CHEETAH AND CHESHIRE ROB THE JUSTICE LEAGUE #1 / Script by GREG RUCKA / Art by NICOLA SCOTT / Colors by ANNETTE KWOK / Letters by TROY PETERI / Published by DC COMICS

One is an archeologist and the victim of a mad god’s curse. The other is an expert on toxins and one of the world’s most prolific assassins. Alone, they are dangerous. Together, they are even more so. But do they have what it takes to plan a heist on the Justice League Watchtower?

Despite the award-winning team on this book, my expectations heading into it were low. This was largely due to the writer in question being Greg Rucka. Now, I do not dispute that Rucka is a talented writer. I’m told his novels are among the best slow-boiling mysteries to be found. Alas, I don’t enjoy slow-boiling mysteries and I find most of his comics output to be slow. Such is the case here, in which an entire issue of a six-part mini-series is devoted to bringing the title characters together and establishing the idea proposed by the title.

I will confess to also having issues with these characters being made into sympathetic gal pals. This is less an issue with Rucka’s writing and more to do with my general annoyance at Cheshire being presented as an anti-hero and Roy Harper love interest after committing actual acts of genocide. I’m not sure if Cheetah’s curse is still a result of an accident in the current timeline or her honestly deserving it. Either way, I can’t bring myself to care about either of them within the context of this story. Your mileage may vary.

It’s a shame because I really did want to enjoy this book purely for the artwork. Nicola Scott is one of my favorite artists and I will give anything she does a try, despite any antipathy I hold for the writer. Her work here is exquisite and the character designs gripping. The action sequences are intense and well-blocked. The finishes by Annette Kwok and Troy Peteri are also good.

It is possible that Cheetah and Cheshire Rob the Justice League will read better as a single volume than it does as a monthly miniseries. As it stands, this first issue is gorgeous, but suffers from slow pacing. It is not bad, despite that, but I can’t work up much enthusiasm for the idea as other recent series have done the super-heist concept with greater economy of action.