Reviewed By: Emma Coverdale
Publisher: DC Comics
Writers: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jim Lee
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Genre: Comic Book
MSRP: $4.99 USA
Rating: T (Teen)
Release Date: Available Now
DC Comics has certainly kept comic book fans on their toes all summer long (as well as keep wallets empty) with the Flashpoint event and it wasn’t that long that an announcement was made that would change everything we know about the DC Universe. The New 52 begins now with an epic first step in a new direction for our favorite legendary superhero team with Justice League #1. Consider this the beginning of something extraordinary, Justice League fans.
Justice League #1 begins, interestingly enough, in Gotham City where the hero we call Batman is not only in hot pursuit of a most unusual culprit but he himself is being pursued by Gotham’s police department. Gone is the Caped Crusader who was considered a savoir of this city. Instead, the police department sends helicopters and snipers that are ready to take him down as if he were a threat rather than a hero.
Still, Batman maintains his pursuit and realizes the person he was chasing isn’t of this world but, before he can even question him, the police start shooting to kill. It doesn’t look good for both hunter and prey when the Green Lantern appears to lend Batman a hand. This might not sound like something out of the ordinary until we learn that this Green Lantern has never met even met Batman. In fact, he didn’t even think he was real until now.
The banter between Batman and the Green Lantern is one of this issue’s best highlights as the Dark Knight tries to make heads or tails of a powerhouse who knows he’s a powerhouse. Smugness aside, however, the Green Lantern’s curiosity of Batman is actually comical. Still, both heroes realize that the extraterrestrial manages to set off an explosive and screams a name that is all too familiar to the DC Universe. Since this is an alien matter, Green Lantern believes they should turn to another alien for input. As it turns out, this powerful “alien” happens to call the city of Metropolis home so their next stop is to see the being Batman thinks is dangerous.
Meanwhile, in Metropolis, a young football sensation is catching the eye of every college scout at a very important game. He’s none other than Vic Stone and while he knows the importance of this particular game, he’s more worried about that vacant seat that was reserved for someone he wanted so badly to cheer for him. Something else catches Vic’s attention as he witnesses the Green Lantern and Batman speeding past the stadium. Judging by everyone’s reaction to this sight, it’s clear that superheroes are still undiscovered.
It is in Metropolis that we witness another surprise when they meet the Man of Steel who doesn’t exactly welcome the two heroes with open arms. As a matter of fact, he shows them just how powerful he really is and this leads to us only wishing that the second issue would arrive really soon.
Geoff Johns never fails to surprise his readers nor does he disappoint when it comes to telling a good story … especially a good story that’s a part of a big event like, say, the Flashpoint event. The task is certainly a big one but Geoff Johns is off to a good start as he leaves us not only wanting more but wondering how the rest of the team will come to form the Justice League.
Then there’s the artwork by Jim Lee that is just the right talent for a project as big as this one and, yes, I even love the little touches he made to the Green Lantern and Batman’s costumes. Then there’s the visual touches that Scott Williams and Alex Sinclair adds to Jim Lee’s pencils and you have yourself a comic that’s pure eye candy.
Without a doubt, Justice League #1 is the first step in an epic and bold new direction that takes iconic heroes to intriguing new heights. If you ever wanted to check out the Justice League series, now is definitely the time jump on in and believe me when I say that you will definitely not be disappointed. If the other “New 52” titles are this good then DC has won a new generation of comic book readers.
COMIC REVOLUTION RATING BREAKDOWN
STORY: A
Gotham City is much as we remember it but as Batman is chasing a powerful alien foe, Gotham’s finest are trying to bring down the Dark Knight as well. However, a hero we know as the Green Lantern steps in to aid the Caped Crusader in taking down the alien. Together, both men destined to become heroes turn to Earth’s resident alien to find out what is going on.
ART: A+
Anyone who has ever picked up a comic book knows that Jim Lee is a master of his craft and is responsible for some truly amazing artwork. Justice League #1, simply put, is a visual feast thanks to Alex Sinclair’s coloring and Scott Williams inking that compliment Lee’s artwork. Also, the altered costumes look really awesome.
OVERALL: A
Since its announcement, The New 52 sounded like an ambitious project that could either be a raving success or go down as a disaster. As it turned out, Justice League #1 more than meets every expectation and takes what we knew about our favorite team and heroes and takes them to interesting new heights worth exploring. This is the beginning of something spectacular and we cannot wait to see how this story unfolds.
Review copy provided by DC Comics
