Justice League: Last Ride #1
Scheduled to arrive in stores: May 11, 2021
Cover date: July 2021
“If People are in Danger”
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Penciller: Miguel Mendonca
Inker: Miguel Mendonca
Cover: Darrick Robertson
Variant Cover: Miguel Mendonca
Reviewed by: James Lantz
In the aftermath of Martian Manhunter’s death, the Justice League has disbanded. An emergency call from John Stewart brings them all to the Watchtower. They must work alongside the Green Lantern Corps to protect Lobo, the one who killed the New Gods, from his enemies so he can stand trial for his numerous crimes. Batman doesn’t want to help, but he’s eventually convinced by Superman. The Dark Knight, as Hal Jordan points out, is the only one who could figure out where to hide Lobo. Unfortunately, that place happens to be the planet Apokolips.
Story – 5: I’ve gone into the last few months worth of new comics without knowing anything about them. I really haven’t had as much time as I’d like to check upcoming releases. However, there is an advantage. The comic can feel new like it did before the days of the Internet for me, like I just took it off the spinner rack and plunked my money on to the checkout counter at the drug store, supermarket or comic shop.
I must admit I’ve never read Chip Zdarsky’s work before this comic. This one one made me want check his other writing. Between the character moments and the lead-in to Batman’s revelation about Apokolips, this was the perfect beginning to a Justice League serial. Zdarsky really should write the main series. He captures the team dynamic stupendously. Plus, I’m a sucker for anything with Jack Kirby’s Fourth World characters and setting in it.Art – 5: The art in this one seems influenced by Tony Daniel mixed in with David Finch while Mendonca added elements of his own style. This blend of techniques is perfect for a Justice League book.Cover Art – 5: This main cover is slightly different from Robertson’s normal style, but that’s a good thing. He really has shown versatility with this cover.Variant Cover Art – 5: This variant should be the gold standard for DC variants in general. I loved it.
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