Review: "Justice League" #1 / #2 / #3

After the rather dull and too conventional "Justice League: Rebirth" #1, it's good to see that Bryan Hitch was able to turn the series around considerably. From what looked to be your next "giant-space-alien-attack-forces-heroes-to-save-the-world-story", the comic has incorporated a few welcome twists and turns to the formula, to make it stand out in comparison to other series. 

But "Justice League" also scores with the presentation of Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman etc., where each hero is given fair and considerable attention, with a focus that truly emphasizes the concept of the sum that is greater than its parts.

8/10

"The Good, the Bad and Something About Comics": "Justice League: Rebirth" #1

                + Positive                                        - Negative

Doesn't waste any time in getting to the action Art is in line with other current “Rebirth” titles Convincing dynamic between the “League” members Characters feel distinct and unique Knows how to stage and dramatize the concept of the Justice League

Clark Kent’s conflict of whether to join the Justice League seems largely artificial Generic space-alien-invader Not as funny as it thinks it is

A solid first issue for Justice League that gets to the point immediately, but has still considerable room to improve.

6/10

Final Thoughts on the "DC Universe Rebirth"

Chapter 4 and epilogue of "Rebirth" see writer Geoff Johns add less new characters into the mix, but rather develop the stories he has already established in the first three chapters. Artists Phil Jimenez and Gary Frank do an absolutely superb job of grasping the nuanced emotions of the two Flashes' reunion, and Johns just masterfully paces Batman's discovery of Rebirth's final (and somewhat expected/heavily hinted at) revelation.

After all, "Rebirth" knows how to prepare its readers for the DC Universe's imminent overhaul, finding the right balance between explanation/exposition and creating some intriguing new mysteries.

8/10

More Thoughts on the "DC Universe Rebirth"

Geoff Johns' methodical approach continues in chapter 3, which again focuses more on Wally West's journey through the Speed Force. Ivan Reis' art is quite uninspiring here, especially since it's so similar to that of Gary Frank's in the first two chapters. Why go with a different penciller at all then!?

It succeeds, however, in creating some much needed story lines that can actually work in their own right (with an end that is absolutely captivating), even if its kitschy tone lets the comic down more than once. 

Some More Thoughts on the "DC Universe Rebirth"

It's good to see that the arrangement into chapters in "Rebirth" actually follows a logical division. While chapter 1 gave us an overview of its central lore, chapter 2 completely focuses on the vast amount of DC characters that are involved. 

From Johnny Thunder, The Atom, Blue Beetle to Aqualad and Doctor Fate, it's refreshing to see some second-tier characters taking central stage here, even though some of them would have needed further evaluation to fit into the bigger picture properly. But even this very methodical approach is able to create some memorable scenes and encounters, as readers will be excited to see what happens in chapter 3.

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First Impressions of the "DC Universe Rebirth"

First Impressions of the "DC Universe Rebirth"

If there's one thing you'd have to give the "DC Universe Rebirth" credit for, it would certainly be its relentless pursuit of something grand. Writer Geoff Johns is aiming high and he knows it, but he's also aware that there's something at stake here, with much more to lose for him and DC Comics than to win. A successful rebirth event might result in a creatively compelling future for a lot of DC's trademark series. If it goes wrong, though, it might take a long time for DC to recover from it.

However, after reading the first chapter, focusing on the Wally West incarnation of The Flash and his struggle to escape the Speed Force, it all looks very promising. Probably its greatest achievement is that "Rebirth" makes complex and complicated matters look easy. If you don't know know what "Flashpoint" is or what happened during "The New 52" era, it all doesn't really matter. Johns impressively manages to pack a lot of coherently presented information in these first few pages. New readers will instantly feel familiarized with something bigger, while seasoned readers might be happy about the little update.

Sure, there is a sense of self-importance that permeates the story, Batman pales beside the strong writing Wally receives, and Gary Frank's and Ethan van Sciver's polished art plays it too safe at times, but all in all this is a more than satisfying first part of DC's ambitious rebirth event. 

Comic of the Day 2/5: "DK III: The Master Race" #4

Frank Miller and Brian Azzarello have decided to go all out on this issue, with results that don't always convince. 

Everything in DK III: The Master Race #4 is supposed to be meaningful, important and grand. From the amazingly composed first panel that harks back to the shrinking of The Atom to the confrontation between Superman, Lara and the Kryptonians to a surprise appearance of The Flash, everything is extremely fast paced, first class entertainment. But it was their ability to squeeze every ounce of drama of a selected amount of scenes that have made the first three issues so special.

Andy Kubert's pencils and Brad Anderson's colors only add to the spectacle. Images of blood on snow and a Bruce Wayne that looks even more battered than in the last issue make for a relentless and violent atmosphere that penetrates the whole comic. The Batgirl tie-in comic complements the main story perfectly, as it knows to impress with great gestures and even adds Aquaman to the mix. 

But featuring Batman, Superman, Supergirl, Wonder Woman, Batgirl, Robin, The Atom, The Flash and Aquaman, DKIII: The Master Race is too crowded and has too much to tell to actually make a valid point. As a one-off spectacle it's great, but I hope Miller and Azzarello return to the moderate and more ponderous atmosphere that so magnificently defined the series .

7/10

Comic of the Day 15/4: "The Flash" #48

The Flash #48 is a good and pleasant read, but offers little to elevate itself into being more than that. 

Barry Allen is hired by the CCPD to assist "The Rogues" in hunting down...yes, you guessed it, The Flash. The most baffling thing here is the perplexity with which writers Robert Venditti and Van Jensen let Barry handle the situation. Aimlessly, he seems to run headlong into chaos and only gains confidence after his father delivers one of the most clichéd "I believe in you. The city needs you" speeches. 

A huge positive, though, is how the writers handle The Rogues. As sceptical as I am about second rate super-hero or villain team-ups, Weather Wizard, Trickster, Mirror Master, Golden Glider and Captain Cold are approached with exactly the right attitude: irony. Knowing they have little to offer individually (Captain Frye's altercation with Captain Cool is simply hilarious) and one alone never could stand a chance against The Flash, their strength comes in numbers as they battle.

Jesus Merino's art is solid, delivers some dynamic action sequences, but never really dares to leave its own comfort zone. However, none of these issues are significant enough to spoil the fact that The Flash #48 is still a fun read that just needs some minor adjustments to really stand out.