This issue is a perfect example of “you should not judge a book by it’s cover”. On the cover, you see a blond Michael Keaton holding two transsexuals in each arm (obviously both pre-op). Right below them is Michell Hundred (from the popular Wildstorm book “Ex Machina”), modeling as Max Lord. Anyways, this review is not about the cover, but I had to make a comment.

On to the story. This is the start of what I believe is a 26 issue arc as to why Max Lord came back from the dead. I am not sure I like that idea because I am not familiar with him much. But I have read the first hardcover from the old JLI issues and liked it. All that said, this first issue was a good primer on who the players will be. Giffen and Winnick also do a very good job of writing multiple characters within this issue and still keep a cohesive story going. That’s something that Brightest Day did not do as well. The art was very good too and complemented the story. I am probably going to drop Brightest Day and just read this run. I hope I can.

And by the way, I am a huge Tony Harris fan.