By releasing an edited version of Michael Turner’s cover to Justice League of America vol. 2 #2 in advance of its full September solicitations, DC invites us once again to play Spot The Outline. Brad Meltzer hasn’t been shy about his love for the “Satellite Era” JLA, which makes it easier to guess at the silhouetted members. Still, a few of those silhouettes are fairly ambiguous, letting me (and the Newsarama forums) dream for a while about a League a little more non-traditional.

There are at least seven silhouettes on the cover (click on the thumbnail for a bigger picture). The Hawk-person seems straightforward enough, but is it Hawkman or Hawkgirl? Doesn’t seem beefy enough for a Michael Turner Hawkman to me, and he may be slated for the new Justice Society anyway. I say Hawkgirl.

Counterclockwise from the Hawk is a figure with what looks like the Red Tornado’s high-collared cape. Given that the first story arc puts Reddy in harm’s way, it’s not much of a stretch to have him in the new League lineup; but a couple of other Leaguers have similarly-styled capes, including J’Onn J’Onzz and Mister Miracle. Furthermore, that silhouette could also be the “antlers” of Big Barda’s helmet, so I hope she makes the cut.

Isn’t that Red Tornado’s funnel-trail arcing up behind Batman, though? Not to me — looks more like Starfire’s flaming hair, with her body hidden behind Batman’s cape and the other silhouette. Meltzer’s a huge New Teen Titans fan, and has said one of the Titans would “graduate.” I think it’ll be Koriand’r.

This League’s Green Lantern appears to be either Hal Jordan or Guy Gardner, but with Guy firmly set as the Guardians’ troubleshooter, and Hal a Satellite Era stalwart, a fairly educated guess points to him.

Continuing counterclockwise to the woman with the ponytail/topknot, the first heroine which comes to mind is the Amazon Artemis. However, the last we saw of her was with the rest of the Amazons on their way to another dimension. Similarly coiffed women include the Global Guardian Godiva, the Young Justice member Empress, Jesse Quick, and Manhunter. I’d be happy with any of them, although I think the long hair is a fake-out in the form of a Michael Turnerized Black Canary.

That must make the green-themed archer Ollie “Green Arrow” Queen, right? Not necessarily. Speculation about the graduating Titan has included both former Speedys, Roy Harper and Mia Dearden. I’m probably wrong, but I’m not picking any of them, going with the second Green Arrow, Connor Hawke (whose JLA membership wouldn’t hurt his upcoming miniseries).

As for the woman between the archer and the Hawk, to me it could be either Natasha Irons (building new armor in 52) or Skyrocket (of Kurt Busiek’s The Power Company), and the shape looks more like the latter.

Finally, there’s Generic Guy, right in the middle. Forum posters have suggested names like Black Lightning, Animal Man, and Captain Atom, any of whom would make me happy. Still, I’ll be cynical and say he didn’t destroy the WildStorm Universe just to fade away, and go with Captain Atom.

Adding the Big Three, that makes eleven members (insert Spinal Tap reference here), including six women. Depending on how you count Hawkgirl, the Satellite Era is represented by either five or six members, giving it a tenuous majority at best. Regardless, even the solicitation copy suggests the membership is somewhat fluid, and I’d have to guess there’d be a Flash in the mix before too long.

Moreover, if Meltzer remembers his Satellite-Era letter columns, he’ll bring back a staple of old-school JLA: letting the readership vote on the next new member. The silhouette possibilities are endless!

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