Comic Book Review: Justice League of America #1 - DC Comics (2017)

"The Extremists" Part One
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils by Ivan Reis
Inks by Joe Prado, Oclair Albert & Julio Ferreira
Colors by Marcelo Maiolo

Batman's new Justice League of America are spread out across the world handling different situations while a group from another world has shown up and they are ready to make this Earth a better place; by ruling it.

This book feels very rushed and in a typical rag-tag group that need to find a way to get along otherwise the Earth is doomed kind of way.  Everything is held together using Batman as the one who brings them together(as if he didn't have enough going on in all the books he's in).  It all feels very forced so I am looking forward to this story to get going and being done so we can concentrate on the overall book and not trying to figure out where everyone fits.  Maybe I am just being overly picky.

Ivan Reis' art is always a pleasure to view.  The action scenes look great as do the closeups.  I also like how Reis is able to have a group scene encompass a page but still have panels within.

Overall, the book is fine.  It would be a nice start for someone looking for a new hero book with some characters you may not be as familiar with.

What are your thoughts on the Justice League of America?  What other comic books would you like Maskerpiece Theatre to review?

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Comic Book Review: Justice League of America: Rebirth #1 - DC Comics

JLA Rebirth
Written by Steve Orlando
Pencils by Ivan Reis
Inks by Joe Prado & Oclair Albert
Colors by Marcelo Maiolo

Batman is putting together a new team.  A team of heroes that are less God-like and more human.  A group the people of the world can identify with.  The question is, can this group find a way to get along with each other?  Beware: the rest is spoilers.

This book starts out with Batman recruiting Killer Frost.  The two look over the base of operations that Batman has chosen, a secret cave in Happy Harbor, Rhode Island.  From here, Batman and Killer Frost head to Seattle to recruit Black Canary who was a bit surprised the once villainous Killer Frost had come to her city.  The next to be recruited is the alien biker Lobo.  Lobo agrees and the group look to have Ray Palmer, The Atom, join in the fun.  Ray Palmer is missing but his student aid, Ryan Choi, is there and he has been using Palmer technology to search for The Atom.  Batman was against it but Lobo liked the kid.  Now it's the Ryan's turn to recruit so now The Ray is in the group.  Batman rounded out the group by convincing Vixen to join.

This book reminded me of the beginning of Justice League International during the New 52 run.  Batman puts together a group to look good for the masses.  He chooses a leader most of the group wouldn't expect(Killer Frost for JLA and Booster Gold for JLI).  Justice League International was a fun series and I foresee the same with this comic book team.  Having Lobo and Black Canary on a team with Killer Frost should make for plenty of interesting panels.

Ivan Reis is one of my favorite comic book artists today.  It is awesome seeing his work on so many heroes.  The attention he gives to the facial expressions and the poses each character is in is phenomenal.  The colors by Marcelo Maiolo looked amazing as well.  So many of the panels within the book were cover-worthy.

What are your thoughts on the Justice League of America?  What comic book series' are you reading?  Let us know by reaching out to us through social media.

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(Review) DC Universe Rebirth Issue 1

I wasn't certain where my expectations should be for this new start on familiar titles of DC comic lore. I know that comic book shops and DC have been publicizing this issue quite heavily on social media. It has been the "talk of the town" if you will, since it was introduced. Curiousity prevailed and I found myself in a comicbook shop in San Diego purchasing this title. I'm on vacation? Not anymore. I'm pausing that so I could read this issue and write about it for everyone who follows us. So let's dive in and read about my thoughts on this first issue entitled, "DC Universe Rebirth". 

The story starts off with us discovering that a Flash is responsible for trying to solve the mystery that these new issues will be attempting to explain. Flash certainly has his work cut out for him as it's unclear whether or not he'll survive his travels or be lost in the speed force forever as he travels from hero to hero searching for someone who remembers him. He needs help trying to discover who is the time thief that appears more powerful than Darkseid.

From there we are introduced to many other characters and it's explained that someone is not tampering with the timeline but actually stealing time and feelings from all the timelines thus creating new concepts for familiar hero's and villains. This reality even altered romantic relationships and changed lovers to colleagues, left feeling an unexplainable loss. Also, it's revealed that some of what we thought we knew about certain powers aren't actually accurate and there's more at stake than previously imagined. 

Overall, I enjoyed this issue. Introducing so many characters, concepts and storylines could be considered a Herculean task and I felt this first offering did well enough to establish where DC comics is headed. Plus seeing Doctor Fate make a sudden appearance is always cool. 

I can understand the frustrations that some folks might have on starting or rebooting the comics all over again. I can also see the side of those who feel this move is nothing more than a cash grab DC might be achieving. All that considered, I enjoyed this first introductory issue. It was only $2.99 to see where the universe is headed and it's worth it. I'll still read the "New 52 Deathstroke" for as long as they print them and I might start reading some of this new Aquaman if I'm feeling adventurous. Who knows? I'm just saying I enjoyed this first issue.