JLA (comic book)
Encyclopedia
JLA was a monthly
comic book
published by DC Comics
from January 1997
to April 2006
featuring the Justice League
.
Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Mark Waid
and Fabian Nicieza
. In 1997, DC Comics launched a new Justice League series titled JLA, written by Grant Morrison
with art by Howard Porter
and inker John Dell. Morrison stayed as writer for the series until issue #41, though several issues had fill-in writers. JLA #18-#21 and #33 were written by Mark Waid
. Mark Millar
, Devin Grayson and Mark Waid, and J.M. DeMatteis wrote issues #27, #32 and #35 respectively.
This series, in an attempt at a "back-to-basics" approach, used as its core the team's original and most famous seven members (or their successors): Superman
, Batman
, Wonder Woman
, Aquaman
, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter
. Additionally, the team received a new headquarters, the Watchtower
, based on the Moon
. Morrison introduced the idea of the JLA allegorically representing a pantheon
of gods, with their different powers and personalities, incorporating such characters as Oracle
, Steel
, and Plastic Man
.
Since this new league included most of DC's most powerful heroes, the focus of the stories changed. The League now dealt only with Earth-shattering, highest-priority threats which could challenge their tremendous combined power. Enemies faced by this new JLA included an invading army of aliens, a malfunctioning war machine from the future, a horde of renegade angels, a newly reformed coalition of villains as a counter-league, mercenaries armed with individualized take-down strategies for each superhero, various cosmic threats, and the enraged spirit of the Earth itself. In addition, because almost all of the members had their own comics, the stories were almost always self-contained, with all chapters occurring within JLA itself and very rarely affecting events outside of that series. Developments from a hero's own title (such as the new costume and electric based powers temporarily adopted by Superman in 1997-1998) were reflected in the League's comic book, however.
was created following the events of JLA #100, but their series was limited to 12 issues, and the team appeared only once after the title ended its allotted run. JLA's popularity was also able to launch the critically acclaimed JSA series, which was relaunched as Justice Society of America
to coincide with the new Justice League of America book.
In 2005, a story arc by Geoff Johns
and Alan Heinberg called "Crisis of Conscience" (JLA #115-119) depicts the dissolution of the Justice League of America as the breakdown of trust shown in the 2004 limited series Identity Crisis reaches its zenith. At the end of the arc, Superboy-Prime
destroys the Justice League Watchtower
. JLA, one of several titles to be cancelled at the conclusion of the Infinite Crisis
storyline, ended with issue #125.
As depicted in the Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special and the final issue of Infinite Crisis
itself, preparations for the defense of Metropolis against an army of organized super-villains required a brief and temporary expansion of the Justice League to its largest roster to date. The main defensive teams of the JLA, JSA, Teen Titans and Outsiders already being occupied elsewhere by the Crisis, it fell on Oracle and the Martian Manhunter to contact and deputize seemingly every active or once active hero in the DC Universe as effective Justice League members to form a last line of defense for the city.
:
There is also a Deluxe Edition:
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
comic book
Comic book
A comic book or comicbook is a magazine made up of comics, narrative artwork in the form of separate panels that represent individual scenes, often accompanied by dialog as well as including...
published by DC Comics
DC Comics
DC Comics, Inc. is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner...
from January 1997
1997 in comics
-January:*Avengers #3 - Marvel Comics*Captain America #3 - Marvel Comics*Fantastic Four #3 - Marvel Comics*Iron Man #3 - Marvel Comics-February:...
to April 2006
2006 in comics
-January:*January 1, 2006: Newsweek offer a look back at 2005 through editorial cartoons. *January 2, 2006: The Cincinnati Enquirer cartoonist Jim Borgman starts a blog to detail his creative process...
featuring the Justice League
Justice League
The Justice League, also called the Justice League of America or JLA, is a fictional superhero team that appears in comic books published by DC Comics....
.
Publication history
The low sales of the various Justice League spinoff books by the mid-1990s prompted DC to revamp the League as a single team (all the various branch teams were disbanded) on a single title. A Justice League of America formed in the September 1996 limited seriesLimited series
A limited series is a comic book series with a set number of installments. A limited series differs from an ongoing series in that the number of issues is determined before production and it differs from a one shot in that it is composed of multiple issues....
Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare by Mark Waid
Mark Waid
Mark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America...
and Fabian Nicieza
Fabian Nicieza
Fabian Nicieza is an American comic book writer and editor who is best known for his work on Marvel titles such as X-Men, X-Force, New Warriors, Cable and Deadpool, and Thunderbolts, for all of which he helped create numerous characters.-Early life:The son of Omar and Irma Riguetti Nicieza, Fabian...
