This trade paper back collects the first four issues of the JLA series restarted by Grant Morrison where he reunited the original seven Justice League founders and their replacements, Flash and Green Lantern. This aspect of the Justice League has been the dominant one for the last decade. In this tale, the newly reassembled Justice League fights white Martians attempting to invade Earth secretly.
Reading this story nine years after it was published, I understand how people at the time thought it was ground breaking. However, although the story ages well, it doesn’t mean it is good. At best it’s a straightforward comic book with a high focus on action and little plot development. One could smell the outcome a mile away. The only difference with previous incarnations of the league was that the stakes were higher.
Actual cover
Looking at Porter’s work is interesting in that one can witness the progression from the 1990s comic book look and storytelling toward the de-contracted and slower pace. Porter is as quick with his story as Morrison was with words. Page layouts are wild, almost like early Image comics and Marvel books of the time. Yet proportions are weak and the poses and contortions of the characters are a pain to watch.
Action Comics #883
Nighwing and Flamebird make their public debut and start the hunt for Zod’s most dangerous sleeper.
Blood and Water
Vampire stories are all the rage these days. Most are silly teenage romances, but every once in a while a vampire tale comes along that doesn’t, um…suck.
Secret Six # 15
Deadshot tries to come to terms with his homicidal impulses.
Blackest Night #4 (of 8)
Barry Allen does his best to rally the heroes, but will they be able to stand against the arrival of Nekron?
Superman: World of New Krypton #9
Jemm storms New Krypton’s High Council Chamber demanding an audience, Kal-El and Zod meet, and the first murder on New Krypton is committed.
Madame Xanadu #16
The return of series artist Amy Reeder Hadley also marks the start of a new, creepy, and great Matt Wagner story.
Superman #693
General Lane makes Mon-El an offer he has to refuse, but an unlikely ally might just save Mon-El’s life.
The Brave and the Bold # 28
The Flash travels back in time to World War II where he joins forces with the fabled Blackhawks.
Northlanders #21
A settlement along The Volga River in Russia deals with the onslaught of a plague in the start of a new story arc.
Superman: Secret Origin #2 (of 6)
Young Clark Kent experiences a bit of a super identity crisis, but manages to get by with some help from his parents and some new friends…Long Live The Legion!
Superman/Batman #65
The Scarecrow takes Superman, The Batman, The Joker, and Lex Luthor on a fear gas induced Halloween nightmare ride.
Azrael #1
The new Azrael’s ongoing series debuts with the death of a major character…
Supergirl #46
The Metropolis Three finally capture Reactron, Thara and Kara make up, and some more light is shed on Lana’s mysterious condition…
