WHO IS THIS JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA? Part One – A New Beginning By BRUCE MACINTOSH
Did you know that when herring is cured by drying and smoking, it turns bright red and emanates a pungent odor? And did you know that highway robbers at least as far back as the 1600s would drag a red herring behind them literally to throw the pursuing bloodhounds off the scent? So what does this have to do with the new Justice League of America series, written by Brad Meltzer and illustrated by Ed Benes and Sandra Hope? Everything.
But like Meltzer’s thrillers, you’ll have to read the rest of this article to find out the connection between DC’s latest version of their flagship super-team and a malodorous kipper. Meanwhile, we’re going to walk you through the first three issues of the new series and see what kind of clues have been left as to which characters will be playing a central role in the Roll Call.
WARNING: This article will probably contain spoilers!
JUSTICE LEAGUE – ONE YEAR LATER
As of this writing, only Issues #0, #1 and #2 have hit the stands, and so far Meltzer has raised more questions than he has answered about what members will comprise the new team. If you have picked up these three issues and are confused, don’t feel bad: Everyone but Brad Meltzer himself is at least a little confused about what this new team will stand for, or even what characters will be in it.
But that’s what makes for a good mystery. If you haven’t read these first three issues, pick them up immediately, because this new series promises to be both a great “whodunit” as well as “who is it”.
Some of the characters that Meltzer have teased readers with are mainstays of the DC and JLA universe, some are new, and some… appear to be revisions or Post-Infinite Crisis re-imaginations of former Leaguers. Not many complete answers yet, but that is by design: DC wants to keep you on the edge of your seats (and keep you buying future issues) for the months to come.
But if DC’s gambit has left you more annoyed than waiting with breathless anticipation, don’t give up of the book, because we’re here to help. Over the coming installments of this multi-part series, we’ll be revisiting prior incarnations of the JLA and examining the characters who made up those teams. For the sake of clarity, we’ll only be examining who appeared in the comics at that time, and avoiding any discussion as to whether the various Crises have retconned the characters in and out of existence.
After examining the many permutations of the Justice League over the last half-century of comics, we’ll visit the characters of the new JLA themselves. A brief history of each character’s original appearances will follow with some insight as to his or her (or “its”) current post-Infinite Crisis story. Finally, The Pulse will conclude our series on the Justice League with an interview with the best-selling novelist and scribe for the new series himself, Brad Meltzer. By that time, several issues of the new series will have been out on the stands and he can give us some insight as to the direction of the book, and plans for future plotlines and characters.
Before we leave you anxiously awaiting the second installment of our Justice League series, let’s dissect the possible makeup of the new team, based on the breadcrumbs served up in the first three issues of the series.
THE ZERO GAME
The story of Justice League of America Issue #0 is complex, because it goes back and forth between “Yesterday” and “Tomorrow”, finally perching precariously on “Today”. The story begins in the far-flung past, after a crisis brought together seven separate superheroes to foil an alien invasion. The “Big Three” of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman meet in the Batcave and decide that some threats – such as planet-menacing aliens – are bigger than any of the three individuals could handle alone: A super-team could better defeat this kind of threat. So the trio decides to join forces with the “little four” of Flash, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman and Green Lantern when such a monumental threat were to occur.
The issue moves from one vignette to another, each recounting a meeting of the big three following a momentous turning point for the team. Some of the one- or two-page recollections are firmly based in JLA canon, such as the deaths of the android Red Tornado, and later Justice League Detroit member Vibe. (What, who? Keep reading The Pulse for future installments of this series.)
However, Meltzer drops at least one hint about possible future plotlines that could unravel the tidy mess that DC created with Crisis on Infinite Earths 20 years ago, and most recently Infinite Crisis. Batman: “Why should we suddenly be surprised to find… that there’s a second Earth out there?”
Issue #0 concludes “One Year Later” after the events of Infinite Crisis and the trio deciding it’s time to put the band back together again. Spread on the table in front of them are photos of a dozen or more possible choices for the new team, and Batman saying, “Now who do you want in the new League?”
STORM WINDS
Issues #1 and #2 divide their time between the meeting of the Big Three in the Batcave and solo stories of several of the potential inductees. The first individual story involves the Red Tornado, whose lifeless robotic shell is being attended by wife Kathy and Dr. Will Magnus, creator of the Metal Men. Kathy expects Tornado’s soul to re-enter the inanimate shell – still clad in the wild 70s red-with-yellow-striped costume, complete with pirate boots and massive blue and red cape that has always looked like an accident waiting to happen.
