Justice League International continues to improve each issue and is a book that comic fans should pick up. Cover art by David Finch. Photo property of DC Comics.
By: Jacob Elyachar
If you not have read part one of my progress report, please read it before you read this article: https://jakes-take.com/2012/03/02/the-dc-comics-relaunch-progress-report-2/
Part two of this article examines Green Lantern Corps, Justice League and Justice League International.
Green Lantern Corps
Written by: Peter J. Tomasi; Art by: Fernando Pasarin, Geraldo Borges & Scott Hanna
Green Lantern Corps focuses on the other members of the illustrious intergalactic police force. The main characters of the book’s six-issue arc were Guy Gardner and John Stewart, the only two Green Lanterns who do not have any secret identities. They lead the Corps against the Keepers, who originally watched over the Green Lanterns’ power batteries until the Guardians of the Universe forcibly removed them from and destroyed their planet in the process.
Tomasi continues his streak with writing this part of the Green Lantern franchise. He successfully finds balance between focusing on Guy and John but also several members of the Green Lantern Corps including the formidable Kilowag, the serious Salakk and popular supporting cast members Isamot Kol, Sheriff Mardin and Hannu.
The only concern that this author has is with the artwork change-up in issue three. While Geraldo Borges did an okay job as a guest penciler, his work messed up the flow of the story and it took until the fifth issue for the groove to return. Other than that, Fernando Pasarin and Scott Hanna delivered some of the best art I have seen in a Green Lantern book.
Final Thoughts and Grade: Despite the flow problem encountered in issue three, this book continues to be one of the best Green Lantern books in the current DC line-up. B+
Justice League
Written by: Geoff Johns; Art by: Jim Lee, Scott Williams & Carlos D’ Anda
For years, DC Comics’ fans have wanted DC’s best writer: Geoff Johns to work with the company’s best illustrative team of Jim Lee and Scott Williams on the company’s biggest team: the Justice League. When the company relaunched their entire line last August, fans got their wish as the superstar team gave the Justice League a whole new origin.
This new origin story shows how DC’s top superhero group formed when popular DC Comics villain and self-proclaimed God of Evil: Darkseid invaded Earth in hopes to conquer it. Justice League is the best group book that DC Comics has published in the new relaunch because of its’ impeccable dialogue and outstanding artwork.
While Jim Lee takes a break from penciling duties, fans will be treated to art from Gene Ha and Carlos D’Anda. Meanwhile, starting with issue seven, Geoff Johns teams with frequent collaborator Gary Frank (Superman: Secret Origin) for a new take on Shazam.
Final Thoughts and Grade: Justice League is a marvelous book and if you are not picking up this title, you are truly missing out on a great book! A+
Justice League International
Written by: Dan Jurgens
Art by: Aaron Lopresti & Matt Ryan (1-5); Marco Castiello & Vincenzo Acunzo
Justice League International is one of the three team books that has the words: “Justice League” in its’ title. While the Geoff Johns-Jim Lee book deals with the premier superhero team and Justice League Dark deals with a supernatural team of heroes, Justice League International focuses on the fictional United Nations sponsored team. This book features Booster Gold leading the team and has Justice League veterans: Guy Gardner, Fire, Ice, Rocket Red and Vixen as part of its’ roster.
During their first adventure, the team tackled a brand new villain: Peraxxus and his band of giant soldiers known as the Signal Men. In addition to fighting the evil alien overlord, they fought with each other over leadership qualifications, country rivalries and self-doubt. But in the end, the good guys were triumphant until a mysterious bomb explodes during the team’s unveiling at the United Nations.
Veteran comics scribe Dan Jurgens does an impeccable job balancing the book’s numerous characters and perfects showcasing the individual characters’ voices that range from Guy Gardner’s cockiness to Godiva’s self-doubt. In addition, the art team of Aaron Lopresti and Matt Ryan keeps bringing the art quality up each issue and while they took a break on issue six, guest creative team: Marcos Castiello and Vincenzo Acunzo did not skip a beat and kept the momentum of this book going.
Final Thoughts and Grade: Justice League International continues to improve as a book issue-after-issue and this author hopes that the streak endures for the next couple of arcs. A-
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