Justice League of America #6

[bkwrds]

I don't usually read DC comics, and I thought that a JLA relaunch might be a good time to get into the swing of things. But why is the lag between books so long? December 27th to March 7th? Is there a legit continuity reason for this? I like serialized monthly a lot but I'm not into ridiculous delays.

A possible solution is dropping the book, and picking it up in trades or just reading it at the library after the 6th issue. I'm interested enough to finish the arc, but not so interested that I'll buy any of the following arc.

Somewhat unrelated, what would a good in-continuity book to pick up in its place?

B.

[Princesa]

I dropped it already because the story is way too drug out and boring and I don't like the lineup.

[Zig Zag Wanderer]

Somewhat unrelated, what would a good in-continuity book to pick up in its place?


Justice Society of America has been great so far and is only two issues in, with #3 shipping this week.

[bkwrds]

Cool. I'll take a look at JSA. There's 2 comic book stores I visit in my area:

1) Where my pull-list is
2) On the verge of bankruptcy, asshole employees but always lots of copies of whatever sold out before I could get to it.

B.

[IvCNuB4]

JLoA #6 comes out Feb 21, doesn't it ?

[cncoyle]

JLoA #6 comes out Feb 21, doesn't it ?DC's (sometimes unreliable) website (http://www.dccomics.com/comics/?cm=6809) says it's coming out March 7.

Cool cover, but I think this is the variant:
http://www.dccomics.com/media/covers/6809_180x270.jpg

[HartyPotter]

Wave bye to JLA. Especially if you're thinking of replacing it with JSA. I don't like either currently, but I think the latter is a much better bet in the long run.

[cncoyle]

Huh, look at the solicitation for JLoA #7:Best-selling author Brad Meltzer and super-hot artist Ed Benes deliver what you've been waiting for: the debut of the new Justice League of America! This issue features an incredible 4-page foldout you won't want to miss! Be here for the introduction of the new team headquarters, plus many other cool surprises!
(bold & underline mine)C'mon... I enjoy some stories of decompression, but it's taken 6 issues just to get the title group together. Add in the delays, it's been what, 8 or 9 months? How does DC expect new readers to hop on board if they have to spend more than twenty bucks just to get the team.

[chap22]

Huh, look at the solicitation for JLoA #7:C'mon... I enjoy some stories of decompression, but it's taken 6 issues just to get the title group together. Add in the delays, it's been what, 8 or 9 months? How does DC expect new readers to hop on board if they have to spend more than twenty bucks just to get the team.

it worked out pretty well for New Avengers...

[Punchy]

it worked out pretty well for New Avengers...

At least New Avengers wasn't boring.

[HartyPotter]

it worked out pretty well for New Avengers...
Well, I'd say that in New Avengers, it was more a matter about having the task of formalizing a line-up that was in flux. It was about how a team can form almost organically.

JLA is a basically Red Tornado mini with a back-up stories of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman looking at pictures of heroes and talking about them.

That said, I didn't really like the execution in either.

[chap22]

At least New Avengers wasn't boring.
sez you. :p ;)

[Punchy]

sez you. :p ;)

I have no problem with comics taking it slow, but Meltzer is taking totally the wrong approach. Once again, I bring up the awfully ponderous captions, they serve no purpose, they don't even really set up character, and character development should not really be a part of JLA book anyway. I think Meltzer's trying to hard to make this lineup appeal to the reader, and it's not working.

[chap22]

character development should not really be a part of JLA book anyway.
weren't you the same guy who always used to make fun of me because i wanted too much "go explode-ey"? :p

Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc probably shouldn't have character development time in JLA, sure. but when you put in heroes like RT, BL, Vixen, STD Roy, etc, then yeah, they should. that's the only book you get them in. and caring about the characters is what makes you care about the book.

i agree he hasn't handled it as well as he could've, and i'm not saying the book has been great. far from it. but i have enjoyed it.

[Punchy]

weren't you the same guy who always used to make fun of me because i wanted too much "go explode-ey"? :p

Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, etc probably shouldn't have character development time in JLA, sure. but when you put in heroes like RT, BL, Vixen, STD Roy, etc, then yeah, they should. that's the only book you get them in. and caring about the characters is what makes you care about the book.

i agree he hasn't handled it as well as he could've, and i'm not saying the book has been great. far from it. but i have enjoyed it.

