JLA #73

JLA #73, published in December 2002, serves as the second installment of the 'The Obsidian Age' story arc, written by Joe Kelly with interior art by Doug Mahnke. The arc was conceived during a period of high stakes for the Justice League, focusing on the team's quest to rescue Aquaman and the sunken city of Atlantis by traveling back in time. This narrative allowed Kelly to explore the group's internal dynamics under extreme pressure and placed them in an archaic, mythological setting that departed from the series' typical contemporary superhero aesthetic.

Doug Mahnke's work on this issue is characterized by his visceral, highly detailed character designs and a darker, more cinematic approach to panel layouts. His collaboration with Kelly was well-received by fans and critics of the era, as the team sought to balance the epic, sweeping scale of a time-travel adventure with the individual vulnerabilities of the league members. The issue remains a notable example of early 2000s DC storytelling, capturing the gritty transition that defined the Justice League series during the transition toward the modern era.