Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: I Can’t Believe It’s Not The Justice League – Part One: This Guy…This–Gardner!
Written by: Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis
Penciled by: Kevin Maguire
Inked by: Joe Rubinstein
Colored by: David Baron
Lettered by: Bob Lappan
Assistant Editor: Michael Siglain
Editors: Steve Wacker and Mike Carlin
Publisher: DC Comics
One of my favorite comics as a child was the Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire run on Justice League. The repartee between the core cast was better written than anything going at the time. The situations they found themselves in were simply ludicrous, but utterly enthralling. Nothing was sacred and nobody was safe from the frolicking (Batman included). Justice League was the best time you could have while reading a comic. The mid ’80s on were when comics began to the move towards serious entertainment. It’s a move that has made the comic book an archaic form of entertainment for everyone but men twenty-five and over. Books like The Dark Knight Returns, Green Arrow and the Longbow Hunters, and Watchmen were the buzz of the time. Yet, Justice League also separated itself from the pack with characterizations centered on hi-jinks and tomfoolery, yet it emerged as a classic of the time.
Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire returned to the scene of the crime, if you will, in 2003 with the hilarious miniseries Formerly Known As The Justice League. I had the honor of reviewing the first issue of Formerly back in July of 2003. The first issue, and the entire series, didn’t fail to disappoint.
The question is: Can lightning strike three times?
Hell yeah!
Now, after a few false-starts, the gang is returning for what is probably the last time. This time for I Can’t Believe It’s Not The Justice League in the pages of the anthology series JLA: Classified. I’m thrilled to say that the quality of the first part makes it clear we’re in for another classic.
As we begin, the former JLAers, led by Max Lord, have their new gig, The Super Buddies, up and running. The first issue contains absolutely, positively no action whatsoever. It’s talking heads from start to finish. Oh, but what talking heads they are. Brian Bendis should be envious of the talents exhibited by Giffen and DeMatteis. The pair catches us up on the entire crew. The build up is outstanding, the character relationships as perfect as ever, and the hi-jinks are non-stop.
The guys set-up what should be a rather funny continuing story. Former Z-level super-villain Blackguard is putting a bar in next door to the Super Buddies downtown headquarters. The final page reveals that Guy Gardner is Blackguard’s partner. Gardner is another former cast member from the old Justice League glory days. Since he was tied up in the usual morass of DC continuity he didn’t appear in the previous miniseries, but was much requested. I wasn’t going to ruin the last page, but considering the story’s title does that for me…what the hell.
Giffen and DeMatteis, in typical fashion, beat several jokes into the ground from beginning to end. One centers on the apparent pregnancy of Sue Dibny (who is still alive when this story takes place). The other surrounds Blackguard’s real name, Richard Hertz, and the fact that he’d like to be referred to as “Dick.” You figure it out. The issue is packed with great moments. Blue Beetle and Booster Gold are at the forefront, of course. The quips between Blue and Gold come fast and furious. Some of the best center on Booster’s standing in the superhero community, and his elderly, but rich, wife. The best stuff in the issue surrounds Mary Marvel and Fire renting an apartment together. During the odyssey, Fire gives Mary her first taste of coffee. Mary Marvel then does her best John Moschita impersonation. Priceless stuff!
Pulling all of the humor together is genius-level artist Kevin Maguire. I don’t think there’s ever been an artist in the industry better at capturing facial expressions. The jokes by DeMatteis and Giffen would lose some zing if it wasn’t for Maguire’s amazing ability to translate facial changes from panel to panel. Especially amazing is page eight where Sue and Max get a kick out of Blackguard’s name. Not to mention the build-up on page twenty-one to the final page’s revelation of Blackguard’s partner. Even without the words this comic would be hilarious to behold.
In a day when DC is taking the dark road with their line of comics I Can’t Believe It’s Not The Justice League is a welcome breath of fresh air. The interplay with Sue Dibny and Ralph Dibny (Elongated Man) is absolutely wonderful. Yet, the whole thing made me really sad. I look back on the alterations that Identity Crisis wrought and the bigger changes coming this year with sorrow. It’s hard to enjoy the interplay between Sue and Ralph when you know how things end up. While it was a great story, IDC is one of string of recent events that’s sapping my love of DC Comics. Their books just aren’t fun anymore. My DC pull has shrunk greatly in the past six months, while Marvel’s share has grown extraordinarily. It’s been a long time since that was the case. Sorry DC, but you need more stuff like this.
That said, my DC pull will be almost non-existent in a couple of months, but I’ll soon be able to enjoy Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire over at Marvel when they make The Defenders fun again. Too bad DC lost their sense of humor, but thankfully Marvel has found theirs.
Interview Alert: Don’t miss Mike Maillaro’s interview with J.M. DeMatteis. Mr. DeMatteis answers Mike’s questions on a wide variety of topics, which includes I Can’t Believe It’s Not The Justice League.
