A variety of super-villains had a dream in which the world died by fire, and the Justice League could save no one. Martian Manhunter was the second hero from the team shown to be dying. His morphing body contorted into an horrific thing, a blood tear in one of his eyes. The unseen, critical narrator clarified "The Martian is dead, the last of his race of shape-shifters. This day is the death of races." The villains awoke, and took action.
In the true day's light, the Justice League of America lived on, defending the Earth under normal circumstances. The Alien Atlas was joined by Superman, Plastic Man, Green Lantern Hal Jordan, Red Tornado, Aquaman, the Atom, Green Arrow Oliver Queen, Wonder Woman, Captain Marvel, Black Canary, the Flash, Batman, Hawkman and Hawkgirl. For how much longer, who could say?
"Chapter One" was plotted and painted by Alex Ross. The script was provided by Jim Krueger, and the penciled layouts by Doug Braithwaite.
Continue the story through these character-specific posts:
- Aquaman at Justice League Detroit
- Atom & the Hawks at Power of
Captainthe Atom - Wonder Woman and the Cheetah at Diana Prince
- Everyone Else at DC Bloodlines
You know, I enjoyed the heck out of this series, it's pretty, and has plenty of nice character service for each member. I particularly enjoy J'onn and to a lesser extent Captain Marvel and Plastic man getting their place in the Satellite League, retconning it may be. Did I mention it's pretty?
ReplyDeleteAll that said, it didn't pack the same punch that "Earth X" did for me. Perhaps because Krueger and Ross (was well as I) prefer the DC "status quo" to Marvel's, and so these fellows talents wring more hollow on less mutable stuff. Although, then again, this is more "Marvels" where as "Earth X" was more "Kingdom Come."
I remember how freaky that image was the first time I saw it. A fine effort by Alex Ross.
ReplyDeleteI was preparing posts, then took a long nap. Woke up to find confusing comments. I hadn't disabled these scheduled Justice posts and moved them back to August like I planned, so they turned up across all my blogs. So much for turning July into "Captain Atom Month" at the Atom blog. I've got the first four issues done, and fingers crossed I'll have 5 & 6 ready a month from now.
ReplyDeleteM.C., Justice reads to me like running Super Friends through the post-Moore meat grinder. It's really shallow, and has so many characters nothing much happens besides fights and ominous proclamations. Still, I like looking at it, and it paired off J'Onn with Grodd, so I'll STFU now.
Good call on the Super Friends. I never watched it much, but I think it has a certain importance, mainly the aspect of Superheroes being buddies.
ReplyDeleteSuper Friends was a lot of fun, and introduced a generation to DC heroes outside the Trinity. Most importantly to my mind, we had the Legion of Doom, giving prominence to a slew of villains who might otherwise have been forgotten. The Legion of Doom was the best villain team never in the comics.
ReplyDeleteA grim-n-gritty revisionist take on the 1970s Super Friends cartoon, painted by Alex Ross. This is not a joke? DC actually published this? I can't wait for Speed Buggy by Frank Miller.
ReplyDelete