Post by ryokowerx on Sept 14, 2011 9:36:43 GMT -5
(cross-posted from my Facebook account. I hadn't originally intended on picking up all the new #1s but the 50% off deal at DCBS turned out to be too good to pass up. Feel free to discuss, agree or disagree
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
PLOT SUMMARY:
The United Nations is becoming concerned about the rise in the number of superhumans and the destabilizing effect they have on law and order on a global scale. They don't like the normal Justice League because they are independent so they decide to create a international version of the League that is under their control. Several UN geologic teams have gone missing so the UN decides to send this new team to investigate. Things go bad before they even get started as Guy Gardner refuses to have anything to do with a team led by Booster Gold. Batman tries to talk him into staying because he suspects something rotten about the people behind the formation of the team. That fails so Batman flies the new team to the first site where they are attacked by rock monsters. They handily defeat them but than a giant monster erupts from the ground to end the issue.
THE ART:
Aaron Lopresti does the art and, along with Green Arrow, is certainly the most traditional superhero type illustration for the first week of releases. It's good but nothing outstanding. If you're familiar with Lopresti's work, nothing here is going to wow you. It is good work but nothing that really stretches his artistic boundaries.
THE STORY:
The writer is Dan Jurgens and this first issue is your standard "getting the team together" tale. I'm happy that they've decided to tone down the humor and that Booster Gold reflects his more recent maturity that had been developed. Some of the characters, so far, are a bit flat but there is only so much that you can do in a single issue. I'm hoping that they do more with Vixen and Fire and Ice - characters that have notoriously always gotten the short shrift.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
The comic will set you back $2.99 which is not a bad deal. It is certainly well-suited to accept new readers and does not assume anything about the previous JLI series. The art is average. The story slightly above average. It is something that I'm willing to give a few more issues to develop.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1
JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL #1
So what the hell is this? I'm going to try to write a review of each of the new #1 issues put out by DC Comics. For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, DC Comics (home of Superman, Batman, etc.) is completely restarting most* of the history they have established with their comic books since 1939. (* some continuity remains but all events that remain are considered to have happened within a five year span of time) If you're still confused, think of it as everything being set back to square one and all these superheroes are new things to show up rather than a given part of the world.
Anything I say from this point on is my opinion and reflects only my feelings. Please take your nerd rage elsewhere if you disagree or at least be civil in your disagreement.
NOTE: I have not read Flashpoint #5 which kicks off this new history so I'm going to try to approach these issues as if someone completely new to comics were picking them up for the first time. If you're interested in what I have to say, I'd encourage you to go to your local comic book shop (if you have one) or you can buy them digitally at Comixology (http://www.comixology.com).
WARNING! SPOILERS OFF THE PORT BOW CAP'N!
PLOT SUMMARY:
The United Nations is becoming concerned about the rise in the number of superhumans and the destabilizing effect they have on law and order on a global scale. They don't like the normal Justice League because they are independent so they decide to create a international version of the League that is under their control. Several UN geologic teams have gone missing so the UN decides to send this new team to investigate. Things go bad before they even get started as Guy Gardner refuses to have anything to do with a team led by Booster Gold. Batman tries to talk him into staying because he suspects something rotten about the people behind the formation of the team. That fails so Batman flies the new team to the first site where they are attacked by rock monsters. They handily defeat them but than a giant monster erupts from the ground to end the issue.
THE ART:
Aaron Lopresti does the art and, along with Green Arrow, is certainly the most traditional superhero type illustration for the first week of releases. It's good but nothing outstanding. If you're familiar with Lopresti's work, nothing here is going to wow you. It is good work but nothing that really stretches his artistic boundaries.
THE STORY:
The writer is Dan Jurgens and this first issue is your standard "getting the team together" tale. I'm happy that they've decided to tone down the humor and that Booster Gold reflects his more recent maturity that had been developed. Some of the characters, so far, are a bit flat but there is only so much that you can do in a single issue. I'm hoping that they do more with Vixen and Fire and Ice - characters that have notoriously always gotten the short shrift.
VALUE FOR YOUR MONEY:
The comic will set you back $2.99 which is not a bad deal. It is certainly well-suited to accept new readers and does not assume anything about the previous JLI series. The art is average. The story slightly above average. It is something that I'm willing to give a few more issues to develop.
NEXT WEEK:
Batgirl #1