Today’s Comic> Justice League International #1

I was hoping they changed their mind about Plastic Man not joining.

Justice League International #1

DC Comics (November, 2011)

The United Nations have decided to form their own Justice League, with Booster Gold as team leader. Joining the ranks include Ice, Vixen, Fire, Rocket Red, August General In Iron, Godiva, and Green Lantern Guy Gardner. Gardner turns it down because he doesn’t like Booster, but Batman tags along on their first assignment, an island where people have gone missing. If they can stop infighting long enough (mostly Red and August General) they may survive the Signal Men!

What they got right: This comic was a lot more fun. Take the Avengers with less in-fighting, drop the brats of Justice League #1, and you get a rather enjoyable comic. Introduce the team, send them into danger, end part 1. Even the art was good.

What they got wrong: Booster Gold, Vixen, and Guy Gardner have gotten enough extended media exposure that people will know who they are. However, Rocket Red is known to few, August General In Iron is known to even fewer, and I have no idea who Godiva is outside of her using her hair like Medusa of the Marvel Universe. Even Booster doesn’t know what powers most of them have, and nobody told us either. Plus they teased me with Plastic Man before he was turned down. Also, why bring in the Hall of Justice just to trash it? I wanted to see them use it. Finally, anti-hero protestors straight out of the Marvel Universe is why I think of the New 52 as Marvel lite (although Booster at least has the right attitude).

Recommendation: This is what their non-international counterpart wishes it was. I’d like to see more Dan Jurgens’ stories and less Geoff Johns. I may actually end up sticking with this comic.

Related articles

• Reader’s Guide to the New DC Universe: Justice League International (tor.com)
• Justice League #1: the good and the bad (bwmedia.wordpress.com)