New Reader Guide: Justice League

Welcome to the Austin Books & Comics New Reader Guide! We’re here to introduce some of our favorite books that you may not already know about, and maybe even help you find your next favorite comic series!

The greatest team ever assembled in the DC Universe, the Justice League has been the premier superhero team for over half a century, featuring the famous Trinity of Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman, as well as many more. The Justice League has had numerous incarnations over the years, from the high-level superhero A-list to the lesser-known underdogs, but it’s never without its share of thrills and heroics.

In this guide you’ll find the recent Justice League ongoing series, as well as some of the more acclaimed miniseries, story arcs, and other series.

All titles are available at the store, and if not we will be happy to special order them for you!

Current Ongoing Series

Justice League

Relaunched in 2016 as part of DC’s Rebirth initiative, this series finds the Justice League teaming together for the first time. Batman and Wonder Woman are mistrustful of their newfound ally Superman, but they must put their differences aside to stop both earthquakes from shattering cities around the world as well as an ancient intelligence known as the Awakened turning people against anyone with superpowers, including the League!

Writer: Bryan Hitch

Artist: Jesus Merino

Injustice: Gods Among Us

Based on the hit video game of the same name, Injustice: Gods Among Us tells the story of an alternate universe where Superman was tricked by the Joker into killing Lois Lane. Mad with rage and sorrow, Superman not only kills the Joker, but takes over the world to rule as he sees fit. The heroes of the DC Universe are split, some siding with ruler Superman and his new world order, others do not, including Superman’s greatest foe: Batman!

Writers: Tom Taylor, Brian Buccellato, Justin Aclin

Artists: Mike S. Miller, Jheremy Raapack, Tom Derenick, Bruno Redondo

Number of volumes: 8

Concluded Series (New 52)

JLA

Described by writer/artist Bryan Hitch as the book he’s wanted to do since he was a kid, the 2015 JLA series featured a more classic approach to the iconic team while still bringing Hitch’s modern “widescreen” style. The series starts with the well-established Justice League encountering a massive alien fleet as it heads towards the Earth, with a startling tie to the planet Krypton.

Writer/Artist: Bryan Hitch

Justice League

One of the flagship titles of DC’s line wide relaunch, Justice League features the team at the very beginning: Batman discovers a massive threat to all life on Earth, and assembles a team of an all-powerful alien, an Amazon warrior, a scarlet speedster, a cocky space cop, an undersea king, and an accidental teen superhero to face this threat. Can they set aside their differences and trust each other long enough to face the enemy and save the world?

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artist: Jim Lee, Scott Williams, Ivan Reis, Doug Mahnke, Jason Fabok, Francis Manapul

Number of volumes: 8

Justice League of America

Spinning out of Throne of Atlantis (Justice League, volume 3), Col. Steve Trevor of ARGUS forms a new Justice League consisting of Catwoman, Katana, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, Hawkman, Star Girl and Vibe. This “world’s most dangerous team” fights threats lurking in the shadows, but not everyone may be fighting for the same cause.

Writers: Geoff Johns, Matt Kindt

Artists: Brett Booth, David Finch, Doug Mahnke

Number of volumes: 2

Justice League International

With the growing metahuman population around the world, the United Nations commissions a team consisting of Batman, Booster Gold, Green Lantern Guy Gardner, August General in Iron, Fire, Ice, Vixen and Rocket Red to promote unity and trust in the general populace. The question is if they can achieve this goal without killing each other first. A modern take on the classic 1980s JLI.

Writer: Dan Jurgens

Artists: Aaron Lopresti, Matthew Ryan

Number of volumes: 1

Justice League 3000

A thousand years in the future, the greatest heroes of the DC Universe are born again to new and strange world to face amazing new threats. However, the future isn’t so bright when they discover the means of their resurrections in the distant future as well as the forces standing to destroy the world.

Writer: Keith Giffen

Artists: J.M. DeMatteis, Howard Porter

Number of volumes: 2

Justice League Dark

When supernatural forces threaten the DC Universe, a new Justice League will come together! Made up of Shade the Changing Man, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Zatanna, Mindwarp and John Constantine, this team of mystics face the threats too strange and unnatural for the regular superheroes.

Writers: Peter Milligan, Jeff Lemire, Ray Fawkes, J. M. DeMatteis, Dan DiDio, Ann Nocenti

Artists: Mikel Janin

Concluded Series (Pre-New 52)

Justice League (1986)

Following Crisis on Infinite Earths, the creative team of Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire came together to put their unique, quirky spin on the Justice League. Organized by scheming businessman Max Lord, the team of Batman, Guy Gardner, Black Canary, Doctor Light, Martian Manhunter, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Shazam, and Doctor Fate set off to the brutal world of Apokalips to rescue their comrade Mr. Miracle, if they can stop bickering long enough to do so. The origin of many long-running jokes and references, including “one punch,” the sentient island of Kooey Kooey Kooey, the iconic cover featuring the oddball team, and much more.

Writers: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis

Artist: Kevin Maguire

Justice League of America (1997)

Widely considered one of the greatest JLA series of all time, the 1997 relaunch featured many now-legendary creators and storylines, including Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, Joe Kelly, Bryan Hitch, and more. Starting with a “back-to-basics” approach, the team is primarily made up of the core seven characters of Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash (Wally West), Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner), and the Martian Manhunter. The series also introduced the team’s iconic Moon-based Watchtower headquarters. Many high-concept ideas were introduced, such as the team being allegories for mythical characters. Being the most powerful team of heroes in the DC Universe, they primarily faced off against only the most powerful and complex threats including White Martians, Starro the Conqueror, a futuristic Darkseid, and more. Almost completely self-contained, this run on the Justice League redefined the team while being very accessible for new readers.

