BB Review Group week 242 - Justice League: A Cry for Justice #1 (Spoilers)

**Ray G.** · 07-01-2009, 10:16 AM

This week we are reading: Justice League: A Cry for Justice #1 (DC) written by James Robinson and drawn by Mauro Cascioli.

Our reviewers this week are:

Raydawggie - 8
AndrewG - 5
Matthew Brown - 10
Changingshades - 6
Morrison lad - 8
Howlett - 9
SteveZegers - 10
Ryudo - 7
Sy-Klone - 8
Shadowline Pimp - 6
Your Pal, Jim - 8
Ashwin - 6.5
Taxman - 5
Doug - 7.5
Johnny C the Last Horseman - 5
Leviathan - 6.5

This week the Alternative Review Group is reading:

Solanin by Inio Asano (Viz Media, 10/22/08 )

http://www.606studios.com/bendisboar....php?p=6131949

The voting for next weeks book will begin Thursday

Our previous reviews:

**ATTN: There has been a change in how we are allowed to review older books. Please feel free to review any of the 24 most recent books at any time. If you would like to review a book older than that please PM me first, those threads are over 6 months old they are locked. If you'd like to review one of those books I'll create a new thread and link to the original.

Spoiler:

Our higest average grades so far were for Pride of Baghdad with 9.66 and Daredevil #82 with 9.64

Our lowest average grade so far Wildsiderz #0 with 2.9

Our Sponsor: Isotope Comics (SF Bay area)

What we do: This is a fanbased review group, open to everybody.

As people post the reviews, I will add your name and score to a list in the main post and at the end of the week average the scores for an overall grade on the book. We grade on a scale of 0-10, the meanings of which roughly translate to:

10 - Everything I want in a comic, an instant classic
9 - Excellent, a nearly perfect read
8 - Highly recommended but it has minor flaws
7 - Very good, it does have some problems
6 - Above average but has deep flaws
5 - An average comic
4 - Below average, the flaws outweigh the good
3 - A disappointing comic
2 - Forgettable, a waste of time
1 - Stay away!! One of the worst comics I've read

Anyone who participates is asked to please keep this scale in mind when giving a grade so that everyone is operating on the same system.

THERE IS NO OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE EVERY WEEK. Please join in as little or as much as you like week to week. If you are uncomfortable giving a grade then just join in the discussions and ask questions.

**Ray G.** · 07-01-2009, 10:23 AM

It has been a long damn time since there was a JLA book worth talking about. But that's about to change, starting here and continuing into the coming months in the main title as well. James Robinson has taken the reins. This isn't Starman Robinson, so don't come here expecting utter brilliance. But it's a very solid read with some great character moments, and Robinson's love for the more obscure corners of the DCU really shines though. The use of such characters as Congorilla and Mikaal Tomas doesn't seem like favoritism, but more like using the DCU to its full potential. There's some great Hal/Ollie banter, but my favorite segment was probably the interaction between the two Atoms. Art was great. At times this felt a little more like a #0 than a #1, but it's still a pretty damn good read.

8/10

**AndrewG** · 07-01-2009, 10:35 AM

The first half of the book was intriguing. I liked that someone in the DCU is addressing the fact that the heroes keep getting their asses handed to them and need to do something about it. But everytime I see Hal with that tough streak I can't help but think of insane/Paralax Hal Jordan and hope they don't write him too over the top. And Superman comes off a bit apathetic which is unusual considering Robinson writes the character often.

I like the idea behind a more offensive league but hope this doesn't turn into one of those 90s type stories if you know what I mean. The second half for me just seemed very weak. I liked the inclusion of the behind the scenes stuff but I think people are coming onto this book for characters like Hal, Supergirl etc not and not a damn ape, at least I am.

Decent art. Interesting style that sets a certain mood for the book but for a first issue it certainly didn't wow me too much. I'll stick around for another issue but my hopes aren't high.

5/10

**Jim T.** · 07-01-2009, 10:41 AM

ACK! Forgot about this one...

**Matthew Brown** · 07-01-2009, 11:15 AM

Another 10/10 from me. Loved all the character moments. Can't wait to see how Supergirl, Batwoman and Shazam fit into this. If this is what Justice League turns into when Robinson takes over, I might have to add yet another DC ongoing to my pull list.

Bought two books starring talking gorillas this week. How unusual!

