3.5
Issues 14-18 were great. 19-21 didn't really get but it was nice to see the flash. hopefully we'll get more of what all of that xanadu mess was about.
Issues 14-18 were great. 19-21 didn't really get but it was nice to see the flash. hopefully we'll get more of what all of that xanadu mess was about.
November 20, 2024
This wasn't quite as good as I would've liked. After a really strong second volume that contained a fun MacGuffin chase and a fight with some fun bad guys, things ended on a cliffhanger with Zatanna and Tim Hunter being sent somewhere by the Books of Magic. Sadly the follow up where we find out where they went and why was underwhelming and suffered from being too rushed.
Whereas the hunt for the books of magic story got five or six normal issues, the zero issue, and an annual, the real meat of this Death of Magic story gets four issues out of the eight collected here. The first issue in the book is really just recapping what happened previously intercut with a few of the characters aimlessly wandering the House of Mystery. Amusingly Amethyst just completely disappears after this, and in general it feels like an issue that's marking time.
When the heroes, with assistance from ARGUS, do figure out how to follow Tim and Zatanna, they find themselves in a parallel world where magic has been hunted down by the forces of science and Tim Hunter is the legendary hero who can lead magic creatures to freedom. The thing is everything that happens in these four issues is the outline for a really cool story - but only the outline. We rush through getting a new backstory for Tim Hunter and the Books of Magic that from what I can tell completely retcons all previous stuff about him. The oppressive technocracy and the rebel magic creatures are both barely outlined. And the idea of characters being inverted in some way by the magic of this world is cool, but it feels a little underbaked. Especially when Tim and Zatanna seem to be immune, while Constantine can't lie and Deadman is briefly alive again.
I think if this storyline had had more room to breathe, either as something taking up a whole volume the length of the previous one or even better as a spinoff starring Tim adjusting to the new world, it would've been pretty good. As it is, it suffers from never fully establishing why I should care, beyond throwing a cheap end of the world component into the story. It's not terrible, but it could've been a lot stronger.
The volume has a second, three issue story. Having returned from the other dimension, Constantine is settling in for a day at the horse races only to get almost blown up and have the House of Secrets stolen from him. This was a fun story, though it maybe could've used one more issue to flesh a few things out. I liked having the Flash show up, and the events here also got me more curious to read the New 52 Frankenstein comics. There's also more backstory for Madame Xanadu and I'm hoping that this is leading up to the characters finally reckoning with the messes she's making.
So overall this was somewhat of a letdown compared to the second volume of the series, but more because of it not reaching its full potential than because of it being actually bad. I did generally like a lot of the character interactions and a lot of the ideas were cool but could've used more breathing room. I suspect a lot of that is because we're barreling towards the Trinity War crossover event, with the next volume looking like it's going to be the JLD's lead in. I'm hoping this will be a crossover I enjoy, and I'll be curious to see if it ends up making me decide to check out this era of the other Justice League comics. But even if it isn't great overall, I'm hoping I'll still have fun with Constantine and his reluctant buddies.
Whereas the hunt for the books of magic story got five or six normal issues, the zero issue, and an annual, the real meat of this Death of Magic story gets four issues out of the eight collected here. The first issue in the book is really just recapping what happened previously intercut with a few of the characters aimlessly wandering the House of Mystery. Amusingly Amethyst just completely disappears after this, and in general it feels like an issue that's marking time.
When the heroes, with assistance from ARGUS, do figure out how to follow Tim and Zatanna, they find themselves in a parallel world where magic has been hunted down by the forces of science and Tim Hunter is the legendary hero who can lead magic creatures to freedom. The thing is everything that happens in these four issues is the outline for a really cool story - but only the outline. We rush through getting a new backstory for Tim Hunter and the Books of Magic that from what I can tell completely retcons all previous stuff about him. The oppressive technocracy and the rebel magic creatures are both barely outlined. And the idea of characters being inverted in some way by the magic of this world is cool, but it feels a little underbaked. Especially when Tim and Zatanna seem to be immune, while Constantine can't lie and Deadman is briefly alive again.
I think if this storyline had had more room to breathe, either as something taking up a whole volume the length of the previous one or even better as a spinoff starring Tim adjusting to the new world, it would've been pretty good. As it is, it suffers from never fully establishing why I should care, beyond throwing a cheap end of the world component into the story. It's not terrible, but it could've been a lot stronger.
The volume has a second, three issue story. Having returned from the other dimension, Constantine is settling in for a day at the horse races only to get almost blown up and have the House of Secrets stolen from him. This was a fun story, though it maybe could've used one more issue to flesh a few things out. I liked having the Flash show up, and the events here also got me more curious to read the New 52 Frankenstein comics. There's also more backstory for Madame Xanadu and I'm hoping that this is leading up to the characters finally reckoning with the messes she's making.
So overall this was somewhat of a letdown compared to the second volume of the series, but more because of it not reaching its full potential than because of it being actually bad. I did generally like a lot of the character interactions and a lot of the ideas were cool but could've used more breathing room. I suspect a lot of that is because we're barreling towards the Trinity War crossover event, with the next volume looking like it's going to be the JLD's lead in. I'm hoping this will be a crossover I enjoy, and I'll be curious to see if it ends up making me decide to check out this era of the other Justice League comics. But even if it isn't great overall, I'm hoping I'll still have fun with Constantine and his reluctant buddies.
