Justice League #1

Geoff Johns and Jim Lee

"Part One" As this is a reboot, this needs no introduction. I discussed the first few pages when I wnet over all the new titles, but basically, Green Lantern and Batman meet 5 years ago for the first time as the government is hunting them down, and they are hunting down a horrible robot lizard creature. And here we go...

Summary: The cops are shooting at both heroes as they argue over methodology and ideology. Green lantern thinks they should use overwhelming , but careful and nonlethal, force on the helicoptors so that they can see the power and that they are good guys. Batman thinks that they should be afraid of people with powers, and remain that way. The argument is broken up by the creature rising up and in an attempt to kill the heroes, the helicoptors are shot down and destroyed. Green lantern tells Batman to stay behind, that he can handle this, and apparently that translates to "I'm gonna make a bunch of bats with my ring and toss them at this thing." The bats do however save some lives of helicoptor crew. Batman tells Green Lantern to go home, but he claims he's there on GL business- that a hostile alien force was detected on Earth. As the two descend into the sewer, Green Lantern continues to boast about his power while he guesses what Batman's powers are. Upon finding out that he's just a guy in a costume, Green Lantern laughs, and Batman uses this time to take the ring and examine it for flaws. It takes Hal a few moments to realize his ring is not on his finger. Upon handing it back he notes that its power is based on concentration, and that Hal should concentrate more, and he wouldn't lose it. They bicker again over who's powerless and brainless, until Batman socks him and tells him to be quiet and look. There is a creature like the other one fusing a weapon to the wall of the sewer. Hal makes a move to get the creature, thinking the weapon is a bomb- and he's right- it blows up, killing the creature as it shouts "Darkseid!", when he gets close. Luckily, he constructs a box around he and Batman so they are unharmed. Apparently, much like when T'aquil thought Nascar was a band liek Linkin Park, Hal thinks that Darkseid is a band name. Bruce and Hal argue over what the creature was trying to do, it did, but it left the box unharmed. After inspection by his ring, with no results, Hal is floored that the ring and the Guardians have never heard of what this item is. They do agree that it looks alien though which leads them to discuss the planet's resident "alien": Superman. Hal asks if he's really an alien, and Bruce says "He is, and he's dangerous." And while he may not have met him, Batman has certainly researched his powers. We cut to a football game , where everyone is cheering for Vic Stone, star of his team. But alas his father is off in a lab somewhere and not at the big game which makes Vic sad. Apparently, his father is on some metahuman affairs science crew, and he makes a wish to be a hero one day as he sees a bright green jet fly over. Landing in Metropolis, Batman goes off on how subtle a bright green fighter jet is when they are trying to sneak up on a Superman with incredible hearing. Green Lantern encases Batman in and tells him to relax- he can handle this guy. About that time, a red and blue streak tackles Hal and sends him flying several feet. Batman, remains down, and prepared, as the blur comes to a halt in front of him with a "I don't handle easy..." And this is our final page splash:

Yes, there are teasing the fight we all debate for the next issue. I say a tie is coming... and if its anything other than that or Batman winning, I will set the issue ablaze. Its blasphemy.

Highs: The art is beautiful, and while the story feels really recycled and simple, I think its a safe start for the reboot. The arguments between Hal and Bruce are fun and seem honest without being boring or over the top like their All Star interaction.

Lows: I still hate the new Superman costume... it just looks wrong to me. My other problem is with the villain, and more importantly, escalation. If the first battle is with Darkseid... where do we go from there? He's the big "end all big bad" so starting with him, as opposed to the giant starfish seems kinda problematic. But let's see how this goes.

Verdict: A. A solid book with very few flaws. Excellent start to the new 52.