Justice League of America - Issue 9
Featuring the twin menaces of Fortnite-loving aliens and origin stories
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!
Did you ever wonder how the Justice League of America got started? Of course, you did. You’re not a depraved weirdo. Now, if you’re anything like me, you read the recap of their origin story in Justice League of America 200, your favourite comic of 1982. But if you’re different to me, maybe you read this 191-issues-and-two-decades-earlier version of the story, in which we learn that while Starro was the first villain the Justice League confronted in the comic book issues in our world, within their own continuity, the foes that first brought the team together were the alien race of the Appellaxians. These seven obnoxious otherworldly dickheads decided to use Earth as a Fortnite-style battleground to decide which of them would rule their home planet (Appellaxia, presumably). Luckily, despite inflicting transmorphations (eg glass and stone and, eventually, trees) on our heroes, Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Martian Manhunter and Aquaman eventually sorted out the Appellaxians and sent them on their way. They then decided to form a club called the Justice League of America. And now you know… the rest of the story.
Fun With Comics!
MVP
It’s ol’ Diamond Arms and Legs Batman, who overcomes a sudden case of engagement ring limbs (to use the proper medical term) to pilot the Batplane to the rescue of that Kryptonite-suffering fool, Superman.
Top Panel
Who’s in charge of cleaning in the 1960s? The lone girl in the team, obviously. Nevertheless, she’s got those lads working hard. Although I have no idea why Batman’s moving that desk in such a weird way.
Villain Cryptic Crossword Clue
The alien race that brought the Justice League together, explains a pal dubiously (12)