Phillip Creary / February 5, 2025
Summary
Fresh off the earth-shattering “Absolute Power” event, the Justice League is BACK and more powerful than ever. Their roster is absolutely packed with heroes, ready to tackle any crisis the universe throws at them. In Justice League Unlimited #1, superstar creators Mark Waid and Dan Mora take us on a wild ride with the League facing off against giant WWII superweapons, the War Wheels. Along the way, we’ll get a tour of the new Watchtower and meet the team’s newest, and biggest, supervillain threat!
The Plot
It’s been a while since we’ve seen the Justice League—too long for DC’s flagship team to be absent from the comics scene. With DC’s “ALL-IN” initiative announcement, it was inevitable that the superstar creative team of Mark Waid and Dan Mora, known for Batman/Superman: World’s Finest, would be the ones to bring them back into the spotlight. Justice League Unlimited #1 draws clear inspiration from the animated series of the same name, as evidenced by the title page design and the expansive roster Waid utilizes for each mission.
This influence extends to the structure of the comic as well, with missions being handled by select hero teams under the command of Mr. Terrific, just like in the show. This book is absolutely bursting with cameos. From Renee Montoya’s Question acting as chief of security on the Watchtower to the Challengers of the Unknown as the JLU’s support staff and even Golden Age heroes like Airwave get to play a key role. However, the issue’s true highlight is Dan Mora’s stunning artwork!
Credits: DC Comics
What Was Happening
The Justice League’s latest adventure kicks off in Baulhazer, South Africa, where Superman, Wonder Woman, Black Lightning, Firestorm, Kid Flash, and newcomer Star Sapphire face off against swarms of warwheels while trying to save innocent civilians.
From there, The Flash (via Air Wave) leads us through the newly rebuilt Watchtower, showcasing dedicated areas for the JSA, the Atom Project, and the Robin’s Nest, JLU central command, currently overseen by Red Tornado, while his physical form undergoes rebuilding. Meanwhile, a secondary plot sees Batman and Blue Beetle answering a distress call from Monteverde, Costa Rica, where local authorities report monsters abducting children. The issue culminates with the dramatic debut of Inferno, a new villain team seemingly powerful enough to declare war on the Justice League.
My Thoughts
Justice League Unlimited #1 is a blast of pure energy and fun. Mark Waid is at his best, expertly weaving together DC’s vast catalog of characters, shining a spotlight on some who haven’t seen it in a while. I mean, Star Sapphire in the Justice League? I never thought I’d see the day! The premise is strong: the League’s expanded roster has raised the stakes, and a powerful terrorist organization is the perfect foil. This group talks a big game, even to heavy hitters like Superman and Wonder Woman, hinting at a compelling challenge to come.
Dan Mora’s art is fantastic—dynamic, fluid, and epic in scale. His depiction of the League as the ultimate force for good is a highlight. Mora’s clearly having a ball drawing as many DC characters as he can cram into a single issue, and he continues to evolve as an artist. He and colorist Tamra Bonvillain bring a cinematic touch to everything they do together. While the action is definitely the star of the show, the plot takes a backseat. As such, the first issue felt more akin to a stage setting than making significant story progress.
The Good and the Bad
The Justice League is back and bigger than ever in Justice League Unlimited #1, with Mark Waid and Dan Mora delivering a high-energy, action-packed adventure. This issue, inspired by the animated series, sees the League bigger and badder than ever and introduces a powerful new villain team, Inferno. Dan Mora’s stunning artwork and Waid’s use of the expanded roster make this a must-read for DC fans, even if the plot takes a backseat to the spectacle.
