Customer Reviews

Justice League of America Vol. 1: The Tornado's Path

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Let's just get this straight: I love the Justice League of America. I always have, and I always will. I loved the Detroit stories, I loved the "Bwah-ha-ha" era, I loved when Jurgens tried to get it more serious, and I loved it when Nuklon and Obsidian joined the team. When Morrison came along, I thought the comic book gods had smiled upon us, and when Waid took over from Morrison, I thought all was still right in the world. When Joe Kelly came along I was thoroughly impressed, and then, after he left, well, things got a little rough for a while. However, who comes in to save the day but the otherworldly Geoff Johns. And then, well, it got rough again.

However, when I heard Brad Meltzer had been tapped to reboot the title, I was more than ecstatic. Meltzer earned my undying loyalty with Green Arrow: The Archer's Quest, and Identity Crisis was very strong as well. I realized from those two works that Meltzer's strengths are definitely characterization and the interpersonal relationships between characters.

So, when I gave in once again to my weak will and read the message boards as to what people thought of his work (because I'm a wait for the trade kinda guy) on JLofA, I was disappointed that they were largely saying negative things (I know, the message boards being negative, big surprise). This concerned me, because I couldn't believe Meltzer was doing a poor job.

Fact is, he didn't do a poor job at all.

The Tornado's Path works in almost all aspects. Meltzer is harkening back to my favorite era of the league, before the Detroit era, and that's when they were one big happy family hanging out and acting like the greatest super hero team in the world. But, he puts his own twist on it. Instead of the team coming together and then breaking off into splinter groups to deal with problems, like in the old days, the series begins with them teaming up into small groups and then coming together to form a larger whole.

There were some complaints that this slowed the action down, but this baby had plenty of action from the get-go. Sure, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman spend half the book simply talking with each other, but the rest of the team is out there in splinter groups getting things done. This allows Meltzer to establish the rest of the team and help the reader get a feel for them. It's not like anyone doesn't already know what the Big Three are about, right?

I also heard a bit of rumbling because Meltzer has all of his JLofA members calling each other by first name. This didn't bother me at all. I mean, these people are friends, that's what's Meltzer is trying to establish. If you were friends with a police officer, would you always call him Officer Smith? Probably not. The code-names are there to protect their identities, but if the team already knows their identities, why would they continue to use code-names when in private?

The Tornado's Path is basically a storyline to reestablish the Justice League of America and to bring Red Tornado back into the forefront of the DCU. I've always thought Reddy was cool, but after Zero Hour, things got a little weird for him for a long time. Thank God Johns finally brought back the very-human Reddy, and Meltzer took that even one step further. Are there some plot holes in The Tornado's Path? You bet, but nothing that impedes the sheer exuberance of seeing the JLofA done right. We've got lots of heroes, we've got lots of villains, we've got lots of characterization, we've got some mystery and humor to go along with the action--this one's got it all.

And finally, I'd like to talk about two things: One--I am one hundred percent in favor of Meltzer's lineup. The Big Three is an obvious choice that I'm glad they made. Hal Jordan makes a lot of sense as he's becoming a bigger and bigger deal in the DCU. Black Canary is also a logical choice because of her status in the DCU among characters, and it's high time she became editorially more important. Hawkgirl makes sense because she fills in for Hawkman as Red Arrow fills in for Green Arrow, thus keeping the Hawk vs. Arrow classic feud in an all-new and interesting way. Red Tornado HAS to be on the JLofA and I'm glad somebody finally realized that fact. Vixen is a cool character with a lot of room for growth, so she's a good choice for giving the writer some breathing room. Black Lightning has long been one of my favorite characters, and it's time he FINALLY is getting some respect. I prefer his red and blue costume, but I can deal with the shaved head and bodysuit. And finally, Meltzer is the only one who's ever made me care about Roy Harper in the least. I'm excited to see where this character, who has been around since 1941, goes in the JLofA.

Two--In my opinion, you have to read the collected editions of Meltzer's work for it to truly shine. He is a novelist, remember, so his pacing is geared towards intro, climax, and conclusion with lots of characterization in between. I loved The Archer's Quest, which I first read in collected edition, but Identity Crisis wasn't as good for me, and I read that in the single monthly installments. Trust me, those who said The Tornado's Path was too slow may have a leg to stand on if they were reading the monthly issues, but if you read the collected edition, you will be amazed at what a page-turner it really is.

The Justice League of America is in very good hands, indeed.

