It is at this same moment that the Box starts to make a “ping” sound. Those familiar with the Fourth World mythos from the earlier continuities know this is a sign that Mother Box (if this is, indeed, that or possibly the “Father Box”, which was the version used by Apokoliptian forces) is doing something.  This occurs with both the infant League’s Box as well as the one in S.T.A.R. labs where Victor Stone is visiting.

In moments, the Boxes open Boom Tubes, unleashing hordes of what we now know to be the version of Parademons in the DCNu, as they shout in unison “For Darkseid!” One thing I found inconsistent here is how the Boom Tube in S.T.A.R. Labs explodes violently and causing the injuries to Victor whereas the one where the future-League is present does not. Flash and GL are standing right in front of the Box, same as Victor, and do not experience the same ordeal. I hate pointing out minor errors like this for a writer with Johns’ pedigree. At least show in the next scene that Flash and GL were taken aback or on the ground because of the Boom Tube. It’s easy enough to reason out that they were able to dodge or protect themselves in some way.

With that, we find Victor engulfed in energies from the portal, causing horrendous physical damage in the areas that we know will be covered by cybernetics before this storyline is finished, finally hinting at the focus of next issue: Wonder Woman!

So, how did the second issue of DCNu’s flagship title fare? Pretty much the same as #1. There are great character moments from the infant League. Superman’s thrashing of Batman, GL, and Flash is a great testament to how powerful Superman really is, and how he should be portrayed: an unstoppable force of destruction if unleashed. It’s refreshing to see Batman caught with his pants down, unprepared in dealing with Big Blue. I expect that to change in the future, but it’s a nice break from a trope, nonetheless. Green Lantern is literally green with envy and furious that someone’s more powerful than the wielder of “the most powerful weapon in the universe”, which is concurrent with his personality. While he is ultimately a good guy, Hal is a narcissist and a maverick. It irks him to be bossed around or one-upped by anyone.  Flash is a little off character from the Pre-Crisis Barry who was more stringent with procedure and is a bit more laid back. Some of the lines he delivered actually echo Wally West’s voice, which is sad because Wally remains a big “?” in the DCNu. Batman’s portrayal is spot on, remaining the voice of logic and reason.