An alien alert on the distant planet Dione signals to Green Lantern that something dire is headed his way – and straight towards the Justice League. But do our heroes actually deserve the wrath they are about to receive?

That’s the tease in Justice League #34, published by DC Comics, and available Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2017.

With Eisner Award-nominated writer Christopher Priest joining the comic, accompanied by artist Pete Woods, and with variant cover art by Nicholas Bradshaw, “The People vs. Justice League” Part One sets up the action of the new story arc thusly:

When the Justice League is confronted by three concurrent threats, a sleep-deprived Batman makes a crucial error that causes an unthinkable—and potentially unforgivable—tragedy.

While what the mistake is remains a mystery at the moment, Priest joined me to answer a couple quick questions to give us a hint. And he promises this will be a League fractured by good intentions, as well as one challenged by those the heroes try to protect.

Read what he has to say, and check out the exclusive SYFY WIRE preview of the title below, then pick up the issue when it drops this Wednesday.

Set up the action in this issue, and why it’s one to pick up?

Christopher Priest: Well, hell, it’s the one to pick up because it’s the first one written by ME!

JL #34 begins, “The People vs. Justice League,” a challenging new direction for the series. The Justice League is forced to reexamine their role in society and place in the world, asking themselves what does “Justice” actually mean in our increasingly cynical and politically polarized society. Rather than being challenged by an alien threat or looming menace, the League finds itself challenged by the very people they have sworn to protect. This exposes fractures within the group that they hadn’t realized were there, which in turn creates a real threat to the group’s future.

What is your favorite moment in this issue?

CP: Clark Kent offering Bruce Wayne sympathy at Wayne Manor on Page 20: “Bruce — it’s okay to pass the ball.” Harbinger of things to come.

Tease how this might set up the next issue.

CP: Despite saving, literally, hundreds of thousands of lives in this issue, one innocent victim is killed during a Justice League mission, which causes a break in public trust as well as a divide within the team itself. The consequences of this event, in issue #34, will change the Justice League forever. (No kidding. I mean, I know you’ve heard that before, but we mean it this time!)