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Post by hector on Aug 27, 2006 1:25:29 GMT
Issues #0 and #1 already out.
Brilliant characterization. Meltzer really knows how to flesh these characters. 12 issues is too short a run.
Comments?
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Post by hector on Aug 29, 2006 4:11:59 GMT
In case anyone is interested, I made some annotations for the first couple of issues:
Justice League of America v.2 #0
Page 1:Flashback to the origin of the Justice League of America, just after the defeat of the Appelaxian warlords. Flash (Barry Allen), Green Lantern (hal Jordan), Martian Manhunter, Aquaman and Wonder Woman each defeated one Apellaxian Warrior, and banded together to defeat a sixth. They later found out Batman and Superman defeated a seventh one on their own and decided to form a team.
Page 2, panel 2: Cover recreation of Justice League of America #9 by Mike Sekowsky and Murphy Anderson. Post-Crisis, Wonder-Woman was replaced by Black Canary II, Batman was absent from the fight with the Appalaxians and Superman declined membership. As per this issue, the Pre-Crisis origin is restored and Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman are founding members again. Origin published in Justice League of America v1 #9 and Secret Origins #32.
Page 5: The Seven Soldiers of Victory Saga ran from JLoA v1#100-102. Red Tornado sacrifices himself to stop Nebula Man. The issue celebrated the 100th 'meeting' of the JLA (notice the cake with a '100'). At that point, Diana had lost her powers and didn't go by the Wonder Woman name anymore. She had resigned from the JLA in issue 69 and was there as a guest.
Page 6: Probable future. Donna Troy's husband and kids died in a car crash; presumably she remarried again, hence WW comment. Also, Dick Grayson appears to have reformed or otherwise ended Two-Face's career in this future.
Page 7: The Wedding of Donna Troy and Terry Long. The conversation between Bruce and Dick presumably occurs after Dick asks Bruce why didn't he adopted him as his son. Originally, Clark went to the wedding with Lana. Originally published in Tales of the Teen Titans v1 #50.
Page 8: Possible future.
Page 9: The satellite was destroyed by an alien invasion (Pre-Crisis: Martian invaders, Martian Manhunter rejoins/Post-Crisis: unspecified alien attackers) in JLofA v1#228. Aquaman disbands the League and form a new one with members who can devout their full attention to the group. They move to a bunker in Detroit in JLofA v1 annual #2. JLofA v1#233 new team debut.
Page 10: Possible future. Jonathan Kent’s funeral.
Page 11: Batman gets new sidekick. Events told in Batman #408-410.
Page 12: Possible future.
Page 13: Batman defeats Guy Gardner with one punch in Justice League #5. At that time he's the only one of the three to be an actual member of the League.
Page 14: Possible future.
Page 15: Events occur sometime after Superman's death in Superman #75. Neither Bruce nor Diana were members at that point. In Justice League America #71 Wonder Woman makes a membership drive for a new JLA.
Page 16: Possible future. Even though there is a clear reference to Flash breaking the Earth-1/2 barrier in Flash v1 #123, it is not a reference to that event, as evidenced by the picture of the JLA/JSA they already have.
Page 17: After fighting the alien conqueror Agamneno, Batman decided to keep protocols to defeat and/or incapacitate major super powered individuals. The protocols are stolen by Ra's Al Ghul against the League. Both Superman and Wonder Woman vote for expelling Batman from the League. JLA #43-46.
Page 18: Possible future. Dark Knight Returns reference.
Page 19, panel 1: On the ruins of the Watchtower, Infinite Crisis #1. Panel 3: After Infinite Crisis ends, Infinite Crisis #7.
Page 24: Possible recruits: Supergirl, Captain Marvel, Green Arrow, Green lantern, Hawkman, Vixen, red Tornado, Black Canary, Flash (unknown, possibly Bart Allen) Aquaman, Power Girl, Zatanna, Cyborg.
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Justice League of America v.2 #1
Page 1: Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman. No much help there.
