***Contains Spoilers***
L.A.W. promised a high-stakes revival of Charlton Comics’ classic heroes, like Captain Atom, Blue Beetle, and The Question, but delivered a convoluted, lifeless mess. The story revolves around a threat to the DC Universe that requires these heroes to unite, but instead of excitement, the plot meanders into incoherent drama, dull action sequences, and underwhelming stakes. For a series aiming to shine a light on lesser-known characters, it felt like they were thrown into a spotlight that only highlighted their flaws.
The one saving grace was Blue Beetle. His sardonic wit and the humor at his expense managed to inject fleeting moments of levity into an otherwise dreary narrative. Ted Kord’s charisma stood out, and I appreciated the way his self-deprecating humor reflected the comic’s meta-awareness of how out of place this series felt.
Unfortunately, everything else fell flat. The story was a jumble of half-baked ideas, weighed down by excessive exposition and melodramatic dialogue. The art was uninspired, with stiff character designs and bland backgrounds that failed to bring the story to life. Worst of all were the characterizations—heroes like Captain Atom and The Question felt like watered-down versions of their usual selves, devoid of personality or compelling arcs.
In the end, L.A.W. is a frustrating read. While I did finish it, it was a slog, and I can’t recommend it. The few enjoyable moments weren’t enough to save this misfire. It’s a reminder that not every revival is a good idea, especially when it’s executed this poorly.
It’s a hard pass unless you’re a Blue Beetle completionist. Even then, you might want to reconsider. One star.
Feature Image L.A.W. #6 cover art by Dick Giordano, Patrick Martin, and Bob Layton
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