Major Spoilers
    Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube Twitch Discord RSS
    Major Spoilers
    • Home
    • Reviews
      • Random Access Memory
      • Retro Review
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Podcasts
      • Critical Hit
        • Critical Hit House Rules
        • Critical Hit World Building
      • Dueling Review
      • Finally Friday
      • Geek History Lesson
      • The Legion Clubhouse
      • Major Spoilers Podcast
        • MSP TPB for 2019
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2013
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2012
        • On the Next Major Spoilers Podcast – 2011
      • Munchkin Land
      • Top Five
      • Wayne’s Comics
      • Zach on Film
    • Features
      • Casual 60
      • Comic Casting Couch
      • Comics Portal
      • Did You Hear?
      • Editorials
      • Features
      • Gamer’s Corner
      • Hero Histories
      • Let’s Get Nerdy
      • Major Spoilers Adventures
      • Random Access Memory
      • So You Want to Read Comics
    • Movies
      • Did You Hear
      • Movies
      • Television
    • Comic Previews
    • Patreon
      • Patreon
      • Store
    Major Spoilers
    DC

    Justice League Rebirth #1 Review

    Jon ArvedonBy Jon ArvedonJuly 8, 2016Updated:July 9, 20165 Mins Read

    No matter how many infinities, crisis or rebirths the DCU endures, there will always be a Justice League. With that being said, your Infinite Blackest Flashpoint Crisis of Final Identity reviews of Justice League Rebirth is about to begin!

    Justice-League-Rebirth-1JUSTICE LEAGUE REBIRTH #1
    Written by BRYAN HITCH
    Art by BRYAN HITCH
    Colors by ALEX SINCLAIR
    PUBLISHER: DC COMICS
    COVER PRICE: $2.99

    Previously in Justice League: The New 52 Superman died and Power Ring became a Green Lantern. While these events took place in Superman #52 and Justice League #50 respectively, they both serve as prerequisites to the events of this issue and are really all you need to know before picking up Justice League Rebirth. Don’t you just love jumping-on points?

    A LEAGUE OF ADEQUATE GENTLEMEN

    This issue of Justice League doesn’t waste any time in establishing the antagonist. Within the first few pages, we learn that Earth is under attack by a gigantic, techno-organic alien known as the Reaper. When you have a title like the Justice League, you have to include a threat that warrants calling in a team comprised of some of the greatest heroes of the DC Universe. Since this book is merely a one-shot, I can see why Bryan Hitch decided to go the generic oversized and out-of-this-world alien monster route rather than a household name in terms of Justice League villains. The problem is that the Reaper was simply too generic, which is part of a larger dilemma I had with this book. The fact of the matter is that it seems like Hitch may have been overwhelmed handling both the writing and the art because both felt very rushed, but more on that later.

    Some of the better moments from this issue came from the scenes featuring Lois and Clark. Seeing the Big Blue Boy Scout in domestic bliss is a great way to humanize the American Alien, though I feel like we were retreading old ground in a sense. In previous issues of Superman and Action Comics, we saw Clark accept the fact that the New 52 Superman was dead and that he needed to be the Superman of this world. Yet, despite this, we once again get a version of Kal-El that is hesitant to accept his fate as the Man of Steel. I can understand that Hitch’s intention might have been for the events of this issue to have taken place closer to those in Superman Rebirth, but it felt reminiscent of some of the convoluted inter-title timelines that have hurt DC in the past.

    The story ends as you would expect – the Justice League, updated roster and all, standing tall after having defeated their enemy. It was rather anticlimactic and at the same time, it was sort of how I expected this issue to end. All in all, the goal of establishing the new Justice League was accomplished, even if it was done in a lackluster fashion.

    IS THIS HOW JUSTICE LOOKS?

