DC Comics 2017
Written by Steve Orlando
Penciled by Ivan Reis
Inked by Scott Hanna & Joe Prado
Coloured by Marcelo Maiolo
Lettered by Clayton Cowles
Well colour me pleasantly surprised. I shouldn’t be I’ve been a fan of Steve’s for long enough to know that he’s always going to deliver. Still this is what we call a building phase and it’s a chance for us to see why Batman chose these individuals to be a part of his team. Not surprising there’s a moment in this book that raises the very same question we all have and that’s how Lobo is supposed to inspire people. I’ll be looking forward to that answer alongside those two who discussed it but in the meantime there’s a world to protect.
I was kind of weary of using the Extremists right off the bat. They are a well seasoned team that having traveled from reality to reality taking out those world’s heroes well they are extremely formidable. I like how Steve structures this though and he does it in a way that allows the characters to shine and get that showcase to give them the characterisation needed. On both sides mind you so that the Extremists as well as the JLofA get some much needed face time so we can learn about the individuals. That alone really sets itself apart from many team books out there right now.
Also this arc has done exceptionally well in cementing the direction this team is supposed to take. I say supposed because while we see it in action maintaining that is another thing entirely. Although with Vixen in charge to the public and a watchdog like Canary in the mix Batman isn’t going to have much of a choice but to keep this team moving in that same direction. I think for the first time we’re seeing how characters in the DCU are able to influence Batman in a way that we’ve previously been unable to, heck even back in the old World’s Finest days. The unspoken respect that we get from the dialogue and actions of this group is something you don’t think about but is actually there when finished reading the issue.
Ivan has an amazing eye for storytelling and his use of backgrounds and the attention to detail he puts into each page and panel is utterly spectacular to see. This is why DC has such a more welcome artistic team than almost any other company out there it’s their ability to really flesh out the action on the entire page and bring the reader into the midst of what’s happening like they are a part of it. The use of page layouts utilising angles and perspective is extremely well done here.
So the first arc is over but not complete. There’s things that are left open ended and much like and television serial program there are things that will come to be addressed later. So it’s very much what we want to see instead of just random adventures that could be placed anywhere in their timeline. Plus the return of an old “friend” seems imminent and I look forward to seeing Steve’s take.
I said it before i’ll say it again this is the Justice League I want to read about. Interesting characters made stronger by working together.