Rorschach Reviews: Justice League of America 1

 

 

Rorschach Reviews

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Comic Book: Justice League of America 1

Creative Team: Writer-Geoff Johns
                          Art-David Finch
                          Colors-Sonia Objack and Jeremy Cox

Release Date:  20th February 2013

Score: 8/10

Pros:-The chopping between discussions scenes and recruitment scenes are slick and cool, reminding readers of good heist films like Ocean's eleven.
        -The underlying Justice League chase and end reveal is also surprising in bringing things to head for the upcoming Trinity War
        -Johns is careful to give space to each member and point out the reason for their recruitment.
        -Both Wallers and Trevor's characteristics are reminiscent of their pre-New 52 versions but also have added layers to make them refined.   

        
Cons:-There is not much action, either in the recruits montage's or in the chase sequence. This seriously hinders the issue as it is a number one and must use the action tropes to buy in new readers

Main Events: Masked man being chased, Steve Trevor and JL liason from Argus Amanda Waller discuss a new Justice League for America, to convince Steve; Amanda shows him a picture of his ex Wonder Woman with Superman, Steve agrees to join as leader, They go on to discuss the team candidates and there reasons to be there, The reason the team is coming together is to stop The Original Justice League, Martian Manhunter agrees to joining and the masked man is revealed to be Green Arrow and his chasers; The Secret Society.

Best Quote: "If you want someone who can take on Batman, you need someone who knows him as well as I know Wonder Woman." Colonel Steve Trevor, affirming why Catwoman should be part of the team.

Best Panel: The long-shot board panel that presents each member and their respective opponents in The Original Justice League  


It's not everyday that you get a thought of forming a superhero team without a big visible threat blowing up the world causing them to forget their differences and come together, but JLA establishes a new covert method instead in bringing this rag tag band of heroes (anti-heores?) together. 

The comic has little space for any action, instead it follows much of Steve and Amanda discussing the team. It moves slowly with a mysterious hooded figure chased through the woods by somewhat familiar looking folks. It takes time to even get a glimpse of team members since Steve himself needs convincing to join the squad. A lot of monologue and fact giving after, produces different montages on each selected hero. This gives some specific insight into each character and their reason to be there, it's fun to see spotlights on the B and C-List characters. Johns who has previously worked on Hawkman and Stargirl, makes you realize how amazing he knows how to handle them and other characters not in the league (pun intended) of the well, Justice League.

While it is essentially a beginning story to establish the status quot for this team, it's reason as mentioned previously have not been revealed. The link for this book leads towards the dynamically and heavily promoted event that is The Trinity War. It's been a fun week with Johns Justice League books, as both give some stunning surprise endings. 

It's really fun to see cult fan favorite character Steve Trevor get a book with him as leader (although maybe not lead character) and it's fun to see Johns use established pre-New 52 characteristics for Waller and Trevor. He however does not rely on only this and adds layers of depth, making Waller the stiff and stern logical government agent while Trevor is the one who is more of a soldier with respect, emotions and loyalties over his team members (his former team and ex Wonder Woman and the league).

It might be a bit tame with the no action scenario, but Johns begins the book with a sense of mystery and develops both the coming event and tension. This might allow most readers an interesting point to jump on, however the lack of action packed beginnings hinders the chances for new casual readers to get really into it. 

Hopefully JLA is not just a turn in bringing Trinity War to the forefront and get's established after the event. Wait! who am I kidding, this is a Geoff Johns book so it's bound to work.


'Nuff Said

Aneesh Raikundalia