DC’s new Justice League of America (“JLA”) title is quickly establishing itself as a multi-character book that’s actually interested in its characters. Surprisingly light on visceral spectacle thus far, writer Geoff Johns and artist David Finch have instead been diligently working at bringing out the distinctive personalities of this book’s stars, and they are doing a bang-up job of it. After just two issues JLA is one of DC’s most promising titles.
JLA’s initial story arc concerns itself with the formation of a Justice League that will answer to America and, if needed, stand against the likes of Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman, who swear allegiance to no one government. As Johns shows us how and why this team is being assembled he’s also weaving a parallel, connected tale about the formation of a “Secret Society of Supervillians” – an organization so discreet that most criminals haven’t heard of it. This is fun, pulpy stuff, helped along by Johns’ skill in dropping breadcrumbs of information for readers to pick up and puzzle out. David Finch’s art on this title is surprisingly good. While he lacks the knack for the terrific facial expressions of a Kevin Maguire he’s refreshingly adept at playing out this issues serious beats and comic moments.
In particular, the exchange between Hawkman and Vibe in this issue is priceless; casually funny in a way that, frankly, most of DC’s titles seem to want to avoid like the plague. Johns and Finch pace that exchange perfectly and use it to admirable dual effect. It’s genuinely amusing, but the moment also underlines the suggestion that Hawkman is a total psychopath.
On a more critical note, Amanda Waller’s New 52 cosmetic makeover continues to be a real disappointment. Why does every woman in the DC Universe need to look like a photocopy of a photocopy of a Sears catalogue model? The “old” Amanda Waller was a take-no-bull$#!t battleship of a woman who was entirely too comfortable wielding too much power.
Classic Waller.
The New 52’s Waller is thin and vaguely pretty and (so far) utterly boring. Readers could believe that the old Amanda Waller had fought, manipulated and won her way to the top of the shadowy governmental food chain. She was a compelling and unique character. It’s genuinely difficult to believe any of that about the new Amanda Waller. The character of Waller, and the sometimes wince-inducing dialogue between her and JLA team leader Steve Trevor is JLA‘s one real weakness thus far, and it leaves the reader hoping that Johns will soon find a different angle for Waller, other than “Stock Veteran Police Captain/Model Isn’t Taking Any Insubordination Today.”
New and “Improved” Waller, contorting her body like she’s trying out for a John Woo Cirque Du Soleil movie
JLA #2 also marks the debut of the Martian Manhunter’s solo backup feature, which is scheduled to run for an indeterminate length of time. As a standalone story it’s fairly disposable, impersonal stuff, but as a piece of the larger JLA/Manhunter story currently being told its an intriguing and welcome addition. Writer Matt Kindt (with plotting assistance from Johns) reveals the Manhunter’s role in getting the President to green light the JLA team and again emphasizes the Manhunter’s frightening willingness to manipulate events to his own ends. It’ll be interesting to see whether this backup continues to function as an extension of the main title, or whether Kindt will start to tell the sort of tale that Johns spun with Shazam in Justice League. Either way, this was a welcome treat featuring some great art from Scott Clark. It’s my understanding that Mr. Clark passed away recently. Judging from his work here we’re all a little poorer for his passing. Condolences to his family, friends, and fans.
Related posts:
You Might Also Like