Page 2-3, panel 3: Red Tornado “died” when something went wrong with Zeta Beam technology while fighting Alexander Luthor's universe rearranging plans during Infinite Crisis, as depicted in 52 #9. This sequence is homage to All-Star Squadron #1 cover.
Page 4, panel 2: Red Tornado blows up. A lot. He blew up in his second appearance and has routinely done so every now and then. Kathy Sutton is a social worker who fell in love with him and Traya is their adopted daughter. Batman repaired him the last time he was destroyed in JLA #117. Panel 3: Will Magnus is the creator of the Metal Men androids, he was himself turned into a Metal Men called Veridium and Metal Men member Gold was killed in the universally hated revamp of the team in 1993. How he returned to his human form is unknown, with the most likely possibility being a Superretconpunch (i.e. Superboy Prime punching the walls of reality and altering history). Red Tornado is also Tornado Champion, an air elemental from the Planter Rann, presumably is this 'soul' which eventually returns to the android body. Dinah is Dinah Drake AKA Black Canary II. Happy Harbor is the location of the JLA's first headquarters. The incident she refers to was told in JLA: World Without Grownups #2 and Young Justice #1.
Page 5: Metal Men member Platinum has always been in love with Will Magnus, hence the question for Kathy.
Page 6: Skeets is Booster Gold's robot. Superman used to have robots in his image, until they were decommisioned when one of them caused Donna Troy's 'death'. Panels 2-6 are from the first meeting of Kathy and Red Tornado in Justice League of America v1 #106, art by Dick Dillin.
Page 8: Morrow is Thomas Oscar Morrow (T.O. Morrow) creator of the Red Tornado android body. Ivo is Professor Ivo, immortal scientist who created the JLA's robotic enemy Amazo.
Page 11: Deadman is Boston Brand. A circus acrobat who was killed and now wanders from body to body, righting wrongs. He is a ghost and he can't be seen in his ethereal form.
Page 12: The Green Lantern in the picture is Hal Jordan. He was possessed by an antediluvian evil and almost destroyed the corps. Later died and was brought back to life. As a result from this Batman still doesn't trust him. The other GL's mentioned are John Stewart, Hal's sometimes replacement, and Kyle Rayner, formerly the last Green Lantern of the universe and now Ion. Supergirl is Kara Zor-El from Krypton, Superman's cousin and not a very bright girl. Still Superman tries to get her into the league.
Wally West is currently in an undisclosed location. The actual Flash is Barry Allen's grandson Bart Allen, now aged a few years after the events of Infinite Crisis. Jay Garrick is the first Flash and a prominent member of the JSA. Power Girl is the cousin of Superman of Earth-2 and the only survivor from the Multiverse.
Page 13: Lian Harper. Arsenal and Chesire's daughter. Roy Harper considers Hal Jordan his uncle due to his close friendship with Oliver Queen, Green Arrow. Again, Dinah is Black Canary II.
Page 14, panel 9: The truck comment is a reference to the time Hal Jordan and Oliver Queen decided to rediscover America in a road trip and traded supervillians for such evils as overpopulation, syndicates and plastic.
Page 15: Black Lighting is Jefferson Pierce, former schoolteacher and Lex Luthor's Secretary of Education during his administration. Signalman is a villain who commits crimes, well, using signals and is now addicted to supervillians mind-altering drugs. Silver Ghost was an old enemy of the Freedom Fighters. Plastique is a former member of the Suicide Squad and Electrocutioner is a pretty self-explanatory villain.
Pages 16-17: Tao Jones is a villain part of Helix, a team who used to fight Infinity, Inc. She has reality altering powers. The Ultra-Humanite is a JSA villain who often transplants his own brain into a variety of bodies, including a former actress and a big, white gorilla.
Page 18: Multiplex was a Firestorm villain who could make duplicates of himself. He was also a member of the Villains United group.
Page 20: Mr. Terrific is Michael Holt. Olympic level athlete and one of the smartest men on Earth. Besides being the JSA's leader he will also be Checkmate's White King, so his schedule may be a little tight.
