Comics / Comic Reviews / DC Comics

Justice League of America # 1

By Hervé St.Louis
August 28, 2006 - 09:04

After a one year absence in the DC Universe, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman reunite to create the Justice League each founded and helped destroy, the last time. While they are debating potential recruits to join them, The ghost of the Red Tornado is contemplating returning to life, in his old android body. He wants to be reunited with his adopted family. But sinister forces are plotting against him and heroes.

If the Archer’s Quest was the first arc of novelist Meltzer into the DC universe, his successful mini-series, Identity Crisis was his way of introducing conflict into that world. Perhaps this new reincarnation of the Justice League is both the climax and conclusion of his foray. The story is intriguing and combines old plot elements with the good old tactic of creating drama out of the current cast. Indeed, before confronting some world conquerors, the Justice League will confront its own problems.

Meltzer continues to rewrite the history of the DC Universe in his own vision forcing other writers to change to his vision. Here, Kathy Sutton, the girlfriend of the Red Tornado, knows the secret identity of Batman, referring to him as Bruce. The Red Tornado was hardly in the inner circle of the Justice League, unlike Sue Dibny. That his platonic girlfriend would know that much about Batman is scary. Will there be an Identity Crisis Part Two? Other questions remain as which version of history is the right one. We know that Wonder Woman is the back as founder of the League. Where does that leave Black Canary?

This new truth puts other spin on recent Justice League history. If Wonder Woman was there all the time, where was she when the inner League, composed of Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Flash, Hawkman, Black Canary, the Atom and Zatanna were brainwashing people left and right? What’s her opinion? Will Meltzer answer this?

The story is not easy to read. It’s not because of its complexity but because it doesn’t flow naturally. Justice League of America #0 had the same problem. Although comic books are suited for complex parallel stories, there’s a way of presenting such a complex story well. Here Meltzer only uses his novelist’s tricks which are ill suited for a comic book. Although many will marvel at the subtle hints and subplots, such convincing storytelling has been done better with far more complicated material, like The Watchmen and V for Vendetta but by making the most of the comic book format.

It’s hard to decide who is to blame for the bad storytelling in Justice League of America. However, it’s usually the artist’ task to reign in the writer and adapt his work for the comic book format, instead of just drawing pictures to accompany his prose. Here Benes is nothing but an illustrator not a storyteller. And he’s not a good illustrator.

One can see in many panels that he cannot capture the silent moments expressed by Meltzer’s plot. For example, on page two, there is a silent panel with Wonder Woman looking at Batman. Unfortunately for Benes, Meltzer did not include any caption to tell the reader what to make of this frame. Judging by the context from previous frames, Wonder Woman is quietly approving Batman’s words, or being surprised by his stubbornness. Well, we likely will never know as Benes cannot translate emotions. Meltzer’s previous partner on Identity Crisis could convincingly transmit such subtlety, although he was not a good storyteller either.

Looking at that specific frame and others, one can see that besides drawing beautiful female faces, Benes often has problems drawing women. Here Wonder Woman has She Hulk’s body frame. His Red Tornado doesn’t fare better. If I were a mad scientist building an android, would I shape him in the body of an exaggerated Mister Universe 2006 pumped with Steroids, or would I get inspiration from classical Greek models or Leonardo Da Vinci’s David? If Benes was that mad scientist, he would go for Mr Universe. That some characters like Superman have large bodies, is normal.  But for all characters to share the same frame shows a lack of involvement in the project. A good artist would understand his characters better and draw the appropriate frame for each character.

Unfortunately, Benes is just a hire hand here and not Meltzer’s equal. His real job is to serve as a Jim Lee substitute since DC Comics cannot clone Lee. In Birds of Prey Benes showed better flair and prowess. Here, one can feel the tension in his work and it doesn’t make for a nice book. Instead of optimizing what is good about Benes’ work, and improving on his weaknesses, Sandra Hope only enhances the faults. Hope who was a perfect match for Giuseppe Camuncoli, in The Intimates, looks poor here. She usually has a great felt tip but here, all she provides are scratches and few shadows.

It’s remarkable that DC Comics would go for Marvel Comics’ old house style and tricks, including multiple hard to find alternate covers by Turner, when on the story side, they revert to their old style type of story.

4/10

Alternate review:

Justice League of America # 1

Last Updated: August 31, 2023 - 08:12