“Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow”
Writer: Brad Meltzer
Artist: Various
Publisher: DC Comics
Average Rating: 
Michael Aronson:
Kevin T. Brown: 
Charles Emmett:
Robert Murray: 
Caryn A. Tate:
Michael Aronson I’ll admit I had my doubts.
I skimmed through the issue before I read it to note who the “all-star cast of artists” would consist of, and while I was very impressed with the roster, I thought the method of dividing up the issue would prove a mistake. Turned out to be a little worse than that.
See, Ed Benes is going to be the regular penciller for the series, and yet his pages are some of the most rough out of all the contributions here. He could have benefited from using the entire issue to get the lead out, so to speak. More importantly, even though this is more of a prelude than a true start to the series, it would help if there was some artistic consistency to give readers a feel for what the series will look like.
I’m not a fan of splash pages, but if you’re going to use a different superstar artist every page, I’d go with splashes, rather than handing out a normal page of the script to a different guy with a different style and hope it will all connect smoothly. It doesn’t. While it’s nice seeing Perez on Donna’s wedding, McGuire illustrating the post-Crisis era and Jimenez revisiting his panels from Infinite Crisis, there isn’t enough substance and flash per page (other than the page Williams III managed to score) for each artist to make his mark and do what he does best.
By the way, are these really the first interior pencils we’ve seen from Adam Kubert in over a year? What the hell happened?
But art aside, anyone who had Meltzer pegged as a writer who brings gloom and doom to every project he touches is in for a massive disappointment. Despite the mishmash of art, Meltzer’s script connects each page in an uplifting examination of the dynamic between Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman – how they’ve approached their leadership of the League and why they’re best qualified for it. Forget the past 28 issues of the Superman/Batman series, because Meltzer sums up everything you ever need to know about how these characters interact in these 24 pages – and then he throws Diana in for good measure without missing a beat.
And Meltzer claims he’s most proud of issue #1? Really? It’s going to be hard to match this script.
It’s really unfair that DC handed the past, present and future of these three characters for Meltzer to sum up and define in a single issue, but it’s a testament to DC’s faith and Meltzer’s skill that he nails it. He references past incarnations of the League without any dry exposition for new readers, but drops just enough information to tell us what they were about and why they’re worth visiting here. Plus, those future moments were wonderful – I’m not worried about whether he’s going to touch on them during his run or not, because as they stand alone right now, every one is uniquely effective.
As much love as I have for the narrative, there are a few blips that make me halt in my praise. What does that cast of characters on Jim Lee’s page have to do with what’s going on in the dialogue? Are they pretty much telling us that Diana is Wonder Woman in the “now” scene? But that doesn’t add up, since the characters on the final page – Captain Marvel, Aquaman, Hawkman to name a few – don’t jive at all with their current incarnations and whereabouts. I can’t tell if it’s a continuity goof, a spoiler or something else entirely, but it’s an unnecessarily confusing way to end what could have been a
story.
Kevin T. Brown Are you old school? Then this book is for you.
Are you new school? Then this book is for you.
Are you a fan of comics that were created decades ago? Then this book is for you.
Are you a fan of new comics with updated concepts? Then this book is for you.
Basically, this issue has something for everyone. Brad Meltzer pulls it all in. And I do mean ALL. It doesn’t matter if the story represented in this issue was originally created in 1960, 1985 or 2005; it’s all there. Every freakin’ aspect that makes the Justice League of America great is in there. However, make no mistake, this issue is firmly a character study of the “big three”: Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman. Not only of the past and present, but of the future.
Meltzer has written a near masterpiece here. He’s done what damn few writers are capable of doing: keeping all of the continuity relevant and not trying to over explain it. It’s essentially one page of “1960,” one page “sometime in the future,” then one page “1973,” and so on and so forth. At first it’s a little disconcerting, but that has more to do with the wide disparity of artwork presented in this issue. Though once you’re able to fully see what Meltzer is doing, you’re totally sucked into the story.
What impressed the most is how well it all ties together. How you’re able to see the growth in the three characters, while they stay true to who they are throughout. You see them as “fresh faced kids” and as the “elder statesmen,” as well as all points in between. But most of all, you see them as being very human and as best friends.
One other thing that I really liked about this issue was the “promise” of what’s to come. While the future of the DCU is tenuous at best, Meltzer has given the readers more than a few clues that will definitely have the fans talking for quite some time.
As for the art, there is literally something here for everyone. No less than twenty-five artists, including the cover artists, combine to tell this story. And, as I mentioned above, while a bit disconcerting at first, especially before you realize the type of story being told, it really does comes together. Editor Eddie Berganza compiled an extremely strong line-up to tell this story, allowing each artist to play to their strengths as they each focus on a specific time period throughout the history of the Justice League. The only real negative thing I can say about the art is how bad the Michael Turner cover looked. His art style is just not to my liking. However, the future looks incredibly bright for the new series upon seeing Ed Benes & Sandra Hope’s art to end the story.
