"We need to aspire to be bigger than that. To align ourselves with any one government-- it'd be too divisive. We need to represent heroes coming together."
Review:
Justice League United is a fun adventurous attempt by DC to focus on their heroes from other parts of the world besides the USA: mainly Canada and outer space. Interestingly, enough Justice League Canada was considered to be the name of this book until it was changed to Justice League United which probably for the best as by the end of this story arc this team so far only has three Canadians: the classic space adventurer Adam Strange who is now Canadian in the New 52 as well as his now human wife Alanna Strange. In addition to the team is DC's newest teen hero, a Cree Canadian girl named Miiyahbin Marten also known as Equinox. The rest of the team are Americans including the very patriotic red, white, and blue Stargirl, who seems to get even more cover exposure than Equinox, and space aliens such as Martian Manhunter and Supergirl. However Justice League Canada remained the first arc's name as well of being joked about in the book. There's also some cute superhero art featured by Canadian children.
The book, in some cases very literally, can jump back and forth between space hunters with bounty hunter Lobo and alien scientists creating living super weapons to the more subdued but still dangerous Canadian countryside where Equinox's origin story unfold with her Cree mythology to contrast the sci-fi battles going on in the other part of the book. However, it seems with Equinox's intro as a hero is done the book theme will be more consistent especially with the surprise characters at the end of the first arc.
Some fast, jumpy pacing aside JLU gives us nice character moments and humor such as Green Arrow and Animal Man's ribbing one another. It's nice having a Justice League book being able to have a lighter, humorous tone as well as an unusual dynamic of a being a team of adults and teenagers with varying degrees of experience. Going from Jeff Lemire's other work in the New 52 and as well as brand new continuity Teen Titans: Earth One he seems to be a good fit to reboot something but still keep it mostly familiar with a few fresh twists here and there. However, I'm a little surprised at how Alanna Strange is now a full-fledged Earthling instead of a being from the planet Rann which is featured here along with the scientist Sardath who was originally her father in old continuity. With the Stranges there's still an unusual issue in her and Adam's relationship that keeps them apart for the time being. At least in this book Alanna gets to suit up and join the Justice League which she is very excited about. Mike McKone's artwork is wonderful as usual giving us many detailed art as usual, all around a promising and excellent adventure book.
Recommendations:
A Good adventure book for YA readers and though mostly sci-fi there were a few mystical elements in this arc at least. The book also promises the beginning of a young new hero and many beloved old faces teaming up as well, including Supergirl who is getting her own show very soon. This Justice League also offers glimpses of other parts of the DCU besides the usual US areas.
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