Covering a year's worth of comics is no easy task as so much can happen in a storyline this size. JLA Year One is not an original idea, the year one concept having been done for the first time in Batman about 10 years ago, and the stories, while new, are also being retold, revamped, and revised from the original Justice League stories.
But much is different. The original JLA consisted of Martian Manhunter, the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and Wonder Woman. Well some years ago, after the Crisis and ret-conning of Wonder Woman, it was decided that, since WW wasn't around at that time, Black Canary would take her place. So, the point of JLA Year One is to examine the team as it was during their first year, taking into account the continuity changes since 1960.
It would have been very easy for Waid, Augustine, and Kitson to simply retell the old JLA stories, but they didn't. They took bits and pieces, yes, but they do so much more. They first establish the origin of the JLA and take off from there, expanding upon it, and creating from it the chief adversary for the series (although through most of it, they're operating in the shadows).
Waid and Augustine deal mostly with the character relationships, Black Canary garnering the most attention. There's interesting conflict between Aquaman and Hal, both strong stubborn personalities, as well as both Aquaman and Martian Manhunter attempting to fit into a world very foreign to them. Waid introduces an almost blasphemous relationship between the Flash and Black Canary (Barry Allen still muchly attached to Iris West at the time). There's a budding friendship between the Flash and Green Lantern, a relationship much used over the years, though the history never explored. And then there's Green Arrow. He's cocky, he's a loner, but he keeps bumping into the JLA. He may want to be a member, but he's reminded of the saying "I don't want to be part of any club that would have me as a member" as he's initially rejected. He fights with Hal Jordan and hits on Canary, he's a pleasant addition to the story. Superman's rejection of the League causes some bitter feelings, but those are integral to the JLA's development.
The old DCU characters from JLA's past also pop up, including Snapper Carr and the JSA (stubborn old Hawkman just doesn't understand). Then Waid and Augustine squeeze in the characters DC acquired in the 70's, or created post original JLA year one, but very important to the mythos, including the original Blue Beetle (I want more on him) and Maxwell Lord. A very intriguing, and never before done team-up between the JLA and the Doom Patrol was very interesting, entertaining and exciting. Waid and co. never let up, continually bringing more and more people and events into the mix, including the Blackhawks, Vandal Savage, the Brotherhood of Evil, Kanjar Ro, an almost fatal breakdown of the team and the destruction of virtually every superhero around during the JLA's first year.
It all wraps up (surprisingly, considering the amount of stuff introduced), and, if anything, just leaves you wanting more. It's an incredible, well planned, well researched, well executed miniseries, and Waid and Augustine prove why they're the best writing team in comics. Barry Kitsons artwork is brought to new levels with this series. Always a hidden talent, his solid, consistent renderings of characters, as well as incredible amounts of detail are finally shown to the masses.
It's a monumental series that will hopefully be followed up by another, and soon. Please.