Suffice it to say, DC potentially has a monster hit on its hands here. Justice League of America is in extremely good hands.
Charles Emmett
Things Change. Friends, loved ones, places, jobs, cars. Whatever you name, if you give it enough time, it will change. But how much change is required before ideals are replaced? Relationships reforged and redefined? That’s basically the premise of Brad Meltzer’s introduction to the Justice League. However, instead of focusing on the League, and its myriad members, this issue focuses only on the DCU’s trinity: Batman, Wonder Woman and Superman. They discuss forming the league for the first time and how it slipped out of their godly hands. From a crisis, all the way to a new start.
This issue is exactly what a preview issue should be. (Okay, so it wasn’t 50 cents, but it’s still worth it.) It covers all the old ground while getting you excited about what’s to come. The back story never gets too complicated, the exposition never threatens to overwhelm you, but yet you can’t help but be impressed at how Meltzer puts all the different strings and all the different times together to form a linear cohesive story. Okay, well sort of. If you aren’t particularly well versed in DC mythology, you may find yourself wondering which events take place where, and where it all fits in. However, instead of setting a rigid timeline Meltzer uses the words “yesterday” and “tomorrow” to form some semblance of a timeline, while giving himself and the rest of the DCU plenty of wiggle room to sort all the post IC- changes out. Something which may take years to do.
The biggest ally in Meltzer’s goal of creating an atmosphere of past and present is the art. The art closely mimics (especially the first segment) the style of the time (publication time, not in continuity time, so the first segment looks like it’s from the 1960s and so on). It’s really quite nice to behold, and makes full use of the many talented artists on hand. It’s nice, it doesn’t detract from the story, and it doesn’t waste the talent on hand. Bravo, guys.
While there’s nothing really new here, there is a lot to be excited about with the new upcoming series. Even though this issue did more for me than the entire “History of the DCU” backup in 52, I still have a few questions about the new timeline and so on and so forth, though that’s not really the point of this issue. The point is to introduce you to the concepts and ideals behind the Justice League, and on that front, it succeeds admirably.
Robert Murray: I don’t know about anyone else, but I’m usually not crazy about “zero” issues or the variety of gimmicks they typically employ. Either these issues are priced cheaply for maximum exposure (usually resulting in minimal entertainment) or they feature a story without much meat, acting as a teaser for the main series (which I guess is the point, but darn is it unsatisfying!). I think the two best Issue #0s I’ve read are Grant Morrison’s Seven Soldiers #0, for obvious reasons, and Conan #0, which combined fantastic art by Cary Nord with just the right amount of story for an effective lead-in to the series, as well as a 25 cent cover price. However, every other zero issue I’ve read has ranged from the mediocre (Battlestar Galactica #0) to the downright awful (Remember Soulfire: Beginnings? I hope not!). So, what are my feelings about Justice League of America #0? Well, I’m definitely excited about the series, particularly because of the able and character-focused writing of Brad Meltzer. However, despite Meltzer’s skill and the effectiveness of the artwork in this issue, the overall spectacle of JLA #0 didn’t work for my tastes, leaving me with the suspicion that I’m about to experience a rehash of every blockbuster mega-series of the last five years on a monthly basis. And, considering the first storyline of the regular series, this observation might not be far off (Sorry! I looked ahead). To be fair, though, the pieces that make up issue #0 are very good, and the issue itself proved to provide more entertainment than I expected.
Brad Meltzer’s notion in this issue is to present the relationship of the Big Three in all of the different eras of Justice Leagues’ past, present, and future. It’s a good start, and displays what I think an issue #0 should do: present some sort of origin or background for the participants of the series. The best parts of this issue are the pieces of dialogue or captions showing Meltzer’s deep meditations on what makes the relationship between Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman work. I loved the Superman captions early in the issue which explained his friendship with Batman: “People misunderstand our friendship. It’s not simply mutual respect. Or loyalty over time. As in any social setting, your friends are the ones you consider your equals. But your best friends – your closest friends – are the ones you consider your betters.” This is a wonderful way to express their friendship, as well as the concept of friendship in general, and lets us see the humanity of these larger-than-life characters. Speaking of humanity, there are a couple of wonderful scenes with Batman’s emotional nature front and center. The best are the present day pages at the end of the issue, as Batman waits for Superman and Wonder Woman to arrive. His captions state, “I don’t get nervous. Not anymore. But with Clark and Diana, I’m just so different...from them. And so much alike. I hear the slight wisp in the air that tells me he’s coming. To my own surprise, my gloves fill with sweat.” What a perfect characterization of respect, self-consciousness, and anticipation! Why not give Meltzer a shot at the Batman series? Lord knows it needs a touch of humanity after years of molding him into a brooding caricature of himself (Good luck, Grant Morrison!).
