REVIEW: Justice League Red #2
Justice League Red #2, “Machines of War”, is the second issue in the ongoing new DC Comics series written by Saladin Ahmed and artwork by Clayton Henry. The first issue introduced us to the preliminary black ops League lineup: Red Tornado, Power Girl, Green Lantern Simon Baz, Deadman, Cyborg and Red Canary on the cover, Ahmed and Clayton continue to introduce us to the team and how Red Tornado cryptically welcomes them in.
This series is shaping up quite nicely and it’s a great way to introduce other heroes in the League to readers who might not be aware of them or really who they are. The fact Red Tornado has selected the superheroes he has means that they are exactly the heroes for the critical mission that lies ahead. This story keeps everyone on their toes: the recruited superheroes and the readers. It is yet unknown whether the possible apocalyptic event Red Tornado is trying to prevent has to do with the return of Apokolips, but as we saw in the first issue, one of the calculated algorithms he envisioned was an invasion by Apokolips. But he also saw an Ice Age event and a worldwide zombie event. At the current time, even Red Tornado doesn’t know which one is a definite possibility.
The standard cover art, by Henry and Marcelo Maiolo, brings explosive energy to the battlefield as Power Girl, Green Lantern Simon Baz, and Cyborg clash with a towering mech stamped with Red Tornado’s signature insignia and markings. The composition bursts with movement—Power Girl soaring high for the strike, Simon Baz projecting his emerald willpower against the machine’s assault, and Cyborg anchoring the team with tactical firepower. The mech looms like a metal titan. The bright palette of Maiolo’s colors amplifies the chaos, making this cover feel like a blockbuster movie poster—big, loud, and thrilling. This cover is a clever metaphor for what is actually going on within the pages of this comic book series.
Jorge Fornés crafts a brilliantly symbolic variant cover piece, turning Red Tornado’s head into a canvas for the team itself. His signature sharp yellow arrow cuts down the center of his crimson face, framing the lineup of Power Girl, Simon Baz, Deadman, Cyborg, and Red Canary. The style is strikingly minimalist yet retro in feel, blending Silver Age design sensibilities with modern edge. The yellow arrow doesn’t just guide the reader’s eye—it suggests focus, targeting, inevitability. This cover reads like a mission briefing: these are the chosen warriors Red Tornado has selected for his top secret, black ops mission, and they are up for the task. Sleek, iconic, and conceptually sharp.
Mark Spears takes us back to the heyday of the 1990s DC trading card boom with a painted variant cover that doubles as capture of a vintage trading card. Black Adam dominates the frame, arms crossed, eyes narrowed with regal disdain, every muscle and metallic sheen rendered with photorealistic detail. More than just a pin-up, Spears’ Black Adam radiates raw power and arrogance, cementing his role as a formidable presence in Justice League Red. This cover doesn’t just catch the eye—it demands it, like a prized card pulled fresh from a pack.
Ahmed is taking his time to form this team and has them questioning everything: the missions, the heroes, their tactics, the intel they have been given, and more. It’s a classic black op, espionage tale with a team of select superheroes with distinct skills and powers and clashing philosophies. I love how Ahmed shows the parallels of how the League depends on a sentient artificial intelligence, not just to dispatch them on missions (as seen in Justice League Unlimited comic series) but to also confide in and bounce ideas off. While our current A.I. isn’t sentient (yet), we do the same with our work, lifestyle, creativity and more and many people don’t question what they receive from A.I. Some people can’t tell what’s true or false.
So, having the superheroes question whether this A.I., who sees itself as an individual, is correct about the mission he has requested them to take part in and about the impending possible end of mankind, is a clever commentary on our current world and technology. I love it. Adding to this great writing is Clayton’s powerful artwork, with panels and characters that pop off the page, placing readers in the story as the plot unfolds throughout the issues and emotions run high and strong, making you anticipate an explosive end. Colors by Arif Prianto and lettering by Bernardo Brice work with Clayton’s artwork in great symmetry.
This series is just getting started and I’m happy to go along for the ride. Red Tornado is certain this team is necessary—but like any human, even an A.I. can be wrong, and the consequences could endanger the entire Justice League. I have to know whether he’s right—or whether he’s been corrupted, which would mean the entire Justice League could be compromised.
(10/10) I’m anxious to see where all of this is heading and I look forward to seeing how each member joins and what questions they have for this special ops team.