~Scott William Foley, author of Souls Triumphant

First let me say I used to collect comics like a junkie back in the day. Every week I was at my local comic shops to see if they had anything new to get my Batman, Superman, Spider-man, and others fix. As I got older and grew up I moved away from these gems that I used to love so much. It's nice to see that the books grew up as well as I did.

I got to say even after all these years away Brad Meltzer grabs the reader and within the first few pages and brings you back with all your old friends like you never missed a day. This story (and no I won't give spoilers...I think a review can be just that without ruining it for a future reader) will grab you by the collar and drag you to the last page. I found myself unable to put it down. I have always thought the Red Tornado was cool...hell I was one of the geeks that had his mini-series DC comics put out in the early 80's. The character of Red Tornado in the comics of old was always trying more and more to be human, but always would fall short or somehow along the way he was reminded he wasn't....and never would be. This was the first story I had ever read where his character was not only handled EXTREMELY well, but turned Reddy ( Red Tornados endearing nickname for those of you who don't know) in to something more then super-hero cannon fodder that could be sent into battle and damaged or destroyed then have the parts thrown into the trunk of the Bat-Mobile only to be repaired later. Which is exactly what he was for years. He was the disposable hero...if he go blown away...we didn't care because we knew Bruce (Batman) had his programming stored on the Bat-Computer at home in the cave along with Robin's term paper. So as soon as Professor Morrow (Tornado's creator) whipped up a new body...Red Tornado would be back...No harm, No Foul. This time the story is different....it's an all new Tornado. Same character...same desire to be human, but this time told by someone who not only masters his development, but all the other members of the JLA. This time you care what happens...and more then once you will find yourself biting your lower lip as you turn the pages. On top of all that you got the big three Wonder Woman, Superman, and Batman all sitting around the cave...basically deciding who will and should be in the league. I never thought three characters sitting at a table could be entertaining, but that is just how good Metzer is. There is everything from drama to horror to humor and all done on a grand scale.

As for the art??? Ed Benes art is nothing short of amazing. His style is concise and dramatic and these characters never looked better. In fact I think Benes has ruined me...because from now on....I will always feel....That is how Batman should look....and that is how Superman should look and so on. His work on this collection is top notch and a delight for the eye to behold. There are pages that remind you that these are the most powerful heroes on the planet....and then there are panels...that make your heart drop and stomach turn. Remember I said no spoilers....you will have to just see for yourself.

So yes, overall I give this Collection...(I bought the Hardcover from Amazon) 5 stars....and well worth the price of admission! Be warned...after you buy this one...you will buy more. Meltzers Identity Crisis is also amazing....and There is also Vol #2 of this League with an incredible Alex Ross wrap around cover. In closing if you ever loved the Justice League and like me have been away for awhile...believe me...Meltzer and Benes and the whole gang at the Hall of Justice are waiting for you with open arms.

Thanks for Reading!

For those comic book fans expecting another Identity Crisis, this collection is bound to disappoint. The latest JLA series isn't a complete bust, however. The first issue is slow-moving as the lineup is revealed, and the suspense about who is on the new Justice League team doesn't hold up when all of the characters are on the cover! Like some other reviewers have pointed out, the story arc was too slowly paced to work as a monthly comic but holds up better as a collection.

The focus on the Red Tornado brings some humanity back to the character...is he an android? An elemental? Or...something else? When the villains are revealed, things get a little complicated and can be confusing if you're not too familiar with all of the characters.

This collection is also "missing" issue #0, an oversight that I would hope is corrected in future printings. For those not familiar with issue #0, it focused on possible "futures" for the Big Three--Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman.

This hardcover collects the first seven issues of the new JLA series. I normally am not a fan of series reboots as more often than not, they are done strictly for profit than purpose. Not so with the latest incarnation of the Justice League of America. DC seemed to realize that it was skidding down the same slippery slope as Marvel with morally ambiguous characters and decided to take steps to fix their universe. Coming on the heels of Infinite Crisis and 52, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have come together to reconstruct not only the Justice League, but their ideals and reputations. In the commentary section in the back of the book, Meltzer is dead on when he says, "The long lasting beauty of comics has nothing to do with big breasted women in skimpy costumes. The true beauty of comics is its history."� And it's as simple as that: DC is embracing it's 70 year history of characters while still producing outstanding stories for the modern reader (Joe Quesada should be taking notes!)