The artwork in the issue is just as capable as the writing, which is surprising considering the number of hands in the same pot. Twenty-three different artists had a hand in the rendering of the panels, but instead of feeling like a jam session of artistic talent, Meltzer employs the different styles and techniques to assist in the storytelling, creating feelings of nostalgia as well as excitement for future incarnations of the League. Selfishly, I loved the pages by Dick Giordano and George Perez, as it recreated the comics I read as a kid. In my opinion, the most effective pages were done by Eric Wight (loved the classic feel) and Kevin Maguire (you can’t help loving the faces he draws). Yes, some of the art was lackluster, but all of the pieces fit, creating a look that backs up the jumps in time. The most disheartening aspect of the art, and the entire issue in general, was what was provided by Ed Benes and Sandra Hope, who will be the series “regular” art team. Benes’ rendering of faces doesn’t really do it for me, as they don’t really express the emotions of particular characters. In a couple of panels, Superman almost looks stoned! As for Hope, her inking lines are way too much, cutting into each and every muscle and facial feature. It actually distracted me during the conclusion of the issue, which is something an inker should never do.
I hope with all my heart that Justice League of America doesn’t become bloated and out of touch with the characters, which is unlikely due to Meltzer’s skill. However, some of the clues presented in this issue as well as the Magnificent Seven plot we are about to embark on has me wondering: Can Meltzer handle a sustained super-hero team series? I guess we’ll see. My advice to him is to not cave into the pressures of Justice League fans, but rather stay within his strengths. Who’s in? Hopefully some characters with room to grow and emotional complexity, as this plays into Meltzer’s wheelhouse.
Caryn A. Tate:
In order to re-introduce the Justice League, Mr. Meltzer had to bring Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman together again first, as the foundation of the League. In doing so, he also brings back the idea that they are all friends. That’s exactly how I see them too, especially Batman and Superman, and generally it’s how I want them to be portrayed in comics.
The key to their friendship here, though, is that they act like real friends do: in addition to enjoying each others’ company and being on common ground, they fight. They disagree. They get angry with each other. That’s realistic, and I think we need to see more realism like this pertaining to characterization. On one hand, I can honestly say I don’t want to read about superheroes who are jerks, or the greatest superhero team whose members hate each other. But on the other hand, I also don’t want to read about superheroes who are always sweet to each other, no matter what. It just doesn’t work that way, and it’s not interesting to read about, either.
The premier issue of the new Justice League toggles between past and supposed future events involving Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. At first, the “future” scenes had me a little puzzled; but finally I’ve decided that in my opinion, these are just possible outcomes. Some of them I would enjoy seeing manifest; others I really don’t want to see. But that’s the great thing about imagination (and about the comic world—even if you don’t like something that’s happening in a comic, it will probably eventually change). But whether these future scenes happen or not, that’s really not the point; what matters is that we see the relationships between the three characters and how they deal with the world and each other.
This was a very well written comic. Mr. Meltzer obviously loves the characters, and loves showing them as the heroes they are; no more of that indecisive Superman, the mean Batman, or that boring Wonder Woman—these are heroes that act like the ones we picture in our minds when we hear their names. Several scenes touched me deeply. While the issue is not perfect (there’s a little confusion here and there regarding the transitions between past and future), it’s a definite good start to what I believe will be the best Justice League run since Grant Morrison’s.
Above everything else, the characterization was fantastic. Each of the heroes has his or her own, very distinct, voice. In a true testament of my own personal enjoyment of the characters’ voices, I generally heard their voices from the Justice League Unlimited animated series. Now that is a true compliment from me, because generally those voices are exactly right; and in comics, it’s not something just any writer can accomplish.
Beyond their voices, though, were their personalities. Mr. Meltzer, again, seems to understand just what makes these characters work, why their fans love them. I’m very excited to see the next issue.
While some readers may wonder about Batman being willing to start up the League again, after what happened to him previously, I’m more than willing to believe that he above all other heroes would have the strength of character to move on. He and the other Leaguers may have some trust issues they’ll have to work through, but more than anything I think Batman feels that everyone in the League has learned a lesson, including himself. It won’t accomplish anything for him to meditate on what happened to him and hold a grudge (both for the character and for the comics readers).
As far as the art goes, it was a great chance to display art by several different artists, and I enjoyed them all. It’s always fun to see different takes on the characters, and it all fit here. And of course, I’m always excited to see a Michael Turner cover, and this fantastic one was no exception.
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