REVIEW: ‘Justice League Infinity,’ Issue #1

Justice League Infinity #1 is written by J.M. DeMatteis and James Tucker, illustrated by Ethen Beavers, colored by Nick Fliardi, and lettered by Tom Napolitano. It is published by DC Comics. Part one of “The Crack’d Mirror” finds the nigh-omnipotent android Amazo discovering a quantum vortex that leads to multiple realities as he struggles to find meaning in his life. Meanwhile, J’onn J’onzz—the Martian Manhunter—continues to live a life among humanity while the Justice League deal with an invasion from Apokolips on the Flash’s birthday.

The DC Animated Universe was my first exposure to DC’s characters, starting with Batman: The Animated Series and leading up to Justice League Unlimited. Infinity picks up right where the Justice League Unlimited finale “Destroyer” left off and continues several plot points. J’onn’s quest to rediscover his human emotions and Darkseid’s departure from Earth are touched upon, along with the uneasy dynamic between John Stewart, Vixen, and Shayera Hol.

This is largely due to DeMatteis and Tucker, as both men have worked on the DC Animated Universe and other DC animated films. Tucker served as a producer on multiple DC Animated Universe series, including Justice League Unlimited and Batman Beyond. While DeMatteis wrote multiple episodes for Unlimited, including an adaptation of Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons’ “For The Man Who Has Everything.” Their script handles all the different character dynamics with ease: the Flash is an easy-going jokester, Batman is stoic, and Superman giving his all. Even relationship dynamics such as Big Barda and Mister Miracle’s marriage and the aforementioned Stewart/Shayera/Vixen’s not-quite-a-love-triangle get a focus. Another ongoing series, Batman: The Adventures Continue, utilized a similar process by having Batman: The Animated Series writers Paul Dini and Alan Burnett on scripting duties. I hope that future revivals continue this trend.

Beavers and Filardi’s artwork also captures the same aesthetic as Bruce Timm’s character designs and feels extremely animated to boot. A key example of this includes the fight scene between the League and Apokoliptan forces led by Granny Goodness and Darkseid. The League is shown leaping into action, with multiple members taking flight and/or delivering earth-shaking punches. There’s also a fluidness to Beavers’ work, whether it’s the Enlongated Man stretching his limbs or J’onn changing shape into the Martian Manhunter. And he also gets to design characters that didn’t appear on the show, such as Ted Kord (Blue Beetle) and an alternate version of Superman.

Filardi’s colors bring life to Beavers’ artwork, placing the spotlight on characters in key scenes. A key example is when Amazo enters the quantum vortex, which is depicted as a vast hall of mirrors. The fractured, gleaming mirrors reflect various versions of the gold-hued android, leading to a massive existential crisis for Amazo. Another scene features J’onn alone in a room, with shadows surrounding him, hinting at the loneliness that’s been an essential part of his character. J’onn also narrates the issue, with Filardi coloring Napolitano’s dialogue boxes a bright green and adding the Martian Manhunter symbol for extra oomph.

Justice League Infinity #1 is a pitch-perfect continuation of the DC Animated Universe, thanks to writers who have worked extensively in this continuity and an artist who manages to capture the look and feel of the world. Fans of Justice League and Justice League Unlimited will definitely want to pick this series up, as it’s effective at fulfilling any wish for more stories set in this universe.

Justice League Infinity #1 is available wherever comics are sold.