Justice League of America - Issue 1
Featuring the twin menaces of Despero and weak pawn structure
The Justice League (aka the Justice League of America, aka the JLA, aka Justice League International, aka Zack Snyder’s Justice League (2021)) is a collection of the DC Universe's greatest heroes (and also Green Arrow).
I talked about why I love the JLA in this piece here. Now I’m breaking down each and every issue of the comic book, from their very first appearance, with Atom-sized summaries. Enjoy!
What kids in the Silver Age of comics loved most of all was seeing their favourite superheroes play chess against goofy red villains. So that's what Gardner Fox delivered in the very first issue of the Justice League's own book. The Flash - long renowned as the Scarlet Fischer - must play Despero in chess to save his team-mates from the interdimensional peril in which the villainous alien has placed them. Some of the rules are kinda flakey, but needless to say, Garry Flashparov eventually gets the job done and the Justice League defeat Despero.
Fun With Comics!
MVP
It’s The Flash, confidently wading his way into a board game with rules he neither understands nor commands, and when he starts losing, immediately assumes that the game is rigged against him. (It is, of course, but that’s not the point. Entitled much, Barry?)
Top Panel
Even way back in the 1960s, your best superheroes (well, Aquaman and Green Lantern, who we’ll include in that category for purposes of the argument) had a plan for dealing with global warming. Namely, just abandoning the planet. Hard to argue with.
Villain Cryptic Crossword Clue
The Justice League number one villain adopting an off-red pose. (7)