Title: Justice Leage, Vol 1: Origin
Series: Justice League
Authors: Geoff Johns, art by Jim Lee
Copyright: 2012
Pages: 192
ISBN: 9781401234614
Publisher: DC Comics
Twitter: @DCComics, @JimLee, @geoffjohns
Format: Hardcover
Rating: 3/5 stars
So, late last year, DC Comics decided that they were going to reboot their entire line of comics, starting all the series over with new #1 issues, paring the lines offered down to 52 titles, giving some characters new origins while only updating other characters origins a little. (I'm still not sure if the new titles and characters in their new universe "know" about the old universe or not; that all seems rather vague.) They called this The New 52, and it was kind of a bid deal at the time. Their new flagship title for the entire lineup was going to be Justice League, written by Geoff Johns with art handled by Jim Lee. DC was so sure of the power of this one book that it was the only title released that week from their company. Of course, I got all wrapped up in the hype and was down at my local comic shop at the midnight release for the title. I got home, read it, and after all the hype and excitement was left with a decidedly "Meh!" feeling over the whole thing.
It reads like a big, blockbuster summer movie. Lots of explosions! Lots of excitement! It's fast paced! There's a lot of visual coolness to the whole thing. And... that's about it. I decided to wait to pick up the rest of the series until they released it as a collected edition, and I don't know that the "Meh!" feeling ever left as I read the first six issues, which is all basically about how Batman, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Superman, Aquaman, Flash, and Cyborg all joined forces to become the Justice League. That first issue was all about Batman and Green Lantern arguing back and forth, with the subsequent issues bringing the other heroes into the group one by one, to fight their big nemesis, Darkseid, whom they seem to be able to beat without much struggle, just a lot of explosions! And excitement! And fast pacing! And it looks so cool! And... that's about it.
Now, don't get me wrong. Jim Lee's artwork is, as usual, stunning. But he does fall into some of his same old patterns, where the guys all kinda look the same, and Wonder Woman was amazing impossible proportions, but he's still the best artist in the business as far as I'm concerned. Geoff Johns writing also isn't bad, but it isn't great either. For their flagship title, I guess I was just expecting something more. Will I pick up the next collected edition? Probably, but really it would really be just for Jim Lee's artwork more than anything else. If the next story is still so much flash and not enough substance, I think I may be passing on this after Jim Lee has finished his run on the title.
Obviously, it's worth reading if you're interested in The New 52 or are a big DC fan (which I'm not - I'm a Marvel guy, really). Just make sure you pop yourself some popcorn, get a big soda, and check your brain at the door.
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