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Sep 09, 2011 Web Exclusive By Kyle Lemmon

Find It At: Comixology | Midtown Comics

Fans of the original Justice League International from 25 years ago will be pretty familiar with the overall story arc for this new issue #1. The proposed JLI roster and the pre-approval via U.N. sanctions are old hat. New fans just being introduced to a lot of these second and third string characters will most likely be lost. Unlike Justice League #1, Dan Jurgens (Booster Gold) does very little to acquaint you with this team or give you a strong reason to root for them. Jurgens is rushing and it just doesn't work. Even team leader, Booster Gold, is given the short shrift aside from a budding romance with Godiva. Batman randomly shows up to help out Booster and give readers a reason to continue. That comment is not meant to knock these individual characters, but to point out their lack of charm as a unit. The team in this book—led by Booster Gold with Fire, Ice, Vixen, Rocket Red, Godiva, and August General in Iron—isn't exactly thrilling. Wild card Green Lantern Guy Gardner is correct in avoiding this ragtag crew.

Aaron Lopresti's linework on this issue is mediocre superhero faire. His art had more impact during his Wonder Woman run. Lopresti's lines are always defined and just bold enough to retain interest. The background details look smudgy on certain panels, though. Inker Matt Ryan (X-Men, Wonder Woman) gives them depth throughout. The interactions between these heroes are dated and even clichéd. The ongoing dialogue between August General and Rocket Red is laughable and Fire and Ice are total ciphers. A reveal of the antagonists on the final page is less dramatic because of what came before it. Hopefully JLI's second installment contains some more nuanced storytelling. It's possible to make Justice League International a viable alternative to that other superhero team series in the DC Universe. (www.danjurgens.com / www.aaronlopresti.com / www.mattsminestudio.com)

Author rating: 4/10