**changingshades** · 07-02-2009, 06:07 AM

I don't care who the writer or artist is, when Killer Moth is the biggest name villain in your issue of JLA you've got problems. This issue started with complaints about the quality of the villains they were facing and as below their weight class as I think Shadow Thief is, he's freaking Galactus compared to Killer Moth. The art is weird but fine. I feel it occupies the Uncanny Valley. It goes from being super realistic and cool looking to creepy in its realism. I love Robinson, but he always takes a while to warm up to his quality zone. I'll stick around just because I do love seeing Mikaal again, but this isn't classic, and honestly it's barely good. 6/10

**Morrison_Lad** · 07-02-2009, 07:41 AM

8/10

This was as good a book as I've read in a while, but for different reasons than I usually appreciate.

First, I am unrepentant fan of the original Denny O'Neil/Neal Adams Green Lantern/Green Arrow series. And James Robinson clearly is working off of those riffs here. It's not as obviously and simplistically political as the original series, but the idea of Hal and Ollie representing two different sides of the same coin, being best friends, being devoted to one and other -- that comes right through. And I am appreciative of it.

Hal Jordan is a badass space cop, and he's had it with the villains having free reign. And Ollie is going to stand beside him, no matter what. I was happy to see the 70s series referenced.

Robinson's ability with capturing characters, whether Hal, Ollie, Ray, Congo Bill, etc., really shines through. I like the fact that he is able and willing to go a little "Old School" with the dialogue and captions. There's something beautiful about the way he constructs these scenes, captures the characters' essences in so few panels. "Welcome to pain."

As the book moves along, I move farther from my comfort zone. I don't know Mikaal Thomas or the dead Tony, and I don't know Congo Bill (though, graciously, we are given an explanation and origin of this character later). I have never read Starman. But I immediately connected with both of them, Robinson's work is so strong.

Obviously, the theme of the book, and presumably of the series, is Justice. Justice as opposed to simply stopping crime and crises. This should play interestingly as it goes along. When Hal Jordan says he wants Justice, what exactly does he mean by it, and will he feel differently when faced with an opponent? Ray Palmer calls Ryan a hero, but says he isn't one himself, and then proceeds to torture a minor villain for information. This I had a problem with, but I am curious to see where it goes, and where Robinson is willing to take it.

The art, by Mauro Casciolo is spectacular throughout and has a very strong sense of character. There is not one character who looks out of place, nor is there someone who seems not to be who he is. Action is brutal and quick. Congo Bill's sadness is perfectly displayed.

I can see why this art took a while. And as much as I wanted this book, as much as I wanted to read it, I can now say that I am very happy that they waited for the art.

The text piece at the end by Robinson, which he promises each issue, is delightful. I very much enjoyed it, and I can't wait for the next installment. This is something I would like to see in more comics, to be honest. And the short origin of Congorilla, or Bill, was very enjoyable and informative. Len Wein delivers once again, and I have learned more by reading a book. Good.

Overall, I say this is met expectations, had fantastic writing and art, and was even more full than I expected. It will be interesting to see the team come together, and to see what they are willing to do. I think Robinson has a great grasp on the characters, and the art is beautiful.

This was wonderful.

**Morrison_Lad** · 07-02-2009, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by changingshades

I don't care who the writer or artist is, when Killer Moth is the biggest name villain in your issue of JLA you've got problems. This issue started with complaints about the quality of the villains they were facing and as below their weight class as I think Shadow Thief is, he's freaking Galactus compared to Killer Moth. The art is weird but fine. I feel it occupies the Uncanny Valley. It goes from being super realistic and cool looking to creepy in its realism. I love Robinson, but he always takes a while to warm up to his quality zone. I'll stick around just because I do love seeing Mikaal again, but this isn't classic, and honestly it's barely good. 6/10

Yeah, but Killer Moth was only the adjunct to Prometheus. And Prometheus IS pretty badass.

How that will develop, we'll have to see. But having the guy just show up in the first issue could work, but isn't necessarily the way to go.

**Howlett** · 07-02-2009, 08:55 AM

Decent issue. Nothing mindblowingly spectacular, but good enough for me to want to come back for issue two. It read a bit strangely for me to see Hal calling Superman "Kal". It didn't sound natural to me, but that's a small complaint. The art was spectacular too. Definitely looking forward to the next issue.

9/10

**SteveZegers** · 07-02-2009, 12:26 PM

And with this issue, we have a Justice League book again.

I loved it. The art was beautiful, little character touches were really nice (Like Hal and Ollie's relationship, Ray Palmers new outlook, Starman's anger and frustration, Congo Bill's saddness...) It was just wonderful

And easy 10.