I am a little late posting today. I actually had a job today! But I still had time to read Justice League #1. No, not that JLA #1.
This week, I read two different Justice League #1 comics. The DCU New 52 version, which came out Wednesday, really was a reboot, no matter what DC says. The comic introduces the reader to a DCU where Batman and Superman have not yet met; where anything "alien" is immediately suspicious, and anyone smacking of "superhero" is feared. Comparing this issue to the 1987 Justice League #1 is comparing Christian Slater to Adam West.
Which did I prefer? Maybe I have turned into a fan girl, but I really liked the "historical" issue more. The comic starts with Guy Gardner, sitting alone, practicing in his head the speech he intends to give to take control of the Justice League. Black Canary is the first to arrive, and what an '80's look she sports! A headband! Shoulder pads! A jump suit! It's hard to tell, but it looks like she is wearing big, furry boots? Given a lineup, I never would have picked her out as Black Canary. Okay, I've had my complaints about skimpy costumes, but this is the burqa of superheroine costumes. Black Canary is followed by Scott Free (Mr. Miracle) and Oberon (I am not familiar with Oberon, other than from the JLA Retroactive), Captain Marvel, Martian Manhunter, Blue Beetle, Batman and Dr. Fate.
Everyone reacts pretty much as a constant reader would expect them too... Batman is calm but in charge. Guy flies off the handle. Dr. Fate is mysterious. Blue Beetle feels underutilized.
We meet Max Lord, who at this time appears to be a mysterious figure behind the scenes, pulling strings and setting up the Justice League for something, be it good or bad. And we meet Dr. Light (Kimiyo Hoshi) who received a mysterious invitation to join the Justice League, and is at the UN to give a speech. Terrorists attack the UN, the newly-formed Justice League is called in by Kimiyo, and they save the day.
This very nicely sets up the series. We get an intro to ALL of the members of the new Justice League; we get a (seemingly) one-and-done bad guy; And lots and lots of story. Compared to the New 52 JLA, we got a novel!
Granted, the art work in the newer story is much better; in general, given the tools and technology one would expect the art to be much better in the newer version. I really disliked the faces, especially the women, in the older comic. But I felt that the newer JLA lacked a little heart. I didn't much care for any of the "heroes" introduced (Batman, Green Lantern, Superman). I am curious what they are going to do with Vic (Cyborg). I also wonder how this ties into the end of Flashpoint. Since Barry and Bruce obviously knew one another, JLA must be happening much earlier in the continuity than the end of Flashpoint.
And, once again, I was just as fascinated by the ads in the older comic. Suicide Squad, The Young All-Stars, and the New Flash were all coming out soon. And if you subscribed to Superman, Adventures of Superman or Wonder Woman, you would get a cloisonne Superman pin! Subscribe to Wonder Woman and get a copy of Wonder Woman #1, autographed by George Perez! And the subscription price was $9.00 a year! Ah, those were the days.
I am looking forward to continuing this run of the Justice League! Tomorrow, more on Max Lord. And maybe, Booster Gold?