DC’s new “The Source” blog posted new info and images on the forthcoming Justice League: Cry for Justice today.
While we’ve heard the team line-up before, this is the first (to my recollection) glimpse of the villains. Can we say “Legion of Doom”, boys and girls? I’d also guess that there will also be a nigh-mandatory Gorilla Grodd vs. Congorilla battle at some point. Writer James Robinson and artist Mauro Cascioli’s mini drops in July.
For a little history – yes, it was announced during convention season last year, and it was originally announced as an ongoing. It’s been trimmed down to 6 vengea…er, justice seeking issues featuring a team headed up by Green Lantern and Green Arrow that are taking a more proactive stance on the villains of the DCU, particularly the ones that killed other heroes, and those the heroes care about.
Although, one does wonder…if (as has been hinted and suggested) the Martian Manhunter’s death is the motivating factor for Green Lantern…when this project was originally announced, J’onn was alive and kicking, and his fate after Final Crisis according to DC was understandably hush-hush. But with this starting up in July, at the same time that…let’s just say someone is coming back from the dead, the Human Flame (the prime mover behind the Manhunter’s death) will be out and about trying to make his name known as a big bag, and J’onn’s actual murderer has long been dealt with…not to mention, we’ve already seen the start of the JLA fallout of some members leaving (in issue #31) – is it possible the original story has been tweaked and updated from its original form?
April 6th, 2009 at 2:44 pm
Nice, but it tells nothing really, aside from characters we’ll see. I’m always up for some Hal & Ollie, and this can’t be any worse than what’s happened with JLA since it’s relaunch so I have fairly high hopes for this. Then again, I look at anything from DC with a grain or two of salt these days.
April 6th, 2009 at 2:59 pm
I remember seeing that spread in an issue of Wizard a few months ago. I really like it, but I wonder where’s Freddy Freeman? And I couldn’t help but notice the strong resemblence between Casciolu’s Lex and Kevin Spacey.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:14 pm
J’onn wasn’t dead in the DCU yet, but clearly publishing plans have to be at least a bit ahead of what you’re reading in your weekly fix.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:17 pm
Backed. This will be interesting, but i wish it was for the main stream series. As of now, it is an editorial mess with great characters that are being poorly utilized. Even though it is hinted that Icon will be joining their ranks, I don’t see a way of them getting out of this.
As for this series, I am wondering what happened top the Freddy Freeman Shazam? Now that DC has messed with The Marvel family AGAIN, he may of been written off.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:21 pm
The regular Justice League book seems to be falling apart. I had high hopes that this would take it’s place. Now it’s just a mini.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:23 pm
No wonder McDuffie hates his own JLA. This one looks so much cooler.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:26 pm
Nice stuff, but I doubt I’ll buy this now that it’s been changed from an ongoing to a mini. I’ll probably wait until the trade is in the bargain bin some place…
April 6th, 2009 at 3:28 pm
this still looks like a weakly put together team idea based solely on selling by recognition with a rehashed concept. “bring the fight to the bad guys” where have i heard that before? outsiders? secret six? x-men? i’ve lost count.
April 6th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
My only issue with this is, with the JLA in such disarray, why didn’t they just put this story in the main book. This way we’d be spared the fill in stories until a new team is selected.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:05 pm
i wounder y flash isnt with em? hope this is good after meltzer left i didnt enjoy jla much. great art yes sinestro!!!!!!!!!!
April 6th, 2009 at 4:38 pm
I doubt it’s been updated since its inception; a number of FINAL CRISIS (and for that matter COUNTDOWN) tie-ins, such as the LEGION OF THREE WORLDS story, have experienced delays that “blew” elements of their story and the editorial position seems to be that it’s the art and the entertainment of the book–not the final outcome of the plot–that makes them worth reading, so you just ignore what’s going on around you and tell the best story you can. Besides, I doubt that J’Onn will return during BLACKEST NIGHT in any permanent form. I’m guessing we’ll see one or maybe two (guesses: Kon-L and Arthur Curry) come out of that series with a pulse, and the rest of the resurrected heroes will have to get back underground and wait for the next miracle to bring them back for good.
April 6th, 2009 at 4:42 pm
Doesn’t Lex look quite a bit like the Kevin Spacey version?
April 6th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
damn… THIS is what a JLA title should look like! DC is finally getting it right
April 6th, 2009 at 5:58 pm
First look? lies.
This image was in a Wizard magazine a few months ago.
Amazing art though, can’t really fault the guy for taking so long.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:11 pm
Hooking the series on to the death of Martian Manhunter would be a nice little piece of connective tissue (from then, to now). Fingers crossed!
April 6th, 2009 at 6:52 pm
So Mystique and Kevin Spacey are going to be in the book…..interesting choices
April 6th, 2009 at 6:56 pm
I was gonna say the same thing, Gerry. Especially so in the thumbnail. Clearly based on one of the promotional images of Spacey as Luthor, but slightly skewered to look a bit leaner and longer in the face and not quite so Spacey–but very clearly modeled after him. Not that I’m complaining.
