This is where the script felt a bit weak. If Green Lantern finds something his ring couldn’t identify, shouldn’t he report it to the Guardians? Isn’t there a protocol of some sort for this kind of situation? But, no, instead of doing that, he suggests they high-tail it to Metropolis and go and ask Superman if he knows anything. Batman warns Hal of the possible dangers as he has researched on the “Man of Steel” and his extreme power-levels but Jordan thinks he can handle it. I mean he does have the most powerful weapon in the universe on his finger, right? Again, we get great interplay. This consistency of characterization helps keep the story entertaining without distracting from the plot.

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The scene segues to a rather mundane high school football game, where one Victor Stone is the star player. Such is his prowess that college recruiters are all over trying to get him into a scholarship. Vic, however, can’t commit without his father’s presence… his father who studies about superhumans. It is a short scene that detracts from the main action. I can see the purpose of it, establishing Vic (aka the once and future Cyborg) as the “soul” of this new Justice League. Whereas that role has traditionally been held by J’onn J’onnz (the Martian Manhunter), this new League does not appear to have the big, green, machine as part of the roster (at least in its debut). Knowing that Cyborg does not currently have his own title, it is almost a given that he will be the one serving “Monitor Duty” if and when the League establishes its new HQ. It looks as though his origins will be tied to whatever the initial storyline will be for the Justice League title. While it makes sense in the larger scheme of things, Stone’s inclusion still feels off. Johns tries hard to make Stone the character the audience will relate to, but it doesn’t work. Not at this juncture, anyway. All it accomplishes is breaking the pace of the main story.