REVIEW: DC Universe Rebirth Justice League # 1

Reviewing DC Universe Rebirth Justice League # 1 by Bryan Hitch and Tony Daniel from DC Comics.

Description: Spinning out of the events of DC UNIVERSE: REBIRTH #1, a new day dawns for Earth’s greatest heroes as they welcome three new members to the team, including…Superman? Who is this strange visitor from a dead world—and can he be trusted? Batman and Wonder Woman aren’t so sure.

The book opens with an action-packed scene with Wonder Woman which leads to the main trouble for the issue. Hitch has definitely shown honed his skill as a writer, being able to do decent to great dialogues for the book. Yes this is the Justice League but its NOT entirely the Justice League we grew up with, nor is it the League that was given to us when DC Comics decided to work on NEW 52.

This is a League that reads and feels like they have started to pick up their pieces. After all, its not been a long time since New 52 Superman died and a new Superman has made a sudden appearance claiming he came from a different reality. This is, however, a League that is still capable of answering globel level calamities and threats. You know that most of the team’s grown comfortable with each other as they now have trainee Green Lanterns in their team – Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz (formerly Power Ring).

Emotions and character building is what makes this a good buy dear readers. Sure action is limited to Wonder Woman taking on a Russian army all by herself but Justice League holds on to more of the internal monologues and drama. Like how the two Lanterns are trying their best to live up to Hal Jordan’s expectations of them as they have been partnered up as the new Green Lanterns of Earth…

Proof that we’re reading an internal analysis of the League also comes in the form of Aquaman who is taking care of his kingdom and actually hoping that his friends are taking care of the rest of the world. And we never see Batman or Wonder Woman, the de facto leaders at the moment saying “Where is Aquaman”. They already know and they already know that they’re spread too thin.

Then there’s the subplot of Superman. Pre-New 52, old school Clark Kent/ Clark Black, the guys who pretty much mirrored Earth 2 Superman in Infinite Crisis. Justice League # 1 examines the aloofness these heroes have for the displaced “big guy”.

Hitch nails the characterization on who would be skeptical about another Superman. Batman and Cyborg. The League’s brainiest members. At least for Cyborg, there’s this heart. In this issue alone he even reminisces on his past, his days as a football player and one particular game all while stopping a train from hitting people in the subway.

The art team composed of Tony S. Daniel, inker Sandu Florea and colorist Tomeu Morey needs a tip of the hat too for lining up neatly with previous Justice League artists. They’re stuff is muy bien. The dynamic flow on Daniel’s linework and even static, dramatic moments still exude that heroic aura.

I missed DC Comics from the old days when it didn’t try hard to be edgy and for this book plus the Superman and Batman books, they totally reeled me back in.

VERDICT: 9.5/10

I would recommend getting the physical copy at Comic Oddyssey