Writers: Grant Morrison, Mark Waid, Joe Kelly, Denny O’Neil, Chuck Austen, Kurt Busiek, Geoff Johns, Allan Heinberg, Bob Harras

Artists: Howard Porter, Bryan Hitch, Doug Mahnke

Number of volumes: 8

Justice League of America (2006)

One year after the events of Infinite Crisis, Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman convene in the Batcave to re-form a new Justice League. They end up selecting Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Black Canary, Red Arrow (Green Arrow’s former sidekick), Red Tornado, Vixen, Black Lightning, and Hawkgirl. The series initially focuses on android Red Tornado, and has the team facing a reincarnated Solomon Grundy and the rebuilt android Amazo. Prior to the New 52 relaunch, this series was effectively the core of the DC Universe.

Writers: Brad Meltzer, Geoff Johns, Dwayne McDuffie, Alan Burnett, James Robinson

Artists: Ed Benes, Dale Eaglesham, Mark Bagley, Andy Kubert, Brett Booth

Number of volumes: 10

Limited Series and Events

Crisis on Infinite Earths

The original mega-crossover, Crisis on Infinite Earths brought together DC’s vast multiverse in an unprecedented event that changed things forever. The Anti-Monitor rampages across universes to destroy all of reality, and the Monitor races across the remaining universes to gather forces and stop his evil counterpart.

Writer: Marv Wolfman

Artist: George Perez

Final Crisis

Darkseid, the ultimate villain of the DC Universe, has come to Earth. Gathering all of the forces of evil, he wages war against the heroes of Earth, killing several major players early on. Grant Morrison’s trademark cerebral style is on full display here, as the limited series deconstructs superhero tropes and archetypes.

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: J.G. Jones

Formerly Known as the Justice League

When the Justice League is busy fighting Darkseid and other global threats, who do you call for the little things? Max Lord has the answer! Reuniting the old JLI lineup of Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Fire, Elongated Man, Captain Atom and Mary Marvel in a strip mall as the “Super Buddies,” Giffen, DeMatteis, and Maguire bring their signature quirky style to this oddball team as they bicker with each other and investigate an underworld supervillain casino and superpowered fight club.

Writers: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis

Artist: Kevin Maguire

I Can’t Believe It’s Not the Justice League

The follow-up to Formerly Known as the Justice League, the Super Buddies operations get thrown for a loop when former foe Blackguard sets up a sports bar next door in their strip mall, with his business partner Guy Gardner! Quips fly fast as the team fights evil alternate dimension versions of themselves, and they literally go to hell!

Writers: Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis

Artist: Kevin Maguire

Infinite Crisis

The DC mega-event of 2005 reaches every corner of the DC universe: epic interstellar wars, magical chaos, multiversal threats, massive conspiracies, and more! This limited series shook the DCU to its core and completely changed the status quo for years.

Writer: Geoff Johns

Artists: Phil Jimenez, George Perez

Justice

The greatest villains of the DC Universe have united with a startling new plan: do more good for the world than the Justice League ever could! As the world begins to accept the seemingly-former villains as the new global protectors, the Justice League attempts to reveal the villains’ actual plan for world domination. Gorgeously illustrated by legendary artist Alex Ross, this series explores what it really means to fight for truth and justice.

Writer: Jim Krueger

Artist: Alex Ross

Justice League: Gods and Monsters

A prequel to the animated film of the same name, this alternate take on Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman finds the trio as a ruthless team imposing their unique brand of justice on their foes. Featuring Superman as the son of Zod and raised by immigrants, a vampiric Batman, and Wonder Woman as one of the New Gods.

Writers: Bruce Timm, J.M. DeMatteis

Artist: Thony Silas

Justice League: The New Frontier

This acclaimed miniseries depicts the heroes of the DC Universe at the twilight of the Golden Age and the dawn of the Silver Age. The heroes of World War II have retired, and a startling new generation has arisen. Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman have lasted through the anti-superhero sentiment of the 1950s, and are joined by new allies as they face the threats of a new era.

Writer/Artist: Darywn Cooke

Justice League: The Nail

In this classic Elseworlds story, a random nail causes a flat tire on the car of Jonathan and Martha Kent, preventing them from ever finding the crashed rocket of the Last Son of Krypton. How does the DC Universe turn out without the guiding force of Superman?

Writer/Artist: Alan Davis

JLA: Earth 2

Alexander Luthor, the sole surviving hero of the Antimatter universe makes contact with the Justice League, informing them of an alternate world ruled by the Crime Syndicate of Amerika, a twisted mirror-image version of the Justice League. Made up of Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring and Johnny Quick, these villains rule their alternate Earth with an iron fist, but have their sights set on our own!

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Frank Quitely

Kingdom Come

In the near future, the superheroes we know have retired, replaced by edgier, more violent vigilantes that cause almost as much chaos and destruction as the villains they fight. When the world comes to the brink of destruction, Superman and his old allies must come out of retirement for one last stand for truth and justice.

Writer: Mark Waid

Artist: Alex Ross

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