Heretical Jargon

Written by: Dan Jurgens

Judd Winick, Dan Jurgens, I can’t decide who’s better!  Winick wrote the one of the best comic book miniseries I’ve ever read, Generation Lost, and now Dan Jurgens is continuing the quality work started by Winick when the mini completed its task.  Of course, I was initially upset by the fact that Jurgens wasn’t continuing with the story Winick had set up, but I’m sure his hand was forced as well.  Seven issues into the rebooted series, however, and I’m starting to get into the grove Jurgens has set with Booster and his Government snactioned League.

I’m certain Booster was ready to bask in the glory of UN and civilian acceptance on the steps of the White House, especially after defeating a threat as deadly as the Signal men, but this is clearly not going to be a title that defines itself by certainty.  All 20 pages of this issue present new challenges and struggles the League is going to have to fight through and learn from.  (Is it strange that I thrive off of stories that cause so much pain and anguish for its characters?)

#7 starts off with a gorgeous, yellow and orange tinted opening page, with Booster carrying Beatriz out of the fire, smoke, and damage done by the bomb.  It’s funny isn’t it?  They were able to stop one of the most dangerous threats Earth has ever faced, yet they were taken by surprise and disarmed by one measly bomb – which starts the angst driven script.

What follows is a series of trials and tribulations, hell bent on breaking up the League; Mari has a life threatening spinal injury, Tora’s entire skeleton is on the verge of breaking completely, and Gavril is seemingly dead.  In addition, the faith each member has in the League seems to be faltering, with Batman leaving and Guy Gardner taking care of his own needs instead of helping Booster clean things up.  It seems, as well, that the government is regretting their decision of sanctioning the JLI, as after only a few short hours of being instated, Chairwoman Bao confronts Booster with an order of Cease and Desist.  Not only have has the “still-walking” members lost a team mate, with several others critically injured, but now can’t legally save the lives of others.  Talk about tension!

The story is great, and certainly one that will keep me coming back for more.  Even more so, the art, provided by Aaron Lopresti and Richard Friend. Ever since his work on Wonder Woman, I’ve always said Lopresti is my favorite penciller of all time.  However, there is a minor defect that irks me.  Lightweaver seems to be a potentially great villain for the League for future arcs. However, I’d think with constructs such as his, Guy shouldn’t have a lick of trouble taking them out.  It’s also kind of difficult to MAKE OUT the lightweaver’s constructs.  Yes, they light constructs are all throughout the beginning of the book, but it’s hard to make them out…

A construct is there, I promise

And a few more...

I never would have noticed them in the first place, but a second reading of this isse allowed for me to see things I didn’t notice the first time.  Initially I thought Guys was chatting with himself and not some light construct.  But this is a minor complaint.

I enjoy how Jurgens is giving each character, with exception of Mari, an important role in the series.  Each hero’s purpose in the title is clear and straight forward.  Without a doubt, however, this series is making way for the legitimization of Booster Gold, giving him a much more serious purpose in the DC Universe.  I’ll admit, as I have before, I’ve never liked Booster as a hero.  He was always a bumbling idiot who was so focused on his own fame that it hindered so many of the story lines staring him.  And while Booster still retains some of those qualities, at the same time he seems to be much more focused and less self-indulgent.  Booster is certainly being given a fresh start, a chance to have a legitimate and interesting role as a DC superhero.

JLI is certainly delivering on the classic title.  I’m happy with what Jurgens is doing with it and suspect it will only get from here.

9 out of 10 stars

Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Aaron Lopresti
Inker: Matt Ryan
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Cover Art: Lopresti & Hi-Fi

The Plot
The UN needs a super team, one of international recognition…but easily controlled by the UN as well.    Super names are dropped, with some given a thumbs up, while others are tossed out with the dirty diapers.  The result is a team of seemingly secondary heroes with a lot of heart, but with a lot to loose as well.

Led by Booster Gold, the newly formed Justice League International heads out on their first mission to locate the UN’s missing toys, AKA – the robots of mass destruction.  But how can a team of unknowns beat a force of mindless rock monsters if they can’t even work as a team?  All this and more in Justice League International #1!

My Heretical Opinion
Take out Maxwell Lord and add in UN representatives Andre Briggs and Emerson Esposito.  The start of the international version of the Justice League has spawned under the supervision of the UN, making this team feel a lot more “fake” than the regular Justice League.  Which isn’t necessarily a bad thing as Dan Jurgens is purposefully setting this title up to be a comic of transcendence within each character, and ultimately, the team as a whole.

Enter Booster Gold, Flashy poster boy for the modern age of merchandising and capitalism.  He enjoys the spotlight and being the center of attention…perfect for Mr. Briggs to manipulate and tweak to meet his own personal needs.  However, it isn’t clear if Booster is from the future, or simply a Canadian icon that represents the worst of the leaf bearing country.  Truly, South Park has tainted the image of the said country.

The New JLI...Impressed?

My opinion of Booster, however, has never been that high.  It wasn’t until Generation Lost started hitting stores when I finally had a level of respect for the character.  But, of course, with the reboot, Booster has reverted back to his old cocky and arrogant self. I’m pleased to see him maintain at least a solid level of maturity in his leadership skills.  And it’s nice to see Batman showing some confidence in Booster’s ability to lead.  It shows me that Jurgens isn’t going to stray too far away from what Judd Winick started in Generation Lost.

It’s obvious this team has a lot of work to do in the team building exercises.  Right off the bat, Guy Gardner walks out of the Hall of Justice (hot head!) while Godiva can’t seem to take her eyes off Booster’s derrière, much less put any effort into helping the JLI in their time of need.  Fire and Ice seem to be there same old, “buddy buddy” selves who will most assuredly become quick friends with their soviet comrade, Rocket Red.  (Do you think him and Fire will hook up again?  I hope so!)

If it wasn't for the bad white singlet...

I’m not certain as to what role Vixen will play on this team as she mostly lingers in the back ground, but there’s no doubt in my mind that I’m going to enjoy August General in Irons and his little tantrums.  I’m very pleased with how the character development of the team is working out thus far and excited to see how it will all end up!

Of course, this team of heroes is more of a publicity stunt so Briggs can boost up his legitimacy within the UN ranks…not too much unlike the goals of Maxwell Lord when HE started the league.  (Back before a universe wide reboot was even considered.)  I felt as if Winick had set up this new League to keep Maxwell Lord in the thick of things.  My preconceived notion was that old Mr. Lordy would, once again, form the League, eventually revealing himself to be the villain and becoming the League’s most powerful enemy.  I’m perfectly content, and even happy with the way Jurgens set this title up, but I certainly hope Maxwell Lord is brought into the picture…and soon!

This is going to be a great title, I can already tell.  Dan Jurgens is a great writer, but the icing on the cake is Aaron Lopresti’s pencil work.  The energy and visual prowess, especially during the battle scenes, are excellent.  I even like the new costume designs of some of the character.  But maybe I’m simply desensitized to the fact that Fire has changed her costumes more times than I can count!  Booster’s costume really isn’t that much different; it’s simply designed more to look like he’s a walking advertisement for a company trying way too hard to be hip and cool.

I’m looking forward to seeing how this title develops over the next year.  Twelve issues isn’t a long time to live up to and fill the shoes of the incredible miniseries, Generation Lost.  But with Dan Jurgens at the helm, I can only see great things for the future of the JLI.

9 out of 10