Written by: Steve Orlando
Art by: Jamal Campbell
Publisher: DC
When I scrolled to the first page of Justice League of America Rebirth: Vixen #1, I groaned. Internally, because I was in a public space, but there was a groan nonetheless. “Why am I doing this?” I asked myself. “Why am I reading another exposition ridden Rebirth issue?” I almost closed the file then and there. Between the unnecessarily long title and an opening salvo of exposition, I was checked out.
In the end, I’m glad I chose to continue with the issue.
Yeah, there are some problems here. But man, using a TV interview as a device to introduce a character to readers is incredible. I almost wish that this entire issue had been the TV interview – or multiple TV interviews, on different shows, with different personalities. It’s such a good idea, and I really admire Steve Orlando for using it here.
That said, it doesn’t last, and the issue dives into a conflict. Because of course it does. Fortunately, it’s the type of conflict that can be concluded in a single issue without feeling rushed. Once again, I felt myself feeling pretty positive about the issue.
I mean, I could critique some of the writing. And I will, because the dialogue in the middle section of the book can definitely be a little clunky. A few instances really feel like they could have used another pass on the editing front. I also don’t know how necessary the flashbacks were, but considering the book’s A plot is fairly simple, they’re almost necessary.
Visually, the book is solid. It’s difficult for me to really praise it – after all, it is definitely the DC house style. It looks a bit more digitally rendered than normal, but for the most part that’s difficult to notice. That said, the panels that see Vixen using her powers are gorgeous, and Jamal Campbell deserves props for that.
He also deserves props for being able to tell the story visually. Again, it’s not mind-blowing art. But there’s definitely something to be said about an artist that can just do his or her job competently. Campbell definitely does that, so there isn’t much to critique here outside of a few panels.
Overall, I quite enjoyed this issue. It’s a stark contrast to last week’s Rebirth offering, so maybe I went into it with a major blow to my expectations. It’s flawed, yes, but there are some solid ideas here, and Orlando presents a character I may be interested in reading more of.
