Justice League Unlimited #9, released on July 23, 2025, marks a pivotal moment for DC Comics' sprawling superhero saga. Serving as the epilogue to the intense "We Are Yesterday" crossover event, this issue deftly balances wrapping up lingering storylines while setting the stage for upcoming cosmic challenges. Written by Mark Waid with art by Dan Mora, colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and lettering by Dave Sharpe, the comic has garnered praise for its focused narrative and emotional depth amidst a vast cast of characters.
After the Justice League's hard-fought victory against Gorilla Grodd and the Legion of Doom, the universe remains fractured and unstable. Time itself is volatile, with heroes displaced from various eras roaming the Watchtower and beyond. This temporal chaos threatens to unravel reality, as scattered heroes like Batman Beyond, Jonah Hex, and even the deceased Abin Sur appear unexpectedly. The League grapples with these disruptions while striving to restore order.
Central to this issue is the emotional journey of Michael Holt, better known as Mister Terrific. Accompanied by his time-displaced double and Ted Kord (the Blue Beetle), he tirelessly searches for Air Wave, whose form has been scattered across the timestream following Grodd's assault. This storyline, which has been a core emotional thread throughout Waid's run, reaches a poignant conclusion here. Mister Terrific wrestles with guilt and self-doubt, questioning his own intelligence for not foreseeing Air Wave's plight. Blue Beetle offers a grounding perspective, reminding him that his younger self lacked the emotional investment that now fuels his determination.
Using an Acoustic Resonator — essentially a tuning fork — Mister Terrific manages to focus Air Wave’s scattered energy and successfully reunites him. This moment stands out as a heartfelt high point, showcasing the series' ability to blend cosmic stakes with intimate character development. Air Wave's return is not just a narrative victory but a symbol of hope amidst the chaos.
Meanwhile, the issue expands its cosmic scope with the arrival of the Time Trapper, a futuristic incarnation of Doomsday, and Alpheus the World Forger, a cosmic entity linked to Perpetua and the Monitor. Their initial plan to vivisect Grodd to extract the dangerous Omega energy sparks conflict, as the heroes and Grodd himself resist this brutal solution. Grodd cunningly convinces the Time Trapper and World Forger that he is more valuable alive, securing a precarious alliance that adds layers of intrigue and tension.
The Time Trapper and World Forger’s presence signals looming threats beyond the immediate aftermath of "We Are Yesterday." Their involvement ties into the larger "All In" saga, hinting at future time-shattering events that could redefine the DC Universe. This connection is underscored by subtle callbacks to classic storylines like "Crisis on Infinite Earths," especially with the inclusion of the Anti-Monitor's brother, further deepening the narrative’s complexity.
On the Watchtower, the influx of time-displaced heroes creates a crowded and chaotic environment. Some heroes cooperate, while others clash, reflecting the tension and uncertainty of their predicament. Notably absent are the iconic Trinity—Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman—who are engaged in their own secretive meeting, leaving Green Lantern to command the space station. This shift in leadership dynamics adds an intriguing layer to the story, emphasizing the evolving roles within the League.
Artist Dan Mora shines in this issue, skillfully managing crowded scenes without overwhelming the reader. His illustrations capture the frenetic energy of battles and the quieter, more reflective moments with equal finesse. The depiction of time quakes—where characters flicker in and out of existence—is particularly striking, employing afterimages and photo-negative effects to convey the instability of reality.
Colorist Tamra Bonvillain complements Mora’s artwork with a vibrant palette that shifts tone and urgency throughout the issue. Her use of dark reds around Mister Terrific not only highlights his somber mood but also visually represents the ominous Omega energy permeating the story. The interplay of white, red, and green during time quakes enhances the sense of cosmic upheaval, guiding readers through the narrative’s complexities.
Letterer Dave Sharpe ensures that the dialogue balloons are both adventurous and easy to read, maintaining clarity amid the chaos. His work supports the storytelling by capturing the urgency and emotional stakes without distracting from the art.
While the issue successfully ties up many threads from "We Are Yesterday," it also functions as a prologue to the next major event, "All In." This dual role means that, aside from key characters like Mister Terrific and Air Wave, many heroes serve more as background presence than fully developed protagonists. Some reviewers note that this broad focus can make the Justice League members feel interchangeable, highlighting the challenges of managing such a large ensemble cast.
Critics have praised the issue’s return to a more focused narrative after the hectic crossover chapters, appreciating the intimate character moments amidst the sprawling cosmic conflict. Mister Terrific’s portrayal, especially, has been lauded for its depth and vulnerability, enhanced by Edi Gathegi’s popular portrayal of the character in James Gunn’s "Superman" adaptation, which has boosted the character’s profile.
The issue also features charming interactions among time-displaced heroes, such as a brief yet meaningful exchange between Hal Jordan and his predecessor Abin Sur, and a reminder of Supergirl’s unique status as a time anomaly. These moments enrich the story, adding warmth and complexity to the high-stakes plot.
Overall, Justice League Unlimited #9 has been well received, with reviewers awarding scores ranging from 6.5 to 9 out of 10. The writing and storyline typically earn 8 out of 10, the art receives 9 out of 10, and the coloring is often rated a perfect 10, underscoring the creative team’s excellence. The cover art, while solid, scores slightly lower but remains visually compelling.
Variant covers by artists Felipe Massafera, Tiago Da Silva, Travis Moore, Derrick Chew, Frank Quitely, and Nimit Malavia offer collectors a range of styles, from realistic depictions of the Justice League and the Satellite in space to striking interpretations of characters like Martian Manhunter and the Gotham City Sirens.
As the Justice League navigates the aftermath of "We Are Yesterday," this issue captures the calm before the next storm. The universe remains on edge, with Omega energy and temporal instability threatening to plunge everything into chaos once again. Yet amid this uncertainty, the resilience and determination of heroes like Mister Terrific provide a beacon of hope. With the "All In" event gaining momentum, readers can anticipate more time-traveling adventures and cosmic battles that will continue to shape the future of the DC Universe.
