Injustice: Year Four #1 Review

Written by: Brian Buccellato
Art by: Bruno Redondo
Cover Price: $0.99
Release Date: May 5, 2015

Clash of the Titans

I am a huge fan of Injustice.  I have been reading from the first issue and while some yell at me for not calling certain things to task, I can't help it...I love it.  The book has gone from Tom Taylor to Brian Buccellato and mixed up a bunch of artists along the way, but it has really maintained a high level of quality.  That being said, the main reason for my excitement for Year Four is that Brian Buccellato will get to fully take the reigns of this book.  I don't know any back room information, but I'm guessing that when he jumped on during Year Three, he had to pick up Taylor's story and finish it up with bits of his own.  Now we get 100% pure Buccellato and that's a-ok with me.  On with the review...



Year Four looks to be the Year of the Gods.  To that effect, the issue begins on Mount Olympus and the eight year old version of me squealed with delight.  Okay, it was actually the forty something version I unfortunately have to look at in the mirror everyday, but the first couple of pages certainly made me feel a bit younger.  I am a huge Mythology fanboy and if the rest of this Year has bits and pieces like Hercules and Ares having their little "talk", I'm all in.  It set the tone, but Buccellato also used it to sneak in a little back story as well.  Pretty sneaky, Sis Brian.

We then get to see Superman and he has really lost his sense of humor since battling Batman in Year Three.  In fact, he's really become a down right dickhead.  While most members of Team Superman show up to kiss the ring, Hal Jordan calls him on it.  Through Hal, we see that Superman has really become a dictator...even with his closest friends.  I don't know how I feel about this, but I'm also not sure that it's because of the story or that it hurts to see Supes sink so low.

Although Superman cannot find Bruce, Buccellato gives the reader a peek at the Dark Knight.  The time between Years may not have been good on his psyche, but I love his beard!  Alfred gives him a "nutritious dinner" of mac and cheese and then gets all  Good Will Hunting on him...It's not your fault, Bruce...It's not your fault.

The issue ends with two crazy cliffhangers.  One promises a fight, while the other promises a War.  I can't wait to see the mysterious character bringing the fight (I hope it's Blue Beetle), but the War part is the most intriguing.  I really don't want to spoil it, but it looks like the guy who always as a plan has run out of ideas and is getting really desperate.

I really liked this issue.  Buccellato was able to use this issue to get new readers a jumping on point while giving enough callbacks to keep the vets satisfied as well.  I don't care what camp your in, you have to be excited by the cliffhanger and what it means to the Injustice universe.

I know another thing I was excited about...Bruno Redondo's art.  I missed you, brother.  Seriously, Bruno is one of the best artists DC has and whenever I see his name on the cover, I know everyone is in for a treat.  While this was a bit of a quiet issue, everything looked perfect.

Bits and Pieces:

One chapter into Year Four and I'm already on the trolley.  The Year of the Gods may start low-key, but Brain Buccellato uses his time wisely to get everyone up to speed and then Bam!  He nails us all with crazy dual cliffhangers.  It was also a treat to have Bruno Redondo's art making everything look so good. I recommend this to everyone, but especially those who have been on the fence with Injustice so far.  Highly Recommended.

9.0/10