. In 1997, DC Comics launched a new Justice League series titled JLA, written by Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison
Grant Morrison is a Scottish comic book writer, playwright and occultist. He is known for his nonlinear narratives and counter-cultural leanings, as well as his successful runs on titles like Animal Man, Doom Patrol, JLA, The Invisibles, New X-Men, Fantastic Four, All-Star Superman, and...
with art by Howard Porter
Howard Porter
Howard Porter is an American comic book artist from southern Connecticut.-Biography:Porter graduated from Paier College of Art in Connecticut where he majored in illustration. One of his teachers there was Frank McLaughlin...
and inker John Dell. Morrison stayed as writer for the series until issue #41, though several issues had fill-in writers. JLA #18-#21 and #33 were written by Mark Waid
Mark Waid
Mark Waid is an American comic book writer. He is well known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America...
. Mark Millar
Mark Millar
Mark Millar is a Scottish comic book writer, known for his work on books such as The Authority, The Ultimates, Marvel Knights Spider-Man, Ultimate Fantastic Four, Civil War, Wanted, and Kick-Ass, the latter two of which have been adapted into feature films...
, Devin Grayson and Mark Waid, and J.M. DeMatteis wrote issues #27, #32 and #35 respectively.
This series, in an attempt at a "back-to-basics" approach, used as its core the team's original and most famous seven members (or their successors): Superman
Superman
Superman is a fictional comic book superhero appearing in publications by DC Comics, widely considered to be an American cultural icon. Created by American writer Jerry Siegel and Canadian-born American artist Joe Shuster in 1932 while both were living in Cleveland, Ohio, and sold to Detective...
, Batman
Batman
Batman is a fictional character created by the artist Bob Kane and writer Bill Finger. A comic book superhero, Batman first appeared in Detective Comics #27 , and since then has appeared primarily in publications by DC Comics...
, Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is a DC Comics superheroine created by William Moulton Marston. She first appeared in All Star Comics #8 . The Wonder Woman title has been published by DC Comics almost continuously except for a brief hiatus in 1986....
, Aquaman
Aquaman
Aquaman is a fictional superhero who appears in comic books published by DC Comics. Created by Paul Norris and Mort Weisinger, the character debuted in More Fun Comics #73 . Initially a backup feature in DC's anthology titles, Aquaman later starred in several volumes of a solo title...
, the Flash, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter
The Martian Manhunter is a fictional character, a superhero that appears in publications published by DC Comics. Created by writer Joseph Samachson and artist Joe Certa, the character first appeared in Detective Comics #225...
. Additionally, the team received a new headquarters, the Watchtower
Justice League Watchtower
The Watchtower is the name of various bases used by the Justice League of America in DC Comics and various other media. It has been portrayed in DC comics as a building on Earth's moon, and as a space-station in orbit in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.The Watchtower debuted in JLA #4 during...
, based on the Moon
Moon
The Moon is Earth's only known natural satellite,There are a number of near-Earth asteroids including 3753 Cruithne that are co-orbital with Earth: their orbits bring them close to Earth for periods of time but then alter in the long term . These are quasi-satellites and not true moons. For more...
. Morrison introduced the idea of the JLA allegorically representing a pantheon
Pantheon (gods)
A pantheon is a set of all the gods of a particular polytheistic religion or mythology.Max Weber's 1922 opus, Economy and Society discusses the link between a...
of gods, with their different powers and personalities, incorporating such characters as Oracle
Barbara Gordon
Barbara Gordon is a fictional character appearing in comic books published by DC Comics and in related media, created by Gardner Fox and Carmine Infantino...
, Steel
John Henry Irons
Steel , also known as the Man of Steel, is a fictional character, a superhero in the DC Universe. First appearing in The Adventures of Superman #500 , he is the third character known as Steel and was created by Louise Simonson and artist Jon Bogdanove...
, and Plastic Man
Plastic Man
Plastic Man is a fictional comic-book superhero originally published by Quality Comics and later acquired by DC Comics. Created by writer-artist Jack Cole, he first appeared in Police Comics #1 ....
.
Since this new league included most of DC's most powerful heroes, the focus of the stories changed. The League now dealt only with Earth-shattering, highest-priority threats which could challenge their tremendous combined power. Enemies faced by this new JLA included an invading army of aliens, a malfunctioning war machine from the future, a horde of renegade angels, a newly reformed coalition of villains as a counter-league, mercenaries armed with individualized take-down strategies for each superhero, various cosmic threats, and the enraged spirit of the Earth itself. In addition, because almost all of the members had their own comics, the stories were almost always self-contained, with all chapters occurring within JLA itself and very rarely affecting events outside of that series. Developments from a hero's own title (such as the new costume and electric based powers temporarily adopted by Superman in 1997-1998) were reflected in the League's comic book, however.
