As the presence of super beings around the world continues to grow, the United Nations resolves to create a new a new super group of their own, the Justice League International.

The JLI includes: Booster Gold, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, August General in Iron, Fire, Ice, Vixen and Rocket Red. Will they succeed at promoting unity and trust during their first mission as a team? Can they even reach their goal without killing each other first?

These are very interesting questions and one thing about the JLI book is that it’s pretty much exactly as I would imagine our world governments reacting to the formation of the Justice League. It was interesting to see Andre Briggs (or Ultimate Maxwell Lord?) stroking the egos of the U.N. Global Security Group when it came down to getting the team approved and selected.

Most of the candidates presented were approved, except for 4. Plastic man was excluded for being a “whacko”. Green Arrow, because he is too likely to “cross the line” (whatever that means). Blue Beetle didn’t cut the mustard because he’s just a rookie (but shouldn’t that be the case with most of these heroes since superheroes are new? Ah our first New 52 paradox). Finally, Batman was rejected, because they didn’t think the could control him.

The team end up being Booster Gold (the leader of this wayward group), Ice, Vixen, Fire, Rocket Red, August General in Iron, Green Lantern Guy Gardner and Godiva. Of course, upon seeing Booster Gold as the leader, Guy Gardner storms off saying something about endorsing adult diapers. Losing a powerhouse like a Green Lantern doesn’t deter Briggs as he sends the team, who just met, off on their first mission. You can guess this won’t end well.

Wow were they right about Batman (you can’t stop him you can only hope to contain him), as he hijacks the team from Booster Gold to fly them away to their first mission. Of course the best part of the JLI book is when Batman pulls his best Sandman imitation by pulling Gardner aside to tell him Booster Gold is the right leader for this team (I’m referring to when Sandman left the Vertigo Universe to come to the DCU just tell the Justice League Kyle Rayner is the greatest Green Lantern ever). Of course Gardner doesn’t buy it, because he has a chip on his shoulder and an inferiority complex like nobody’s business.

One of the cooler subplots in the JLI is that they are based in the Hall of Justice for their superhero HQ. This is not going over well with the everyday citizens as they are protesting the “occupation” of the Hall (it is after all, theirs). It was cool to see the Hall of Justice pop up, it was even cooler to see it set on fire at the end.

Besides the cliffhanger, Jurgens wrote a solid story and Lopresti and Ryan do a nice job with the art. I liked that Booster wasn’t a complete clown, and I’m wondering if/when we will see Skeets (his trusty lil robot hetro life mate). There are a lot of questions that were asked in this book, I think it will be fun seeing the answers unravel. This #1 is a good first issue that has me wanting to see more, especially since next month it is: JLI vs. The Signal Men!!!!

Justice League International #1
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Penciler: Aaron Lopresti
Inker: Matt Ryan
Colorist: Hi-Fi
Cover: Aaron Lopresti & Hi-Fi