You want explodey in the wrong kind of books.

Ideally, JLA should be like Nextwave, just pure spectacle.

And characters like Tornado and Vixen and Lightning don't really belong in the league in my eyes.

Unlike the Avengers, the JLA should actually be the Earth's Mightiest Heroes, at the moment, the Shadowpact could probably beat the JLA.

[chap22]

You want explodey in the wrong kind of books.

Ideally, JLA should be like Nextwave, just pure spectacle.

And characters like Tornado and Vixen and Lightning don't really belong in the league in my eyes.

Unlike the Avengers, the JLA should actually be the Earth's Mightiest Heroes, at the moment, the Shadowpact could probably beat the JLA.

well, we'll just agree to disagree then. i have always loved having the peripheral players there to complement the big guns.

and superhero books should all have some explosions!:p ;)

[Punchy]

well, we'll just agree to disagree then. i have always loved having the peripheral players there to complement the big guns.

and superhero books should all have some explosions!:p ;)

But every issue?

[Roche-Man]

I hate variant covers...really p-ssed cause that BC cover looks awsome, I refuse to pay like 20 bucks for a freaking comic though.

Justice Society, by the looks of it are taking off into action by #3...JLA we get like #7???tecnically Id say #5 because most of the team is there to face Amazo cept for Reddy,GF and Vixen...

well...I gotta say I love how modern comics turn what should be 1 or 2 issues into like 6.:rolleyes:
Im willing to stick by it though I have low enthusiasm for it but I think it could get better.

Ive been thinking of getting New Avengers and Mighty Avengers...I used to get New Avengers(stopped with #14)...

JLA is kinda dull...If I were smart or had more willpower I wouldn't buy it.

but DC owns me.

[cncoyle]

I've definitely enjoyed Meltzer's take on the JLA, but this storyline was the wrong choice to thunder out the starting gate. This really should have been a Red Tornado mini-series and a preamble to a new Justice League of America title, similar to what JLA: Midsummer's Nightmare was to Morrison's JLA.

And chappy, Punchy's right about what JLoA should be. It should be a main event kind of comic. Widescreen + popcorn fun + action (with an occasional character-driven issue). Bloody hell, just look at what Johns did on JSA for 50+ issues!:p

[Punchy]

I've definitely enjoyed Meltzer's take on the JLA, but this storyline was the wrong choice to thunder out the starting gate. This really should have been a Red Tornado mini-series and a preamble to a new Justice League of America title, similar to what JLA: Midsummer's Nightmare was to Morrison's JLA.

And chappy, Punchy's right about what JLoA should be. It should be a main event kind of comic. Widescreen + popcorn fun + action (with an occasional character-driven issue). Bloody hell, just look at what Johns did on JSA for 50+ issues!:p

I shall treasure this post.

Yeah, JSA is a much more consistent book than JLA, I may not be best pleased with rampan Kingdom Come sodomy, but at least Johns can write a team book properly, he knows the balance.

The way he makes it work is a lot like old Claremont X-men I think.

[chap22]

But every issue?
at least 7 out of 10!!

[Gladiator X]

and superhero books should all have some explosions!:p ;)

#$%@in' A,brother!

Best damn thing I've read today.:cool:

[chap22]

I've definitely enjoyed Meltzer's take on the JLA, but this storyline was the wrong choice to thunder out the starting gate. This really should have been a Red Tornado mini-series and a preamble to a new Justice League of America title, similar to what JLA: Midsummer's Nightmare was to Morrison's JLA.

And chappy, Punchy's right about what JLoA should be. It should be a main event kind of comic. Widescreen + popcorn fun + action (with an occasional character-driven issue). Bloody hell, just look at what Johns did on JSA for 50+ issues!:p
i never said he was wrong about that. JLA absolutely should be big and bold and loud and widescreen. but there should still be at least some character development going on (which is different, and here's where i probably should've been clearer, than character-driven). which is EXACTLY what Goyer and Robinson and Johns did on JSA -- they gave us big action but every issue gave some insight into the characters as well. that's what i want from JLA.

