It’s round two of the colossal crossover of comic calamity in DC x AEW #2! Members of the Justice League have teamed up with the wrestlers of All Elite Wrestling to form (or reform?) Justice League Elite. Not to be confused with the comic title from 2004 which featured a darker and morally conflicted Justice League.
As we rejoin our heroes, they must continue fighting across time and universe as villains Lex Luthor and Mercedes Mone, who seek to remake reality to their design. But will their own egos get in the way?
The second part of the arc feels like a sprint to the finish, with the duos from last issue tying up their loose ends here. With Hawkgirl and Hangman taking out foes with western justice, Orange Cassidy and Harley Quinn bantering while the Royal Flush Gang realize they’re nothing but jobbers. Nightwing once again tries to stop Will Ospreay from paralyzing League of Assassin members with Tiger Drivers, while Swerve Strickland and John Stewart share the power of the Green Lantern to dispatch their foes, with Guy Gardner and Jon Moxley seem to out-flex the other. Willow Nightingale earns her spot with the Amazons with Wonder Woman’s approval.
Toni Storm and Zatanna’s dialogue is spot on. Readers who are fans of AEW can easily imagine Toni’s wistful tone of voice as she gets cute with DC’s resident magician.
The show stealer of these team-ups go to Batman and Darby Allin. While the other duos get a page or two, Batman and Darby get four, with a super-special appearance by STIIIIIIIIIIIIING!
This is where the issue really succeeds. Batman says what we are all thinking. Darby is a maniac and would best serve himself to lessen the death-wish behavior. The appearance of Sting to KO the Joker is fantastic, leading to an absolutely epic stare down between the Dark Knight and The Stinger.
The Joker using a crowbar is a nod to Death in the Family. However, Darby is not like the Robins he expects, which the Joker opts to welcome a fatal confrontation.
A potential one-shot featuring Sting and Batman? Yes, please!
Ospreay as a “New God” with Omega-level energy is a nod to the recently-wrapped DC K.O. story arc.
The issue culminates with the reveal the Big Galactic Belt is made up of Mother Box technology, and here comes the New God of Professional Wrestling, Kenny Omega, amplified by a Mother Box, teaming with Wonder Woman to face off with Mone and Luthor.
Steve Orlando and Travis Mercer give fans a “fun What If?” style story. While the comic is simple, fun, engaging, and a nod to the traits and charisma of the AEW wrestlers, it would have benefit the story to have been granted, say, four-issues rather than two. Many will likely agree Orlando’s depiction and dialogue of wrestlers and Justice League members are spot-on. The best examples being Toni Storm and Darby Allin. Perhaps Justice League Elite could return within the DC Universe?
Sadly, Excalibur and Booster Gold appeared to become forgotten through the issue. I would have liked to see/hear more of their commentary.
The interaction between Sting, Darby, and Batman screams crossover. This is a story fans need. Here are a dozen potential. crossovers which I would very much like to see in the future
- Beast Mortos and Hawkman
- Claudio Castagnoli and Superman
- Don Callis and Brainiac
- Eddie Kingston and Lobo
- FTR and The Rogues
- Kevin Knight and Kyle Rayner
- Kris Statlander and Giganta
- “Hangman” Adam Page and Jonah Hex
- Jungle Jack Perry and Beast Boy
- The Conglomeration (Mark Briscoe, Tomohiro Ishii, Kyle O’Reilly, and Roderick Strong) and Justice League International (Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Power Girl, Mr. Terrific)
- MJF and Vandal Savage
- Thunder Rosa & Harley Cameron and Fire & Ice
