Review:
This New 52 version of the Justice League International follows on the heels of the Justice League Generation Lost series. The world - and especially the United Nations - has seen the need for a team of superheroes with less freelance attitude, one who is more responsive to their needs and concerns.
So they reassemble the core of the Generation Lost team, with Booster Gold as leader, Fire, Ice and Rocket Red joining him. Add in some lesser-known international heroes like Godiva from the United Kingdom (she had a minor role in Infinity Inc.) and August General in Iron from China (who debuted in the early issues of the 52 series), Vixen from Africa (an occasional member of the Justice League over the years). The best-known of the teammates rounding out the roster is Guy Gardner (from I guess the USA via Oa?). Last but not least is Batman, an unofficial and definitely unsanctioned occasional member. He is, after all, not possible to control, in the eyes of the team's UN handlers.
The result is a genuinely multinational and multi-racial, if rather low-powered, team. Guy Gardner is the strongest, followed by Booster Gold and the August General, I suppose.
This dearth of heavy hitters leads to an ignominious failure and retreat on their very first mission. A feel-good rescue mission, with loads of public-relations upside, uncovers a literally Earth-shattering plot. Intergalactic villain Peraxxus is using a quartet of giant robots to disassemble the planet for its most valuable natural resources. The robots are new, and a bit silly in the grand plot, but Peraxxus is a more serious and dangerous version of Manga Khan, who pulled a similar stunt in the Formerly Known as the Justice League series.
The art team of Aaron Lopresti and Matt Ryan gives us pages packed with dramatic, frame-busting poses. They love the big splash, taking a cue perhaps from series author Dan Jurgens, who has mastered the technique in his own art. The inks are well balanced and the vivid colors pop from nearly every page. It makes for an intense and immersive, absorbing read.
Jurgens gives us a solid story with lots of layers. Global politics and bureaucracy. Social opposition to change. Earth-threatening villains. But where he shines most is in the team dynamics. This is a new team, thrown together with no time to truly even get to know each other's names. No training camp or onboarding time for them! They must learn each other's powers and reactions under pressure, sure. But even more than that are the personal relationship dynamics. The post-romantic tension between Guy Gardner and Ice. Godiva's flirtatious advances on Booster. Her doubts and the surprising role of friend and mentor adopted by the August General. Booster's own growth as both a team leader and as a political player.
It's Batman's mentorship that really advances Booster's leadership. Batman - whose presence is unsanctioned, who lurks in the shadows, when necessary, but is always there to push, instruct, mentor and otherwise guide Booster in his leadership skills. He repeatedly takes Booster under his wing and shapes him into, not just the pretty face of the team, but its heart and head. This interaction is so well handled by Jurgens, who as Booster's creator, must have delighted in writing this significant character growth after decades of the self-centered buffoonish portrayals.
Description:
A New York Times Bestseller
As a part of the acclaimed DC Comics - The New 52 event of September 2011, the United Nations brings together Batman, Booster Gold, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, August General in Iron, Fire, Ice, Vixen and Rocket Red - a new group called Justice League International!
With the growing presence of super beings around the world, the JLI are charged with promoting unity and trust - but if they're going to discover the mystery behind the giant alien Signalmen who are appearing all over the globe can they reach that goal without killing each other first?
Collects: issues #1-6
Authors: by Dan Jurgens
Artists: Aaron Lopresti, Matt Ryan
Published By: DC Comics
Published When: May 15, 2012
Parental Rating: Teen
ISBN: 978-1401235345
Pages: 144 pages
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