REVIEW: ‘Justice League: Intergalactic Special’ Issue 1

Justice League Intergalactic Special Issue 1 is published by DC Comics and written by Jadzia Axelrod and Nicole Maines, art by Travis Moore, colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and letters by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

A small team hunts for missing Green Lanterns, but Dreamer has a horrible premonition.

This one-shot sees two stories bleed into and inspire something new. As Justice League Intergalactic Special Issue 1 begins, it is clear that several fragments of previous events and series rear their heads. Axelrod’s run on Hawkgirl, the trauma created by Absolute Power, and the new Secret Six that Dreamer helped found are all integral to the book’s formation. It throws us into the action pretty quickly, deep in space, with a ragtag team that’s struggling to get on.

The tension that bubbles under the surface in this book is what makes it electrifying. It’s an exciting childhood adventure in a ship that’s so volatile within. At any time, the villain’s powers can trigger an emotional eruption, turning the heroes into enemies. That pressure cooker creates a phenomenal, intense atmosphere. And then there are some great space battles too, blending Lanterns with spaceships and other superpowers. The ending is a big surprise because it actually leads into another series that’s just around the corner.

There is a tight cast within Justice League Intergalactic Special Issue 1, with two major trans characters at the heart of it. Galaxy and Dreamer are the passion projects of both writers. Axelrod co-created Galaxy, and Maines played Dreamer in Supergirl and then has written almost every issue the character has appeared in within the comics. Having such a relationship with the character is rare and profound, showcasing how, in turn, the writers are with the characters they’re helping depict.

It’s so fascinating seeing these two interact with each other and the rest of the team. They have experienced so much trauma, and that really comes through in how they speak. Dreamer is on the run after being forced to work for Amanda Waller (and doing some pretty horrible things). And Galaxy had its own traumatic refuge.

Interestingly, Galaxy is bubbly and excited to see Dreamer, while Dreamer is more negative and reclusive following so much oppression. But actually, there’s a boiling anger within Gravity, hidden beneath the pastel surface. The dialogue between the duo, in particular, is rife with detail, pain, and emotion.

The other characters in Justice League Intergalactic Special Issue 1 are less integral and less fleshed out, but are all brilliant inclusions nonetheless. Star Sapphire is the leader, and it’s amazing to see Carol Ferris take on such an authoritative role. She’s stern, tough, and caring. Her military brain makes her a superb tactician, and she carries herself with tremendous confidence. Green Arrow is a rogue, making his own decisions much of the time. But he also shares a disturbing connection with Dreamer, one that makes teaming up awkward.

Then there is Adam Strange. He seems somewhat underused right until he delivers some of the best dialogue in the whole of Justice League Intergalactic Special Issue 1. But they need his ship. And then there’s Argus, Gravity’s talking corgi. The cast is just the right size to make the book an ensemble and give all those involved some moments to shine.

The art is exceptional. Gravity is the most eye catching design, sparkly and enchanting. When she suddenly appears in Dreamer’s bedroom, beating the snot out of Catman and Black Alice, the chaos within the comic is clear. Then the book shifts to the shop, where the flying book goes into action, and there’s a sensational battle that Moore explores superbly. He makes the ship’s blasts’ flight and geometry enthralling.

The planet they land on relates to Dreamer and Gravity, so Moore gives it a real sense of history. There’s more than just futuristic buildings; there are statues and ancient temples. The villain is dramatic and loud in her design, with eyes that crackle with energy. And there’s also the manner of possessed Green Lanterns, all of which are recognizable from Green Lantern and Green Lantern Corps.

The choreography of the battles is fantastic, with so many angles and dimensions. In the air or in space, there are bodies all around, not to mention the constructs.

The colors are sensational. There’s a brilliant vibrancy to the book. Gravity is very dazzling in her color scheme, with pink/purple skin and green hair. That, combined with Green Arrow, Adam Strange, and Star Sapphire, makes for a stunning display. But there are also moments when the labels grow dark, and shadows creep in, reflecting some of the book’s darker elements. The lettering is very creative, with Otsmane-Elhaou’s mastery in implementing voice and texture to the word balloons.

Justice League Intergalactic Special Issue 1 is a groundbreaking accomplishment and a terrific story all in one. This has to be the first comic within the big two to feature more than one trans creator, aside from the Pride issues. That’s a huge stride. And the book is a wonderful character issue. It carries so much pain and anger within it, whilst trying to figure out what to do with it.

Justice League: Intergalactic Special Issue 1 is available where comics are sold.