Ray Palmer pretty much gave up human life and contact after the events in Identity Crisis and is currently MIA.
Vixen has a totem talisman that grants her animalistic powers and is the only JLA Detroit member who didn't sucked. Buddy Baker is Animal Man, who was lost in space during Infinite Crisis alongside Starfire and Adam Strange. It is unknown if he still missing or confirmed dead. Katana is the sword-welding member of the Outsiders. Kimiyo Hoshi is Dr. Light IV and Rex Mason is Metamorpho.
Hawkman is Carter Hall, whose status is still unconfirmed. Arthur Curry is also known as Aquaman, also of undefined status in his own book and Victor Stone is Cyborg of the Teen Titans.
Page 21: Hub City is the Question's regular center of operations. Blue Devil was a former stuntman turned demon who currently is a member of the Shadowpact and Firehawk is Firestorm's sometimes girlfriend with atomic fire powers.
Page 23: Deadman has never been a magician. So him using spells means it's not really Deadman, but Felix Faust. One of the League's oldest enemies and well-versed in magic.
Page 27: Oliver Queen is currently Mayor of Star City.
Page 29, panel 1: Platinum and Gold. Panel 2: Kathy Sutton and Traya. Panel 5: Ma Hunkel is the Golden Age red Tornado. She's a nice old lady who fought crime in her long underwear.
Page 30, panel 5: Snapper Carr is the JLA's mascot, sometimes enemy, space traveling hero, YJ's leader and all around friendly with androids.
Page 33-34: Dr. Impossible is a new villain, previously mentioned in the issue. He appears to be Mr. Miracle's opposite. Using quiet 'Hush Tubes" for transportation and "Father Boxes" instead of the traditional, loud "Boom Tubes" and "Mother Boxes"
Page 35: Not really important, but Red Tornado's JLA's charter is framed on the wall. Neat touch Meltzer once used before in Green Arrow.
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Post by Gray Lensman on Sept 3, 2006 19:14:19 GMT
A good start from Meltzer, all in all. I was never really attached to the Detroit League at all. But Meltzer seems to be genuinely trying to make us care about these characters. I'm willing to hear him out and see what else he has to say. I generally like the look of the roster so far. I like the idea of Roy Harper being promoted especially... he's one of those guys I'd like to see make it big. The only regret I have is that J'onn isn't around... I feel like J'onn is the League in many ways. Still, I feel like the development of the Red Tornado makes up for the lack of J'onn here. A promising start. This title has badly needed direction for years. Hopefully, this run should be something special.
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Post by hector on Sept 4, 2006 0:56:02 GMT
I was never really attached to the Detroit League at all. But Meltzer seems to be genuinely trying to make us care about these characters. I'm willing to hear him out and see what else he has to say. Well, that would only be Vixen, though. Gypsy is a BoP and Steel II and Vibe are still dead. I don't think Meltzer is really interested in that period as much as rescuing what may be the only worth part of it (Vixen). I didn't liked that. Not about Arsenal being in the JL, that was OK. But that he was chosen over Green Arrow. There is no way to make that plausible, and Meltzer didn't even tried. if he wanted Arsenal in the JL he could have Ollie declining the offer, and he had the perfect excuse for that, being Mayor of Star City now. Not for Meltzer though. J'onn wasn't part of the League for decades, which is exactly the period Meltzer is most fond of. I would prefer Morrison's "J'onn is the heart of the League" approach but I don't resent that as much as Lieberman pretty much f------ the character in the current title.
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Post by Gray Lensman on Oct 3, 2006 1:59:59 GMT
Okay, anyone besides me pick up the latest issue? I'm intrigued by the direction that Meltzer is setting up with this title. I like the way Meltzer deftly weaves separate threads that work into a seamless whole. The book is very well structured, and so far, the plot holds up well to me. I also like the way Meltzer draws on decades of continuity while adding fresh ideas to the mix as well. He's also found a way to make the Big Three the focus of the team while still developing the rest of the cast. I admit, I really like the way Meltzer is developing the Red Tornado. There's a certain humanity to the character I haven't often seen before. Another good issue. Really a shame we only get about a year of this.
