BY JONATHAN EDWARDS
Last week, I took a more big picture and thematic look at these JLA one-shots with Justice League of America: The Ray Rebirth #1. I talked a lot about how the very design of each one seemed to reflect the respective character that they were reintroducing. And then, after all of that, this one had to go and be written differently. Damn it, Jody Houser and Steve Orlando. Joking aside, Justice League of America: Killer Frost Rebirth #1 really does change things up. The origin story we get for her is little more than the Cliff notes version, probably because this is the same version of the character that was introduced during the New 52 a couple years back. Additionally, I stated that the previous one-shots felt more like they were a part of a miniseries rather than multiple standalone titles. I feel similarly about this one, but I'd be inclined to think of it as part of Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad more than any other limited series.

After all, Killer Frost was added to the Squad just in time to show up in that crossover, and then this one-shot pretty much picks up right from where that book's conclusion leaves her. I don't want to say too much, as the final issue of JLvSS is new this week as well. Although, I will say that it does finally make some sense of the "spinning out of the pages of Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad" blurb that's appeared at the beginning of DC's summaries for each of the one-shots, even though it's completely inapplicable to three out of the four.

In short, Justice League of America: Killer Frost Rebirth #1 is concerned with Frost's last days under the direct supervision of Amanda Waller. Do you need to have read Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad #6 to understand what is going on and why? No, not really. It's set up in such a way that knowing simply that she is joining the JLA is more important than the exact how or why of it. We learn very quickly that Waller's not too happy about Frost's new gig, and, as is expected from Waller, she does one hell of a job of showing it. What follows is a battle of wills between Frost and Waller. Interestingly enough, I'm not completely sure how to interpret the ending. I have a presumption, but there're some details in the art and writing that do make me wonder if it's really that cut and dry.

One thing this book does have in common with the other one-shots is strong art. I quite like Mirka Andolfo's pencils and unobtrusive inks. There's some really nice nuance in the facial expressions of her characters, and that's something I'm kind of a sucker for. On top of that, Arif Prianto's color add some really nice pop that rounds it all out. Overall, I think this might actually be some of my favorite artwork to come from these one-shots.

And with that, all that's left is to wait for the main attraction, Justice League of America: Rebirth #1, to be released in a couple of weeks. Really, this has been a whole month of setup, and I'm looking forward to see where all of that will lead. Despite its difference from them, I still think you should check this out if you've been enjoying the other JSA one-shots. Additionally, if you've been following Justice League Vs. Suicide Squad, I'd recommend grabbing this as well. Because, it's really does feel like an epilogue of sorts to the whole event.

A review by John Dubrawa



You wouldn’t exactly call Killer Frost a household name. Even among other cold-based characters, her awareness in the public eye sits well below notable characters like Iceman or Mr. Freeze. However, thanks in large part to The Flash TV show, Dr. Katlin Snow has seen more prominence as of late, and with the Justice League of America comic series from DC set to begin next month, that exposure to mainstream audiences is sure to grow even more. In the meantime, there’s this insanely-titled Justice League of America: Killer Frost Rebirth #1, a crash-course one-shot that mostly works as a primer for anyone hotly anticipating that new JLA series. It’s also, unfortunately, not much more than that.

Co-writers Steve Orlando and Jody Houser find a Killer Frost at a crossroads in her villainous career. She wants to transition from Belle Reve to wherever it is the new JLA operate out of, but there’s the slight problem of her needing to feed off the life force of others in order to survive. It’s a compelling concept that unfortunately gets marred with some very repetitive internal monologuing that never takes the character much further than her declaring, “I’m not a killer” over and over again. It quickly becomes apparent that the goal of this book is less about fleshing out Frost as a character and more about getting her to the starting point of JLA with her other compatriots (who are all receiving similar Rebirth one-shots). Maybe within the pages of JLA, Orlando can explore the complexities of Frost’s character more, because this issue is really founded on a great idea that just isn’t executed fully.

What does unequivocally work in this issue, however, is Mirka Andoflo’s stunning artwork and Arif Prianto’s beautiful colors. Andoflo’s pencils are crisp and clean, rendering Killer Frost with pseudo-punk look that includes a shaved head and attitude to match. She’s also menacing when she needs to be, and Prianto’s mostly blue hues in the color palette perfectly match Frost’s mood with darker shades taking precedence in the character’s brooding scenes. I know Andoflo’s work primarily from DC Bombshells but there she can get lost among all the tremendous artists that collaborate on that book. Here, however, she truly shines and I hope she finds herself working on a regular ongoing in the future. Drawing more badass females.

The Verdict
Check It Out! If you’re already looking forward for DC’s relaunched JLA comic, this book will serve as an adequate holdover until the series begins properly next month. It serves as a basic crash-course for Killer Frost and demonstrates a side to the character that I found compelling. Unfortunately that idea isn’t fully realized here, so those that had no interest in JLA before won’t exactly be swayed by this one-shot, even if the artwork inside is spectacular.

A snappy guide to a character I knew nothing about, but who seems ready for a bigger position in the Rebirth universe. There's not a heck of a lot going on here, but it's all good, so I'll be looking to see more of the same when she's in action.