This title looks quite good, though, I’m looking forward to it.
April 6th, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Also, it’s weird to see so many Batman bad guys there with only Batwoman from the Batfamily there, and really, outside of the name, she has no connection with Batman. And Captain Cold with no Flash and no other rogues? Interesting.
April 6th, 2009 at 7:08 pm
Other than Batwoman, there’s not a single character I’d be interested in reading about.
Congorilla. Really?
No thanks.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
Supergirl look hot I hope these get rid of the stuipd JSA that book is older then me
April 6th, 2009 at 8:20 pm
Is The Atom going to be Ray or Ryan on the team?
April 6th, 2009 at 8:41 pm
Hmph. First it was an ongoing, then it was supposed to be 12 issues I thought, and now its only six? Meh. Think I might pass on this, especially since Robinson’s Superman has been very weak. Nice cover though.
April 6th, 2009 at 8:53 pm
So Mystique and Kevin Spacey are going to be in the book…..interesting choices
You need to read Robinson’s Starman. Immediately.
April 6th, 2009 at 10:01 pm
Wow. That art is spectacular. Take your time, man, I’m willing to wait for that kind of quality.
April 6th, 2009 at 11:32 pm
Is it just me or does that batwoman look like michal keaton in drag?!!
April 6th, 2009 at 11:46 pm
So, the reason that this was cut back to 6 issues is because Dan DiDio thought the art was too ‘paintry’? Yes, the art certainly does seem like that. Thanks for stating the obvious…
April 7th, 2009 at 12:52 am
I was hoping to see Captain Marvel, Jr. Was he cut??
Robinson has the ability to “deliver”.
And this looks like very good art.
I’m going to try it… but I’ll be disappointed if Captain Marvel, Jr. is missing…and may not stay.!!
April 7th, 2009 at 2:13 am
Has Freedy Freeman been dropped from the line-up now?
Sadface.
April 7th, 2009 at 2:49 am
Looks nice lets hope its better than the current Jla Run.
April 7th, 2009 at 3:57 am
Now that is some great art!!
I have been hanging for this title for soooo long!! I cant wait!! Robinson’s writing is amazing, that art is to die for (he better being doing all 6 issues!!), plus a great range of fantastic characters like Batwoman, starman, supergirl and freddie ?!? – DC is going to make me broke soon, what with new superman and batman titles, powergirl, blackest night and now this!! haha…
April 7th, 2009 at 5:38 am
Dan DiDio asked in the late ’20 answers, 1 question’ what is for us readers the ideal team for a JLA book.
After reflexion mine is actually James Robinson and Bill Sienkiewicz for the art.
I’d been disappoint that what we see is only a mini, but it looks like a good restart and a very good concept for a new ongoing.
I don’t agree with the fact that a JLA book ‘must have’ absolutely the Big 7-archetypal figures of the original JLA, which are heroics figures who had already made their proof ( but I’m not against a big return for a big event, with Bill Sienkiewicz for the art ) , as I’m not particulary for a book manufactured about the ‘reader’s will’ especially. It’s also to the book to appeal the curiosity of the readers, with the crew they’re proposing ( and it implies new interactions regarding the actual context of the DCU : maybe Mon-El, Animal Man, Black Orchid and John Stewart ) , but for this you have to have a purpose.
Looks like this last one is a good one to me.
April 7th, 2009 at 9:00 am
I certainly hope this turns out to be better than the crap DC’s throwing at is in the regular monthly Justice League book. I’ve been jonesing for a good JLA story since Meltzer left.
April 7th, 2009 at 10:01 am
Batwoman is awful. I might skip the book because she’s in it. Such a terrible concept and waste of space.
April 7th, 2009 at 1:17 pm
This is so dispointing when this was fist announced I was so excited to get this now that it’s been delayed and downgraded to a mini i’ll pass on it. Leave it to Dan and company to ruin 2 Justice League relaunches no wonder DC is such a mess right now I can only hope that the rumor about Johns and Lee is true. Because someone needs to make a JLA comic that I am actually interesting in picking up and not some mini-series that was promised as an on-going and delayed because of painty art.
April 7th, 2009 at 8:37 pm
I’m disappointed that no members of the Marvel family will be represented as well. I’ll give the book a chance and hope it doesn’t end up as another Extreme Justice. Though given the way the current JLA is falling apart, that may be an improvement.
April 9th, 2009 at 6:10 am
It is a shame it’s only 6 issues – this is where the regular JLA title needed to go.
Without trying to start a big DC vs MARVEL thread, NEW AVENGERS has been HOT for 50 + issues, JLA ran out of steam at 30 if not sooner, and like it or not, GL’s JUSTICE LEAGUE reminds me of the current X-FORCE.
All that aside, I’m looking forward to the RENEGADE LEAGUE.
Oh, and Kevin Spacey as Lex Luthor… LOL!…