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Post by Elliot Kane on Oct 3, 2006 3:39:10 GMT
This is the first time I've read the JLA. Honestly, it's the first time I've found it interesting. Meltzer hooked me with the characterisation, and especially of Red Tornado, who is wonderfully human despite being an android. I hardly know the character, and I'm interested in knowing what happens to him already. That's good writing I especially like that Supes/Bats/WW are kept in the background for now while the traditionally lesser characters are allowed to shine. Indeed, there isn't even a League as such yet, just potentials. It's development, and it's very well done. I'm sticking as long as Meltzer does. After that - I'll see.
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Post by hector on Oct 3, 2006 8:25:23 GMT
More annotations:
Page 04, Panel 01: The first Firestorm was Ronnie Raymond, who merged in the Firestorm matrix with physics professor Martin Stein. He is the professor referred by Batman here. The current Firestorm is Jason Rusch, who can merge with anyone to become Firestorm. Currently, he merges with Firehawk, as referred in the next panel.
Page 04, Panel 02: Firehawk is Lorraine Reilly, who was subjected to experiments by Firestorm I’s enemy, Multiplex, to use her as a weapon against him. She became his ally and sometimes lover. She has been a superhero for years now, but apparently her experience is not enough to Batman.
Page 04, Panel 03: Dick Grayson, Robin, Nightwing. Unlike his mentor, he’s currently beloved by all generations of superheroes. He’s being currently screwed up by awful writers and leading the Outsiders.
Page 04, Panel 04: Connor is Connor Hawke, son of Oliver Queen who used the Green Arrow name when Ollie was dead. According to Meltzer, Clark doesn’t trust Ollie, he thinks he is very unpredictable. He may think the same of Bruce, but he is his best friend. Batman considers GA a friend and supports his membership in the League. Since we already know that Oliver was passed in favor of his protégé Arsenal, these scenes must be taking place in the past.
Page 05, Panel 01: The “Magnus” in “Magnus Beacon” must refer to Will Magnus, creator of the Metal Men. A bit more about Professor Thomas Oscar Morrow: He was a scientist who was obsessed by the future, due to the his name (T.O. Morrow, hey, it was the Silver Age) and tried to build a functional time travel machine. He failed, but managed to create a monitor to see the future. With it, he could watch future technologies and replicate them, even grab some of the by using a “fourth dimensional grapple beam” He used his inventions time and again against the JLA and the JSA.
Page 05, Panel 03: He was incarcerated in the Haven facility, without access to any modern technologies, where he received regular visits by Will Magnus. A few months ago he escaped and his whereabouts are currently unknown. The Watchtower was destroyed by Superboy prior at the ending of JLA #119.
Page 06, Panel 01: Dick Grayson and Donna Troy, AKA Nightwing and Troia, Arsenal’s former teammates in the Teen Titans. Arsenal’s was called Speedy when he was sidekick to Green Arrow.
Page 07: More on Electrocutioner: This one is actually the second to use that name. The first one was another vigilante inspired by The Executioner in the same vein as Punisher, who used his electric suit to kill criminals, he faced Batman and was killed by the second Vigilante (Adrian Chase), this one is his brother who uses the same suit but for criminal purposes.
Plastique is Bette Sans Souci. She was originally a terrorist member of a band of French Canadian separatists who believed the US exploited French Canadian resources. Firestorm I prevented Plastique from killing everyone in the building of a large New York City newspaper by martyring herself activating her costume full of bombs. She later gained explosive powers by drinking a special serum. She became a member of the Suicide Squad for one mission and married Captain Atom. Besides being part of the Bomb Squad she also appeared as one of the members of the reformed Suicide Squad in recent issues of Checkmate.
Page 10, Panel 01: St. Roch is one of DC’s fictional cities, essentially based on New Orleans. It serves as home and base of operations of Hawkman and Hawkgirl.
