Warning! Spoilers ahead for DC: MECH #1
DC’s newest universe is essentially Pacific Rim with an exciting Justice League twist. Featuring a world where the Justice Society of America was slain at the end of WWII, Earth and its future heroes sought new means of fighting back against the forces of Darkseid and his massive parademons. As such, DC: MECH stars a group of brave pilots coming together in the hope that their impressive rigs will be enough to “cancel the Apokolips”.
DC: MECH is written by Kenny Porter with art by Baldemar Rivas. Taking place in an alternate timeline, this new series follows other mech and Gundam stories that have been seen over the years such as Marvel’s Avengers: Mech Strike. Inspired by films like the Pacific Rim franchise, there’s something truly epic in the simple concept of giant mechs being built to defend humanity from equally massive creatures (be they Parademon, Kaiju, or something else entirely). As a bonus, it’s very entertaining to see how the powers and heroes of the Justice League have been adapted into this mech-focused world where even the villains have mechs of their own.
As seen in the new DC: MECH #1, mech-pilot Wally West has been deployed to take on this world's version of the Rogues, a villainous crew wreaking havoc in Metropolis. Taking over for the previous pilot in charge of Project Flash (Barry Allen), Wally now mans one of the most agile rigs in the world with its impressive thrusters. However, even the Fastest Mech Alive needs backup, and the Rogues beginning to overpower Flash provides the perfect opportunity for Bruce Wayne to deploy his multi-billion dollar Batman mech to help West out. As such, it’s clear that the world has gone all-in on giant mechs protecting the world, not unlike the global response to the interdimensional Kaiju invasion seen in Pacific Rim.
While Flash and Batman’s battle is interrupted by the arrival of Darkseid’s world Apokolips and his huge Parademons, Superman and his Kryptonian-made mech arrive just in time to offer support. Even though Batman immediately distrusts this alien newcomer from another world, Superman’s all-silver rig displays an impressive arsenal that will be invaluable as the series continues. With more pilots being recruited in the issues to come, it’s clear that this will be a Justice League the likes of which DC fans have never seen. Rather than wielding the power themselves, all the power apparently lies with their mechs.
It’s going to be exciting to see how the rest of the Justice League comes together in future issues. While Flash and Batman seem to be part of the same task force, this first issue teases that heroes such as Green Lantern and Wonder Woman are part of a joint-government operation (a la Pacific Rim). DC: MECH #1 is on sale now.