Written by (See Below)
Art by (See Below)
Cover Art by Jim Lee; Scott Williams; & Alex Sinclair
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2017, this 168-page compilation reprints seven tales dating back to 1999. The stories are:
- “Justice League, Part 1” – Justice League # 1 (2011). Writer: Geoff Johns, with Art by: Jim Lee; Scott Williams; Alex Sinclair; & Patrick Brosseau. Cover Art by: Jim Lee; Scott Williams; & Alex Sinclair. The New 52’s League debuts with an origin makeover that occurs five years before. Pursuing mysterious alien terrorists, Batman & Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern meet for the first time. They soon head to Metropolis to probe a possible suspect: Superman.
- “Altered Egos” – JLA # 33 (1999). Writer: Mark Waid, with Art by: Mark Pajarillo; Walden Wong; John Kalisz; & Ken Lopez. Cover Art by: Howard Porter; John Dell; & John Garrahy. On the French Riviera, a JLA strike team (Steel; Big Barda, Orion, Plastic Man; and Kyle Rayner’s Green Lantern) face an immensely dangerous ‘Bruce Wayne.’ Meanwhile, under Batman’s command, Superman, Wonder Woman, and a mysterious Flash must race the clock checking up on White Martians, who are unknowingly a deep sleeper cell spread out across Earth.
- “Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow” – Justice League of America # 1 (2006). Writer: Brad Meltzer, with Art by: Eric Wright; Dick Giordano; Tony Harris; George Pérez; J.H. Williams III; Luke McDonnell; Paul Neary; Gene Ha; Rags Morales; Ethan Van Sciver; Kevin Maguire; Adam Kubert; Dan Jurgens; Kevin Nowlan; Jim Lee; Howard Porter; Dexter Vines; Andy Kubert; Jesse Delperdang; Phil Jimenez; Andy Lanning; Ed Benes; Sandra Hope; Alex Sinclair; & Rob Leigh. Cover: Michael Turner & Peter Steigerwald.
Note: The variant covers aren’t included.
Told by alternating P.O.V.’s of Batman, Wonder Woman, & Superman, the legendary trio contemplates initiating a post-Infinite Crisis Justice League. Glimpses of the past and possible alternate futures are conveyed.
- “Throne of Atlantis, Chapter Three: Friends and Enemies.” – Justice League # 16 (2013). Writer: Geoff Johns, with Art by: Ivan Reis; Joe Prado; Rod Reis; & Dave Sharpe. Cover Art by: Ivan Reis; Joe Prado; & Rod Reis. Note: The variant cover isn’t included.
Under Ocean Master’s command, Atlantis invades the surface world. Superman, Batman, & Wonder Woman are uncertain of Aquaman’s present allegiance. Cyborg must desperately implement the League’s back-up plan.
- “Forever Heroes” – Justice League # 29 (2015). Writer: Geoff Johns, with Art by: Doug Mahnke; Keith Champagne; Christian Alamy; Rod Reis; & Dezi Sienty. Cover Art by: Ivan Reis; Joe Prado; & Rod Reis.
Note: The variant cover isn’t included.
As the last Leaguer standing, Cyborg, calls upon the rebuilt Metal Men as Earth’s last defense against the Crime Syndicate’s forces.
- “Maintenance Day” – JLA # 107 (2004). Writer: Kurt Busiek, with Art by: Ron Garney; Dan Green; David Baron; & Jared K. Fletcher. Cover Art by: Ron Garney & David Baron. With the others on a mission in N-Space, Martian Manhunter & Wally West’s Flash stand guard at the JLA Watchtower. An emergency comes up, as yet another menace awaits the League.
- “Fear the Reaper” – Justice League: The Rebirth # 1 (2016). Writer: Bryan Hitch; with Art by: Bryan Hitch; Daniel Henriques; Scott Hanna; Alex Sinclair; Richard Starkings; & Comicraft. Cover Art by: Tony S. Daniel & Tomeu Morey.
Note: The variant cover isn’t included.
Coping with the recent demise of the New 52’s Superman, the League (including Green Lanterns Jessica Cruz & Simon Baz) is trapped inside a massive alien menace threatening Earth. Their only hope may be a Man of Steel from another reality.
REVIEW:
Two complaints come to mind: 1. What’s with this collection’s zero sense of continuity? It’s an utter hodge-podge, especially for casual readers. 2. Why do this franchise’s ‘greatest triumphs’ occur only in the last two decades (including three picks for Geoff Johns) vs. digging far deeper into DC’s archives?
A partial answer to # 2 is that DC subsequently released a milestone 60th Anniversary hardcover in 2018 covering an appropriately wide gamut of the JLA’s exploits. Despite such qualms, these seven handpicked tales still make for some good reading. Fans certainly can’t argue with the pristine visual quality (i.e. only “Maintenance Day” has less than A-caliber artwork).
The most awe-inspiring tale, of course, is Brad Meltzer’s teaser re: the League’s past, present, and future. Like a pendulum tilted by alternating art teams, DC dangles tantalizing future premises that likely won’t ever be explored ‘as is,’ but they are worth imagining.
Mark Waid’s entry is this compilation’s most entertaining caper; it capably depicts the Justice’s League’s reliable brand of action and humor, along with some welcome surprises. The other stories rely far more heavily on dramatic in-progress/incomplete story angles, but even potential boredom/confusion is compensated by first-class visuals.
As to what actual criteria DC utilized to select these specific stories, that remains debatable. All things considered, perhaps it’s better not to care. If enjoyed solely as a franchise sampler of its more recent incarnations, then Justice League: Their Greatest Triumphs delivers the necessary goods.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There is a table-of-contents with full creative credits. The original covers are reprinted in a full-page format.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