Storylines
Despite this, DC did not create continuing spinoff series as it had done before. Instead, a large number of miniseries and one-shots featuring the team were released. One spin-off team, the Justice League EliteJustice League Elite
Justice League Elite was a twelve-issue comic book limited series published monthly by DC Comics in 2004 and 2005. The title was created by writer Joe Kelly and penciller Doug Mahnke....
was created following the events of JLA #100, but their series was limited to 12 issues, and the team appeared only once after the title ended its allotted run. JLA's popularity was also able to launch the critically acclaimed JSA series, which was relaunched as Justice Society of America
Justice Society of America
The Justice Society of America, or JSA, is a DC Comics superhero group, the first team of superheroes in comic book history. Conceived by editor Sheldon Mayer and writer Gardner Fox, the JSA first appeared in All Star Comics #3 ....
to coincide with the new Justice League of America book.
In 2005, a story arc by Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns
Geoff Johns is an American comic book writer, best known for his work for DC Comics, where he has been Chief Creative Officer since February 2010, in particular for characters such as Green Lantern, The Flash and Superman...
and Alan Heinberg called "Crisis of Conscience" (JLA #115-119) depicts the dissolution of the Justice League of America as the breakdown of trust shown in the 2004 limited series Identity Crisis reaches its zenith. At the end of the arc, Superboy-Prime
Superboy-Prime
Superboy-Prime, also known as Superman-Prime, or simply Prime, is a DC Comics superhero turned supervillain, and one of several alternate Supermen. The character first appeared in DC Comics Presents #87 , and was created by Elliot S...
destroys the Justice League Watchtower
Justice League Watchtower
The Watchtower is the name of various bases used by the Justice League of America in DC Comics and various other media. It has been portrayed in DC comics as a building on Earth's moon, and as a space-station in orbit in the Justice League Unlimited cartoon.The Watchtower debuted in JLA #4 during...
. JLA, one of several titles to be cancelled at the conclusion of the Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
storyline, ended with issue #125.
As depicted in the Villains United: Infinite Crisis Special and the final issue of Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis
Infinite Crisis is a 2005 - 2006 comic book storyline published by DC Comics, consisting of an eponymous, seven-issue comic book limited series written by Geoff Johns and illustrated by Phil Jimenez, George Pérez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, and a number of tie-in books...
itself, preparations for the defense of Metropolis against an army of organized super-villains required a brief and temporary expansion of the Justice League to its largest roster to date. The main defensive teams of the JLA, JSA, Teen Titans and Outsiders already being occupied elsewhere by the Crisis, it fell on Oracle and the Martian Manhunter to contact and deputize seemingly every active or once active hero in the DC Universe as effective Justice League members to form a last line of defense for the city.
Reception
The new approach worked, and JLA quickly became DC's best-selling title, a position it enjoyed off and on for several years, as reflected in the following advance sales figures for months in which JLA was DC's best-selling title:- January 1997 (78,400)
- February 1997 (81,500)
- May 1997 (103,500)
- June 1997 (104,000)
- July 1997 (two issues: 104,900 and 104,400)
- August 1997 (104,700)
- September 1997 (107,000)
- October 1997 (111,200)
- November 1997 (111,400)
- December 1997 (109,100)
- January 1998 (108,900)
- February 1998 (101,400)
- March 1998 (101,500)
- May 1998 (99,500)
- June 1998 (100,000)
- July 1998 (97,300)
- August 1998 (95,300)
- September 1998 (100,300)
- October 1998 (93,200)
- November 1998 (92,200)
- January 1999 (89,900)
- March 1999 (86,000)
- May 1999 (86,500)
- June 1999 (86,900)
- July 1999 (85,600)
- August 1999 (84,000)[5th highest among all publishers]
- September 1999 (83,400) [3rd highest among all publishers]
- November 1999 (80,000) [5th highest among all publishers]
- December 1999 (84,200) [6th highest among all publishers]
- January 2000 (78,300) [4th highest among all publishers]
- February 2000 (75,200) [6th highest among all publishers]
- March 2000 (77,100) [4th highest among all publishers]
- April 2000 (73,700) [6th highest among all publishers]
- May 2000 (76,900) [4th highest among all publishers]
- June 2000 (76,800) [5th highest among all publishers]
- July 2000 (75,400) [5th highest among all publishers]
Collected editions
JLA was collected in a series of trade paperbacksTrade paperback (comics)
In comics, a trade paperback is a collection of stories originally published in comic books, reprinted in book format, usually capturing one story arc from a single title or a series of stories with a connected story arc or common theme from one or more titles...
