Justice League Dark
Encyclopedia
Justice League Dark is an ongoing DC Comics
series
, announced as part of the universe wide overhaul, announced on May 31, 2011. The title will follow the adventures of a more supernatural team than traditional Justice League
titles, and is written by Peter Milligan
, with art by Mikel Janin. The title launched on September 28, 2011.
and offbeat characters, something which had been a trait of sister imprint Vertigo back into the main DC Universe following Vertigo's editorial change to publish purely new, creator owned content. In the cases of John Constantine and Shade, the new title will bring the two back into DC continuity for the first time in over 20 years. Swamp Thing
will also be returning in a separate title, but given Constantine's origins, it is suspected that there will be some crossover between both titles.
The Search for Swamp Thing, a three part mini-series
released between June and August 2011 which lead up to "the New 52
" event, and followed the events of the Brightest Day
maxi-series, follows Constantine's search for the resurrected Alec Holland as the new Swamp Thing, involving the cooperation of Batman
, Zatanna
and Superman
. The Secret Seven mini-series, written by Milligan as part of the "Flashpoint
" crossover storyline has included main characters Enchantress and Shade & introduced new character Mindwarp in the lead-up to the start of the series.
The opening storyline involves Enchantress' defeat of the Justice League
, leading to the necessity of a more supernatural team to assist in these events.
Peter Milligan stated in an interview that he got the job for the book from his work on the Flashpoint
: Secret Seven mini-series, and that he hoped to write something "emotionally dark" set in the DC Universe
, comparing his characters to detectives, who struggle to cope with the things they see and have to do. The initial anticipation for this title has been good, with critics celebrating the fact that DC are willing to bring back some of the darker elements which had moved over to Vertigo in the 1990s, although some critics have worried about how such strange and solitary characters might work as a team.
and The Spectre may feature in future 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...
series
Ongoing series
The term "ongoing series" is used in contrast to limited series , a one shot , a graphic novel, or a trade paperback...
, announced as part of the universe wide overhaul, announced on May 31, 2011. The title will follow the adventures of a more supernatural team than traditional 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....
titles, and is written by Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan
Peter Milligan born in London, a British writer, best known for his comic book, film and television work.-Early career:Milligan started his comic career with short stories for 2000 AD in the early 1980s. By 1986, Milligan had his first ongoing strip in 2000AD called Bad Company, with artists Brett...
, with art by Mikel Janin. The title launched on September 28, 2011.
Publication history
The title brought several of DC Comics' occultOccult
The word occult comes from the Latin word occultus , referring to "knowledge of the hidden". In the medical sense it is used to refer to a structure or process that is hidden, e.g...
and offbeat characters, something which had been a trait of sister imprint Vertigo back into the main DC Universe following Vertigo's editorial change to publish purely new, creator owned content. In the cases of John Constantine and Shade, the new title will bring the two back into DC continuity for the first time in over 20 years. Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing
Swamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
will also be returning in a separate title, but given Constantine's origins, it is suspected that there will be some crossover between both titles.
The Search for Swamp Thing, a three part mini-series
Limited 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....
released between June and August 2011 which lead up to "the New 52
The New 52
The New 52 is a 2011 revamp and relaunch by DC Comics of its entire line of ongoing monthly superhero books, in which all of its existing titles were cancelled, and 52 new series debuted in September 2011 with new #1 issues. Among the series being renumbered are Action Comics and Detective Comics,...
" event, and followed the events of the Brightest Day
Brightest Day
Brightest Day is a year-long comic book maxi-series that began in April 2010. The story follows the ending of the series Blackest Night and how the aftermath of these events affect the entire DC Universe.-Plot:...
maxi-series, follows Constantine's search for the resurrected Alec Holland as the new Swamp Thing, involving the cooperation of 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...
, Zatanna
Zatanna
Zatanna Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson, Zatanna first appeared in Hawkman vol. 1 #4...
and 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...
