Publisher: DC ComicsStory: Jim Krueger & Alex Ross
Script: Jim Krueger
Art: Doug Braithwaite & Alex Ross
Lettering: Todd Klein
Covers: Alex Ross
All three volumes of Justice League of America: Justice held my attention quite well. The plot hatched by Brainiac, Lex Luthor, and Grodd was very straight forward. Kill the Justice League of America (what's new about that right?), save humanity from the "superheroes" who have time after time failed to eliminate the criminal elements on earth, and herald mankind to its full potential. One MAJOR problem though (this character flaw is explained by Jim Krueger in the introduction of volume 1)... the villains TRULY believe that they're doing good for humanity, Lex Luthor in particular is exceptionally delusional in thinking this.
I have consistently been a fan or works by Jim Krueger, Alex Ross and Dougbraithwaite; however, JLA: Justice volumes 1 to 3 is a testament to holding the reader's attention while telling a story that's gripping and takes interesting twists. Jim Krueger and Alex Ross also allow the reader to see the change in a character through out the three volumes and portray them and more human in thought that superheroes are typically portrayed. What I also found interesting was the supporting role Superman played in these volumes since stories usually revolve around him. His is also usually the savior of the day. In JLA: Justice everyone plays a major role in the story in their own respect. The constant switching between each superheroes' story was masterful in that it allowed me to piece together the story like scenes from a movie. Usually the word "meanwhile" is used to convey to the reader what is occuring at that very moment in another part of the story some distance away. Krueger/Ross do not employ this technique and it worked quite well to my liking. A simple switch to say Green Lantern's or Captain Marvel's situation worked perfectly.
As far as the villains go I have to say I was disappointed that Grodd did not play a substantial role in the plot to herald humanity (ape kind) to its full potential, but then again Grodd was a simple puppet as you'll come to realize. Lex Luthor was up to his usual tricks of double crossing his partners in crime, but it's Brainac who stole the show. This AI (artificial intelligence) computes scenarios and accounts for variances in his plots meticulously; however, his intellect is matched by Lex Luthor's (if you're a fan Justice League Unlimited cartoon series you'll know that Lex is a 12th level intellect....this astounds Brainiac). Ultimately it is Lex's intellect that gets the best of Brainiac; however, Batman is the true genius (or should I say master detective) when it comes to expecting the unexpected and figuring out the intricacies of any plan. Here's a spoiler....most of the super villains are puppets to more than one master. Interested in finding out more? Read JLA: Justice volumes 1 to 3 and you'll be pleasantly surprised.
Overall I would recommend volumes 1 to 3 of JLA: Justice because it's worth the read, and I personally favor how the characters are developed and portrayed. As expected Doug Braithwaite's art work is top notch and almost realistic to a fault. These volumes are not (in my opinion) meant to be a trader's item. You should collect them and hope one day to see this in a Justice League movie (or cartoon if they ever bring JLA Unlimited back).
JLA: Justice
Rating: 4 out of 5 Demon Seals
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