[jedifish]

it worked out pretty well for New Avengers...

and they never did get the team together, did they? New Avengers was utter crap with it's decompression.

[Roche-Man]

Man, I completly agree with some of these statements...

I want a comic that kicks my ass every month, I mean totally beats the fraking sh-t outta me

[MCaputo]

First of all, I like Brad Meltzer. He writes well. He knows how to write good, even great comics. Archer's Quest, Identity Crisis and this new JLA have all been that.

However, he's not a great comics writer. And that's the difference between him and Johns. Johns knows how to structure an issue - endings that are cliffhangers but never the "Is he really dead?" type, great character development, etc.

Just look at the first 8 pages of the last Green Lantern - that's how you write the JLA in action. On that count, Meltzer hasn't done the job that Johns can and did.

And also, look at the overall picture of JLA 0-5's shipping: 0 came out on July 19th and 5 came out on December 27th. That's 6 issues (2 extra-sized) in less than 6 months and NO fill-ins (don't write back about # 0 - that's not what I mean). Pretty damn good, I'd say. So 5 weeks for number 6 doesn't kill me.

[Vic Vega]

The Books pacing to this point is fine by me. Stuff's been happening it just hasn't included the Big 3. Which is kinda the point: the League is even bigger that the Big 3-as they plan the League is shaping itself.

I'm more or less happy with the line up also. Although I would've chosen Connor Hawk over Roy and John Stewart over Hal.

I've liked Red Tornado since I was a kid, so I'm pretty much in my element here.

[greenman]

STD Roy,

Huh? Did I miss something? Did Roy pick up something nasty from a needle back in the day or something? Heh.

[diana_fan]

Huh? Did I miss something? Did Roy pick up something nasty from a needle back in the day or something? Heh.

Nah, you didn't miss anything. It's just Chap's pathological hatred for the character showing through once again. :)

Actually, that little section with Roy and Lian in this week's Outsiders was great. Roy's a damned cool character.

[chap22]

Nah, you didn't miss anything. It's just Chap's pathological hatred for the character showing through once again. :)

Actually, that little section with Roy and Lian in this week's Outsiders was great. Roy's a damned cool character.
Roy sucks.:p

[diana_fan]

Roy sucks.:p

Not even you could hate him in Oustiders #45.

[chap22]

Not even you could hate him in Oustiders #45.
you're probably right. hating him in that would require me reading that drivel. we'll stick to happily indifferent.;)

[diana_fan]

you're probably right. hating him in that would require me reading that drivel. we'll stick to happily indifferent.;)

It's just a 5-page scene at the very beginning with Roy returning to Casa Harper, and being greated by a totally hyper Lian and her babysitter. It's very sweet, and Lian is very cute, and then she shows that she's also very observant in noticing that Roy sits around alone at night, and is sad. :(

Now, how can anyone, with a heart that is, not like that?

[chap22]

It's just a 5-page scene at the very beginning with Roy returning to Casa Harper, and being greated by a totally hyper Lian and her babysitter. It's very sweet, and Lian is very cute, and then she shows that she's also very observant in noticing that Roy sits around alone at night, and is sad. :(

Now, how can anyone, with a heart that is, not like that?
i'm a lawyer; who said anything about having a heart? ;) :p


and i like Lian. it's her daddy who sucks.;)

[Skyrider]

it worked out pretty well for New Avengers...


Yeah, shame the entire team broke out right after they finally introduced all of the characters.

It's like "Hey guys, here's the team finally... oh shi- CIVIL WAR! Ha Ha suckers! :D :D :D "


:rolleyes:

[diana_fan]

i'm a lawyer; who said anything about having a heart? ;) :p


and i like Lian. it's her daddy who sucks.;)

One day you will come to realize how wrong you have been about Roy, and then you will feel very, very guilty. Lawyer or not. :)

[Skyrider]

One day you will come to realize how wrong you have been about Roy, and then you will feel very, very guilty. Lawyer or not. :)

Which earth in the multiverse is this supposed to happen in again? :p

[diana_fan]

Which earth in the multiverse is this supposed to happen in again? :p

Yeah, I admit ... I'm stretching with that one. :)

But, hey! Anything's possible, right?

