In this review of Justice League Unlimited #16, the Terrific Ten are now only two, and Owlwoman has just betrayed Mister Terrific to the demon Neron. Elsewhere the JLU is stretched to its limits in preparation for Darkseid’s inevitable and destructive arrival.
JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #16
Written by MARK WAID
Art and Main Cover: DAN MORA
Variant Covers: BRUNO REDONDO, CATHY KWAN, DAN HIPP, JOHN GIANG, TAURIN CLARKE
Page Count: 32 pages
Release Date: 2/25/26
This review contains spoilers
Justice League Unlimited #16 begins in Oklahoma City with Kid Flash (Wally West – no, the other one) and his team battling demonic-enhanced supervillains in service of the Neron. Meanwhile in the netherworld, Neron tortures Mister Terrific (Michael Holt) after discovering that Terrific was trying to rig their bargain by sacrificing himself. It doesn’t much matter though since Owlwoman already made a deal and her motivation is tragic.
Owlwoman explains that she rejected Mister Terrific’s own determination that each of the “Timelost Nine” from We Are Yesterday were disposable assets and not actual people, so she struck a bargain with Neron to observe and report (and eventually attack) in exchange for her life. Terrific calls her out hypocrisy, but does Owlwoman have a point?
Back in Oklahoma City, the villains’ attempts to harvest souls for Neron are found lacking so the devil sends Owlwoman there to get the ball rolling. Meanwhile, Atomic Skull tries to reason with the heroes and get them to join with Neron before Darkseid’s return, but the heroes refuse, turning the argument back against the villains and offering them a chance at redemption and safety in the Phantom Zone.
The heroes’ words move Owlwoman, who destroys the soul collector and returns to hell to save Mister Terrific, sending him through the portal to Oklahoma City. Martian Manhunter relays a message that Earth is lost, and no more evacuations are possible. Everyone, civilians, heroes and villains alike are ushered into the Phantom Zone for their own safety.
Justice League Unlimited #16 ends as everyone enters the Phantom Zone, while Mister Terrific reveals that every one of the Timelost Nine died as heroes and that the soul of the betrayer is now saved.
Analysis
Justice League Unlimited #16 was a upper level course in super-heroics and the cause for a noble sacrifice for the greater good. That’s fine for characters who have a habit of returning from the dead, but Owlwoman’s rationale for taking Neron’s offer to survive (which is the same for the supervillains in Oklahoma City) is a relatable instinct even if it includes sacrificing others for yourself.
This isn’t to justify their actions, but it is human, flawed and utterly understandable. Writer Mark Waid contrasts our world with a nobility from the dawn of superheroes. Granted, Mister Terrific’s treating of the
Timelost Nine as potentially disposable (cannon fodder) is possibly harsher than he meant it to sound, but his cavalier words hit hard for the alternate future Owlwoman, who only knows of the present day JLU as historical anecdotes.
Owlwoman’s eleventh hour realization and heroic are hard fought and hard won choices, but not necessarily out of character. Terrific’s refusal to name her, and to instead honor her actions and redemption is telling. Terrific was willing to strike his bargain with Neron and then take his own life (ticking off Neron to no end), so he knows how hard the choice was to make. It’s not always a reflex though.
Waid pours on the action and tension as time finally runs out for Earth in the midst of the battle for King Omega, while still offering a morality play. Owlwoman, Mister Terrific and Neron get the larger spotlight in Justice League Unlimited #16, with Airwave and Atomic Skull providing small moments of humanity.
Neron mostly postures as the proverbial big bad in Justice League Unlimited #16; punishing enemies and dispensing lackeys to do the dirty work, but his influence clearly resonates with the supervillains. Possibly better a devil than Darkseid. Flawed thinking, but understandable for people who prey on others for a living.
The Phantom Zone rescue is a nice touch as a port in the storm that is Darkseid’s destructive arrival, showing that Mark Waid continues to mine Silver Age concepts for the modern audience in both this series and in Batman/Superman: World’s Finest.
Dan Mora’s illustrations provide gorgeous-looking chaos both in Oklahoma City and the netherworld, imbuing his artwork with heavy shadows and hatching that shows the toll endless battle and rescue efforts have taken on heroes and villains alike. The action sequences are intense, allowing lesser known characters to shine through and provide a bit of levity amid the maelstrom.
Tamra Bonvillain’s color palette for Justice League Unlimited #16 employs a mix of contrasting colors within the same page or panel to enhance Mora’s artwork and the story, providing a distinct feel for the hell on Earth experience.
Final Thoughts
Justice League Unlimited #16 wraps up both the Timelost story arc and DC K.O. crossover with a few nice heroic moments mixed with emotional vulnerability amid the unfolding chaos that culminates in a satisfying finale. Typically high quality story, art and colors.
