Spinning out of No Justice, the Justice League returns with a new first issue, a new mission and a new writer in the form of mega-talented Scott Snyder.
Justice League #1
Written by Scott Snyder
Pencils by Jim Cheung
Inks by Mark Morales
Colors by Tomeu Morey
Published by DC Comics
In the many, many years I’ve been reading comic books, I’ve had the good fortune to get to be present at the beginning of many a Justice League run.
I was there for the birth of the Keith Giffen/J.M. DeMatteis “Bwa-ha-ha” version of the League. I was there for Grant Morrison’s first epic issue when it became known as the JLA. And I was there for the team’s rebirth as part of the New 52 by Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.
Now we have another new first issue and yet another rebirth of the Justice League.
This time, superstar writer Scott Snyder, fresh off an acclaimed run on Batman and the hugely popular Metal miniseries, is taking control of the League and promising a series that will redefine the DC Universe and make Morrison’s epic, widescreen storylines look like small potatoes by comparison.
After reading the first issue, it’s really tough to disagree.
Justice League #1 is a dense comic. Really dense. There is a lot of dialogue and that dialogue is way beyond simple quips and lighthearted moments. There is talk about the evolution of the universe, friendship and the nature of life itself.
Of course, there is also some great banter about who in the League does the best Batman impression, so it kind of balances out.
At it’s heart Justice League #1 is a Martian Manhunter story, as he provides the focal point for everything that’s going on. Considering he’s one of the few primary team members without his own title, it makes perfect sense and Snyder captures his essence perfectly. The only real problem is that whenever I read the Manhunter’s dialogue, I always hear Carl Lumbly, who voiced the character in Justice League Unlimited. Not that that’s a bad thing, I just find it amusing.
Word of warning: be prepared to read Justice League #1 a couple times to really get what’s going on, especially if you didn’t read No Justice or Metal. The book hits the ground running and makes no apologies about that, but it is well worth holding on and going along for the ride.
That all being said, Justice League #1 is everything you could want in a Scott Snyder comic. Big ideas mixed with funny moments and some great characterization.
Jim Cheung provides the visuals and it goes without saying that the book looks amazing. Justice League #1 is filled with double page spreads and little details that will catch your eye every time you open the cover.
All the various cast members (and there are a ton) look and act just like their supposed to, which is a credit to the skills Cheung has at his disposal. His Lex Luthor is menacing, his Superman is heroic and his Wonder Woman is regal, just the way they’re supposed to be.
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As I said before, there is a lot of story to absorb in the pages of Justice League #1. If you’re looking for a light read to pass a few minutes, you may want to look elsewhere. But other than that small quibble, Justice League #1 gets our highest recommendation. It is a return to greatness for a title that always should have been at the center of the DC Universe and it finally feels like that’s the case.
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