    Earlier, I alluded to the fact that I think Bryan Hitch might have been spread a little too thin by doing both the writing and pencils on this issue. While the writing was salvageable, I had a lot of problems with the art. The way an artist handles the eyes of characters in a book is huge for me. Eyes are the most expressive part of the face and when drawn well, can impart incredible emotion. The issue I have with Hitch’s work is that everyone’s eyes have the same small, dull look to them. In some panels, it seems as though Hitch even tried to actively avoid drawing eyes altogether by having characters facing away from the reader or by having their eyes obstructed by limbs or other objects. I can’t tell if this was merely a coincidence but given the fact that so much of the art felt rushed, I have to err on the side of laziness. There is a panel where Wonder Woman is attempting to pierce the Reaper with the Bolt of Zeus and her jaw looks practically unhinged. I didn’t feel like the art was given the attention it deserved, which leads me to believe that Hitch struggled to balance both aspects of the book. Thankfully he will be delegating the art to Sandu Florea and Tony S. Daniel in issue #1. The inks in this issue were done by Daniel Henriques with Scott Hanna and the colors were done by Alex Sinclair. Both of these were handled well and I have no complaints in either of those departments. Unfortunately they weren’t enough to win me over on the art as a whole.

    BOTTOM LINE: JUSTICE WASN’T SERVED

    All in all, this was not a great book. It wasn’t necessarily bad, but it is by no means an essential read. As far as Rebirth titles go, this has been the weakest of the bunch in my opinion but it’s still an OK Justice League title if you can get past the uninspiring art.

    [taq_review]


    Dear Spoilerite,

    At Major Spoilers, we strive to create original content that you find interesting and entertaining. Producing, writing, recording, editing, and researching requires significant resources. We pay writers, podcast hosts, and other staff members who work tirelessly to provide you with insights into the comic book, gaming, and pop culture industries. Help us keep MajorSpoilers.com strong. Become a Patron (and our superhero) today.

    Alex Sinclair Bryan Hitch dc comics justice league Review
    Share. Facebook Twitter Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr Email
    Previous Article[Toys] Hot Toys unveils massive Hulkbuster action figure
    Next Article [Solicitations] Cyclops is dead in Death of X #1
    Jon Arvedon

    Jon Arvedon is a Graphic Design graduate who somehow became a Health Insurance Analyst, yet wishes to be a crime-fighting vigilante if not for his strict 8:30 PM bedtime. Born and raised on the not-so-mean streets of Central Massachusetts, he instead uses his time consuming and sharing all aspects of nerd culture on the web and social media as avoNERD.

    Related Posts

    Critical Hit #789: Monster Wrangler – Session Zero (MWS01-E00)

    Read More

    Marvel United: A Pride Special Review

    Read More

    Top Five Snacks (2025 Edition)

    Read More

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    AMAZON AFFILIATE

    Support this site by making a purchase through our Amazon affiliate links

    Reviews
    9.0
    June 13, 2025

    Marvel United: A Pride Special Review

    6.3
    June 10, 2025

    X-Men #17 Review

    6.0
    June 9, 2025

    Power Rangers Prime #7 Review

    6.0
    June 8, 2025

    Retro Review: Detective Comics #20 (October 1938)

    8.0
    June 7, 2025

    Absolute Green Lantern #3 Review

    Patreon Support
    Major Spoilers Store
    Recent Comments
    • Nathan on Wayne’s Comics Podcast #696: Interview with Creators from Concrete Arcanum
    • Austin Cowboy on FIRST LOOK: Conan the Barbarian #21
    • Frank on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    • ZackaryTobias on COMICS PORTAL: Batman Meets… Deadpool!?
    • derrigable on COMICS PORTAL: I Want More than Good Memories!
    Subscribe to the Major Spoilers E-Mail List
    Sponsor

    ComiXology Home Page

    Follow Us
    • Facebook
    • Twitter
    • Instagram
    • YouTube
    • Twitch
    Major Spoilers Patreon
    • About
      • Major Spoilers Terms of Use
      • Major Spoilers Frequently Asked Questions
      • Major Spoilers Privacy Policy Statement
      • Major Spoilers Podcast Gear
    • Contact
    • Cookie Policy (EU)
    Major Spoilers is copyright 2006-2025 by Major Spoilers Entertainment, LLC

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.

    We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies.
    Cookie settingsACCEPT
    Privacy & Cookies Policy

    Privacy Overview

    This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
    Necessary
    Always Enabled
    Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
    SAVE & ACCEPT