Over the past year, some of you might have noticed the lack of book I was not reviewing for this site (no it’s not Earth 2). It was Bryan Hitch’s Justice League of America, which I read for a couple of issues then promptly put the series down because it didn’t click with me like Johns’ and Fabok’s take on the Justice League. Now with both Johns and Fabok ending their tenure on the flagship title for the DCU, Bryan Hitch and series artist Tony Daniel take the reigns of the World’s Greatest Superheroes. Hopefully this time around Hitch can convince me to say for his writing. As usual, spoilers ahead!
Much to my surprise, Bryan Hitch also drew this issue along side writing. Some might say that Bryan Hitches’ art is from a bygone area that no longer has a place in today’s current market. I say that is most untrue, and Hitch’s art is just as amazing as it was in 1999, at least for this special Rebirth issue. Of course Hitch brings his signature double page cinematic flare, and no other artist working today captures the sense of scale that the Justice League operates on. Given the theme that this issue once again presents the Justice League as Gods among men, On a personal note, the scenes dedicated between Lois and Clark as they discuss their place in the current universe. The body language felt very natural, as if we the reader were just fly’s on the wall listening on a very personal conversation.
Another highlight of Hitch’s outside of the cinematic view, was seeing the Justice League react to the death of “their” Superman, and seeing Wonder Woman hunched over as she griefs. However Hitch isn’t perfect and there were some body proportional issues (see Flash running atop cars for some extremely long legs), or Wonder Woman’s face looks really off putting, and based on the angle she is charging it looks like she snapped her own neck. Not to mention the lack of detail for some of Justice League (see Aquaman after he comforts Wonder Woman). Despite that, Bryan Hitch’s art still was spectacular where it needed to be and delivered that epic feeling that the Justice League needs to have.
While I praised Hitch’s penciling, his writing in the past has left me lukewarm at best and not just his writing on the previous volume of Justice League of America, but his creator own work as well. While the theme of this Rebirth issue has been used to reignite the JL many times, I enjoyed the balance that Hitch brought to the characters that made them sound like real characters and not stiff cardboard versions of themselves. The dialog flowed naturally and Hitch nailed their voices, I especially enjoyed Batman’s reasoning to let the new Superman be apart of the League. I did find the ending of the issue with the league basically telling the giant monster to run home, a bit cheesy and a bit of a cop out to what could have an epic conclusion.
Not much on the Baz and Cruz side of things, but just like the rest of the team Hitch understand their voice and even shows off their unique partnership. It’s only a brief glimpse but I’m looking forward to seeing how Jessica and Simon interact with the rest of the League.
A solid start from Hitch the pencils I knew were gonna be there but Hitch has improved by leaps and bounds on the writing side. Hopefully this translate once the series actually starts but for now a well done one shot from Mr. Hitch.
Justice League: Rebirth earns a 4/5