Defeating Superman was just the beginning.
DC got a huge amount of mileage out of the original Injustice: Gods Among Us comic, which wound up running for years after the release of the game and spanning five volumes. Despite that success, it's hard to ignore the fact that the series lost some momentum when original writer Tom Taylor departed midway through Year Three. The Injustice comics have never been the same without Taylor. That's why Injustice 2 is so appealing. Taylor is back, and all feels right in this dark, alternate reality DCU.
As usual, the print issues of Injustice 2 collect two chapters of the digital-first series. This first issue begins bridging the gap between the events of the original game and the upcoming sequel. Though if the previous Injustice comic is any indication, expect that bridging to be a very long, intricate process. Taylor certainly seems in little hurry to get to the events of the game, as this issue picks up shortly after Superman's defeat. The immediate question is how the world can rebuild after year's of being ruled by a despotic superhuman regime, and what role Batman and his fellow heroes should play in that process. Right away, Taylor establishes a difficult road ahead for Batman. It was one thing to be the underdog hero with moral superiority. Now that Batman finds himself in a position of power, can he maintain that moral superiority, or will he go down the same, dark road Superman did?
The early exchange between the two characters nicely sets the tone for the series, if not the specific story direction. It's still a little unclear what the main conflict of this comic is intended to be by the end of this issue, as the Batman/Superman rivalry quickly gets sidetracked by an extended look at the Injustice universe's version of the Suicide Squad. Let's just say Injustice 2 doesn't open with a hook as flashy or memorable as Superman killing Joker, even if it does have its share of twists.
That said, much of what made Taylor's work on the original series is readily apparent here. Taylor's pitch-perfect dialogue and characterization are always a treat to read. And true to form, Taylor is quick to break up the drama with moments of pure fun and levity. As dark and melodramatic as this universe can be, it's all the more important that the creators not take their story too seriously. His Harley Quinn is such a memorable presence that it's a wonder DC hasn't put Taylor to work on a solo Harley Quinn book by now.
Injustice tends to be at its best when Bruno Redondo is illustrating the series, so it's fitting that DC would choose to launch Injustice 2 with both Taylor and Redondo at the helm. Redondo has a very clean, sleek and cinematic style that gels well Taylor's refined storytelling sensibilities. Nowhere does Redondo's work stand out more than the scene involving Doctor Fate visiting some familiar faces. The combination of emotional drama and laugh-out-loud humor is a perfect showcase for why these Injustice comics work so well.
The Verdict
Injustice 2 isn't as quick as the original Injustice: Gods Among Us to establish its main conflict. This issue doesn't necessarily do enough to establish where the series is headed over the long-term. But that's a minor concern when compared to the thrill of seeing Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo working together again. This issue immediately recaptures all the fun and strong characterization of their early work, suggesting that readers are once again in for a wild, lengthy ride.
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