:
- New World Order (collects JLA #1-4, 1997, ISBN 1-56389-369-X)
- American Dreams (collects JLA #5-9, 1998, ISBN 1-56389-394-0)
- Rock of Ages (collects JLA #10-15, 1998, ISBN 1-56389-416-5)
- Strength in Numbers (collects JLA #16-23 and New Year's Evil: PrometheusPrometheus (comics)Prometheus is the name of three fictional characters appearing in comic books published by DC Comics.The first Prometheus debuted in New Teen Titans vol. 2, #24 and was created by Marv Wolfman and Eduardo Barreto . The second version debuted in New Year's Evil: Prometheus Prometheus is the name...
#1 and "Heroes" from JLA Secret Files #2, 1998 ISBN 1-56389-435-1) - Justice for All (collects JLA #24-33, 1999, ISBN 1-56389-511-0)
- World War III (collects JLA #34-41, 2000, ISBN 1-56389-618-4)
- Tower of BabelJLA: Tower of Babel"Tower of Babel" is a 2000 comic book storyline that ran in the DC Comics monthly series JLA #43-46. It was written by Mark Waid.-Summary:...
(collects JLA #42-46, JLA Secret Files # 3, JLA 80 Page Giant #1 ISBN 1-56389-727-X) - Divided We Fall (collects JLA #47-54 ISBN 1-56389-793-8)
- Terror Incognita (collects JLA #55-60 ISBN 1-56389-936-1)
- Golden Perfect (collects JLA #61-65 ISBN 1-56389-941-8)
- The Obsidian Age (Book 1) (collects JLA #66-71 ISBN 1-56389-991-4)
- The Obsidian Age (Book 2) (collects JLA #72-76 ISBN 1-40120-043-5)
- Rules Of Engagement (collects JLA #77-82 ISBN 1-40120-215-2)
- Trial By Fire (collects JLA #84-89 ISBN 1-40120-242-X)
- The Tenth Circle (collects JLA #94-99 ISBN 1-40120-346-9)
- Pain Of The Gods (collects JLA #101-106 ISBN 1-40120-468-6)
- Syndicate Rules (collects JLA #107-114 and a story from JLA Secret Files 2004 ISBN 1401204775)
- Crisis of Conscience (collects JLA #115-119 ISBN 1401209637)
- World without a Justice League (collects JLA #120-125 ISBN 1401209645)
There is also a Deluxe Edition:
- JLA Deluxe Edition:
- Volume 1 (collects JLA #1-9 and JLA Secret Files #1, 256 pages, Deluxe Hardcover, September 2008, TitanTitan BooksTitan Publishing Group is an independently owned publishing company, established in 1981. It is based at offices in London, England's Bankside area. The Books Division has two main areas of publishing: film & TV tie-ins/cinema reference books; and graphic novels and comics reference/art titles. The...
, ISBN 1-845768-84-1, DC, ISBN 1-4012-1843-1) - Volume 2 (collects JLA #10-17, New Year's Evil: Prometheus and JLA/Wildcats, 320 pages, Deluxe Hardcover, Titan, July 2009, ISBN 1-84856-320-5, DC, June 2009, ISBN 1-4012-2265-X)
- Volume 3 (collects JLA #22-26, 28-31 and 1,000,000, 256 pages, Deluxe Hardcover. April 28, 2010. DC Comics ISBN 1-4012-2659-0)
- Volume 4 (collects JLA #34, 36-41, JLA: Classified #1-3 and JLA: Earth 2, 368 pages, Deluxe Hardcover. Nov 10 2010. DC Comics ISBN 1-4012-2909-3)
- Volume 1 (collects JLA #1-9 and JLA Secret Files #1, 256 pages, Deluxe Hardcover, September 2008, Titan
See also
- JLA: Earth 2JLA: Earth 2JLA: Earth 2 is a 2000 DC Comics graphic novel written by Grant Morrison with art by Frank Quitely.It follows the first post-Crisis encounter between the Justice League of America and their evil counterparts from an antimatter universe, the Crime Syndicate of Amerika.At the time of its release, the...
- DC One MillionDC One Million"DC One Million" was a crossover storyline that ran through a self titled, weekly limited series and through special issues of almost all "DCU" titles published by DC Comics in November 1998...
- World War III (comics)
External links
- JLA at Grant Morrison.com