Justice League of America #1

By Geoff Johns and Jim Lee

The biggest team book of all time, Justice League of America has had its ups and downs over the years. At one point it focused on the heavy hitters of the DC Universe, much like Marvel's Avengers. This meant that for the price of one comic, readers could enjoy seeing Batman, Superman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Aquaman and some green bald guy from Mars all in one book! Later issues introduced supplemental 'second stringer' heroes to the mix such as Green Arrow, Hawkman, the Atom, Elongated Man and more. The series began to be more about the team dynamic that the heroes themselves to the point when every recognizable character except for Aquaman left the series and it changed direction completely in the 'Detroit years' (a period that sounds like and felt like a post-divorce period).

Since that time, the JLA has had several experimental periods followed by a back to basics approach so regularly that it is now formulaic. The 80's JLA by Kieth Giffen and JM DeMatteis (with Kevin Maguire on art chores) remains a high point and the 90's Grant Morrison/Howard Porter run is also very enjoyable. The latest run of the Justice League of America has been a bit of a downturn and popularity of the series has waned as editorial interference restricted the use of almost any character anyone would want to see. During Blackest Night, I read a random issue and was hard pressed to name a single member of the team.

With the new 52, DC has the chance for a 'return to greatness' through the tried and true 'back to basics' approach. This will be a traditional JLA with the heroes everyone wants to see... with Cyborg strangely standing in for Martian Manhunter who is busy in the pages of Stormwatch. Being a big Super Friends fan, maybe Johns is shooting for the 'Galactic Guardians' period wen Cyborg was the 'new kid' on the team. If so, that's a great idea and provides readers with a through-line. The one major twist on this reboot is that, like Justice League in 1985, it is a do-over from the ground up. Starting with day one, Justice League of America #1 sees Batman and Green Lantern meet for the first time and closes with the pair being introduced to the man of steel in Metropolis. In each case, the heroes fight.

Justice League of America #1 feels like the Marvel Comics approach to a team book filtered through the DC Comics lens. On the trail of a Parademon, Batman is also chased by the police. A menace to society at large, Batman is in very real danger from a police chopper firing bullets at him as he nears his prey. When Green Lantern saves his skin with his trusty power ring, Batman asks him to tone it down rather than thanking him. This pretty much sets the tone for the entire issue. Green Lantern vainly thinks that he is the most powerful superhero around and is shocked to find that Batman is just a man in a silly costume. Batman knows that he can out-think anyone, challenging and easily berates Green Lantern at every turn.

It's a macho contest to the highest degree and as many have said, it wouldn't be that surprising if they just 'whipped them out and got it over with.'

For some inexplicable reason, the heroes travel to Metropolis to confront Superman. Apparently, Supes is the only alien around and if the Parademon is from another world, the two MUST be connected. Neither Batman nor Green Lantern earn any genius points in this issue. Seeking to once again prove how macho he is, Green Lantern shoulders past Batman to fight Superman and gets his ass handed to him.

Next issue? More fighting.

Preview of Justice League of America #2

As an introduction to the new DC Universe, Justice League of America #1 is a rather sorry comic book. All style and little substance, the comic feels flimsy and vapid. Thanks to Jim Lee, it looks outstanding and rubs the collective belly the comic book general consensus looking for flashy dynamic images of DC's best. An interlude focused on Vic Stone is somewhat confusing and serves no real purpose unless the reader knows that he will become Cyborg shortly.

Despite my negative snarky criticism, I can't write off Justice League of America #1 completely. For what it is, the comic book equivalent of a Summer Blockbuster movie, it functions fine. I do hope that future issues flesh out the plot and characters more, and that the new attitudes of the various heroes make the series interesting. For now, it's like a laser light show. It looks very pretty, but it's over quickly and costs a bit too much (one of only two DC books over the $3 mark).

Judging from what I have read so far, a dual release of Action Comics and Animal Man would have been a better choice as launch titles as they both show the full capabilities of DC Comics when they get their acts together. Action Comics embraces the opportunity to re-envision established characters and Animal Man #1 could easily be one of the best monthly comics I have read all year.