“Justice!!!!!”
The second issue of this seven issue series opens up with Green Arrow and Green Lantern in Gotham reminiscing about the “thought to be deceased” Batman. (Everyone out there knows he’s still alive, right?) From there it proceeds to a fight between two more of our heroes on Blackhawk Island and then a conference with Jason Bard with the Green Team. The Atom and the Golden-Age Flash are surveying the destruction at the Flash Museum. With the arrival of Supergirl and Captain Marvel, most of the team is present. All of which is a set-up for whatever the main story will be.
I love James Robinson. He is a very skilled storyteller and has a great deal of comic book knowledge that shows in his writing. He respects what past writers have done and builds upon it. But, I have to say that after two issues of build-up, I hope we are in for a real blow-up next issue. I think this book will suffer if it has another issue of set-ups.
I really enjoy Mauro Cascioli’s Art and how realistic it makes the characters look. It is definitely a welcome change from the norm. It has a real world feel to it. I also enjoy the back-up origin of The Atom and a look at his publishing history.
In conclusion, I like the issue; I like the heroes involved in the story; and I like the creative team. I hope my expectations are continued to be met and, hopefully, exceeded in the future issues.
3.5 out of 5
More than likely you’ve read the opening pages of this seven issue series; it’s tagged many DC titles’ final pages for the last few weeks. The premise: Hal Jordan starts up his own Justice League. Tired of recent loses, namely Martian Manhunter and Batman, Green Lantern wants justice for his fallen comrades by taking out DC villains. With his longtime buddy and similarly color schemed Green Arrow, Hal and Ollie storm out of the JLA and set off on their own. It’s great so far and then this issue falls apart… and fast.
After this setup, author James Robinson attempts show how the other future league members will join Green Lantern’s crusade. None of these pages work at all. These stories are cheap and blatantly bad formula. Each hero experiences angst and then cries for justice, literally. The final page with Congo Bill yelling “I want justice” made me want to eat a corndog it was so corny! Silly monkey.
Artist Mauro Cascioli’s art is phenomenal. His creative panel choices show a great story, but the script is weak. Each page pops with portrait quality art. I reread this issue and found myself gawking in admiration of every picture. Too bad, his talent is wasted on a trite issue.
The main premise of Hal Jordan starting up a rogue ass-kicking league is promising. Hopefully, this will be a great series with a poor first issue. Please, say it is so.
2 out of 5
