Writer & Artist: Bryan Hitch
Inks: Daniel Henriques with Scott Hanna
Colors: Alex Sinclair
Letters: Richard Starkings & Comicraft
Cover: Tony Daniel & Tomeu Morey
Variant Cover: Yanick Paquette & Nathan Fairbairn
Assists: Ameded Turturro
Edits: Brian Cunningham
Some Spoilers Ahead
Bryan Hitch makes his return to Justice League authorship, this time on the new Justice League: Rebirth title. The story entitled, “Fear the Reaper,” opens with a large, foreign, bug-like creature attacking a city. The creature spawns, and its offspring attack – attaching themselves to human hosts and yielding millions of zombie-like followers. The League struggles to find a solution and salvation for the infected citizens.
The initial Justice League: Rebirth roster includes Flash, Batman, Aquaman, Wonder Woman and Cyborg. As the story unfolds, the team evolves and a few more heroes join the fray. We discover Clark Kent and Lois Lane raising their son, Jon, on their pleasant farm. However, Clark can’t seem to shake an eerie feeling that things might not be as they seem – worlds may soon be colliding. Lois encourages Clark to engage with the Justice League.
Hitch’s issue is well written and sets up future stories well. Readers are treated to new character development, particularly with Lois Lane taking a strong role in steering Clark toward his destiny. Lois says, “You ask, ‘Why here? Why now?’ Because you’re Superman–and that makes a difference.” While the story is engaging, readers who pick up Justice League: Rebirth without prior knowledge of the fate of Superman in the New 52 might feel a portion of the storyline missing.
Justice League: Rebirth #1 is an interesting take on a re-formed Justice League. The storytelling is solid and leaves readers interested in the next threat from The Reaper and its ilk. The art is appealing and the issue is paced well. The interplay between the action sequences in the grey, crowded city juxtaposed against the tranquility of the bright, sun-lit farm is well received and quite an effective plot device.
Justice League: Rebirth #1 is a solid issue and a good starting point for this newly titled, ongoing series. As a longtime fan of the Justice League, I am excited about the future of this newly formed team. The addition of new heroes makes for interesting character dynamics moving forward. This bodes well for subsequent issues to come.
