Justice League #1

The flagship of the new 52.  The one that's released first and all by itself.

I haven't finished reading Flashpoint yet (I'm following it on my iPad) so I'm not quite sure how the world shakes out yet but so far it appears there's a little distrust of the superhero community.  The line up is pretty classic: Batman, Green Lantern, Flash, Wonder Woman, Superman and Aquaman.  Cyborg seems like an odd addition.  I've always associated him more with the Teen Titans.  This one is set 5 years before everything else in the new Universe which is an interesting concept.  It allows the authors some freedom because they don't have to worry what the characters are doing in their own books but I'm not sure it won't mess with continuity.

I was a little wary reading this because I read some online reviews before I got a chance to pick up my copy.  They were less than complimentary.  After reading it I think that some of them were disappointed fanboys who don't like change.

The story is also a classic origin.  It's practically the standard D&D beginning of having all the characters meeting in a bar.  The first issue is mainly Green Lantern and Batman.  They test each other.  Green Lantern clearly has something to prove.  The end of the issue sets up #2 for the introduction of Superman (it's even billed as Superman vs Batman).  I hope there's going to be more innovation than each member of the league getting involved with a fight with another member or members. 

Looks like the main villain of the piece is going to be Darkseid.  Good villain for this power level.  The challenge of the team up book is keeping Batman relevant.  Every other hero has a power but he's all about his mind and body.  A good writer can make Batman fit in.

Looks like it's going to be a new origin for Cyborg too.  I don't think his origin has been told since the 80s so for the least known in the team it makes sense for him to be introduced to new readers.  As I've said, I find him an odd choice for this league.  The core stays at 7 heroes but I feel that they're missing someone - the Hawkman or Martian Manhunter of the group.

Geoff Johns is the author for this one.  I enjoyed his work on Green Lantern and I like the way he's written both Hal Jordan and Batman in this first issue.  The artist is Jim Lee.  I know the name but I can't think of anything I've really seen from him.  So far I'm not liking how he's drawing Wonder Woman (at least on the cover) but Jordan's constructs and some of the facial expressions were amazing.

Things I liked: Batman snatching Green Lantern's ring off his finger.  It was just a small sample of why Batman is cool.

Things I didn't like: the cover.  I would've liked to see something that was more indicative of what was inside.  Or at least something that made physical sense.  Aquaman and Green Lantern should probably have switched places.  Then all the flyers would be together and it wouldn't look like Aquaman was leaping in from above.