With the Justice League opening its membership to hundreds, if not thousands of members, the Watchtower has become an active and bustling haven for those with super powers. But along with being a haven, it has also become a target. That’s where Renee Montoya, The Question, enters the story. The Trinity suspects something fishy is going on – an enemy trying to breach and control the Watchtower. They believe The Question can act as a sheriff, keeping an eye on things and perhaps preventing the worst from happening. Is Renee up to the challenge, or is she in way over her head?
DC
The Story
The issue unfolds much like how you would expect. We begin on the Watchtower with Renee wondering if any of this is real, or just a crazy dream. We flash back to Batman and Superman convincing her to take the mission, and then we see her first day on the job. Much to her surprise, Wonder Woman introduces her to the heroes that will help her carry out her charge. Renee assumed it would be more of a solo mission, but the vastness of the Watchtower necessitates cooperation. The team includes two Blue Beetles – Ted Kord and Jaime Reyes – and Renee’s ex, Batwoman. I’m curious to see how that little tidbit will complicate their working relationship. That being said, there is a lack of any deeper exploration of their dynamics with Renee thus far.
Suddenly, there’s a breach on the tower. In the aftermath things are much more complex and the stakes are raised significantly. While the setup is thorough, much of the issue focuses on introductions and groundwork, which make it a bit exposition-heavy.
Writer Alex Segura does a commendable job introducing new as well as old fans to Renee Montoya. Her inner monologue feels real and raw – it’s clear she’s battling with some inner demons involving sobriety and her life in Gotham is in shambles. As someone who is more familiar with Montoya as a beat cop from Batman: The Animated Series, I’ve only read a few stories featuring her as the Question, namely the Lazarus Planet tie-in Legends Reborn, and the few appearances in Ram V’s run on Detective Comics. That being said, Renee feels like a fully fleshed out character, and we quickly understand her no-nonsense approach to her detective work. She can be sardonic and short with people, but she’s just trying to do her job – one she takes very seriously. After all, when the Trinity comes knocking at your door looking for your help, it’s best not to disappoint them.
Suited up and ready to work.
Credit: DC Comics
The Art
Cian Tormey’s art style is very realistic throughout the issue, making it a perfect fit for the serious tone of the story. The Watchtower is filled with superheroes, and we get to see many in costume, socializing as well as in a fight for their lives towards the end of the story. The character deigns are all excellently done, and even small characters in the backgrounds are easily recognizable. Even though the main protagonist wears a mask hiding her face, facial expressions and body language still effectively convey emotions throughout, from Wonder Woman’s kindness and patience, to Ted Kord’s goofy demeanor. The panel layouts and composition are well thought out and really take advantage of splash pages to introduce characters in dynamic ways.
The Question’s first walk out of her door to the Watchtower promenade and Batwoman’s introduction, squatting in the trees of the menagerie stand out as great moments that you can’t help but linger on and soak in all the detail. The fight scene is well-choreographed, with several heroes getting involved and showcasing their powers. Colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr. keeps the color scheme dark and moody in many scenes, adding to the detective noir feel of the story, while still keeping certain scenes brighter and more vibrant. Renee’s bedroom on the Watchtower as well as her apartment in Gotham are dark and shadowy and the noir trope of venetian blinds is in full effect. Certain spaces in the Watchtower are also lit pretty darkly – the promenade is reminiscent of a city scene from Blade Runner.
Final Thoughts
The Question: All Along the Watchtower #1 is an interesting introduction to life on the new Justice League Watchtower. The creative team set out with a fresh concept: a detective noir story within a futuristic Watchtower filled with superheroes. It ends up feeling novel and refreshing. Many of the noir tropes are present, from the hardboiled detective whose life is in shambles, a straightforward case that spirals into a complex mystery, and perhaps Batwoman could be filling the femme fatale roll in future issues. Even though these types of stories are often told in bleak, rainy cities, the Watchtower setting can open avenues for creative storytelling. Overall, this is a well-crafted, atmospheric introduction to a unique detective noir narrative in a superhero setting.
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