Justice League Of America #13

McDuffie’s first issue on the regular JLA title is an incredible breath of fresh air following the miserably dull Meltzer run. Truthfully, I should have taken the title off my pull list while Meltzer was on board, but I knew I’d want to be here for McDuffie, so I trudged through Meltzer’s endless year of padded storylines, mischaracterizations, and generally poor plotting with bizarre twists that erupt from … well, nowhere.

I’d wager McDuffie feels the same way about that year that I do, judging from the Wedding Special (in which he has the Unholy Trinity of Luthor, Joker, and Cheetah select a new Injustice League in a matter of pages, unlike Meltzer’s appallingly extended selection process) and this issue. Action abounds, as the League throws down with the new Injustice League on several fronts, showing decisiveness and a good bit of tactical thinking. The imprint of TV’s Justice League Unlimited is all over this title now, from the specific members of the Injustice League to the discussion between John Stewart and Black Lightning about the merits of shaving one’s head, and extending to the hints of chemistry between John Stewart and Hawkgirl. Let me be clear: that’s a GOOD thing.

McDuffie arguably revitalized the TV show when he joined the production team, and he’s doing the same thing to the comic. Characterization abounds, and heroes interact smoothly and professionally, with appropriate levels of camaraderie. Benitez’s art is a perfect fit for the book – he elegantly captures the menace of the Injustice League. I’m hoping this team stays on the book for a LONG time – as one of DC’s flagship titles, the Justice League deserves much better than it got from Meltzer.