Review: JLA #1

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JLA #1
Written by Bryan Hitch
Art by Bryan Hitch
Published by DC Comics
Release Date: June 17, 2015

Step right up, folks, the “Big 7” JLA book you’ve been waiting for is here in widescreen glory from the masterful Bryan Hitch.

Hitch is pulling double duty with this one, writing and penciling and I was impressed by the script. I didn’t know what to expect from him as a writer, as I had read a little bit of his Image work but not enough to know if his scripting skills were on par with his artwork. I will say this: his writing suits his artwork and the benefit of a tight story from a writer/artist is present in JLA #1. Hitch knows how much needs to be said with dialogue and how much can be expressed, and there is a very nice balance between written and visual storytelling. Hitch controls the entire flow and his pacing is fantastic.

The story is engaging and certainly grabbed my attention, and there are big enough events in here to be worthy of a “Big 7” Justice League (with Cyborg subbed in for Martian Manhunter). There are few threats that require the full crew, but the feeling that Hitch is building to something huge with this team is definitely there. It isn’t discussed when this is occurring in the DC timeline, but it doesn’t matter. Hitch working in his own sandbox proves to be a good thing based on how strong JLA #1 is, and he certainly proves he can weave a good tale as a writer as well as being an all-star artist.

The issue features fantastic pencil work, as is to be expected. Fans of Hitch’s widescreen storytelling will be very happy with what they find here, and Hitch working with the biggest characters in the DC Universe just feels right. His line work is solid and his splash pages are exactly what he has come to be known for. This is a comic with a big action movie feel without all the continuity, and I think Hitch is giving people exactly what they’d expect from this #1.

Bryan Hitch delivers a solid story in the first issue of JLA, and I will definitely be returning for more. This book is a great jump on point for people looking for a Justice League title with seemingly no continuity ties, and off in its own corner of the DCU. Hitch’s writing is as strong as his artwork, and I think a lot of fans of classic runs of JLA will enjoy this take.

The Verdict: 8.5/10

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