[theodore_now]

I am really enjoying "Justice League of America." Compared to Johns' "Justice Society," it is the weaker book, yet Johns has definently been at the comic game longer than Meltzer has. JLA is enjoyable though, while the selection of members out of context seems questionable, the delivery so far makes for a great read. I'm just so glad that Meltzer has introduced another layer of Grundy; after "Starman," Grundy seems to revert back to the angry swamp monster, so Meltzer is doing something interesting to him. I feel that this series is more in line with JLU, than previous comic versions because it has actually made Vixen an enjoyable and not dated character, and raised some interests about previously unremarkable characters like Geo-Force.
My only problem with the book is Red Arrow, or Arsenal, not for the fact that I don't like the character of Roy, but the book would seem more natural with Oliver Queen.
And for anyone who reads this and thinks that I am an older reader who just enjoys the glory days of the team, that's not true. I'm nineteen and have only been reading for the last few years.

[Titan Slade]

I love Meltzer's JLA, mainly due to the roster. I loathe and hate the Big 7 JLA, because they all have the same BLAND and BORING personalities outside of Wally. Meltzer has a great mix of Icon characters(the boring guys), and non-icon characters(the non-boring guys). DC's Icon characters have no personality or flexibility to give them a personality, so it takes D-list reject characters to make the book exciting enough for me to read.

[Skyrider]

I loathe and hate the Big 7 JLA, because they all have the same BLAND and BORING personalities outside of Wally.


Did you read the same Morrison/Waid run as I did?

The big 7 had some of the most entertaining, epic, and all around memorable JLA stories I've ever read.

[Titan Slade]

Did you read the same Morrison/Waid run as I did?

The big 7 had some of the most entertaining, epic, and all around memorable JLA stories I've ever read.

But Morrison included some goof ball characters like Plastic Man, and Wally West, to offset the boring guys like Superman, Batman, and Wonderwoman.

[ElijahSnowFan]

have to admit, i'm disappointed in the reaction to this book.

i think that some of the criticisms of this book, quite frankly, reek of hypocrisy by some posters.

first, if you have ever defended New Avengers' pacing, which i know some posters in this thread have, you have TOTALLY FORFEITED THE RIGHT to ever complain about pacing in a comic book EVER. because more has happened in JLofA so far than in the first year-and-a-half of NA -- seriously, are you kidding me? we didn't even SEE RONIN until issue 12! THE WHOLE TEAM NEVER FOUGHT TOGETHER!

second, i love action in comic books as much as anyone. always have, always will. but there's always been places for smaller stories to be told in this medium -- i look at Watchmen as the primary example, where over 12 issues there were a handful of fights, at most. this is an extremely strong story, with plenty of action in spurts -- every issue has had something serious happening in it, a really nasty fight, if brief, because the fights have been intensely violent -- truthfully, how i expect "real" fights to go. for instance, yeah, i'm buying Solomon Grundy putting a human Red Tornado down with one punch. violent, quick, effective.

this book is intelligently written, has moved along nicely, has great character moments, and has developed characters along the way -- i swear, i see more development/definition of Roy Harper as a person than i've seen in 20 years -- AND has the characters being portrayed in character AND has them acting competently.

i swear, i might break down and cry when Meltzer leaves this book. because speaking as someone who has read some TERRIBLE, just awful, Justice League stories over the years, i think this is how i believe this book should be written.

they'll save the world soon enough -- they always do. but sometimes, personal stories of revenge/specific goals are extremely effective in group settings, and i believe this is one of them.

i think there's some hating just to hate going on here -- i defy anyone in this thread to tell me five mainstream comic books that are more tightly plotted/written than this arc, that make as much or more sense, and if i've read them, then let's go -- we'll have it out right here.

[Skyrider]

But Morrison included some goof ball characters like Plastic Man, and Wally West, to offset the boring guys like Superman, Batman, and Wonderwoman.


Not really. At first it was just Wally and Kyle trading insults and pot shots as they gradually became good friends. They were the original comic relief, as Kyle was the new guy that was supposed to be our window into the wonderous world of the JLA. Wally was supposed to be the morale officer of the team. He'd been a hero all his life, he grew up around these people, and it was just in his nature to care about keeping everyone together.