As the story begins, the trio of legends are discussing and voting on new members of the team as Red Tornado, now human, discovers his robotic body has been stolen. Professor Ivo, with the aid of several villains has stolen the body in order to create a new Amazo, grafting Amazo's programming into Red Tornado's CPU. But there is a more sinister villain behind the plot. A now intelligent Solomon Grundy wants the new Amazo body so he can live forever. Among the notable events in The Tornado's Path is Roy Harper, the former Speedy and Arsenal, now growing into the role as Green Arrow's successor, and taking the name Red Arrow. Throughout the book there are respectful tributes paid to the teams of the path with a collage of panels and covers from previous issues of the JLA as well as photos of the previous teams on the wall. They even rebuilt the Hall of Justice! This is what a superhero book is supposed to be all about!

REVIWED BY TIM JANSON

I find it sad that DC cut the prelude to the series (issue #0) - which featured the big three talking out a lot of what went into making this book what it was. As a whole book seems to lack something without it. It made me honestly feel as if I should have requested my money back on the purchase.

Its a good story, don't get me wrong, in fact one of the better takes on the league - as it tends to humanize them more than a lot of previous writers have done, it's just incomplete. And again, the sad thing is, there's no reason for it to be so.

I'm hoping that when this goes to soft cover someone as DC comes to their senses and includes the entire run. And that's why I've only given it three stars instead of five.

This is a great graphic novel of the JLA adventures. The storyline revolves around a typically minor character with turns out to be genius idea. It's well written and the images are amazing. The storyline is exciting enough to keep any reader interested and doesn't drag on with "holy-moly batman!"'s and irrelevant cultural events of the past. It's new and exciting and a genuinely good book.

It is nice to get a story on one of the 'lesser' known members
The Red Tornado's history is broght up so you don't have to have a lot of background to understand this book. Enjoyable read.

It's one year after the events of Infinite Crisis and the three big guns of DC Comics have decided it's time to put the Justice League back together again. With a nod to the All-Star Squadron, Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman sift through photos of various heroes voting on each as potential members of the new league. `The Tornado's Path' revolves around three central characters, Red Tornado, Professor Ivo and Solomon Grundy. Reddy wants to be human, Grundy wants an unkillable body and Ivo just wants to die. Oh and Solomon Grundy is now *ahem* super intelligent and compares himself is Sisyphus. Yeah, it's that kind of story.

The first thing that hit me was how good the art is. In this department I have no complaints. It's the scripting that I have an issue with. Don't get me wrong. It's far from bad and I love the fact that the story includes many of the best JLA villains including Professor Ivo, Amazo, Felix Faust, Starro and Solomon Grundy. My biggest problem is with the dialog that is often too clever for its own good. I had to cringe when Hawkgirl shouted, `Hey Face... Meet Mace' before wacking Amazo upside the skull. In fact there is a general excess of grrrrrl power in the new JLA. Vixen has already jumped to the head of the pack as my least favorite new JLA member. At least she changed her hair from that disastrous mullet thing she used to sport (and when it all boils down isn't she just an Animal Man rip-off).

The story leaves a ton of questions that hopefully will be cleared up in later issues. Why would Deadman help the villains? What is Felix Faust's roll in all of this? Why were many of the villains implanted with pseudo-Starro brain controllers? Who was helping Professor Ivo with advanced technology? The reason I bring these up is because if these questions aren't answered these plots points can quickly move from intriguing mysteries to just lazy scripting. My last gripe is that you would REALLY need to be a ravenous DC comic's reader to understand all that's going on. For instance, last I heard Felix Faust was really and irrevocably dead as in even his soul had disintegrated to nothing. It took me some research on Wikipedia to learn that he somehow returned in a Black Adam miniseries. Also, Professor Ivo's dream to die would seem more likely if he was still in pain and physically ravaged. In `Tornado's Path' he looks fit as a fiddle.

One of the things I really enjoyed about the 52 compilations was the end notes by the writers and artists. I think that this should be mandatory in compilations. It's like a DVD special features. Unfortunately the JLA end notes are rather dull and consist of pretty much nothing but self congratulations on a job well done. About halfway through I quit reading them.

After a second reading `The Tornado's Path' started to grow on me and maybe I've been overly harsh. Most people will probably enjoy it and the art is extraordinarily vibrant. My biggest wish is for Brad Meltzer to ratchet down the Kewlness level in his writing. The story is at its best when it focuses on Red Tornado and his simple dream to be human.

How in the world did Brad Meltzer and Ed Benes make Red Tornado and Vixen cool? Seriously!?! This new addition to the JLA landscape is remarkably beautiful and grotesque at the same time. The plot and script were very well done although at times it seemed like there were extra characters just for fanboys sake. Great stuff overall though!

This has got to be one of the best JLA stories. Its starts out thinking its about getting the band back together but its really about characters you don't usually hear about. I really suggest this book for your collection.