Red Tornado does return, but not in the way either Kathy or the readers would guess. Not to give away any spoilers, but it is safe to say that his decision will make for a stormy situation for several of the potential JLA members.
Another vignette involves Hal Jordan and Roy Harper. This one promises that Roy, as Arsenal (or Red Arrow?) will finally “come of age” as a member of the JLA.
A third sub-story involves Jefferson Pierce (a.k.a. Black Lightning). Pierce has infiltrated St. Roch’s super-villain underground to investigate the disappearance of some third-rate supervillains. What he finds in Issue #2 should shock you.
A final subplot involves the sultry Vixen being led to Hub City to find The Question. By Issue #2, she finds herself in a real bear of a situation.
All these mini-stories serve to set the table for the upcoming arc, and whet our appetite as to what’s on the menu. We know that Wonder Woman, Batman and Superman will be sitting at the head of the table, but based on Issue #1, we only have a few hints as who else will be our dinner guests.
And staying with the “food” metaphor, recall how this article opened with a story about how fragrant fish were used to distract bloodhounds, followed by a promise to somehow connect that to which characters are going to comprise the new Justice League.
Here’s the point: Mr. Meltzer doesn’t just write comics. He is also an accomplished writer who has brought us thrillers like the 2004 novel, The Zero Game and this year’s The Book of Fate. (In fact, the latter opened up this month at #1 on the New York Time’s Best Seller List.)
In short, he knows how to write a mystery. And when writing a good mystery, there are two basic principles: 1) Don’t give away the ending too soon, and 2) Drag a few red herrings through the plot to “throw the reader off the scent.”
Other comics publications have issued definitive screeds as to the team’s membership and message boards are buzzing with guesses as to whose number will get called. However, a careful reading of the first three issues of the series truly reveals more question than answers. In short, Meltzer wants us coming back to the buffet for more.
In a demonstration of marketing genius, DC teased fans by releasing the cover of Issue #2 early. However, seven characters were “blacked out”, and only Superman, Wonder Woman and Batman were revealed. Later on, the final version of the cover was “leaked” and revealed that the seven characters were Red Tornado, Hawkgirl, Vixen, Arsenal, Black Lightning, Black Canary and Green Lantern (Hal Jordan).
Mystery solved?
No way. There is no way Meltzer is going to give away the conclusion on the cover of Issue #2, especially when the central plot point involves the Big Three debating that very topic (and resolving nothing).
There is no doubt that all these characters will appear in the pages of the new Justice League of America… but there is certainly no guarantee that they will be card-carrying members of the team when Meltzer’s story concludes. What this means, therefore, is that we have to be careful not to believe everything we read… The author just may be leading us down the wrong path!
ELECTION DAY
So we’ll have to keep reading the book and watching the mystery unfold to determine which characters will finally make up the new Justice League of America. However, let’s look at some of the clues dropped in Issues #1 and #2 to see if we can predict who stays and who goes, and who was simply a red herring to throw us off the track:
1) Captain Marvel: Batman wants him, but Wonder Woman questions his maturity. No decision.
2) Red Tornado: Supes says, “He’s dead.” WW counters with, “C’mon Clark. You of all people know this one… He’ll be back.” No decision. However, since Batman continuously lobbies for his inclusion, and the storyline revolves around Red Tornado getting his “body” back – it’s a good bet he’ll either be a charter member of the team or dead for good at the end of the arc.
3) Green Lantern (Hal Jordan): After a discussion of his reliability and trustworthiness, Batman says, “He’s in.” Decision: This Green Lantern is in.
4) Supergirl: Batman and Superman vote No, but WW says, “I still vote yes.” Decision: Majority rules, Supergirl is out.
5) Flash (Bart Allen): Batman wants him, Superman thinks he’s too young, and WW wants a speedster, even if it is Jay Garrick. No Decision.
6) Power Girl: All three say “Yes” and WW says, “Power Girl, welcome to the Justice League of America.” Decision: Power Girl is in.
7) Mr. Terrific: The Three discuss cherry-picking him from the Justice Society for a leadership role. No Decision.
