Justice League Vol. 1: Origin
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Jim Lee
Legends are not born...THEY ARE UNITED!!!
Ranking: 4 stars
A new dawn has rose over the DC universe. Superheroes have only begun to emerge in the past five years, and they are not the icons of American society that we know them as today. Instead they are viewed with suspicion, fear, and outright public hostility. Welcome to the New 52. After the time warping events of FLASHPOINT, DC Comics canceled all of their running comic series, and restarted them with issue one. This company wide reboot has allowed DC Comics to move their characters in a new direction, and attract a new generation of fans. Although some long time fans of DC might be set off by the idea of altering the histories of their favorite characters, I believe that the New 52 has allowed the company to explore new story possibilities for their characters. Although continuity errors will continue to plague the DC Universe (it's a problem that DC has faced since the Silver Age of Comics, even after CRISIS ON INFINITE EARTHS), this was a smart decision for the editorial board, as it dramatically reduces the chances of continuity confusion for new readers. It might be frustrating to decide where to start in the New 52, but I would highly recommend starting with your favorite character. But if you want to start the New 52 as a whole, the best place to begin is JUSTICE LEAGUE VOL. 1: ORIGIN. Written by veteran Green Lantern writer, Geoff Johns, and illustrated by the Michelangelo of comics, Jim Lee, this superstar team launches the reboot with a bang! The first arc of the series is an action-packed, and intelligent reimagining of how the world's greatest heroes (SUPERMAN, BATMAN, WONDER WOMAN, GREEN LANTERN, FLASH, AQUAMAN, and CYBORG) first joined forces with each other. The story begins with Batman in pursuit of a mysterious creature, who has been placing unusual devices across Gotham City. While at first glance they appear to be bombs, but when Green Lantern arrives, he informs the dark knight of their alien nature. The two learn the purpose of the machines the hard way, as portals start to open all across the earth, unleashing entire legions of extraterrestrial soldiers. As the Earth comes under threat of invasion, Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Cyborg, and the Flash know become involved as they try to defend their own cities, while simultaneously trying to create a good image in front of the public eye. Although they may disagree on each other's methods, these seven super humans must learn to accept their differences in order to save the Earth from instant annihilation, or all perish under the hands of the malevolent Darkseid! Although the story is a bit fast-paced, and focuses more on action than character development, Geoff Johns writes an astonishing first meeting between the members of the Justice League. I've experienced John's edgy style before in INFINITE CRISIS, and although he isn't at the levels of Brian Michael Bendis (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN), Jeph Loeb (BATMAN THE LONG HALLOWEEN), Alan Moore (WATCHMEN), or Grant Morrison (BATMAN R.I.P.), John's has a gift of creating character driven stories that flow with the action that encompasses them. As the members of the League face Darkseid's forces, they constantly bicker with each other, which allows us to relate them to normal humans, despite their extraordinary abilities. They do not become friends right from the start, and disagree with each other's methods in fighting crime (particularly Batman and Green Lantern), but they slowly bond with each other and come to realize that more is at stake than their own beliefs. Readers can relate to them as the character's rivalries reflect those of people in our everyday lives. What can be said about Jim Lee that has not yet been said, he is a titan among comic book artists!!! His gritty and detailed style is extremely realistic, and it brings out the depth of the character's forms, giving them detailed and intricate anatomies. Readers will be immediately drawn into his artwork, as the heroes seem to come right out of the pages (the beginning of the book has a two page gatefold of Batman diving towards the viewer as he dodges gunfire from police helicopters)! Next to his work in BATMAN: HUSH, this is Jim Lee in his prime! While Johns isn't the greatest comic book writer out there, his opening arc of Justice League promises an action-packed adventure for readers, and paves way for the rest of the New 52! A great start for new readers of DC Comics!!!
