The Good: Amazing artwork, Good story, Cool concept, Helpful appendices.
The Bad: It's only the first four chapters . . .
The Basics: While Volume 1 of Justice tells an awesome story, the standalone volume is not worth it; buy the full book!
I cannot recall the last time I was as excited about starting to read a graphic novel series as I was about Justice. I saw one volume of Justice years ago when I was in a comic book store in New York City and I was impressed by the artwork. The concept of the book also impressed me as it had the villains in the DC universe banding together and I thought that sounded pretty cool. So, when I finished reading Kingdom Come (click here for that review!) and discovered how much I enjoyed that and that Justice was written by the same guy, I decided I had to pick it up and see if it held up.
Unfortunately for me, my local library could only get Justice in in the three separate volumes it was anthologized in. So, I was a little peeved that I had to wait a few extra days to get started because the second two volumes arrived before volume one. Even so, it was worth the wait. Justice Volume 1 arrived for me and I read it ridiculously quickly. And now that I'm finished, it's torture for me to write this review instead of going onto the next volume (yet, I insist upon it so that I do not get the characters and story mixed up).
Justice Volume 1 is a collection of the first four (of twelve) Justice comic books. Justice was a limited series released in 2005/6 which was telling one long story independent of other DC stories at the time. The story was written by Alex Ross and Jim Krueger with artwork by Doug Braithwaite and Alex Ross. The artwork follows the trend of Kingdom Come with Braithwaite providing pencil sketches, which Ross then painted over. Thus, each and every panel is a beautiful painting and the artwork for this story is like a journey through a beautiful and surreal art gallery.
After an introduction to the main characters from the Justice League Of America, Justice Volume 1 opens with the first chapter. In Chapter 1, missiles are descending on cities all over the world and as humanity is obliterated, the super heroes attempt to save people. Superman rescues Lois Lane, but watches in horror as he cannot move fast enough to save children, a falling man, and ultimately all of Metropolis. The Flash saves Central City, but none of its people and almost immediately thereafter, Martian Manhunter, Green Lantern, and Hawkman and Hawkgirl fall amidst the barrage of worldwide explosions. With Aquaman lost as the seas boil, Green Arrow and Black Canary are killed and Batman leads children into the Batcave moments before the world is destroyed outright. Only Superman and Atom survive and as Superman floats off into space in shock, four villains (Edward Nigma, Priscilla Rich, Black Manta and the Toymaker) awake from having the same nightmare. As Aquaman leaves his wife and son to deal with a problem under the sea, a villain with a freeze ray creates a giant block of ice in the middle of the desert. Investigating a disturbance under the sea, Aquaman is captured by Black Manta who has a small army of sharks willing to aid him!
In Chapter 2, Edward Nigma steals the database from Wayne Industries which details all of the identities of the super heroes on the Justice League. Chased by Batman, the Riddler manages to escape with the disc, while egging Batman on. Superman sends Martian Manhunter looking for Aquaman as Batman corners the Riddler and the Flash makes a profound discovery; a lush garden oasis in the middle of the dessert . . . created by Cold and Poison Ivy!
With Brainiac torturing Aquaman, Chapter 3 begins with the ominous reality that the superheroes might actually be defeated. This becomes even more clear when Martian Manhunter descends to Brainiac's lair in search of Aquaman, but finds himself trapped in a vision of being burned alive. Just as Priscilla Rich transforms into the Cheetah, news reports come in that hardened criminal masterminds seem to be suddenly helping people all over the world. Just as Aquaman gives his Justice League companions in the Watchtower a means to find him, the Red Tornado tears himself apart, which allows Gorilla Grodd the ability to learn all of the Justice League's secrets!
The final chapter of the book is a remarkably simple and direct scene. As Lex Luthor, Black Manta, Poison Ivy and Edward Nigma reveal their plan to save the people of the world by directly intervening on humanity's behalf, the Flash is trapped in a race with himself, Sinestro launches Hal Jordan into the deepest reaches of space, Scarecrow takes out Oliver and Dinah and Cheetah attacks Wonder Woman. With the Toyman incapacitating Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Superman is held at bay by four villains whose might prevents him from stopping the villains from offering humanity paradise on Earth!
Justice is extraordinarily well-written in its first volume and it is a fast, compelling read. For those who are not into DC comics (and, traditionally, I have not been, but this is my Wonder Woman year, so I seem to keep getting sidetracked by awesome peripheral stories and Justice certainly qualifies!), there is an exceptionally handy guide at the back of Volume 1 which has the basic story behind each main hero and villain in Justice. So, for example, readers who have never heard of Black Manta, Martian Manhunter, Gorilla Grodd, or Metallo may get a primer on the essential characters before beginning reading the book.
The story itself, though, is clearly intended for an adult audience. From the artwork which includes such things as a sniper shooting one of the heroes to a very graphic battle which leaves Wonder Woman mauled and a story that is actually keeping me guessing, this is not for lightweights. Edward Nigma, true to his character, is leaving clues for Batman and, truth be told, I don't get where he's going with them yet and that makes me happy; it's been a long time since a mystery actually engaged me.
That said, the premise continues strong in its execution as it does in the idea. The speech in chapter four is riveting and the idea that Luthor and others might work together to advance humanity makes everything entirely plausible.
Having, since I began this review and now, finished reading Volume 2 and starting Volume 3 of Justice, I have come to two conclusions. The first is that it is a mild form of entertainment torture to break the series into three volumes. Shame on DC for doing that! The second is that because a full omnibus version of Justice exists (click here for my review of that!), I will not be recommending this book. For sure, anyone who likes a great story will enjoy Justice Volume 1 as it is compelling, adult and interesting, as well as one of the finest examples of what may be done in the graphic novel medium. And because of that, this book can be passed by; go for the full story instead!
For other graphic novels, please check out my reviews of:
Crisis On Infinite Earths
Blackest Night
Lost Girls
8/10
For other book reviews, please visit my index page!
© 2010 W.L. Swarts. May not be reprinted without permission.
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