|
FORMERLY KNOWN AS THE JUSTICE LEAGUE #1
"A[Nother] New Beginning"
Highly Recommended (9/10)
|
DC Comics
Writers: Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis
Pencils: Kevin Maguire
Inks: Joe Rubinstein
Colors: Lee Loughridge
Letters: Bob Lappan
Editor: Dan Raspler
Price: $2.50 US/$4.25 CAN |
It's said that you can't go home again. Formerly Known As The Justice League would seem to contradict this argument, because the beloved 80s humor incarnation of the Justice League is resurrected in this pages, by the original creative team mind you, as if not a day has passed. Actually, that's not entirely accurate, it's like time has passed for the characters, but the sense of humor, the look, the comic timing and characterization that made Justice League International such a fun read is to be found here as if the creators were just picking up from their strongest time on the series. It's not laugh-out-loud funny, but then, the original stories really weren't either, they were more about having moments that could make you smile and laugh when you talked about them with friends, and this issue has a few of those moments, as well as providing a nostalgic thrill for those looking for a lighter take on the Justice League than the epic super-heroic style at work in the main title.
What's brilliant about FKATJL (hey, the name's too long to write out every time) is that it works even for those who don't have a prior experience with this version of the characters. The notion of a privately-owned superteam with a hotline isn't completely new, but it's never really been done right, which is to say with the comedic edge that such a ridiculous idea requires, and so this seems like a great premise for a mini-series. Even those who haven't followed the Justice League in the 80s will be able to get into this, and will probably enjoy the characters that Giffen and DeMatteis have assembled.
Certainly anyone can enjoy the artwork. Maguire and Rubinstein bring a soft and deeply expressive look to these characters, capturing the interaction between them with such reality that these feel like real people rather than just art icons in painted costumes. That human touch is a big part of what makes FKATJL so enjoyable, as we can get the nuances of the reactions to Max's offer, or get the mixture of slimy concert promoter/shrewd businessman that has always seemed to be Max's personality, or see the embarrassment on Captain Atom's face at what he's been reduced to. The art is certainly no slouch in the outlandish department either, though; L-Ron the robot in a paper fast food hat or the deeply ridiculous design for Man O' War show off that side of the art very well.
However, the real joy in this book will be for those who remember the good old days of the Justice League International. Those for whom "One Punch! You're shouting again, m'lord. Mr. Beetle, why are you so fat? Bwa-ha-ha!" and other phrases bring back funny memories. Giffen and DeMatteis aren't just recycling old gags here (well, they are, but they're vaudevillian bits rather than old jokes from their JLI run), they've got whole new gags that are just as funny and spring from the same source. L-Ron's distaste for his job at a fast food franchise, Bea's money-making web venture, Booster's "kept man" status, the always-entertaining banter of married couple Sue and Ralph Dibny and especially Captain Atom's third-rate super-hero days are all really fun bits. And the addition of Mary Marvel, done in a clever way, lends something new to the cast as well.
While I was looking forward to this book, I was also a bit nervous about it. Too often, creators can't resurrect the magic of their prior work, having fallen out of touch with the times as far as comic-book storytelling fundamentals go or just not having anything more to say. Clearly, I needn't have worried, because FKATJL is just as much fun as the Justice League International was, and will probably delight new fans as well as those coming back for another go-round. Maybe next we can get a resurrection of that other gem of the 80s/90s at DC, a John Ostrander-penned Suicide Squad revival?
Email Randy Lander comments about this review, or discuss it on the Fourth Rail message board. |