The Cavalier was a wealthy collector of unusual tastes, when he failed to acquire a prized item by legal means he chose to adopt a musketeer like costume and embarked on a crime spree which eventually led to a conflict with Batman. He was eventually captured, but has escaped several times from prison to fight Batman.
Captain Stingaree is another pirate themed enemy of Batman, who once used knowledge gained from Flash’s villain Captain Cold to trap Batman.
Page 13, Panel 01: Picture of Dr. Light IV, the League lobotomized Dr. Light III and Batman, always believing fear is an asset, thinks her inclusion in the League would remind their enemies of the event. Booster Gold apparently died a few months ago. The “Ted” referenced by Batman is Ted Kord AKA Blue Beetle who was murdered by Maxwell Lord. While originally from the future, Booster’s suit was destroyed and Ted made a replacement.
Page 14, Panel 03: The Thinker was an enemy of the Golden Age Flash who used a special helmet to increase his intelligence. He recently died and his conscience was transferred to a digital network, becoming an entity of pure information.
Page 14, Panel 04: Trident is an old enemy of the Teen Titans and members of the criminal organization known as H.I.V.E.
Page 15, Panel 01: The Parasite is Rudy Jones (not to be confused with the two Parasites introduced by Greg Rucka in Adventures of Superman), a janitor of STAR Labs who was manipulated by Darkseid into opening a canister of radioactive materials who gave him the ability to drain the life force of other living beings. He fought Superman several times and once impersonated Lois Lane for several weeks in order to slowly drain Superman and defeat him. At the time Superman was suffering from kryptonite poisoning, which the Parasite drained as well. Superman survived the poisoning but the Parasite didn’t. Since this happened during Jeph Loeb´s run in Superman and since everything Loeb wrote there was either retconned or forgotten, the Parasite survived.
Page 20: Professor Anthony Ivo has always been concerned with achieving immortality. To that end, he built the robot Amazo who had the ability to steal the powers of the superheroes. He sent his construction to battle the JLA and was defeated. He later devised a formula that would extend his life for another 500 years but a delayed side effect of the formula was that he became almost reptilian in appearance. Since the serum only gave him an extended lifetime, Ivo kept looking for a way to live forever and as he says here he apparently succeeded.
The title of the story is a reference of a classic Superman story from Superman v1 #162 where Superman was split in two, a Blue Superman and a Red Superman.
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Post by Elliot Kane on Oct 3, 2006 13:24:45 GMT
Shall have to start calling you 'Hector Busiek', oh Encyclopaedia Comica! ;D Seriously Hec - great job on the notes
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Post by hector on Oct 5, 2006 0:16:59 GMT
And still 52 gives me a run for my money regularly. The attendants at Booster's funeral were really oscure. I don't think Beefeater, Yellow Peri and the Oddman have more than a couple of appearances each.
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Post by Elliot Kane on Oct 5, 2006 1:22:00 GMT
I thought they were all made up for that one appearance, so you're way ahead of me, Hec
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Post by Gay Titan on Oct 7, 2006 11:46:39 GMT
I haven't seen Yellow Peri since the old Superboy series of the 80's. As for the current JLA series, I LOVED issue #0, but will get the TPB for the first arc.
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Post by hector on Oct 8, 2006 23:26:18 GMT
No wonder. YP had only two appearances in Action Comics, somewhere during the mid 500's. She is kind of a blink-and-you-miss-her character.
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Post by philster on Oct 19, 2006 5:24:27 GMT
I just found out that Clinton (a city nearby here) has the biggest comic book shop in all of eastern Tennessee, much to my surprise. When I moved I basically ended up in a town without any bookstores at all for miles.
It's still quite a drive to Clinton, but once I get there I may check for this series. I've always been a fan of the Justice League, although I've never read anything about the Detroit League. Still, if all you guys like it that much, I'll check it out. Haven't been to a comic shop in a while now.
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Post by Elliot Kane on Mar 19, 2007 19:54:13 GMT
End of the Red Tornado arc was just great, IMO. Meltzer has really explored who and what he is. First time I've really run into the character, and he's definitely cool.
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