With the Justice League opening its membership to hundreds, if not thousands, of people, the Watchtower became an active and bustling haven for those with supernatural powers. But while it is a refuge, it is also a target. That’s where Renee Montoya’s “The Question” comes in. Trinity suspects something fishy is going on. The enemy is trying to break through the watchtower and take control. They believe that The Question can act as a sheriff, keeping an eye on the situation and perhaps preventing the worst from happening. Will Renee be up to the challenge or has she exceeded her limits?
direct current
story
The problem unfolds as you would expect. We begin in the Watchtower with Lennie wondering if this is real or just a crazy dream. We see a flashback of Batman and Superman convincing her to take on the mission, and then we see her first day on the job. To her surprise, Wonder Woman introduces her to heroes who will help her complete her mission. Renee thought it would be more of a solo mission, but the vastness of the Watchtower required cooperation. The team includes two Blue Beatles, Ted Kord and Jamie Reyes, and former Batwoman Renee. I’m curious how that little thing complicates their working relationship. That said, a deeper exploration of their dynamic with Renee is lacking so far.
Suddenly, a crack appeared in the tower. After that, things get more complicated and the risks increase significantly. The setup is thorough, but a bit heavy on explanations as many of the issues focus on introduction and fundamentals.
Writer Alex Segura does a great job of introducing Renee Montoya to old fans as well as new ones. Her inner monologue feels real and raw. It’s clear she’s battling inner demons with her sobriety, and her life in Gotham is a mess. As someone who knows Montoya well from her role as the beat cop in Batman: The Animated Series, I’ve only read a few stories where she appears as the Question. It’s Legends Reborn, a tie-in with Lazarus Planet, and some appearances from Ram V. Currently being serialized in Detective Comics. That said, Renee feels like a fully fleshed out character, and her no-nonsense approach to detective work is immediately understandable. She can be sarcastic and short-tempered with people, but she’s just trying to do her job and takes it very seriously. After all, when the Trinity comes knocking on your door asking for your help, it’s best not to let them down.
Suit up and ready for work.
Credit: DC Comics
art
Cian Tormey’s art style is very realistic throughout this issue and fits perfectly with the serious tone of the story. The Watchtower is full of superheroes, and towards the end of the story we see many of them interacting in costume and fighting for their lives. The character designs are all great, and even the smaller characters in the background are easily recognizable. Although the main characters hide their faces behind masks, their facial expressions and body language effectively convey emotions, from Wonder Woman’s kindness and patience to Ted Kord’s antics. The layout and composition of the panels is well thought out and utilizes splash pages to introduce the characters in a dynamic way.
The scene where The Question first walks out the door onto the gazebo promenade and Batwoman’s introduction crouching in the zoo’s trees stand out as great moments that make you want to linger and soak in all the details. I am. The fight scenes are well choreographed, with several heroes joining in to show off their powers. Colorist Romulo Fajardo Jr. makes the color scheme dark and moody in many scenes, adding a detective noir feel to the story while keeping certain scenes brighter and more vibrant. Renee’s bedroom in the Watchtower and her apartment in Gotham are dark and shadowy, with the blind noir metaphors in full effect. Certain spaces in the Watchtower are also fairly dimly lit, and the promenade is reminiscent of the city scenes from Blade Runner.
final thoughts
“The Question: All Around the Watchtower #1” is a fascinating introduction to life in the Watchtower for the new Justice League. The creative team set out with a novel concept: a detective noir story set inside a futuristic watchtower filled with superheroes. It creates a fresh and innovative impression. Noir tropes abound, including a hard-boiled detective whose life is turned upside down, a simple case spiraling into a complex mystery, and perhaps Batwoman taking on the role of femme fatale in future issues. I don’t know. These types of stories are often told in rainy, desolate cities, but the Watchtower setting can open up avenues for creative storytelling. Overall, this is a well-crafted and atmospheric introduction to a unique detective noir story in a superhero setting.
“The Question: All Around the Watchtower” #1 takes Detective Noir to the space station
Question: Along the Watchtower #1
An interesting introduction to life in the new Justice League Watchtower. The creative team came up with a novel concept: a detective noir story set inside a futuristic watchtower filled with superheroes. It creates a fresh and innovative impression. These types of stories are often told in rainy, desolate cities, but the Watchtower setting can open up avenues for creative storytelling. Overall, a well-written, atmospheric introduction to a unique detective noir story in a superhero setting.
Alex Segura successfully introduced Renee Montoya to fans old and new, making her relatable and convincing
The story effectively balances superhero elements with detective noir storytelling, providing a unique tone.
Cian Tormey’s realistic art style perfectly complements the story
The thoroughness of the setup makes the explanation of the problem feel heavy.
Limited exploration of supporting characters
