I don't really know how to review comics, other than to say 'I liked that', so forgive me if this doesn't read as well as others'. James Robinson's universe-building book could have been such a misfire, but rather than taking a traditionalist approach to the Justice Society he's giving us an all-new reason to love these characters. Used to the elderly Jay Garrick, the Golden Age Flash? Say hi to the Mercury-empowered, everyman Flash of Earth 2 (who's much younger). Used to Marty Nodell's Golden Age Green Lantern? Welcome to young, hot and coincidentally gay Alan Scott. We're two issues in and with such great dialogue and sensitively drawn art by Nicola Scott, I really want to know more about these people. It helps that their world bears no resemblance to the 'New' Earth 1 - with Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman apparently dead and the world damaged and unbalanced by the Apokolips invasion we can take nothing for granted (as this issue's finale shows).
So many books take their audience for granted - the rebooted Justice League is a prime example, offering next to no character definition or meaningful interplay, with the hope that the 'hot' art and popular characters will sell themselves. But this issue was the 'New' DC at its finest, gradually building mysteries, offering believable dialogue and presenting some of the best art DC currently has on its roster. Where is Steppenwolf? With two of the book's number (Power Girl & Huntress) currently leading their own adventures in Worlds' Finest, how will these characters interact with their Earth 1 counterparts? How will the Justice Society form (if at all)? That you're left more interested in how this world develops post-invasion shows just how good the creative team is.
9/10