I Reads You Review: JUSTICE LEAGUE #4

JUSTICE LEAGUE #4
DC COMICS

WRITER: Geoff Johns
PENCILS: Jim Lee
INKS: Scott Williams
COLORS: Alex Sinclair with Gabe Eltaeb
LETTERS: Patrick Brosseau
COVER: Jim Lee and Scott Williams, with Alex Sinclair
VARIANT COVER: Andy Kubert with Alex Sinclair
40pp, Color, $3.99/$4.99 (combo pack) U.S.

I consider Justice League to be the flagship title of “The New 52,” DC Comics’ re-launch of its superhero comic book line. And what a flagship it is – all big and shiny and full of pretty art and big action scenes. As I’ve written in previous reviews, Justice League may be mediocre for all I know, but I’m too in love with this series to think of it as anything other than fantastic.

Justice League #4 (“Part Four”) opens in the Red Room at S.T.A.R. Labs in Detroit, as Victor Stone emerges from his Promethium transformation. Shocked at what he’s become, Victor is about to discover just how transformed he is. In the wake of his sudden appearance, Aquaman must prove his mettle to some among the small gathering of superheroes: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and Flash. Now, the adversary behind the inter-dimensional/alien invasion of Earth will be revealed.

It has been three months since I read the third issue of Justice League, which was a good thing. I needed to take a step back. The plan was to come back with the ability to take a critical look at this series. To hell with that! I love this new Justice League.

I was not a fan of Geoff Johns because I had read next to nothing of his work prior to this Justice League series, but I like what he is doing here. He has created an engaging dynamic between the characters, mixing rivalry, jealousy, and heroism into a pleasing character ensemble.

But let’s get serious. This is the Jim Lee show, with his able assistants, inker Scott Williams and colorist Alex Sinclair, also shining in their skill sets. I think action movies have influenced Lee’s storytelling as much as any comic book writer, artist, or writer/artist. Practically every page, even the ones with multiple panels, features one big panel that creates a sense of scale for the reader. It is as if Lee wants to remind us that this isn’t just another superhero fight; this is a Bruckheimer/Bay movie.

Williams’ macho inking makes the art seem real, but not photo-real, by depicting detail in everything from Steve Trevor’s uniform and gear to Victor Stone’s new body. Alex Sinclair’s colors shimmer, pop off the pages, and sometimes surprisingly, subtly create mood. Yes, I was right last year. This is good.

For extras, there are two pages of Flashes sketches by Francis Manapul and a (faux) dossier on S.T.A.R. Laboratories employees.

A