REVIEW: Justice League #1

Midnight has come and gone, and the old DC Universe is no more. So how's the New 52 so far? Was it worth the midnight release parties? (Beware, spoilers ahead).

The answer? Maybe.

Too bright?

The book gets off to a fast start, and right away it's clear that Justice League has been aimed towards new readers unfamiliar with the characters. In the first few pages of the issue we literally see the first meeting between Batman and Green Lantern, who also for most of the issue we see getting to know one another and their powers, or lack thereof ("You mean you're just a guy in a bat-suit??!") Their interactions are a smooth and fun read, and I especially liked the scene where Batman removes GL's ring. Kudos to Geoff Johns for a great script.

However, for veteran fans like me, Justice League #1 almost seems a bit...predictable. Set five years before the events of the conclusion of Flashpoint, the people of the DCnU are new to the concept of superheroes. It's obvious that this issue is the first part of a much larger arc where we see the League formed. In other words, there's nothing really new here that we haven't already seen, and totally confirms this relaunch as a REBOOT. For DC to release this (and only this) book the same night as Flashpoint #5, it would have been nice to see some regular continuity. I pretty much stood inside a crowded comic book store (on a Tuesday night) waiting for midnight, only to read the first part of a story that I already pretty much know the ending to.

I can has poster?

However, story and reboot aside, the art of Justice League is outstanding, and it's nice to see Jim Lee back on a regular monthly. His Superman reveal at the end of the book shows he hasn't lost his touch. Mr. Lee and Scott Williams are two of the reasons I ever got into comic books in the first place, and their work truly shines. Let's just hope they can make their deadlines *cough* All-Star Batman & Robin *cough*...

The GOOD: A smooth, fun Geoff Johns script + Jim Lee art = SOLD. The Superman splash reveal at the end of the book is superb! It was also fun seeing GL and Bats interacting again for the first time.

The BAD: It's nothing we vets haven't read or even see before, and the issue was fairly predictable. Some form of continuity would have been nice. Thanks for stealing my Tuesday night, DC Comics!

Final Verdict : B-