On the whole, this is a pretty decent issue. We learn why Peraxxus, the Big Bad of the show, has invaded earth, and while not original, his rationale certainly makes sense.
The Kirbyesque alien captures all of Justice League International and gathers them in one place, an action that characterizes him as a villain with supreme arrogance.
Overwhelmed
Fortunately, although not the world's greatest superheroes, the JLI are DC Heroes, and in the New 52 Universe, that means something. For instance, I had issue with the way Jurgens characterized Godiva in previous issues, she comes off here as more than just a randy pop. She in fact accomplishes what no other Leaguer can.
Good Hair Day
I'm so happy with her in that scene. Even the double entendre is a good one, since it's a natural and one that's been exploited in a wide range of adventure programs. Brisco County Jr. comes to mind.
Aaron Lopresti realizes that he's on a Justice League book. Yeah, it's International, but it affords him the opportunity to no doubt fullfill a childhood dream, to draw Batman professionally. I know this is an assumption on my part, but I would think every child would share such a dream. Batman is quintessentially cool.
Lopresti doesn't waste the chance. He makes Batman awesome. In fact all the heroes look impressive. This is exemplary in the moment when the JLI break out of their makeshift prisons.
JLI Unleashed
Take a good look at them. There is only one character in that group with sufficient history to emanate resonance, but Lopresti even makes Rocket Red appear formidible. It doesn't matter whether they were introduced in Super Friends or Superman. Each one of those heroes seems capable of kicking the ass of any villain. Not one of the group looks generic, and that's how it should be.
What puzzles me, and the reason why this book fails to earn a perfect score is that the Big Bad casually defeats the League. This should have been the ending chapter. Yeah, Peraxxus can beat the League individually, but when they pile it on, it's over. Darkseid I can see overcoming these odds, but not this interstellar scrap iron salesman.
Ray Tate's first online work appeared in 1994 for Knotted. He has had a short story, "Spider Without a Web," published in 1995 for the magazine evernight and earned a degree in Biology from the University of Pittsburgh. Since 1995, Ray self-published The Pick of the Brown Bag on various usenet groups, where he reviewed comic books, Doctor Who novels, movies and occasionally music. Circa 2000, he contributed his reviews to Silver Bullet Comic Books (later Comics Bulletin) and became its senior reviewer. Ray Tate would like to think that he's young at heart. Of course, we all know better.