It’s not often one gets an advanced look at a new title well before it’s due to hit the stands. With DC’s All In initiative, the company has sent advanced copies to creators and review sites of Absolute Batman, Absolute Wonder Woman and Absolute Superman previously. DC Comics News is proud to to be able to join in! We’ve received an advanced copy of the new Justice League title launching at the end of November. It is with great pleasure that I share my impression of Justice League Unlimited #1- no spoilers, no plot points, nothing to ruin the reading experience.
Where To Start
Spinning out of DC All In Special #1, Justice League Unlimited #1 picks up from the post-Absolute Power DC Universe and the new status quo for the Justice League- everyone is a Leaguer now and the super-hero community is working together in a manner that’s never been seen before. As seen in the DC All In Special #1, the Justice League Satellite has space for everyone, and Justice League Unlimited #1 picks up as the Justice League welcome one of the newer heroes of the DC Universe; it’s a great entry point for the reader. Writer, Mark Waid, does an excellent job of giving readers new and old a starting point. It’s all new to the reader and Waid makes it easy to understand what’s going on and teases the reader with vignettes of activity before launching into the main plot of the issue.
Character Work
Waid’s character work is undeniable as his choices makes sense for the roles of the heroes. The characters you know well sound like themselves and Waid gives space to another new character whose power has never really been explored…and well, it’s an awesome outcome and a genuinely unique way of thinking of this character’s power. It’s creative, exciting and moving. Waid also shows how these characters can work together and how each character can have a unique way of contributing. Waid also finds uses for some older lesser known characters and finding a way to repurpose them and create some excitement around DC’s vast stable of characters some of whom may have been forgotten and others that really deserve more attention.
Excitement!
Waid is also able to introduce a plot that genuinely feels like it is a job for the Justice League. The bits and pieces that Waid teases throughout also show how the League really DOES need to be this big and it all…well, makes sense. (I’ll gladly admit I was not convinced by the initial idea, but Justice League Unlimited #1 makes a successful case for it!). I was not a watcher of the animated series of the same name ( I mean I’ve seen some episodes…), and there is obviously a clear connection, but Waid’s approach makes it feel like a very organic concept in this issue.
The Art
Dan Mora has worked with Mark Waid previously on Absolute Power and more importantly, World’s Finest. If you’ve read that then you know how well Mora handles a large cast and the various heroes of the DC Universe. It should be no surprise that Mora brings the goods on Justice League Unlimited #1. As always, he handles the action sequences and the smaller more personal moments. He brings some real emotion to a couple important scenes that when combined with Waid’s script reveal just how good this series can be.
Verdict
While I’ve not been that impressed with the first two Absolute titles, Justice League Unlimited #1 is the real thing. I think most readers will find something to like in this comic and I know I am pleasantly surprised. This is a book you should check out. I figure if an old opinionated reader like me can be convinced, it should be easy for most readers.
Justice League Unlimited #1 hits stands on November 27, 2024, by writer Mark Waid, artist Dan Mora, Colorist Tamra Bonvillain and letter Ariana Maher.
Special Note
Justice League Unlimited #1 will also include a preview of “Hush 2” by Jeph Loeb and Jim Lee!
