Customer Reviews

Justice League: A New Beginning

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This collection collects some of my favourite comics. Its a fresh take on what was starting to become tired and cliched. This is still my favourite version of the Justice League. These first issues introduce the humerous Justice League created by Kieth Giffen and JM DeMaties. The stories in this collection still have a somewhat serious tone when compared to the later stories but they are still hillarious. The first few issues of JL include an absolute classic showdown between Guy Garder and Batman (which was unfortunately written out of continuity by Zero Hour), Dr Fate the way he is supposed to be written and an excellent battle against the Grey Man, who was never written better. The lineup at the time also included Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Blue Beetle and Captain Marvel. Although never officially a leaguer, Maxwell Lord is also a classic character.

This "re-launch" of the Justice League is one of the high points of any team book in comics history and is essential reading for any JLA fan. Giffen and DeMatteis took the book in an entirely new direction where they focused as much on the characters and their interaction with each other as action involving super villains and world threatening disasters. The petty bickering, insecurities, and borderline psychotic tendencies of Earth's mightiest heroes is highly enjoyable reading to comics fans who are often given only cardboard stereotypes in place of real characterization. DeMatteis mastery of facial expressions is a real plus, Justice League is still the only comic I have ever read where I have laughed out loud just for the look on a character's face in reaction to a situation or a line of dialogue. Giffen and DeMatteis also handle the typical superheroic derring-do very well, although always with a light touch. The "Grey Man" storyline collected here is one of the all time classic Justice League stories and touches on the tragic as effectively as the comic. Giffen and DeMatteis' Justice League is perhaps the best incarnation of the best team book in comic history, I couldn't recommend it more strongly.

The combination of Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMattias were extrordinary. The stories kept you captivated, but the wisecracks, in-fighting, and verbal jabs were hilarious! Many times I'd be reading then burst out laughing because these guys had comic timing down cold. It's also great that they had artists that could work with them!

If these guys ever pair up again, buy it in a heartbeat!

This book compiles the first seven issues of the Justice League relaunch from 1987, following the events of Crisis on Infinite Earths which completely changed the DC Universe during the previous year. Successful at the time and noted for bringing humor and a dose of reality into the superhero realm, it still holds its entertainment value yet can't help but feel a little dated -- check out Black Canary's hairdo on the cover! One should note that Batman and Martian Manhunter are the only two of the traditional "Big 7" to appear in this version of the team, though Superman and the Hal Jordan Green Lantern make cameo appearances.

This trade paperback is a perfect reading experience. I recommend it to everyone even to non-comic book fans because everyone likes to laugh and the art is pretty. I think this is the best writing from Keith Giffen (there is such a thing as way too much Lobo) and J.M. DeMatteis (Andrew Bennet, I ... Vampire).

So, this lighthearted take on the Justice League ranks as a personal favorite. And, despite the few grumpies who denounced it, this particular incarnation of DC's flagship title, from 1987 and on to the '90s, was an overwhelming success. Cherry picking from the roster of the Legends: The Collection mini-series, plotter Keith Giffen, scripter J.M. DeMatteis, and artists Kevin Maguire, Al Gordon, and Terry Austin (for one issue) were able to inject big new life into this flagging title. Flagging? JLA had actually been cancelled after issue #261, only to be re-started with this version. Comic book editor Andy Helfer explains the genesis of this retooled Justice League in his 5-paged intro. Giffen and DeMatteis weren't able to use Superman, Wonder Woman, or the Flash as these characters were undergoing their own revamping. So, with Batman, the Martian Manhunter, and the Black Canary representing the old guard, the cast is mostly made up of capes new to the League.

JUSTICE LEAGUE - A NEW BEGINNING collects the first seven issues of Giffen and DeMatteis's run. Their first few stories were actually about as conventional as they'd get as, in these pages, the new, untested team faces off against terrorists holding the United Nations hostage, three otherworldly beings bent on destroying the world's entire nuclear weaponry, the mystical and frightening Gray Man, and the Royal Flush Gang. Also weaving in and out of the picture is the mysterious Maxwell Lord, who seems to be pulling some serious strings in the shadows. A drastic upgrading to the team's status on the world stage would be reflected with a title change as JUSTICE LEAGUE would become JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL with issue #7. But, even with these somber story arcs, Giffen and DeMatteis were already peppering in tidbits of what would become their trademark humor.

