Now we have a new era of the Justice League with DC's release of the New 52.
The cover of issue 1 features:
Superman
Aquaman
Wonder Woman
Green Lantern (Hal Jordan)
Batman
The Flash
and Cyborg
Already just looking at the cover art we see how the super heroes have been modernized. The first thing that comes to mind is that the characters have evolved from just wearing tights. The costumes look as though they are wearing armor of sorts.
Even Superman himself has changes, they have finally done away with the red underwear on the outside of his tights (in my opinion its about time). While Wonder Woman on the cover still sports a more bathing suit with armor around it, the actual character design in promo art features her wearing pants instead. I feel they also have giving her a little more femininity, Wonder Woman in projects of late I feel was too masculine. This new design makes Wonder Woman look more petite while still retaining that strong warrior look.
Some smaller changes I have noticed as well. The emblem on Green Lantern and The Flash's chest have become more three dimensional and jut out from the chest, instead of looking like it was sewn into the design of the tights. As well Superman's cape has been included directly into the suit no longer a separate piece.
Batman, it seems they went with a look that complimented the animated version of Batman in the show Justice League, while also adding the element of an armor look.
Cyborg I have to say looks the least different with his look, and I think the reason being with his character design, and not having been very familiar with him to begin with, there are only so many ways you can draw a guy infused with machine and stay true to the character.
The last change is also a small one, but the hairstyles are more modern as well.
In the comic, we begin in Gotham, home town to the Dark Knight Batman. Who is currently being chased by Gotham P.D. while chasing down an unknown Villain. In a time (as the comic stats Five Years Ago) where the world did not quite see them as Heroes, but just masked vigilantes, who the world was afraid of.
Batman while being shot at from a couple helicopters continues to chase down this mystery villain, along the roof tops of Gotham. Catching up to his target this mystery man seems to have brute strength and Batman struggles, and just as the he tackles the mystery man, who sheds his guise and appears to be some kind of alien cyborg who almost gets the upper hand on Batman. The alien cyborg gets hit with what appears to be a glowing green fire truck. Into which we see the first meeting of Batman and Green Lantern (Hal Jordan), who Green Lantern seeing him for the first time states, "Batman? Your real?" The two banter when the choppers of G.C.P.D. catches up to them as well as the return of the alien cyborg that Green Lantern just took down. The alien cyborg shoots down the two choppers, who in turn get saved by some Construct Bats created by Green Lantern. The cyborg escapes into the sewers where Batman and GL follow, we see more witty banter between the two. And we also see the difference in character, where Hal will jump into anything blindly without a plan, we see Batman hesitate and assess the situation. The banter starts to get personal as GL berates Batman for having no powers and being just a man in a bat suit. Who in turn Batman removes GL power ring revealing Hal Jordan, and Batman makes an assessment of his powers. The fight heats up almost getting physical, when Batman realizes the cyborg is down the corridor around the corner.
They watch as it attaches a box to the wall and then arms the device, and finally shouts "FOR DARKSEID!" and the cyborg itself starts to ignite. Being the actor and not the thinker GL encases both, Batman and himself containment construct, should the explosion be devastating.
They then see that only the cyborg exploded while the box he planted remains, GL uses his ring to analyze it and the ring comes back with no known info. As the device is alien GL determines that maybe another alien will know about it, referring to that guy in Metropolis, and Batman states Superman, and GL asks if Batman knows him. Batman states no, but I have researched him and he is dangerous. To which GL exclaims is not a problem for him.
We are then taken to a football game in which a star player with recruiters in the stands wins the game, we learn the star is Vic Stone (who later becomes Cyborg), when leaving the stadium they witness a glowing green jet fly through the sky. Batman and GL land in front of a building with a giant hole inside, GL states not to worry he will go in detain superman for questioning, and as he enters is blown back by a red beam of light.
A man in a blue, red and yellow suit with a red cape appears saying he will not be taken in so easily.
Leaving us to await the next issue at the bottom stating Next: Batman VS Superman.
I think this first issue was a really awesome introduction to the meeting of the super heroes of the league. We witness first off the growing conflict between Hal and Bats who have never really gotten along.
I think the first issue was really well done. I am excited for issue two and as well I cant wait the see the other number one issues that will start the origins of these heroes as well.
It will be interesting to see where they go with this version of the Justice League, who they will face, and what worldly or universal crisis will they save us all from in this series? I cant wait to find out.
So far everything I have read from Geoff Johns, with his revamp of the Green Lantern series and his Blackest Night and Brightest Day series, has been extremely well done. And the artwork instituted by Jim Lee is amazing. Intricate and detailed, I could only hope to become half the artist he is.
And as I have become more and more of a fan over the last two years, for me its nice to have a new starting point to get in fresh with these characters.
This week Green Lantern, Red Lanterns, ans Superboy, and the possible Batman and Robin will release on the 14th so hopefully I can pick them up and review them this week as well!
The image of the Cover of Justice League issue #1
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