What I'm Reading - Justice League #1
So the DCnU started this past week with Justice League #1 and I figure this is the best place to keep my notes on the new books as they come out (or at least the ones I decide to bring home and read). I'm thinking written notes will help me firm up my pull list and keep me from continuing to pick up books out of habit rather than enjoyment.
My first thought on the issue, before I even finished it, was along the lines of "been there, done that, bought the t-shirt." I realize I'm an old fan and I've read more than my share of JLA #1's, but you'd think someone could come up with a new story for this momentous occassion by now. Instead we get the tried and true - costumed heroes meet for the first time and they end up fighting each other, verbally and/or physically. Never saw that coming. And the cliff hangy splash page that ends the issue promises more meeting and fighting next issue. Wheee! Add to that the fact that the dialog was uninspired and sounded flat in my head, and I'm not motivated to spend money on issue #2. The art was decent, and even pretty in some panels, but I'm well and truly tired of the hero with a grimace and clenched teeth as his only expression.
To be honest, I wasn't terribly excited about this book to start with. While the stories weren't the best, I was really enjoying James Robinson's JLA team. They were a different mix of odd characters and younger heroes grown up and coming into their own. There were lots of powerful women in major roles too, not just a token Wonder Woman there to take notes and make cookies. Heck, DC's traditional trinity was turned inside out, with two women and one man as the top tier heroes. And of course, two of the three, Dick Grayson and Donna Troy, are two of my all time favorite DC characters. Supergirl finished out the trinity and the little sister/big brother relationship she developed with Dick was a favorite of mine. I loved the other members of the group too, especially Congo Bill, because I have a weakness for large talking gorillas. :) The splash pages from Robinson's last issue, teasers of adventures we'll never get to read, made me incredibly sad. I mean, they had an adventure in the Gemworld! With Amethyst! And I'll never get to read it! That alone makes me resent the new League and the new DCU just a little.
Now we get the "traditional" JLA - characters that I've been reading about forever, many of which I just don't care about one way or the other. If the first issue is any indication, Geoff Johns will be putting these old timers through the same paces they always go through when they get together. There will be lots of fighting and big action scenes. And not a whole lot else. Too few women, no talking gorillas, no trips to Gemworld. Nothing fresh and fun. I might pick up another couple of issues, finish out the first arc to get the lay of the land in the new DCnU. Or I might flip through them at the comic shop and read online reviews, then pick up the trade later if the book catches my interest. *shrug*
My first thought on the issue, before I even finished it, was along the lines of "been there, done that, bought the t-shirt." I realize I'm an old fan and I've read more than my share of JLA #1's, but you'd think someone could come up with a new story for this momentous occassion by now. Instead we get the tried and true - costumed heroes meet for the first time and they end up fighting each other, verbally and/or physically. Never saw that coming. And the cliff hangy splash page that ends the issue promises more meeting and fighting next issue. Wheee! Add to that the fact that the dialog was uninspired and sounded flat in my head, and I'm not motivated to spend money on issue #2. The art was decent, and even pretty in some panels, but I'm well and truly tired of the hero with a grimace and clenched teeth as his only expression.
To be honest, I wasn't terribly excited about this book to start with. While the stories weren't the best, I was really enjoying James Robinson's JLA team. They were a different mix of odd characters and younger heroes grown up and coming into their own. There were lots of powerful women in major roles too, not just a token Wonder Woman there to take notes and make cookies. Heck, DC's traditional trinity was turned inside out, with two women and one man as the top tier heroes. And of course, two of the three, Dick Grayson and Donna Troy, are two of my all time favorite DC characters. Supergirl finished out the trinity and the little sister/big brother relationship she developed with Dick was a favorite of mine. I loved the other members of the group too, especially Congo Bill, because I have a weakness for large talking gorillas. :) The splash pages from Robinson's last issue, teasers of adventures we'll never get to read, made me incredibly sad. I mean, they had an adventure in the Gemworld! With Amethyst! And I'll never get to read it! That alone makes me resent the new League and the new DCU just a little.
Now we get the "traditional" JLA - characters that I've been reading about forever, many of which I just don't care about one way or the other. If the first issue is any indication, Geoff Johns will be putting these old timers through the same paces they always go through when they get together. There will be lots of fighting and big action scenes. And not a whole lot else. Too few women, no talking gorillas, no trips to Gemworld. Nothing fresh and fun. I might pick up another couple of issues, finish out the first arc to get the lay of the land in the new DCnU. Or I might flip through them at the comic shop and read online reviews, then pick up the trade later if the book catches my interest. *shrug*