8) Atom (Ray Palmer): Believing they can eventually locate the missing molecular mite, the three agree to vote. No Decision.
9) Vixen: Superman defends her previous JLA record, but Bruce and Diana push for Animal Man (Buddy Baker). No Decision.
10) Hawkman: Discussion as to whether he is too “angry”. No Decision.
11) Arsenal (Roy Harper): The Three don’t discuss him specifically, but a major story line revolves around him and Hal Jordan (and the fact that Ollie Queen will not be the team’s resident archer). He’s in.
12) Black Lightning: No specific instruction, again, but a major subplot promises that he will be an integral part of the team.
13) Firestorm: Batman says no, (“Not until he gets the experience.”) Diana wants him. No Decision, but it doesn’t look good.
14) Firehawk: Diana wants the raw power, Batman slaps that suggestion down as well. No Decision, but if Firestorm is not in, neither is Firehawk.
15) Nightwing: Batman discloses that he already proposed membership to Dick, but was turned down. He’s not in.
16) Green Arrow (Oliver Queen): Diana and Bruce are all for it, but Superman is unsure. Issue #1 leads us to believe the resident bowslinger would be Roy Harper, but Issue #2 drops some hints that it may still be Ollie. No Decision – but this is one to watch.
17) Dr. Light (Kimiyo Hoshi): Not in.
18) Booster Gold’s uniform (you’ll have to read the comic: Not in.
Finally, Batman gets up to answer the phone (Alfred has poor timing) and Supes pulls Batman’s photo out and asks Diana, “Just to be sure. Instant vote. In or out?”
Decision: Good question!
To summarize: The cover of Issue #2 would have us believe that the team will be comprised of Red Tornado, Hawkgirl, Vixen, Arsenal, Black Lightning, Black Canary and Green Lantern. However, if you read the first three issues, things are not so cut-and-dried. (Sorry, another food metaphor.)
As the story goes so far, Hal Jordan Green Lantern and Powergirl are definitely part of the new JLA, and Supergirl and Nightwing are definitely “out”. There are many “No Decisions” as of Issue #2, but the story seems to indicate that Red Tornado, Black Lightning and possibly Mr. Terrific will eventually gain admittance. I think Vixen is using her “animal” powers to assume the abilities of a Red Herring, but only time will tell.
Beginning with Issue #0 (cover date Sep. ’06) writer Brad Meltzer resurrected the team from the ashes of a fire that started with Identity Crisis in 2004 and finally burned out with the conclusion of Infinite Crisis last summer. Over the coming months, The Pulse will be here not only to fan the embers of the smoldering pyre that was the former team, but also to illuminate the colors of the phoenix rising from its ashes.
ESSENTIAL READING:
Identity Crisis (2004) #1 - #7 (collected in Identity Crisis TPB – ISBN 1-4012-0458-9) Prelude to Infinite Crisis (2005) #1 Infinite Crisis (2005 – 2006) #1 - #7 Brave New World (2006) #1 Justice League of America (2006) #0, #1, #2
Anyone interested in Brad Meltzer’s work that is not embellished with pictures should read The Book of Fate (2006), an intelligent thriller along the lines of The Da Vinci Code (but a much better read) in bookstores now. (ISBN-13: 978-0-446-53099-6)
You can read more of this series of articles here:
posted
Having read all of Meltzer's NOVELS,as well as his work for DC, I am loving this version of the JLoA even though the membership isn't is stone yet.
Brad gives us strong characterizations of the possible members with the true plot of the story coming to the front slowly.
Benes artwork has never been better than it is here. And I thought Birds of Prey was as good as his work could get, silly me.
Anyway, I am loving the LEAGUE. If you aren't purchasing this book you are missing out on wonderful characterization, solid plotting and great artwork.
Posts: 57 | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
I wouldn't assume Power Girl's in just because they all agreed on her. It could be a good red herring. Remember, Nightwing turned down the invitation; Power Girl can easily do the same to stick with the JSA.
Posts: 4 | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
My dream team for JLA would be Batman, Guy Gardner, Blue Beetle (Ted Kord), Booster Gold, Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle, Dr. Fate, Dr. Light, and Captain Marvel.
-------------------- Multiplex is a weekly, digitally illustrated comic strip set in a movie theater. Updated Mondays! Posts: 25 | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by Gordon McAlpin: My dream team for JLA would be Batman, Guy Gardner, Blue Beetle (Ted Kord), Booster Gold, Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle, Dr. Fate, Dr. Light, and Captain Marvel.
