Comic Roundup: Justice League International, Spider-Island: The Avengers and Batgirl

This week in the Comic Roundup, I look at the Spider-Island: The Avengers one-shot and the first issues of both Justice League Int. and the hotly anticipated new Batgirl series. Read on to get the lowdown!

Batgirl #1
By Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf

Of all the new series that are coming out of DC’s New 52, Batgirl has been one of the most anticipated and controversial. People seemed to have a real problem with Barbara Gordon getting the use of her legs back and returning to the persona and costume she made so famous. Me, I don’t really have a problem with it. I loved her as Oracle and while it’s a shame to see such a well developed character go by the wayside, Batgirl #1 does an outstanding job filling the gap left behind.

In this first issue, we meet a younger Barbara Gordon who is still dealing with the psychological ramifications of the events of The Killing Joke graphic novel. She has just returned to her career as Batgirl and, inexplicably, gotten the use of her legs back. Somehow, Simone manages to hit all the right notes and gives us an action packed yet personal story. Syaf’s art is just amazing. I think the man may have been born to draw this title as his Batgirl just seems to explode off the page.

In a lot of ways, Batgirl #1 does a better job of delivering what the DC reboot is all about than Justice League #1 did. I don’t know about you, but I’m in for the long haul with this one.

Final Grade: A

Justice League International #1
By Dan Jurgens and Aaron Lopresti

I’ve been looking forward to this series for awhile now. I was a huge fan of the old JLI book even after Giffen and DeMatteis left and to know it was now making a comeback made me a happy fanboy. Plus Jurgens gets to write Booster Gold again! Win!

Thankfully, this first issue lived up to the hype I had built up in my mind. In many ways it was a better first issue than Justice League #1 (notice a theme developing?). Anyone who remembers the old JLI or read the Justice League: Generation Lost maxi-series will recognize most of the cast. But, thanks to the reboot, Jurgens gets to play around with the relationships and team dynamic. It’s a perfect first issue that gives a new reader everything they need to enjoy the story. Lopresti turns in some vibrant art that perfectly reflects the tone the book is going for.

JLI #1 is a fun, solid, entertaining comic book. The title has an old school feeling, as most Jurgens books do, but in a good way. It may not be getting all the hype like some of the other titles in the reboot, but it definitely deserves to.

Final Grade: B+

Spider-Island: The Avengers #1
By Chris Yost and Mike McKone

Speaking of fun, I feel I must inform you that I will buy any comic book that has the Fabulous Frog-Man in it. I own every appearance of the character and am proud to say so. From old issues of Marvel Team-Up to the Avengers, I love Eugene Patillo and his alter ego. In a world with too many Punishers, Jennifer Bloods and Batmen, I think we could all use a little Frog-Man in our lives.

So when I saw him on the cover of this Spider-Island tie-in issue, it hit the counter and came home with me. The comic itself has almost nothing to do with the main Spider-Island storyline and is little more than an excuse to have fun and make jokes at Spider-Man’s expense. And as such it works brilliantly. Seeing Frog-Man and Ms. Marvel team up is priceless, as is Squirrel Girl going up against Luke Cage and Jessica Jones’s baby, who now has spider powers. And I won’t spoil what poor Hawkeye goes through; you have to see it for yourself.

Spider-Island: The Avengers is an amusing, over the top comic that will have you laughing out load. Only check it out only if you like your comics a bit on the silly side.

Final Grade: B-