*cross posted from Begum*

This first issue is just awesome. My love of Geoff Johns was waning, mainly because "Rogue War" was too scattered and the more I think about it the more "Rebirth" was just serviceable, but ooh boy it's back with a vengeance. The general thrust of the thing is all pretty great, although it isn't clear just where we're headed yet, and all the characters are just spot on. I'm also really happy (sad?) with this whole fight between the big three. Because frankly I kinda think Diana did the right thing, and the fact that the other two won't own up to that is just childish. I mean, what do Clark and Bruce think the Amazons do with all those arrows and swords and crap anyway? Throw tea parties? Plus it will be great when later on Mongul kills someone and Diana gets to "I told you so" the hell out of Superman.

And I just love Johns' Batman now that he is freed from the constraint of having to write him as a big spoilsport during Hal Jordan's coming home party. He still makes it perfectly clear what he thinks of modern Batman in that not-so-subtle shot of the Spectre with the bat-signal on his chest and the caption "This is what the world does to Legends. It corrupts them..." Regardless, he manages to make Batman more than a crabby bastard, which is nice. And Batman, quite frankly, just nails Superman right to the fucking wall. Twice. "You're not human, you're superman" and "The last time you inspired anyone you were dead." Damn.

Oh, and Jeff will be happy that the Ray is not only alive, but will probably be showing up again later too!

OK, love letter over.