DC's "Rebirth" initiative has been a critical and commercial success. It's simply something you cannot deny. Green Arrow went from one of DC's lowest sellers to one of its best. Batman has only maintained its popularity and it seems Tom King is finally poised to take a firm control of the book (despite an upcoming crossover). There is promise all across the board for DC's books and the fervor surrounding the company's line of comics is stronger than it's been in a longtime. So why is it that the flagship title is doing so poorly?
I think it's a multitude of things, on a technical and a creative level. First's let's examine the situation: Justice League is simply not as well-received as it'd been pre-"Rebirth." It's hard to follow-up on the successes of "Darkseid War," yes, but it seemed that there was a general enjoying of the book in other major story-arcs like Forever Evil and Trinity War. "Darkseid War" is probably where the book peaked, so you could say it sort of ended on a high-note, despite two follow-up issues simply setting up the events transpiring now.
Could one blame the simple idea of the book being over-hyped? Maybe. After all, that was what made myself and a few other people give second thoughts on Tom King's Batman. I was expecting something huge out of the first issue, and what I got was an okay introduction story. Now the book is great (I personally still don't read it but I trust those who have those opinions).
After all, this is Justice League. Besides All-New, All-Different Avengers there isn't really a title of the same caliber anymore (don't you dare count Uncanny Avengers or one of the X-Men/ Inhuman titles). How could one not be excited? Bryan Hitch isn't the greatest writer in the world, but, guy's got talent. And Tony S. Daniel doing the art? Oh, heck yeah.
So far, I've enjoyed the series for what it is: a disaster movie. That's really what it boils down to. It's the JLA facing an extinction-level event and the world is crumbling around them. Is that what we want in our super-hero books? Maybe not, but it's been pretty fun so far. Plus it's clear that the events of this book are going to have major implications on the DCU moving forward. They're preparing for the end of the world possibly stemming from beings that come from beyond our own dimension? Hmm...
Hmm...
One of the major complaints that I've seen is that we don't know what's going on, like who the Kindred are, what they want, and what the limitations of their powers are.
Well. I think the answers are...right in the comic!
Basically it seems that they feel humanity has run it's course and that they've actually done poorly by stealing their power. I agree with some that I don't get how the Kindred control things like the Flash's speed abilities or some of Wonder Woman's abilities, but I get it with the one that can control light itself, absorbing the powers of the Green Lanterns. The Kindred are gods, basically, and are going to harvest the Earth, take their power back, and leave.
I think people are asking why because they're expecting something more in-depth, something more. After all, we just came off of a plot that was pretty-darn complicated when you think about it. Grail had to do a million different things just to get to her one simple goal that was foiled basically within a single issue's time. Here, the Kindred just want the Earth expunged because they've had their power's siphoned and they're mad about it.
That's it.
Pretty easy, right?
Some of the confusing elements I do agree with are what Aquaman's little item has to do with anything as well as how Wonder Woman was able to ascertain who they were so fast. But those are kind of small-potatoes when you consider we're going to get those answers within the next issue or so. What the first few issues have done is raise the stakes. What we have here is an enemy that is seemingly unstoppable and can steal the abilities of some of our greatest heroes, as well as shut-down the only one who has the means of figuring it out (Cyborg). The latest cliff-hanger is a bit of a head-scratcher, but considering how they've been interacting with Cyborg it also makes a bit of sense.
Outside of the Kindred, though, I've been getting good vibes from the characters. Everyone is strong and can stand on their own. Sure the dialogue by Bryan Hitch feels a bit goofy sometimes, but I feel like there is a strong tether to all the members of the League, and that they're all good friends. Even the two new Green Lanterns are fitting in well with the book; I rather like them more in this book than their own solo series. At least here they complain about things and then do something about it.
Another fun addition to this book is Superman, and by God is it incredible the difference a few issues can make for a character. New 52 Superman was never as interesting or heartwarming as the current Superman we have right now. You can tell that this is a different character by the way he's interacted both with Batman as well as off on his own side-quest. It does bug me that Lois doesn't try to talk to Batman more since I feel like they knew each other before and, while not the same person, she still understands Batman and how he operates. Still, Superman has been a great addition and I can't wait for him to take control of the League's leadership soon.
On a technical level the book may not seem too appealing for a three word reason: No Geoff Johns. Let's face it, most of the DC fanboys were squealing with joy once we learned that Geoff Johns was going to play a much larger role in configuring the DC Cinematic Universe, but were saddened that he was departing from the comics industry. He did have a pretty good final stand, though, with "Darkseid War" and DC Universe: Rebirth #1.
Regardless about how you feel on him, I think the book took a major popularity hit without his name on the front cover. Again, Hitch is not a bad writer. But seeing that last name on the cover was a little more reassuring for many readers. Plus, he does have a knack for giving us scope in his books. The two previous "Rebirth" mini-series, Blackest Night, and "Darkseid War" are a testament to him showing us that he can balance many characters in different settings working toward a common goal to beat the bad guy (or come back to life...whatever).
Would Geoff Johns handle this story better? I'm inclined to say: certainly. I think Hitch is doing the best with what he can, though. While I don't think the story is as editorially mandated as it may seem, it does feel like DC wants to steer the League in a certain direction and Hitch is trying to add epic lore to the story that isn't really needed. The Kindred are threatening enough without us needing an eventual deus ex machina ending from Aquaman, Superman, and/ or Wonder Woman.
That said, it is exciting to see the League try to handle this world in peril so close to the death of their close friend, the New 52 Superman. You can tell that they are still shaken from those events and adding the new Superman could add an interesting dynamic to things. We've seen that with Batman in one of the finer moments of the third issue, and even when he met them in the Rebirth #1.
So no, I don't think Justice League is as bad as many people are making it out to be right now. It's setting up big events to come down the road, possibly even as close as this fall/ winter with the big Suicide Squad crossover coming up. The Kindred are a big enough threat for those two teams to face (though what the Suicide Squad can do against them is rather up to debate). Is this book great, as good as it was before "Rebirth"? No. I would put it on par with Issues 51 and 52. If thought those were decent, then you'll feel the same about these.
I just hope that this book can get back to the level it was at before so that "Rebirth" can feel a little more complete, like we can have that spearhead driving the company forward toward its bright tomorrow.
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