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So, first I read about the Black Circle Syndicate in the pages of Green Lantern and hope never to see them again. Later they return in one of the least exciting and interesting storylines of Green Lantern since they were around before. It looks like I'm in the clear. Then what happens? Into the pages of JLA enters "The Tenth Circle." Not only is it the name of an annoying group of vampires, but it's also the name of the draining convoluted storyline involving them! Yes, that's right we had the opportunity to get twice the suck (no pun intended) for our money. Did I miss a meeting that it's a necessity any new villainous group with the word "circle" in their name must be as lame as possible? It sure feels like I did.
Initially I was looking forward to seeing John Byrne, Chris Claremont and Jerry Ordway working together on a JLA storyline. Yes, even though it seems like Byrne is slowly losing his mind as a writer as of late, I was still looking forward to the collaboration. Needless to say, my excitement dwindled quickly. I did enjoy seeing Byrne drawing JLA members again (I still think he does one of the best takes on Superman) but that's about where my enjoyment began and ended. As it happens to go, these issues of JLA will be classified under the "Just so I have a complete run" category.
Now, I don't have a huge problem with the JLA going up against a group of vampires. Sure, it's a little "different" from what I've come to expect in JLA storylines but sometimes you need to shake things up and see what happens. Unfortunately, this story just wasn't a JLA story. This story was a roundabout way to reintroduce the Doom Patrol, and in my opinion it was nothing more than that.
I believe that this story would have been better off as a limited series and not in the pages of the regular JLA series. I am guessing that the objective of this storyline was to get the current incarnation of the Doom Patrol (and perhaps an enemy group of theirs) introduced to a big audience before the launch of their own series. Frankly, I think that the JLA readers deserve a little more consideration than being lab rats.
I could rant or rave about this storyline, but in all honesty it just doesn't even bring out that much passion in me. The storyline was way too rushed and muddled to really make sense. Have you ever had that experience while driving of, "How did I get here?" You know, when you're half way to your destination but you really don't remember clearly driving the first half? That is the feeling I get when I think of "The Tenth Circle" storyline. Heck, the best joke I could even think of would be making a comparison between the lead villain of Crucifier and Marilyn Manson, but that would just be simply mean and uncalled for against Manson.
Back when I first started writing for Collector Times I said that Marvel and DC needed to get back to using the limited/mini series again, especially when it came to introducing new characters and teams. I think Marvel is doing well with it now, but DC is trying to find their footing and faith. I mean, JLA: Scary Monsters comes out as a limited series and "The Tenth Circle" doesn't? That just doesn't make sense to me.
If you haven't read the story, don't worry. I can sum it up in three words. Faith go bye-bye. There, I just saved you many minutes of your life that you would have wasted otherwise. Now cross your fingers and hope that something good is lined up for JLA.
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