JLA Classified # 7
Writer: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis; Pencils and Inks: Kevin Maguire
JLA Classified # 7 is a nice ending to a well written story. It is easy to understand those that dislike Giffen’s earlier work on the Justice League. Giffen does not have the same attitude of grit and darkness towards comics as most of today’s writers, and that difference is a disadvantage with many readers. Regardless of opinions regarding his style, Giffen knows how to tell a story.
First, he develops his characters. Guy Gardner, Blue Beetle, and Booster Gold all have entirely different personalities. Giffen spends almost an entire issue familiarizing us with their attitudes and emotions, creating real human beings on the page. Writers like Chuck Austen, Ron Zimmerman, and most of Image’s creators could learn much from Giffen’s realistic characters.
Second, Giffen plays to his strengths. He is best at writing believable dialogue and interaction. It is tough to write a new save-the-universe story every few months, so Giffen offers us his picture of humanity. It all works if you work it, and Giffen does just that.
Finally, Giffen understands the value of dialogue and art over narrative. Rather than tell us the story outright, he shows us the story through the actions of his characters. There is also value in knowing how much dialogue to use. The last three pages of issue 7 have only two panels of dialogue, with the art telling the rest. The same writers mentioned above would also do well to depend less on narration and more on the art and dialogue.
It would be nice to see Giffen get more work, as he is obviously talented. Unfortunately, I expect we will see more hacks telling tired stories with substandard dialogue and characters barren of personality.