The Justice League is back and bigger than ever! In the wake of Absolute Power and the DC All In Special, Darkseid’s death has triggered a massive power vacuum in the DCU, and Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman must unite like never before and expand the Justice League to encompass every hero championing the forces of good in the face of incredible evil! As our heroes work to uncover the mystery of the dark lord’s successor, Ray Palmer’s Atom Project triggers a race between hero and villain to control the fate of metahuman abilities on planet Earth, which threatens to destroy everything the League has built. Worlds will live, worlds will die, and a surprise is waiting in store on the last page… Justice League Unlimited #1 is a fantastic debut that sets the stage for what’s to come, until that last page…
The Justice League is a team and comic I only have previously read in spurts. I’d pick up an arc that sounded interesting, an important issue, or when a new volume launched. It’s never been a comic I regularly read. But, with Mark Waid writing and Dan Mora on art, it’s a series that’s absolutely on my radar as one to give a chance, more than I have in the past. Justice League Unlimited #1 is a debut that takes the strength of the two, who have knocked so much out of the park together, and amplifies it even further.
Justice League Unlimited #1 kicks off the “All In” involvement of the mighty team which has been absent for some time now. But, it’s really going “all in” with a League that encompasses nearly all of Earth’s heroes, creating squads and team-ups tailored for each situation. It’s now the most powerful team there is, so what could threaten it?
The issue features three parts. There’s the opening fight which shows the team gathered to take on a new mysterious threat. There’s some head-scratching in how they deal with the villains (why doesn’t Superman just throw the bot death wheels into space!?) but overall, it emphasizes the team dynamic. It’s a team that has some unorthodox members but there’s thought into what each brings to the table. It’s also a team that’s as much about punching the bad guy as it is in helping the average person. While some are doing the punching, others are evacuating civilians and saving lives. It’s a feel good portion of the comic that really drives home what this new team is about and how it feels overall.
The second part focuses on a new team member who is taken on a wild tour. It’s a brilliant introduction to the big picture of it all as we the reader are introduced to the concepts, the leaders, and what we can expect from the League and it’s new headquarters. For readers, it’s a great way to introduce everything and do so in an organic and entertaining way. It’s something we’ve seen before but it’s done well and with such enthusiasm, it’s hard to not enjoy the sequence.
Then there’s that ending… Waid unfortunately delivers a twist we’ve seen so many times in a scene we’ve seen so many times. There’s a classic feel about it but also a bit of a groan. Hopefully that plotline has some twists and turns before it’s done. But, it’s also a reveal that might have had more impact if it was done a few more issues in.
Dan Mora‘s art is as fantastic as expected. With beautiful and vibrant colors by Tamra Bonvillain and lettering that emphasizes the moment by Ariana Maher, it all comes together for what is an epic debut. Visually, the comic does an amazing job of driving home the grand nature of it all. This is a team that’s all powerful and cares in doing good. The art nails the feeling of the comic and team as one who really wants to help the world and create a positive future. There’s so many characters packed in with grand action, the team does an amazing job in the art.
Justice League Unlimited #1 is a fantastic start. Beyond that ending, it sets the tone of what we should expect and the vision the team has, both the Justice League and the comic creators themselves. It delivers an uplifting feel even with the destruction shown. It’s a new era and this issue plants a flag.
Story: Mark Waid Art: Dan Mora
Color: Tamra Bonvillain Letterer: Ariana Maher
Story: 8.25 Art: 8.25 Overall: 8.25 Recommendation: Buy
DC Comics provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: Zeus Comics – Kindle
