Justice League Number 1- Nathan's Review

 I am a comic fan. Have been for a while. The problem is I have never actually read or subscribed to any monthly comic. The reasons were two-fold.

One- Practicality. I didn't really want to spend the money on it.

Two- Continuity. I really didn't know where to start. There were so many titles that had been going on for so many years that I was literally lost.

Over the years, I have read compilations and graphic novels. My favorites being the Superman/Batman series, Batman: Hush, Alex Ross's Justice, Just about anything by Tim Sale and Jeph Loeb, Marvel/DC Crossovers volumes 1-4, DC vs Marvel, and JLA/Avengers.

DC Comics recently began a "Relaunch" of their entire line. And, after getting permission from my wife, I decided I would begin subscribing to their central line: Justice League. On September 7, 2011, I picked up my first issue, Justice League: Number One. Here's my thoughts on the issue:

The story begins with the words: "There was a time when the world didn't call them their greatest super-heroes. There was a time when the world didn't know what a super-hero was." Basically, we're looking at a complete reboot on the origin of the League itself. I know people have their issues with reboots, but I like this concept. A fresh take on an old idea, done correctly, can breathe new life into it.

It continues with a rooftop scene in Gotham, five years ago. The police are chasing Batman and "someone" over rooftops. On orders, the helicopters open fire on Bats and the unknown villain. Again, this cements that Batman is an outlaw. This is good in my book. It's better than having Batman be some great, celebrated hero in the city. Why?

Batman operates from the shadows. He is now squeaky clean or kid-friendly. The governments cannot realistically condone a vigilante of that type. Another reason is that Batman needs people to fear him. He really should be thought of as a figure of evil, not a family-friendly, pose for pictures, Santa-esque character. We (The reader) know he's a decent person with an intense mission, but the people of Gotham, especially the criminals need to think he's merciless and dark. So, I say, well done DC.

As Batman chases the villain, despite the police interference, he eventually manages to tackle him. We then get a better look at the character- Definitely alien. Reptilian features with cyborg-like attachments and a tendency to growl rather than talk assist us in drawing that conclusion.

Before Batman gets any answers from the beast, he is overpowered by it's ability to burst into flames or energy or something (I can't really tell from the picture, it's just an orange blast with the word "BWOOOOOOOOSH" on it). As Batman is getting the tar beaten out of him, our next character arrives...

An emerald firetruck hits our villain head on and traps him beneath it. And Batman gets up to face Green Lantern (I assume Hal Jordan. Looks like him, anyway). GL expresses disbelief that Batman is real and Batman just seems generally withdrawn and disinterested in GL. The two of them have a brief discussion over how the governments don't "like" them, even referencing a past skirmish between Green Lantern and the Air Force, while the helicopters begin firing upon them.

The alien creature, which has now sprouted wings, attacks the two and then blasts flame through the police helicopters. As the helicopters begin to crash, GL creates giant bats with his ring and catches them, lowering them safely to the ground.

The alien next transforms itself into a mechanical spider/dog, as Batman instructs GL "Take your flashlight and go home. Gotham's mine. Coast City's yours."

GL then explains to Batman that Gotham, nay, the entire planet is "his beat", and explains the gist of the Green Lantern Corps. He was drawn to Gotham by his ring, which sensed an extra-terrestrial presence in the city. Batman then gives a brief back story- Witnesses say the creature attempting to plant a bomb. When the police tried to stop it, it spewed fire from its mouth.

This is where the character of GL starts to change, in an interesting way. Hal seems cockier than usual. Throughout the whole issue, he tells Batman how he can handle anything, he can create whatever he thinks of. I didn't know how to view this at first, as Hal always seemed to be an honorable character. But, this is early on. He's young and, frankly, being given a ring to create whatever is in your mind would probably get to most people's heads at first. That would make anyone a tool. I'm curious to see how they continue to develop him.

Anyway, as they go through the sewer, searching for the alien, Hal is dismayed to learn that Batman has no powers and is simple "Some guy in a bat costume". True to form, Batman proves his intellect- He removes GL's ring using slight-of-hand, noting that Hal broke his concentration.

As GL retakes his ring via telekinesis, Batman sees the alien again, this time planting a small cube into the wall of the sewer. As Lantern readies himself to attack, the alien bursts into flames, screaming two words that thrill me for buying this comic line: "For Darkseid!".

Batman and GL exit a green bank vault that protected them from the fire, discussing what Darkseid might be. And, since the ring cannot identify the object in the wall (gasp), They decide to go see "That guy in Metropolis" since he is also an alien. Batman notes that he is dangerous, but the cocky Lantern counters with "Won't be a problem for me". With that, they are off to Metropolis to confront Superman.

In an interlude we are introduced to Vic Stone, a high school football star who, after winning an important game, is being courted by several college scouts. We learn, though, that they can't tlak to him without his father present. The problem is that Vic's father, who another student points out works studying the new phenomena of super-heroes, was too busy to make it to the game. Any game, for that matter. Vic Stone, of course, is destined to become Cyborg of the Teen Titans. Can't wait to see this developed fully. The students witness a green jet flying overhead, noting that its "One of them".

Meanwhile, Batman and Green Lantern land in Metropolis, Batman unhappy that GL chose to travel there in a "Big Green target". Lantern travels into a hole, citing that his ring knows Superman is in there. As Batman begins to protest and urges preparation and caution, GL says that he can handle Superman, and plans on restraining him for questioning.

A "red-blue blur" throws GL flying. Batman, dazed, looks up at the imposing figure before him. Superman then asks him, "What can you do?". We end with the narration "Next: Batman VS. Superman". Seems the writers want to get that out of the way early on.

What do I have to say: Well-done. The intro to the characters and universe was superb. Jim Lee's art is always amazing. As far as new costumes go, they're decent. Batman has more armor now, looking a little like the Batman Begins style. Even Green Lantern seems to have armor on his shoulders. Superman's costume, while I don't prefer the trunks be gone, looks good. Mostly since the color scheme is the same.

This seems promising. Look forward to seeing more next month.