Comic Review: Justice League Odyssey #1

Justice League Odyssey #1

DC Comics

Writer: Joshua Williamson

Artist: Stjepan Sejic

Is this that comic where Darkseid is part of the Justice League? Yes. Yes, it is. Technically.

During the events of No Justice, the planet Colu was destroyed. In its destruction, hundreds of planets were released into the universe.  Justice League Odyssey is now about Cyborg and a small team exploring the mysteries of the new Ghost Sector of space.

The only Justice League member allowed to patrol the Ghost Sector is the Green Lantern, Jessica Cruz. While in the middle of complaining that nothing interesting happens, something interesting happens. A Brainiac ship piloted by Cyborg, Starfire and Azrael enter the sector. Attempting to arrest them, Jessica instead crash lands with the group on one of the unknown planets. The group finds out that they’ve been summoned, unknowingly, by Darkseid.

I think the premise for this story has a lot of potential, and we’re not wasting any time getting into it with a slow build. That doesn’t always work and can sometimes hurt a story, but I don’t think that’s the case here. We know who the characters are, and this issue answers questions about they’re involvement. Although, at one point Azrael just goes on uninterrupted giving exposition. It helps us, the readers, but in the comic, he’s talking to Cyborg and Starfire. They already know everything he’s saying. It doesn’t hurt the book in any way, it’s just a little obvious. But besides that, I don’t have a problem with the story or the writing.

Stjepan Sejic’s art is fantastic. For me, the highlight of the issue is the background of the ghost sector of space. The pages with the credits for the issue is a look at the Ghost sector, and it’s my favorite. Everything in here looks good. The few creatures we see are all very alien looking and stand out in a good way. The characters themselves also look good in this style. I can’t really say anything negative about the art in this issue. I think it’s quality work and really speaks for itself.

This series was originally on track for release in July, following the No Justice miniseries. There were a couple of delays, but this series is finally out, and I think it’s good. I really like the premise of this, and think it has a lot of potential. I like most of the series the characters were in previously, and I’m glad they’re here rather than in limbo. We’ll have to wait and see exactly where this first story takes us, but I think it’ll be good.