. The Secret Seven mini-series, written by Milligan as part of the "Flashpoint
Flashpoint (comics)
Flashpoint is an American comic book crossover story arc published by DC Comics. Consisting of an eponymous core limited series and a number of tie-in titles, the storyline premiered in May 2011...
" crossover storyline has included main characters Enchantress and Shade & introduced new character Mindwarp in the lead-up to the start of the series.
The opening storyline involves Enchantress' defeat of 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....
, leading to the necessity of a more supernatural team to assist in these events.
Peter Milligan stated in an interview that he got the job for the book from his work on the Flashpoint
Flashpoint (comics)
Flashpoint is an American comic book crossover story arc published by DC Comics. Consisting of an eponymous core limited series and a number of tie-in titles, the storyline premiered in May 2011...
: Secret Seven mini-series, and that he hoped to write something "emotionally dark" set in the DC Universe
DC Universe
The DC Universe is the shared universe where most of the comic stories published by DC Comics take place. The fictional characters Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are well-known superheroes from this universe. Note that in context, "DC Universe" is usually used to refer to the main DC continuity...
, comparing his characters to detectives, who struggle to cope with the things they see and have to do. The initial anticipation for this title has been good, with critics celebrating the fact that DC are willing to bring back some of the darker elements which had moved over to Vertigo in the 1990s, although some critics have worried about how such strange and solitary characters might work as a team.
Characters
While the initial team has been confirmed, Peter Milligan has confirmed that he is, "Ruling no-one out" for future appearances, amid speculation that both RagmanRagman
Ragman is a fictional mystic vigilante and superhero who first appeared in the short-lived comic-book series named after him. He is one of a limited number of Jewish superheroes, and his continuity is tied to that of DC Comics' Golem, derived from the Golem of Prague of Jewish folklore.Ragman is...
and The Spectre may feature in future comics.
- John ConstantineJohn ConstantineJohn Constantine is a fictional character, an occult detective anti-hero in comic books published by DC Comics, mostly under the Vertigo imprint. The character first appeared in Swamp Thing #37 , and was created by Alan Moore, Steve Bissette, John Totleben and Rick Veitch...
– A working class, Liverpudlian magician. Originally from Swamp ThingSwamp ThingSwamp Thing, a fictional character, is a plant elemental in the created by Len Wein and Berni Wrightson. He first appeared in House of Secrets #92 in a stand-alone horror story set in the early 20th century . The Swamp Thing then returned in his own series, set in the contemporary world and in...
and protagonist of long running Vertigo title HellblazerHellblazerHellblazer is a contemporary horror comic book series, originally published by DC Comics, and subsequently by the Vertigo imprint since March 1993, the month the imprint was introduced, where it remains to this day...
.
- Shade, the Changing ManShade, the Changing ManShade, the Changing Man is a fictional comic book character created by Steve Ditko for DC Comics in 1977. The character was later adapted by Peter Milligan and became one of the first Vertigo titles....
– A hero with the power to warp reality. Originally featured in his own title, by Steve DitkoSteve DitkoStephen J. "Steve" Ditko is an American comic book artist and writer best known as the artist co-creator, with Stan Lee, of the Marvel Comics heroes Spider-Man and Doctor Strange....
, and was later 'rebooted' in Peter Milligan's run on the series in the late 80s and early 90s. He was featured in a crossover event in Hellblazer in 2010, also written by Peter Milligan, although it is unclear if this will affect events in this title. He is tasked with bringing the team together at the behest of Madame Xanadu. He was also a member of the Secret Seven during the FlashpointFlashpoint (comics)Flashpoint is an American comic book crossover story arc published by DC Comics. Consisting of an eponymous core limited series and a number of tie-in titles, the storyline premiered in May 2011...
storyline.
- Madame XanaduMadame XanaduMadame Xanadu is a fictional character, a comic book mystic published by DC Comics. The character is identified with Nimue, the sorceress from Arthurian mythology made popular by Sir Thomas Malory's Le Morte d'Arthur.-Publication history:...
