Comic Review: Jurassic League #1

Publisher: DC Comics

Writers: Juan Gedeon & Daniel Warren Johnson

Artists: Juan Gedeon & Mike Spicer

Letterer: Ferran Delgado

When Jurassic League was announced months ago, the comic world went crazy. Both Juan Gedeon and Daniel Warren Johnson are known for creating some of the coolest comics over the last few years. The concept of the DC universe taking place in an era with dinosaurs just fits these two so well, especially Daniel Warren Johnson. Jurassic League #1 is here, and the creative team succeeds to meet expectations.

In Jurassic League #1, Johnson, and Gedeon focus on establishing the heroes and how they fit into the time period. There is no League yet, just a few heroes and villains scattered throughout. This approach is great not only for pacing, but also for fanservice. The writers give the characters some wonderful moments that are parallel with their own mythos. Bat Walker hunts down Jokerzard. Wonderdon leaves her island to save the world, and Supersaur spends his time saving cave people in their “city.”

The writing is full of fun puns and references, but the issue shines thanks to artist Juan Gedeon, colorist Mike Spicer, and letterer Ferran Delgado. It’s no surprise that this creative team makes the wild lands of this forgotten time look so good. Every character has fun designs, and the world that they inhabit is full of color. Bold lines help to make this era where everything is big feel bigger. The action moves along smoothly, thanks to seamless panel transitions. Little moments of fanservice are scattered throughout the panels, encouraging readers to actually take a closer look at every page. 

This doesn’t happen often, but the lettering in Jurassic League might actually be this issue’s best element. Delgado is incredibly creative in this issue, and goes beyond the typical bold font to emphasize words. The font choice fits the era perfectly. The various design choices during the action sequences add sound and life to them. Some boxes and bubbles have splatters of color to fit the character that is speaking. Fonts are colorful at appropriate times and breathe life without distracting the eye. This is some of the best lettering in recent memory.

Jurassic League #1 is fun, stylish, and a stellar example of what the medium is capable of. Everyone on the creative team is at their best, making this DC’s best debut of the year so far.