October 23, 2020
Interesting follow-up to volume two. It continues with what happens to Zantana and the boy and leads into an interesting world for the characters to deal with. The second half of the book takes place with the House of Mystery being stolen. This part was more fun for me seeing the Flash have to work with the OLD and all the Apocalyptic demons terrorizing New York. I do miss that Zantana is not in these issues as she is better than most of the characters. Overall, probably my favorite of the first three volumes, but still wishing it was a little bit better compared to other New 52 runs.
October 11, 2020
Closer to 3.5 but I really enjoy this series.
December 13, 2016
I really liked this volume. The Death of Magic arc was really cool. Zatanna and Tim are ported off to the world without magic. Magic is outlawed. The few magic people in hiding think Tim and Zatanna have come to save them and lead them in a war against the land ruled by science. It was a great story arc. When the others arrive in the world and it had affects on their abilities it was surprising. Gave me a lot of questions.
The House of Horrors plot was good too. It finally got me to like Madame Xanadu. In the two arcs I really warmed up to her character finally. I didn't think it would happen. We got more background on her and got to see her being a badass. I was about it.
I really like Frankenstein and Black Orchid so far.The opening sequence with them in the House of Mystery with Princess Amaya was awesome. It was a fun little bit to have early on.I really would like to learn more about Princess Amaya now that I'm mentioning it. Never encountered her character before this series. I also really liked Swamp Thing from what we see of him in this volume.
John Constantine is still a jerk that wants to save the world sometimes.I love that it looks like he may have files on everyone in the DCU. That seems to be the case from a couple panels we see early on in this volume. He's prepared.
The House of Horrors plot was good too. It finally got me to like Madame Xanadu. In the two arcs I really warmed up to her character finally. I didn't think it would happen. We got more background on her and got to see her being a badass. I was about it.
I really like Frankenstein and Black Orchid so far.The opening sequence with them in the House of Mystery with Princess Amaya was awesome. It was a fun little bit to have early on.I really would like to learn more about Princess Amaya now that I'm mentioning it. Never encountered her character before this series. I also really liked Swamp Thing from what we see of him in this volume.
John Constantine is still a jerk that wants to save the world sometimes.I love that it looks like he may have files on everyone in the DCU. That seems to be the case from a couple panels we see early on in this volume. He's prepared.
March 2, 2014
I want to like this series more than I do.
It has everything I like in a comic: weird mix of heroes, big, funky adventures all happening on the fringe of an established comic universe.
Should be a five star review, but it has yet to wow me.
The stories are all a jumble and don't seem to resolve, so much as just trail off and they seem to get dragged into things happening in the New 52, Constatine has pretty much taken over , so most of the team gets little to do and even less characterization, but at the same time DC doesn't want to turn JC into Dr. Strange, so all his 'action' his him standing around talking.
15 issues in and does this team even have a HQ or a team line up that has stayed stable for more than three issues?
The fact that I'm not sure is a big hint that JLD is not holding my attention.
Maybe I'll try again when the new writer takes over, as I want to like this series, but I need to be given a reason to stick around.
It has everything I like in a comic: weird mix of heroes, big, funky adventures all happening on the fringe of an established comic universe.
Should be a five star review, but it has yet to wow me.
The stories are all a jumble and don't seem to resolve, so much as just trail off and they seem to get dragged into things happening in the New 52, Constatine has pretty much taken over , so most of the team gets little to do and even less characterization, but at the same time DC doesn't want to turn JC into Dr. Strange, so all his 'action' his him standing around talking.
15 issues in and does this team even have a HQ or a team line up that has stayed stable for more than three issues?
The fact that I'm not sure is a big hint that JLD is not holding my attention.
Maybe I'll try again when the new writer takes over, as I want to like this series, but I need to be given a reason to stick around.
November 29, 2017
On the upside, there were no annoying I, Vampire tie-ins with this volume! On the downside, it just seemed a little bit flat overall. It probably would have been better to devote the entire volume to the Death of Magic story line because although they spent a fair amount of time there, I still don't really feel like we know much about the other world. I'm still more or less enjoying it but I'm thinking maybe these huge team-up books aren't really for me because I get annoyed that everyone is just flitting in and out all the time. Also it seemed entirely pointless to me for The Flash to show up in the second arc [and where was Zatanna???]. I would like more stories featuring the House of Mystery though because I think that could be used as a great plot device if they really tried. And the whole Constantine not being able to lie thing was entertaining, if a little bit hokey. Not looking forward to all the Trinity War stuff going ahead but I'll muddle my way through it.
January 8, 2019
The Death of Magic contains two stories. First, the wrap up to volume 2's Books of Magic storyline and second, a story that delves deeper into the past of Madam Xanadu's character.
The Justice League Dark continues to be an interesting team. I love the addition of Frankenstein to the roster of mystical warriors and the guest appearance by Flash in this volume is kind of fun. Steve Trevor continues to be a stuck up jerk that needs to be punched in the face.
If you like magic, horror, antiheroes, and bickering colleagues, then this is definitely the team for you.
The Justice League Dark continues to be an interesting team. I love the addition of Frankenstein to the roster of mystical warriors and the guest appearance by Flash in this volume is kind of fun. Steve Trevor continues to be a stuck up jerk that needs to be punched in the face.
If you like magic, horror, antiheroes, and bickering colleagues, then this is definitely the team for you.
January 27, 2014
This book series has completely lost its way with this absolutely horrid addition to the book series. There is so much rich material that they could use, and they decide that a dimension in which none of their powers work would make a great storyline. I really hope that the next book is better.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 114 reviews