Yikes! Looks like you're a fan of the old Justice League International, Gordon. Unfortunately, I don't think that's a lineup we'll ever see again: Two of those characters are dead and gone, and at least five of them have had their origins/secret identities completely retconned.
However, if you are feeling nostalgic, stay tuned to this series for a future article devoted to the lineup of the JLI.
posted
I go with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash (Barry, but any non-Jay would do), Green Lantern (Hal), Green Arrow, Black Canary, Hawkman, Elongated Man, Atom.
Guess what my favorite era was...
Posts: 4 | Registered: Oct 2006
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posted
If I were putting together an all-star team... Superman.................Sheer Power Batman...................Strategist/Detective Wonder Woman.............Leadership/power Flash (Barry or Wally)...Speedster Martian Manhunter........Power/telepath/stealth Green Lantern (Hal)......Most experienced (non-senior) ring slinger Doctor Fate (Kent).......Mystic Elongated Man............Stretchable detective Question.................detective/street fighter Phantom Stranger.........Mystic/supernatural Spectre..................supernatural powerhouse (Captain) Comet..........space based/ telepath Cyborg...................technology expert Red Tornado..............technology/elemental power Star Girl................youth/energy wielder Power Girl...............Power/strong feminist Black Canary.............street fighter/experience Atom (Ray)...............physicist/genius/stealth Adam Strange.............space based detective Star Fire................space based energy wielder Gypsy....................stealth
big group...should be able to handle about anything.
Posts: 405 | From: Lindstrom, MN, USA | Registered: Oct 2001
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posted
Yeah... The Ted Kord Blue Beetle was (is) one of my favorite heroes. He was the best parts of Spider-Man and the best parts of Batman rolled into one hero! He had so much more potential than DC ever tapped (even in the JLI, where at some point he did get turned into a joke rather than just a superhero with a sense of humor)...
Aw, I'm getting sad again. I guess I just have to reread Watchmen and pretend Nite Owl is really the Blue Beetle again.
-------------------- Multiplex is a weekly, digitally illustrated comic strip set in a movie theater. Updated Mondays! Posts: 25 | Registered: Dec 2005
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quote:Originally posted by saulres1: I go with Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash (Barry, but any non-Jay would do), Green Lantern (Hal), Green Arrow, Black Canary, Hawkman, Elongated Man, Atom.
Superman Wonder Woman Batman Hawkgirl Hal Jordan Roy Harper Black Canery Vixen Red Tornado New Dr. Fate (it's gonna happen and it might be Ralph) Booster Gold Flash (it still might not be Bart in the near future. Remember when the series was announced DiDio said not to embrace the first Flash you see and I don't think he was talking about Jay Garrick.) Cyborg- along with Roy, Vic deserves the call up.
Forget about Power Girl, Mr. Terrific and Hawkman joining. All three are JSAers thru and thru.
Forget about Firestorm, his book is tanking and Dwayne McDuffie is that book's LAST SHOT to gain sales before it gets cancled and Ronny Raymond gets put back in as firestorm.
Forget about Question, I don't think he makes it out of 52.
posted
I think the team should be around seven or eight people. Any higher and we get into oversaturation.
I also think the JLA works best when it includes mostly A-List characters with one or two second stringers. The JLA are not the Avengers, and the team never rang true when it was stocked with obscurities and former villains.
So, with that in mind...
1. Superman - d'uh 2. Batman - see above 3. Wonder Woman - see above 4. One of the Green Lanterns - Gotta have a Lantern 5. One of the Flashes - A fast guy never hurts 6. Martian Manhunter - I consider him integral to the team's makeup, and a team telepath is a good idea 7. Zatanna - Most superteams need a magic person, not to mention it never hurts to have a second female
You can go with that as the core base of the group, and use other characters when the storyline calls for them.
Yeah, it's a little boring and traditional, but these characters work together.
-------------------- Read my own comics at myspace.com/comicbookshowcase Posts: 312 | Registered: Feb 2006
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posted
Ah the old "Dream Justice League" question, one of my favorites.