– A mystic. Originally featured in Doorway to Nightmare. More recently featured in One Year LaterOne Year Later"One Year Later" was a 2006 storyline event running through the DC Universe. As the title suggests, it involves a narrative jump exactly one year into the future of the DC Comics Universe following the events of the Infinite Crisis event, to explore major changes within the continuities of the many...
and Flashpoint. She has previously dealt with John Constantine in the plot of Neil GaimanNeil GaimanNeil Richard Gaiman born 10 November 1960)is an English author of short fiction, novels, comic books, graphic novels, audio theatre and films. His notable works include the comic book series The Sandman and novels Stardust, American Gods, Coraline, and The Graveyard Book...
's Books of Magic mini series, where their relationship is fraught, as he has deceived her in the past.
- DeadmanDeadmanDeadman is a fictional character, a comic book superhero in the DC Comics universe. He first appeared in Strange Adventures #205 , and was created by Arnold Drake and Carmine Infantino.-Publication history:...
– The ghost of an acrobat, who can posess the bodies of the dead. Originally featured in Strange Adventures #205. More recently featured in Blackest Night and Brightest DayBrightest DayBrightest Day is a year-long comic book maxi-series that began in April 2010. The story follows the ending of the series Blackest Night and how the aftermath of these events affect the entire DC Universe.-Plot:...
.
- ZatannaZatannaZatanna Zatara is a fictional character in the DC Comics universe. Created by writer Gardner Fox and artist Murphy Anderson, Zatanna first appeared in Hawkman vol. 1 #4...
– A stage magician. She was featured in Justice League of America as a member of the team. Recently she starred in her own title written by Paul DiniPaul DiniPaul Dini is an American writer and producer who works in the television and comic book industries. He is best known as a producer and writer for several Warner Bros./DC Comics animated series, including Star Wars: Ewoks, Tiny Toon Adventures, Batman: The Animated Series, Superman: The Animated...
and was part of the Secret Seven during Flashpoint. She has previously been romantically involved with John Constantine.
- Mindwarp – An original character created by Peter Milligan for Flashpoint. In the event, he was a member of the Secret Seven. He may be aware of the Fourth WallFourth wallThe fourth wall is the imaginary "wall" at the front of the stage in a traditional three-walled box set in a proscenium theatre, through which the audience sees the action in the world of the play...
as evidenced by his reading Peter Milligan's Secret Seven and "Flashpoint" title Deadman and the Flying Graysons
- EnchantressEnchantress (DC Comics)The Enchantress is a DC Comics character who has been both a superheroine and supervillainess. She first appeared in National Comics flagship science fiction anthology title Strange Adventures #187 , and was created by writer Bob Haney and artist Howard Purcell.More recently she is usually called...
– A witch. Originally featured in Strange AdventuresStrange AdventuresStrange Adventures was the title of several American comic books published by DC Comics, most notably a long-running science fiction anthology that began in 1950.-Original series:...
, and later a member of Suicide SquadSuicide SquadThe Suicide Squad, also known as Task Force X , is a name for two fictional organizations in the DC Comics Universe. The first version debuted in The Brave and the Bold #25 , and the second in Legends #3...
, she has more recently been featured in ShadowpactShadowpactThe Shadowpact is a group of magic-based heroes who fought against the Spectre in the 2005 limited series Day of Vengeance, published by DC Comics. They are a sort of Justice League for the supernatural elements of the DC Universe...
and the event Flashpoint as part of the Secret Seven. When the Enchantress seemingly goes mad and the Justice League is unable to stop her, Justice League Dark comes together to face her.
See also
- Justice League of Apostles
- Sentinels of MagicSentinels of MagicThe Sentinels of Magic is a fictional group of magically powered heroes that appear in comic books published by DC Comics. They first appeared in Day of Judgment #1 , and were created by Geoff Johns and Matthew Dow Smith.-History:...
External links
- DC Comics The New 52 - Justice League Dark, DC Comics.com