Plastic man was only added after the big recruitment drive.

Did you start reading after Kyle left and John Stewart took over? Because THEN that version of the JLA got as bland and boring as can be, and I'd agree with you then. John didn't fit into the team dynamic as well as Kyle did as a character. At least considering they made him stiff and uninvolved as a 2x4. They really didn't dive into his (or any of the team's) personality as much as they did in the Morrison/Waid days.

The two-parter with the Key and Green Arrow alone...


My issue with the pacing of the new Justice League book is that they spend entire issues on things and never really go anywhere. While the pacing of NA was slow as hell, it at least had all of those little mysteries to keep you wondering about things.

[Titan Slade]

i swear, i might break down and cry when Meltzer leaves this book. because speaking as someone who has read some TERRIBLE, just awful, Justice League stories over the years, i think this is how i believe this book should be written.


I agree. The JLA has not been this good since Giffen and DeMatteis were writing it.

[diana_fan]

i swear, i might break down and cry when Meltzer leaves this book. because speaking as someone who has read some TERRIBLE, just awful, Justice League stories over the years, i think this is how i believe this book should be written.

they'll save the world soon enough -- they always do. but sometimes, personal stories of revenge/specific goals are extremely effective in group settings, and i believe this is one of them.

I gotta say, ESF, that was an awesome post. I feel the exact same way. That first issue, for instance, completely blew me away. I honestly didn't know anything about Red Tornado, and by the end of one issue, I cared a lot about him and about his family.

Roy, Hal, and Dinah are great together. Meltzer is able to do something which I find really important in a book: make me care about the characters.

Anyway, great post.

[Hokeyboy]

At least New Avengers wasn't boring.
QFT. It wasn't boring, it was dreadful.

[chap22]

Yeah, I admit ... I'm stretching with that one. :)

But, hey! Anything's possible, right?
ALMOST anything, my friend...;)

[diana_fan]

ALMOST anything, my friend...;)

Hey, you can't say I haven't tried. :)

And seriously, find the first five pages of this last issue of Outsiders and tell me that you can still hate that man. I simply don't believe it.

[IceGambit]

have to admit, i'm disappointed in the reaction to this book.

Likewise. This is the book I look forward to the most every time it comes out. And, like someone else said, it's only a week off-schedule. If you want to criticize lateness, criticize Civil War, a fricking MINISERIES whose lateness threw off half the damn books Marvel publishes by a month. Or Marvel's bizarre scheduling of Astonishing X-men.

[IronFist]

I gotta say, ESF, that was an awesome post. I feel the exact same way. That first issue, for instance, completely blew me away. I honestly didn't know anything about Red Tornado, and by the end of one issue, I cared a lot about him and about his family.

Roy, Hal, and Dinah are great together. Meltzer is able to do something which I find really important in a book: make me care about the characters.

Anyway, great post.

I'm with both of you on JLoA. I'm enjoying the current run and a lot of it is me caring about the characters. Imo Red Arrow is shown as more capable than he ever was in the entire Outsiders' run. I love the scene where Hal moves the target back for Roy and Dinah quips it is farther than Ollie did. I also like the scene where Hal busts the wall and Red Arrow fires the three bolts that pins the two villains to the wall.

I do like JSoA better but I feel JLoA is an excellent companion book.

[I am MODOK]

have to admit, i'm disappointed in the reaction to this book.

i think that some of the criticisms of this book, quite frankly, reek of hypocrisy by some posters.

first, if you have ever defended New Avengers' pacing, which i know some posters in this thread have, you have TOTALLY FORFEITED THE RIGHT to ever complain about pacing in a comic book EVER. because more has happened in JLofA so far than in the first year-and-a-half of NA -- seriously, are you kidding me? we didn't even SEE RONIN until issue 12! THE WHOLE TEAM NEVER FOUGHT TOGETHER!


At the risk of sounding negative, I've been complaining about both. :D

Both are titles with lineups I like, I just wish more would happen!

[diana_fan]

I'm with both of you on JLoA. I'm enjoying the current run and a lot of it is me caring about the characters. Imo Red Arrow is shown as more capable than he ever was in the entire Outsiders' run. I love the scene where Hal moves the target back for Roy and Dinah quips it is farther than Ollie did. I also like the scene where Hal busts the wall and Red Arrow fires the three bolts that pins the two villains to the wall.

