posted
Justice League of America #1 (2006): As its been said not too much to spoil.
Just a montage of moments between Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman from the past present and future.
Many of the moments may contain hints about the current state of DCU continuity. Click Here For A Spoiler Such as the Flash discovering the existence of something in the future and the revelation that Clark had a secret tunnel from the floor of his room out into the farm when he was a boy in Smallville.
I read Meltzer's interview at Newsarama, he mentioned both Polar Boy and the Legion Espionage Squad in the Q&A. Sounds like he's a fan of the 70s and 80s LSH. So Karate Kid's appearance on one half of the cover of #1 is likely his doing.
posted
Okay, I guess there are *some* things to spoil. Most of the comic book is a set of flashbacks to meetings in the past between the big three as they discussed the Justice League and other things. It's good character stuff.
The spoilerriffic stuff is the flashforwards to events that are allegedly going to happen in the future. Things like: - Hal Jordan's marriage to someone we can't see - the death of Pa Kent (that hasn't happened yet, right?) - the existence of a parallel Earth - a fight between the big three and a guy who looks suspiciously like Luthor, who is screaming, "He was my son!" and knocking a bunch of Batman's teeth out - the death, or apparent death, or disappearance of Batman - the marriage of Wonder Woman to someone whose name isn't mentioned; apparently she'd have to give up immortality to do this
I don't mind if any or all of these things happen, but I do want to say that I don't think DC should feel obligated to have any of them happen if they don't want to.
The Meltzer Q-and-A session wasn't bad. Not much in the way of hard information, but it does seem like he has a feel for the League (and I am speaking as someone who didn't read Identity Crisis). As far as I'm concerned, the best question went something like this:
Q. Does anybody object to the unilateral way the Big Three are appointing members to the team? If so, who? Aquaman?
A. YES. Martian Manhunter? YES. Oliver Queen? DOES A FROG BUMP HIS ASS A-HOPPING?
posted
I liked it. It was cool. So Wonder Woman is back in continuity. By that I mean it appears she's an original member of the JLA. I liked the Meltzer approach to the big three. Best I've seen in a while.
As for the future stuff? cool. Regarding Batman dead....that appears to be Dark Knight Returns. I think.
As for members I can make out? Supes, Bats, Wondy, GL Hal Jordan, Red Tornado, Hawkman(!), Green Arrow. From what Matthew said it appears Aquaman as well and Martian Manhuter. On the cover I am not sure about the females. Vixen appears to be one...the other with the long pony tail? Black Canary is my guess.
I am excited about this title.
From: Tampa | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
I just hope we don't see any more Identity Crisis-esque retcons, like Sue's rape and the Leaguers mind-wiping. Those changes just never sat well with me, kinda like a special time in my youth had been violated (I loved the satellite era League as a kid).
-------------------- Some people are like slinkys: not really good for anything, but they bring a smile to your face when you knock them down a flight of stairs
From: Penthouse atop Levitz Hall, LMBP Plaza, Embassy Row, Legion World | Registered: Jul 2003
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quote:From what Matthew said it appears Aquaman as well and Martian Manhuter.
What I got from that was not that they'd be in the League, but that they'd be ticked off at how the League was chosen.
For that matter, I don't see how Green Arrow (original version) can be in the League either; being mayor takes up a lot of one's time. It'd make more sense for it to be Arsenal or Green Arrow (extra crispy). But we'll see.
I'm pretty excited about this. I didn't realize I liked the Justice League this much.
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I enjoyed it, as well. The art and layout really contributed to the mood of the piece. I didn't even mind the overlapping dialogue bubbles, too much.
The Vixen development was surprising. I wonder if it'll be a long-term change? If so, does that open the door for Animal Man guest-starring, or even joining, perhaps?
From: Knoxville, TN | Registered: Jul 2003
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Just when I'd gotten used to the idea that heroes weren't as buddy-buddy as they were in the silver age, they retcon it back to them all being on first name bases practically from the get-go.
I don't know if I like how the Big3 are becoming *SO* important to the DCU. Weren't these guys part-time members back in the day? (Superman and Batman at least) You'd think the League was all their idea the way they carry on. I guess this invalidates practically all of "JLA: Year One" (maybe JLA: Incarnations, but I didn't read it).
From the Hal Jordan wedding scene it appears that all the other Leaguers are married (Hal being "the last one") - they alluded to Batman having a relationship, but married?