Superman (Sparingly) Nightwing Red Arrow?(Roy) Wonder Woman (Donna) Green Lantern (John Stewart) Aquaman (Busiek's) Hawkgirl Black Canary (Sin in tow) Atom (new guy) Red Tornado Flash (Bart) Metamorpho Oracle (She should be hard wired into every team) The Question
-------------------- "Think it, write it, look at it, then read it out loud. If you don't think it sounds stupid then post it. On second thought better read it to me before posting it."
Superman (brick, team leader/strategist) Batman (detective/martial artist/tactician) Wonder Woman (diplomat/warrior) Aquaman (undersea expert) Green Lantern (interstellar expert; Hal Jordan) Martian Manhunter (telepath) Flash (speedster; whoever he is at the time...)
With the following as backup:
Hawkman/Hawkwoman (archaeologist/warrior) Dr. Fate/Zatanna (mystic) Green Arrow (archer, social conscience) Black Canary (street fighter) Steel/Mr. Terrific (gadgeteer) Atom (shrinker) Plastic Man/Elongated Man (stretcher/detective) Vixen/Animal Man (animal expert) Question (detective) Red Tornado (elemental) Captain Marvel (mystical brick)
I like the JSA and Titans/Outsiders lineups as they have been, so I'd be reluctant to "graduate" anyone to anything more than a supporting role--teams coming together makes for good crossover stories. Apparently, I'm also biased toward the "Big 7" lineup, Alex Ross' "Justice," and the Dini/Timm animated series...
Posts: 6 | From: Norwood, Massachusetts | Registered: Jan 2002
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posted
I miss J'onn. I think he's neccessary to any formation of the league.
I'm a bit old school.
I'd like
Batman Superman Wonder Woman Martian Manhunter Blue Bettle (I always liked Ted, not the new one) Green Arrow Flash (Jay) Booster Gold (Michael) Mister Miracle Atom
I think that would create an intresting dynamic amongst all the members. GL is not present becuase I've always found the GL's to be too powerful in theaory. What do you think?
Posts: 33 | Registered: May 2006
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In an interview Brad said by the end of issue 2 there are 10 members but by the end of the 1st arc an 11th member would be joining.
I think the 10 on the cover are in.
For the 11th, I would hope for Zatanna since there is no magic on the team.
Power Girl has already been accounted for in the new JSA as being one of the core members so she is definitely out.
Posts: 196 | From: Largo, FL USA | Registered: Sep 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Jennifer M. Contino: Who do the rest of you hope is the mysterious 11th member?
It will probably end up being a Flash.
Personally, I'd like to see a Spectre or Phantom Stranger as a mystical/supernatural player.
Posts: 405 | From: Lindstrom, MN, USA | Registered: Oct 2001
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quote:Originally posted by Jennifer M. Contino: Ah that was one of my favorite eras as well.
I remember that when I was a kid, those guys WERE the Justice League. I mean, I took these guys as seriously as little kids in the '60s took the Batman TV series (yes, from what I know, most kids back then tended to treat that show as if it were a serious action/adventure show). The jokes would rather conveniently fly over my head as I read about what I considered to be possibly the greatest super-team the DCU could offer.
As for the whole Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc configuration . . . I guess I just considered them to be the Super Friends as I had previously seen them in reruns.
Posts: 153 | Registered: Oct 2005
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posted
Hah! I thought the Justice League was the SuperFriends when I first started buying issues ... but found them much different. I like the Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman interaction, but I don't want to see them all in every single issue. I would love it if the League really did have a zillion members in reserve and when a big situation hit, they cherry picked from that group to go combat it. Kind of like what JLU does.
Sure Superman is powerful. But he is confined by what his powerfuly body can do.
Whereas GL is confined only by his imagination.
Look at some of the stuff Grant had Kyle doing in his GLA run, and it shows more clearly how GL is more powerful than Superman. That instance when GL is draining an entire ocean by imagining a really big straw.... that's pretty whacky.
Also, Superman has a weakness- Kryptonite, Magic, and Mind Control. Whereas GL doesn't have much of a weakness (maybe mind control) especially with the 'yellow' problem ret-conned.
Sorry to take a while in replying and I know the thread is off on other topics now, but I enjoy discussing things like this. Ted Kord FTW!
posted
See, yes I think the ring in Kyle's hands is very powerful, because as an artist he has a very active imagination. Whereas someone like Guy Gardner might not think of as many different things as Kyle is able to imagine.
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
