Justice League of America #1

Nearly everything about his comic comes from a ridiculous premise and bad (and do I mean BAD) ideas. After having cancelled Justice League International, and still desperate for a second Justice League team working inside the DCU, the New 52 launches their brand spanking new Justice League of America.

The premise is simple (and basically ripped off nearly completely from Justice League Unlimited with all the best parts taken out). Amanda Waller (who's lost a lot of weight since the reboot) and Steve Trevor decide to put together a team they can control, market, and use as a last result if the real Justice League goes bad.

Under that premise you'd expect some heavy-hitters. After all, if these guys are the last line of defense against Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, and the rest, you'd expect some top-shelf talent. You'd be wrong. Instead Waller and Trevor put together a laughable list of C-list and D-list heroes who'd struggle taking on Keith Giffen's Justice League Antarctica, let alone the current New 52 version.

The new Justice League of America is to be comprised of (try not to giggle): Vibe (no, this isn't a joke, they actually put Vibe on the JLA), the thuggish new Green Lantern (who I guess is still better than Kyle Rayner), Katana (who kills people and talks to her sword), Stargirl, Green Arrow (who was denied when he begged the real League to let him join), Hawkman (who also brutally kills people and may also be insane), and Martian Manhunter (who nearly destroyed the current Justice League). Oh, and it will led by Catwoman. Sigh. Looking on the bright side the team does allow Stargirl to make it into the New 52 roster. And that's about as bright as things get.

The first issue is basically divided into two stories. The first involves a conversation between Waller and Trevor on possible recruits and (for some of the heroes, but not all) scenes of Trevor pitching the idea to them. Inter-cut with these panels are scenes of a wounded Green Arrow running from an unclear threat to an unclear location for unclear motives. Needless to say, it's a bit unclear what the hell is going on here.

Throw in the fact that there's no way this group of killers, crazy people, and the kind of characters who would usually get scrubbed when you reboot an entire universe, could possibly act like, or be marketed as. a team, and an elaborate money grab by DC putting out variant issues for all 50 states and you've got the beginnings of a trainwreck of epic proportions. Pass.

[DC, $3.99]