I do like JSoA better but I feel JLoA is an excellent companion book.

Yeah, the camaraderie with Hal, Dinah, and Roy is really making the book for me. That was a great moment with the target, for instance.

And while I have really loved Justice Society of America, it has been Justice League of America that I find myself going back to more often than not, simply because it is a collection of many of my favorite characters.

If JSoA continues as well as it started out, I will fall in love with characters that I didn't know that well before, though.

I think it's just great that both books are so good, and so enjoyable.

[IronFist]

Yeah, the camaraderie with Hal, Dinah, and Roy is really making the book for me. That was a great moment with the target, for instance.

And while I have really loved Justice Society of America, it has been Justice League of America that I find myself going back to more often than not, simply because it is a collection of many of my favorite characters.

If JSoA continues as well as it started out, I will fall in love with characters that I didn't know that well before, though.

I think it's just great that both books are so good, and so enjoyable.

Agreed although I've re-read all issues of both series because I have enjoyed them that much. As for preferring JSoA a little more, just look at my Avatar and Sig and it explains it all. ;)

I like the Big 7 as much as anyone but I also enjoy when they put in some second tier Heroes who don't have their own books. I see no reason why Black Canary, Red Arrow, Black Lightning, Vixen or Red Tornado can't cut it in the League. Also with some people's complaints that DC has been replacing existing characters with minority characters too much lately, at least Vixen and BL are minority characters from the beginning. Their inclusion shouldn't be controversial at all imo.

[diana_fan]

Agreed although I've re-read all issues of both series because I have enjoyed them that much. As for preferring JSoA a little more, just look at my Avatar and Sig and it explains it all. ;)

I like the Big 7 as much as anyone but I also enjoy when they put in some second tier Heroes who don't have their own books. I see no reason why Black Canary, Red Arrow, Black Lightning, Vixen or Red Tornado can't cut it in the League. Also with some people's complaints that DC has been replacing existing characters with minority characters too much lately, at least Vixen and BL are minority characters from the beginning. Their inclusion shouldn't be controversial at all imo.


Actually, I think the *complaining* is what ought to be controversial. People need to chill.

Black Canary is such a great character, she should be in like three books. Gail Simone spent nearly 50 issues developing her, and did a splendid job doing it. I've always liked Roy, and it's time he steps it up and gets a chance.

Black Lightning was given some love in this week's Outsiders, in a very cool story. Vixen I only know from JLU but she was great there, and I am enjoying her journey in JLoA so far.

And like I said about Reddy, after the first issue, I was totally hooked.

I think it's a perfect team, to be honest. You've got the Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern quadrangle, and a good mix of others who really fill out the roster.

And to be honest, the Wonder Woman title is dead to me. I hate Heinberg with the passion of a million suns. And it doesn't come out anyway, even if it weren't the disgrace it is. So just having a title where Diana appears, and is confident, competent, and intelligent warms my soul.

[paulski]

have to admit, i'm disappointed in the reaction to this book.

i think that some of the criticisms of this book, quite frankly, reek of hypocrisy by some posters.

first, if you have ever defended New Avengers' pacing, which i know some posters in this thread have, you have TOTALLY FORFEITED THE RIGHT to ever complain about pacing in a comic book EVER...

i think there's some hating just to hate going on here -- i defy anyone in this thread to tell me five mainstream comic books that are more tightly plotted/written than this arc, that make as much or more sense, and if i've read them, then let's go -- we'll have it out right here.
Quoted because I agree with every word. Kudos, Elijah.

And yeah, I love this book. Great writing, great artwork. If that's not enough to please some of you, tough twisties.

[Roche-Man]

Still DC's #1 book...

I think the best league is the first league but hey thats me.

[VinnyPic]

Punchy hurts my brain.

[Punchy]

Punchy hurts my brain.

Oh Vinny, everyone knows you don't have a brain.

[Drcharles]

I think a lot of people believe that some of the bks from DC are being churned out so slowly because of the commitments to 52 weeky, the faster this weekly finishes the better it will be for the rest of the line up.
I'm sticking with JLA because its always had great potential.