Justice League International #1

Dan Jurgens and Aaron Lopresti join up to make a new volume of Justice League International #1, with a cast of characters that pay homage to the BWA-HA-HA-HA days, but at the same time, provide some new interests into the team. As a UN-sanctioned team, will the team built by handler Andre Briggs be a cohesive unit? Join me as I review Justice League International #1. 

The Good

The team built by Dan Jurgens proves to be an interesting bunch without deviating too far from the formula that made Justice League: Generation Lost so dearly accepted last year. Mainstays like Booster Gold spearhead the team, along with the loveable pairing of Fire and Ice, while new additions give this team an added amount of depth, with the inclusions of August General in Iron from China's Great Ten, Vixen, and new character Godiva, fresh off her appearance in the Flashpoint mini Lois Lane and the Resistance. Obligatory inclusion of Batman aside, Dan Jurgens depicts a Justice League team, that while sanctioned by the UN, is slowly accepted by the global governments, and flat-out refused by Guy Gardner, which gives a small sample of future turmoil to come in this series. To Jurgens' credit, he does an admirable job of presenting this Justice League team with a handful of trouble, both internal, with the team's handler Andre Briggs convincing to lead a team that ultimately has little faith in his leadership skills, and external, with public opinion being largely negative for their occupancy of the Hall of Justice, among other reasons. The in-team banter proves to be enticing to read, largely because of the sub-plot of August General in Iron having a patriotic rivalry with Russia's Rocket Red. The added cameos to the issue were a nice touch, and it's glad to see that Congorilla, Metamorpho, and Plastic Man are not left to be discarded, although I would've favored a new design for Plastic Man, for the sake of aesthetic.
 
In terms of visuals, Aaron Lopresti hasn't missed a step since he was doing interiors for Generation Lost. Matt Ryan does a commendable job of adorning the visuals with the inking, while Hi-Fi does a superb job in the coloring. Visually, it's a beautiful book, without question. It's safe to say that Lopresti manages to impress with his pencils.

The Bad

For as much as this book is a call to the JLI of old, it really didn't have that much of a memorable start. Granted, this is only issue #1, and one issue does not a comic book series make, but the problems lie with the formation of the team. It would've been beneficial to see a little more resistance in making the team, with not just having Guy Gardner say no to "the guy that is a pitchman for adult diapers". There really wasn't much character banter aside from August General and Rocket Red, and Godiva's dialogue was really too forward and a bit snobby, at times. The ending seemed a tad predictable, even more so when reaching for the  execution of ending on a cliffhanger. 

The Verdict

It's not Judd Winnick writing this issue, but for what it's worth, Dan Jurgens does a commendable job on writing an opening issue of Justice League International. It has its cheap thrills, but it also has its admirable visuals and generally favorable writing. Again, one issue doesn't make a comic book series, and from the set-up they place themselves for issue #2, it's highly plausible that this book will find its stride. If you want to quench your Justice League thirst, get this issue. If you want a good read for a cheap price, get this issue. 4/5 SOLID BUY