Justice League Red #1 Kicks Off an Interesting New Chapter in the League’s History (Review)

In a revitalized era, we’re witnessing the Justice League’s resurgence, and it’s simply fantastic! Drawing inspiration from the animated series “Justice League Unlimited,” this concept of an all-encompassing Justice League with every DC hero as a member was reintroduced to the comics. Over time, it becomes evident that the DC universe undergoes significant changes, and the Justice League often plays a pivotal role in these transformations. Since 2024, DC All-In has published numerous Justice League books, with the latest installments exploring unconventional paths for the team. The first issue of “Justice League Red” introduces an intriguing new take on the Justice League that hasn’t been seen in nearly two decades.

For quite some time, various incarnations of the Justice League have existed. The “Justice League Red” series introduces a team composition that isn’t often associated with the Justice League in fans’ minds: a covert operations unit. To initiate the story, Red Tornado performs forecasts about catastrophic events looming on the horizon, which adds an intriguing twist to the narrative. Although I’m not typically a fan of writer Saladin Ahmed, this concept for a Justice League team is quite captivating. Additionally, it’s refreshing to see Red Tornado play a more significant role than just the Watchtower’s computer system. Ahmed skillfully establishes the book’s themes and poses an engaging question: Does the Justice League truly make a difference or do they actually exacerbate problems?

The book’s characters are remarkable, and Ahmed handles them skillfully. Simon Baz, often overlooked as a Lantern, makes a great comeback, which is exciting. Ahmed doesn’t delve deeply into the character; instead, he sticks to typical Green Lantern narratives but adds a compelling line that connects to his complex background. Fans of Power Girl will appreciate her portrayal in this book, as she is not the shy Paige version from her latest series, which is cool for longtime fans who found Power Girl underwhelming. As the story nears its end, Ahmed introduces an intriguing twist that questions the effectiveness of AI and could lead to various outcomes. In my view, the final page unveil is fantastic, as it reintroduces a beloved character who has been absent for several years.

In this issue, artist Clayton Henry excels in the visual department, showcasing his distinctive style characterized by clean linework, compelling character portrayals, and an appropriate level of detail, adding a touch of visual appeal. right off the bat, Henry introduces some quite unsettling imagery that sets the tone for the looming dread written into the script by Ahmed. As the story unfolds, Henry offers captivating scenes to introduce our characters. His portrayal of Power Girl and Baz, in particular, is impressive, as he effectively uses body language to tell a visual narrative. The characters exude an air of confidence that is evident through their poses, and overall, the body language throughout the issue is commendable.

The exciting highlight of the story’s sequence is engaging and effectively executed. Though brief, it delivers its intended impact. In the concluding part of this segment, Ahmed introduces an unexpected twist that leaves Baz and Power Girl doubtful, a sentiment skillfully depicted by Henry’s artwork. Henry’s artistry is subtly expressive, which, despite diminishing the action’s grandeur compared to other artists, enhances the scene’s detail. His work never gives off an impression of being overextended, and his attention to detail is consistently precise. He excels at creating scenes with a dynamic feel without ever attempting something too ambitious for the book Ahmed is crafting. Although he may not have the flair to captivate big Justice League action sequences like some other artists might, Henry’s minimalistic style fits perfectly for this particular project.

The Justice League is currently thriving as DC’s recent releases, such as DC All-In and “We Are Yesterday,” have sparked engaging storylines for the team. The debut issue of “Justice League Red” further enhances this, despite some reservations about the writer Ahmed due to his work since his successful “Black Bolt” series. His recent works like “Wolverine” haven’t been as well-received, but in this issue, he effectively explores an intriguing concept – a black ops Justice League team reminiscent of “Justice League Elite.” The writing raises intriguing questions about the league and AI.

The artwork by Henry is commendable, even though it might not be groundbreaking. However, it complements the script well. Although Henry’s art may not astonish, it remains visually appealing. The return of a beloved DC character, coupled with a versatile plotline, makes this issue enticing. In summary, I will be purchasing the next issue to follow its development, and I recommend others do the same.

Rating: 4 out of 5

Justice League Red #1 is on sale now.

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2025-08-20 18:18