After a fairly impressive debut, the second issue of Formerly Known as The Justice League is even more fun than the first. Having re-established the characters and premise effectively in the first issue, the creative team gets down to doing what they're best at in this one, which is providing humor of the slapstick and vaudeville variety in a super-hero vein. There are the character-based running gags, such as Fire's rating of men and Ralph's reactions, there are the funny random weirdness gags, such as the Harvard-educated gang of street toughs and then there's the slapstick, ably provided by Kevin Maguire and Joe Rubinstein. It's like the Justice League International never left the building, and it indicates that maybe a little nostalgia isn't always a bad thing. I never knew how much I missed this style or these characters until I read this issue, but now I'm so glad to have them back.
What I like about this book is that it blends character development, humor, plot and action together in equal measure. OK, maybe not entirely equal - humor is at the forefront - but basically, there's a solid story underlying all the yuks. So while I might be happiest that the book provided several laugh-out-loud moments, I'm also pleased that the story changes the status quo, getting the team settled into their new neighborhood, as well as setting up some potential conflicts and foreshadowing the big bad lurking in space, waiting and watching.
Really, though, it is the characterization and humor that drives the book for me. The interaction between Sue, Ralph and Bea is hilarious fun, a nice subversion of the "men are pigs" characterization not to mention the old "stretchy body parts" gag. It's terrific to see Booster and Beetle, Blue and Gold, back together again, in fine bickering form. Mary Marvel is delightful and funny. And it's always fun to watch Max try to be smooth with someone who's on to his game. But the real standout for me of this issue are the villains. Just as Giffen and DeMatteis turned the Injustice League into incompetent but fun goons, they deliver in this issue a set of four street toughs who speak like they come from ivory towers rather than the streets, and the contrast between expectations and reality just made me crack up.
As much as Giffen and DeMatteis are to be credited for the style and tone of the book, particularly the dialogue, one must also give it up for Kevin Maguire and Joe Rubinstein. Maguire is probably one of the top five, if not the top guy, when it comes to doing faces with such deep expression. The double-takes and mock outrage that makes for a lot of the funny comes from Maguire, and I'm impressed that when Mary meets Booster, he gives her an innocent demeanor combined with a body that men would kill for that makes you see exactly what Booster is reacting to. In fact, one of the things that impresses me about Maguire's work is that he can do sexy without having to resort to the obvious skimpy clothes and cleavage. He's no slouch when it comes to the action, either, as the battle that comes at the end is fast-paced and fun, with a particularly nice and understated use of Mary's powers.
Thanks to a good response and good sales, DC has all but officially announced the sequel mini-series to this mini already, and I couldn't be happier. While the widescreen, "Big Seven" JLA is all well and good, I think there's room for a little good-natured ribbing and remembrance that these characters can be fun in a different way as well.
