Connect with us
'Justice League' #48 review: Good sci-fi and great team chemistry
DC

Comic Books

‘Justice League’ #48 review: Good sci-fi and great team chemistry

‘Justice League’ #48 has good sci-fi storytelling.

Today marks the beginning of Si Spurrier’s story arc on Justice League. He’s a writer who has shown incredible imagination, ingenuity, and thoughtful storytelling ability throughout his books like Alienated, The Dreaming, and Hellblazer just to name a few recent titles. This week, he joins forces with Aaron Lopresti to tell a superhero tale that takes our heroes to strange new alien worlds, but we soon learn that meddling in alien affairs has its price.

Justice League #48 has everything you’d want in a superhero team story: Good banter between teammates, solid use of each hero’s powers and abilities, and an adventure that sets the team on a mission you’ve never seen before. The plotting is quite good too, shifting the narrative every few pages to keep your interest up and the surprises coming. There is a lot here as far as alien culture, as the team discovers a new alien not on the Green Lantern registry and with it comes some hard choices for the team to make. If you’re interested in a narrative that reveals something entirely new, while trying to find deeper meaning underneath it all, you’ll dig this book.

Listen to the latest episode of our weekly comics podcast!
Justice League #48

This page could have used a giant “NOM” sound effect.
Credit: DC Comics

This issue also offers a fun moment for Superman fans to chew on. Spurrier writes a good Justice League because conflict is ever-present — this team doesn’t necessarily agree on everything, nor do they check in with each other before making choices. Essentially, we get to see Spurrier make a statement about Superman and his choice, which helps add color to the character personalities.

The art by Lopresti, with inks by Matt Ryan and colors by David Baron, is good as it’s clean, detailed enough, and not overly stylized. The book has a good deal of dialogue and Lopresti never goes overboard with layout design or splashy pages. There’s a strong double page layout that details the culture of the alien races well, and facial expressions are on point. Superman doesn’t quite have a matching face in every panel, but it gets the emotions across. The creature design is excellent and there are some standout designs that made me think, “No way a movie could pull off something so cool.”

Spurrier is only writing this series for three issues (though there is an extra-sized 50th issue coming), and I can’t help but see this as a fantastic trial run for future Spurrier-written Superman or Justice League stories. This book is an excellent superhero comic due to the inventive nature of the alien race, the great plotting that keeps you on your toes, and the way the superheroes are individuals and not a singular voice. This is good sci-fi storytelling and even better team superhero comics.

'Justice League' #48 review: Good sci-fi and great team chemistry
‘Justice League’ #48 review: Good sci-fi and great team chemistry
Justice League #48
This book is an excellent superhero comic due to the inventive nature of the alien race, the great plotting that keeps you on your toes, and the way the superheroes are individuals and not a singular voice. This is good sci-fi storytelling and even better team superhero comics.
Reader Rating2 Votes
6.7
Good sci-fi bones on this book
Art that gets the superhero style done with good facial expressions and creature design
I do enjoy a Justice League that is comprised of various voices
While every hero has something to do, I did find it lacking a bit for heroes outside Wonder Woman and Superman
Why is Supes kinda rude to GL in the opening page?
9
Great

Join the AIPT Patreon

Want to take our relationship to the next level? Become a patron today to gain access to exclusive perks, such as:

  • ❌ Remove all ads on the website
  • 💬 Join our Discord community, where we chat about the latest news and releases from everything we cover on AIPT
  • 📗 Access to our monthly book club
  • 📦 Get a physical trade paperback shipped to you every month
  • 💥 And more!
Sign up today
Comments

In Case You Missed It

I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1 I Heart Skull-Crusher! #1

‘I Heart Skull-Crusher!’ #1 review: Apocalyptic squad goals

Comic Books

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Full June 2024 DC Comics solicitations: Gotham by Gaslight sequel and more

Comic Books

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024 Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Marvel reveals new X-Men era titles, art, and more, launching July 2024

Comic Books

DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations DC reveals 'DC: Pride' and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

DC reveals ‘DC: Pride’ and 2024 Pride Month celebrations

Comic Books

Connect
Newsletter Signup