[ July 22, 2006, 07:41 PM: Message edited by: DrakeB3004 ]
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
It's a mish-mash of things past, present & future for the JLA, but nowhere does #0 really dwell on who would be members. As mentioned, it's more how the Big 3 and the League have been "relating" to each other. I like how the flash-forwards seem to give away hints to future elements, not solely of the League but of what becomes of the Big 3.
As Matthew mentioned, DC shouldn't feel beholden to the events portended by the flash-forwards, kinda like how the "adult Legion" stories were possibilities that may or may not happen.
-------------------- Igee The Mighty!
From: Manila, The Philippines | Registered: Jul 2003
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Drake, I really like your observations about the Big 3 versus everyone else. I too have always been partial to the "lesser" heroes being the driving force behind teams. Probably why I ALWAYS loved the JSA.
On the other hand, I appreciate that DC has finally realized they can't neglect the Big 3. That they have to get the Big 3's characterization right, with great stories, top creators, etc. And, if they are going to be the Big 3, they might as well have been the driving force behind the JLA. Plus, it sets up a great future story (a perennial evergreen), probably after Meltzer's run, about disgruntlement from the other guys.
BTW, it's worth mentioning the significance of a Big 3. If you look back, Wonder Woman really didn't have THAT big a role in the past. What changed it? Kingdom Come? I'm not complaining--the character more than deserves such status.
-------------------- ...but you don't have a moment where you're sitting there staring at a table full of twenty-five characters with little name signs that say, "Hi, my superpower is confusing you!"
From: Chicago, IL | Registered: Jul 2004
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One of the things DC did differently from Marvel was that their characters were all kings of their own castle - they each got their own made-up city. Marvel had a clearer hierarchy because they were all jammed together in NYC and the more realistic approach of Marvel allowed for heroes to be second-rate, have flaws or be outsiders.
One of the reasons Morrison's Uber-Batman annoyed people was that it made the other Big7 seem less than fans were used to seeing them portrayed in their own titles (except for Kyle the newbie who was more impressive in JLA, but he was the "Spidey" character so it made sense that he'd be built up rather than knocked down). I hope the same doesn't happen here.
From: New York, NY | Registered: Jul 2003
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Eryk Davis Ester
Created from the Cosmic Legends of the Universe!
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I find the adding of Wonder Woman to the Superman/Batman team to be rather odd. I always associated her more with Aquaman or J'Onn than the World's Finest team.
From: Liberty City | Registered: Jul 2003
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posted
I also don't care for the "best friends forever" stuff. As Drake said each character was usually the king of their castles. The good character interaction that went more in-depth was the lesser known characters...aka characters without their own book.
Superman and Batman atleast already are overexposed. Aquaman is a good example. He can't sell a series. Stop giving him one. Tell his story in the JLA and make more important to the team.
EDE, I also don't pair Wonder Woman with Supes and Bats. Always thought she would end up dating Aquaman.
The are a team. They were never a family. Friends yes but a team first. ohwell. Still looking foward to it. I think Meltzer just wants to put some more "soul" into the "team".
Jorge (i can't stop with the quotations)
From: Tampa | Registered: Mar 2004
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posted
The way I look at it is that 'Justice League' should be DC's flagship. The JLA is the absolute major league of superhero activity in the DCU; whatever big challenges there are in the way of interstellar menaces or megalomaniacal supervillains, the JLA should be the first, last and greatest line of defense. For this reason you need to have the best of the best in the group. It's arguable as to who exactly constitutes DC's best-of-the-best, but clearly Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman have to be on the list. And if that makes them overexposed, then so be it.
And they've known each other a long time, and been through a lot together. Not just them, but a lot of the other candidates for membership too. It's not only reasonable that they would have formed strong friendships during that time, it's also nice to read about.
quote:Originally posted by doublechinner: BTW, it's worth mentioning the significance of a Big 3. If you look back, Wonder Woman really didn't have THAT big a role in the past. What changed it? Kingdom Come? I'm not complaining--the character more than deserves such status.
I think Kingdom Come certainly played its part in moving WW to "Big 3" status, but IMHO, it was Trinity that sealed the deal.
-------------------- White. A blank page or canvas. His favorite. So... many... possibilities.
From: Birmingham, AL | Registered: Jul 2003
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