When the line-up of the new Justice League of America was
announced, it didn’t come as a huge surprise when the likes of Martian
Manhunter, Hawkman, Green Arrow, and Green Lantern ‘Baz’ were included. Whilst
they are all essentially secondary characters in terms of DC universe ‘gravitas’,
they are still well known characters that would offer a lot to the title. What
was a surprise was the inclusion of lesser known characters such as Vibe and
Katana. Perhaps this is why both now have their own ongoing series.
In terms of Vibe, his series runs very much alongside that
of the JLA and, when reading #2 of each title, there is considerable overlap as
both issues highlight the team slowly congregate in Washington D.C before being
unveiled to the world at a press conference.
Whilst Vibe was initially introduced in 1984, the New 52
version is a young Hispanic teenager who, through being caught in the event
horizon of a boom-tube opening during the original Darkseid attack, is able to
view intruders from other dimensions. As per the original incarnation of the
character, he is also able to emit vibration shockwaves.
Vibe’s initial role is that of the untested, unsure teenager
who doesn’t feel as though he belongs in the JLA. Whilst this could have led to
an emo-heavy character on a quest to prove his worth and overcome the death of
his eldest brother, writer Geoff Johns thankfully has gone, so far, for an
alternative approach.
The comic is quite light in tone as it focuses more on the
comedy side of Vibe’s attempts to fit in. Throughout #2, Vibe is constantly
being shot down by his older brother Dante, ridiculing first Vibe’s superhero
outfit, and then his unlikely survival chances within the JLA. This is not,
however, the bullying of an elder sibling. Instead, it is two brothers joking
with each other and their dialogue is definitely the highlight of the issue.
Hopefully Dante doesn’t get side-lined as the comic progresses.
Other funny moments are also seen in JLA #2 when Vibe slowly
shifts his chair away from Hawkman who joins the room dripping in blood and
also when Catwoman catches him peeking at her cleavage through her admittedly
ridiculous outfit.
Whilst I hope this light-hearted approach continues, when
appropriate, it will be interesting to see
The biggest hindrance to both Vibe and the JLA is the
motivation behind the team’s formation. With an increasing lack of trust in the
Justice League, A.R.G.U.S want to form a team capable of taking down the ‘A-Team’
should the need arise. Each member of the JLA is effectively partnered to a
Justice League counterpart with an eventual face-off in mind. For Vibe, he is
ear-marked for taking on Flash. I believe the JLA could have been formed in a
much better way than this as even the most casual of comic readers would
struggle to imagine the JLA coming out on top if such a fight ever happened.
As a character, Vibe benefits from Geoff Johns being the
writer on both titles. Not only should this result in a consistent continuity
for future storylines but also ensures he has one voice, instead of potentially
being misinterpreted by different writers. An example of this within the New 52
is the Flash where I struggle to see any real similarities between the Justice
League version and that found in his own series.
Where the two titles do differ is in the art. Within Vibe,
the art is more appropriate to the occasional light-hearted content whereas, in
JLA, artist David Finch draws the characters in a much more stressed manner,
creating a difference in tone between the two titles. Additionally, one of my comic
pet-hates is characters being ‘over-ripped’ and this is abundant in Finch’s
work here.
Despite Vibe coming in out of the blue, his debut has a lot
of promise to it, not only in how his character progresses but also in how the
JLA and the actions of A.R.G.U.S impact
the DC Universe, especially with the likes of the Trinity War not too far away.
Rating: 4/5
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