The characters draw you in right away. Of them all, my favorite is Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle (I liked his comic book series, too). His partner in farce isn't bad, either - Booster Gold, who'd show up by the 3rd issue. Then there's the gee-whizzy, aw-shucksy Captain Marvel and that fun-to-root-against nutjob Guy Gardner. In fact, one early highlight is the much anticipated showdown between the brash ugly Gardner and the domineering Batman. In their subversive portrayal of the Justice League, Giffen and DeMatteis have gone on record (in a Silver Bullet Comics interview) that they weren't doing a superhero spoof as much as basing their characters' playful interactions on how camaraderie in real life would play out. Whatever the case, the squabbling character dynamics would be ripe for comedy plunder for years to come.

It all wouldn't have worked as well, of course, without Kevin Maguire's wonderful artwork. Maguire, back in 1987, was an unknown artist, so DC's decision makers really took a chance by giving him the pencilling gig. But it pays off huge. Kevin is a great all-around artist but he really excels in drawing the most expressive facial expressions. He's also very good at rendering the most natural or the most heroic of poses.

So, yeah, so many things to like about this run. There's an energy here, and a freshness. And, while, soon enough, the madcap comedy would become tone-setting, there were still enough character driven stories and solid, straightforward action that I never got the feeling that the series became reduced to a parody book. At least, not until the much later issues (I wince at L-Ron and the doggy Green Lantern). JUSTICE LEAGUE (INTERNATIONAL) proved to be so popular it spawned several spinoffs: JUSTICE LEAGUE EUROPE, JUSTICE LEAGUE QUARTERLY, and JUSTICE LEAGUE TASK FORCE. But it all starts with JUSTICE LEAGUE - A NEW BEGINNING. Give it a shot, and see if this brand of Justice League can't tickle you in the "Bwah-ha-ha!"

(In the Must-Be-Said Department: I don't know about anyone else who's read these issues before, but, for me, it feels a bit weird and even bittersweet, nowadays, to re-read the Giffen/DeMatteis Justice League, given the events in Identity Crisis (DC Comics) and in one particular story leading in to Infinite Crisis. I'll just go on record as a non-fan of Maxwell Lord.)

And if you're wondering what else Giffen and DeMatteis have collaborated in, then also check out their DEFENDERS (with Maguire), Hero Squared Vol. 1, and Giffen and Dematteis' Planetary Brigade mini-series. These too have some good schtick.

Very very funny....too bad DC decided to kill off many of these characters in the recent CRISIS...

This collection collects some of my favourite comics. This takes palce after crisis it was a genisis of the the post crisis jla i read this when i was 5

First make sure you check out the prices for this and JLI vol 1 both offered by amazon - get the cheapest one for they are both the same. DC comics and amazon roll out the red carpet with the collected books of Justice League 1-6 and the renamed JLI 7! giffen, de matteis, maguire hit all points on what makes this series well loved!! we meet the team getting to know one another - and that starts out with a HUGE brawl!! then its off to russia to fight some other dimensional meta beings and - the rocket red brigade?? then its the BIG showdown - Batman Vs Guy Gardner with the winner leading the team. but maxwell lord will not only point out to the survivor who the real team leader is he also brings new members booster gold and dr. light - if they survive an attack from the royal flush gang!! then Dr. fate leads the league in a losing battle against the grey man - is the creeper around to help or hinder the team? then its off in space to fight an earth invader (a common theme in this series) an all powerful weapon from apokolips! then the Justice League ends - and Justice League international forms! who stays? who goes? who cares! buy the book already and enjoy one the best books DC ever offered in the eighties - and get hooked already!!!

A trade of the start of the wonderful Giffen and DeMatteis run on the Justice League of America. Throw some lower powered heroes together along with some of the superstars, and let some zany dialogue be written, and approach it with a sense of humour.

Bingo, you get something that was very funny and very popular.