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REVIEW: JLA BOOK 1- NEW WORLD ORDER
Reviewed by Brian Domingos
The Justice League of America is the premier super-team of the world. The Big Boys.
Though, it wasn't always this way. Earlier incarnations of the team had some second
stringers and wasn't the prettiest of bunches. Then came Grant Morrison.
He revamped the face of the JLA. He made the Justice League a real contender in world
affairs. He grouped together the DC Universe's great heroes (Superman, Batman, the
Flash, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern) and made the name
Justice League formidable again.
Morrison introduced the JLA to real threats. Genuine threats up to their level of
power. It's the JLA, for cripes sake, pretty thugs are below them. Planetary Threats...
that's where the money is. That's the real show.
JLA: NEW WORLD ORDER is a dynamic starting point for Morrison's triumphant
run. It starts with the Intergalactic protectors, The Hyperclan, pushing the JLA off
their turf. They show up, shake up the status quo and do their best to get the citizens
of the world on their side. It's established early on that the Hyperclan are using mind
control to manipulate the world's population, and the JLA becomes involved to stop it.
Morrison uses the characters to draw the reader into the story. He helps us live
through the characters. Wally West -- a.k.a. The Flash -- encounters the speedy
Hyperclan member Zum. Wally is able to overcome him only with the help of a Flash Fact
-- a piece of knowledge that his mentor, the previous Flash, used to educate Wally in
the ways of being a super-speedster. Wally also speaks nostaligically about Barry Allen
(the Silver Age Flash), and how different they are. Morrison injects a sense of Silver
Age history into the book, as well as an uncanny sense of awe.
We see Kyle Rayner, the new Green Lantern, and his first real outing with the League.
We experience his doubts and see him slip into the position as a super power. He fights
alongside Wonder Woman and is floored by the experience. He's the rookie -- but he
probably has the most potential, as both a developing character and a superhero.
The most substantial change in the book is Morrison's use of Batman. No longer is he
just the dark brooding guy. He is the most dangerous man on earth. Batman is a threat on
his own. After taking out four members of the Hyperclan himself, Batman is shown in a
new light. He's a different kind of hero. He's the thinking hero. No brute strength
here, but the powers of deduction and unparalleled tactician.
Morrison portrays most of the JLA in the best light possible. Superman is the great
hero of all-time. Batman is scary as hell. Aquamans arrogant and the Flash is a
resourceful as ever. He's admitted not really knowing who Wonder Woman was until later
in the series, but all are shown very well in this book.
'New World Order' also marks the arrival of regular art team of Howard Porter and
John Dell. Porter brings Morrisons scripts to life. He makes a scene with a smile from
Superman here and a cold glare from Batman there add small pieces of characterization to
the story. Dell compliments it all very well. Together, they dynamically show the JLA
spanning the globe, saving the world's arse once again.
This book is a must have for superhero fans and Morrison fans alike. If you don't
have it, go buy it. Now. It's very new reader friendly with character bios in the front
and it's not too continuity heavy. It's the perfect starting point. And, It's only six
bucks. What's your excuse now, eh?
Recommended
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Writer: Grant Morrison
