Design your own Justice League

Cafe Society
1

You’ve just been named as Human Resources Director for the Justice League. Who are you going to hire to fill out the group. Your reputation has preceded you so everybody in the DC pantheon who’s not completely dead or totally villainous will join up if you call.

So do you go with a traditional membership or try out some new faces? Focus on raw power or try for a balance of different abilities? Worry about personality issues or figure you’ll mold everyone into a team? Go for a small elite force or figure there’s quality in quantity?

My picks:

Batman and Superman: Because you’ve got to have Batman and Superman.
Wonder Woman: Almost as iconic as the big two.
Martian Manhunter: Underrated but I’ve always liked him. Good powers also.
Green Lantern: Not sure which one I’d pick but I definitely want one of them.
Flash: To get things done fast.
Green Arrow: Pretty weak powers but his personality will keep things jumping.
Captain Marvel: A spare Superman in case somebody tries a kryptonite attack on us.
Zantanna: You’ve got to have somebody with magic. Plus she looks good in fishnet stockings.
Plastic Man: For comic relief and an interesting power.

That’s ten, a good round number.

2

Awww, do I have to stick to the DC pantheon?

3

Love the topic. I’ll give it some thought.

4

My friends and I kind of already did
We used to play DC Heroes and GURPS Superheroes RPGs
Except we made up our own characters. We each had two. One whose alter-ego was self, and one dream hero

5

Okay, first off you start with J’onn J’onnzz - because the Martian Manhunter simply has to be in the Justice League. (That’s his primary function in the DC universe, to serve as the core member of any JL incarnation.)

I’d avoid putting any hero with his/her own ongoing series into the team on a full-time basis. This cuts down on continuity headaches (like Superman’s costume & powers changing, Wonder Woman being temporarily dead, etc.) So Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Hal Jordan are out. All of them would appear as rotating guest stars though. This would also allow for some series-less heavyweights (such as Captain Atom, Dr. Fate, etc.) to shine.

I’d also try to spotlight at least one character from each of the original superhero lines that contribute to the modern-day DC Multiverse: National, All-American, Quality, Fawcett & Charlton comics. Not to mention a line-up that represents the best from the Golden Age, the Silver Age & the Modern Age of comics.

And, as I posted in a thread a few months ago, I believe there is a working paradigm for a decent superhero group:

mentor
brains / team leader
muscle / trooper
babe
trickster / comic relief
rogue / rebel
grizzled veteran
rookie
non-powered sidekick

That said, my choices for a new JLA team would be -

mentor - J’onn J’onzz
brains - Nightwing
muscle - Captain Marvel
babe - Phantom Lady (this is a character that deserves a modern-day makeover!)
trickster - Plastic Man
rogue - Black Lightning (was once invited to the JLA, refused, but could easily take over Green Arrow’s role as the everyman who objects to the League’s “High & mighty” attitude toward regular folks.)
grizzled vet - Dr. Fate or Captain Atom (I can’t decide, but maybe they could switch-off with each other)
rookie - Green Lantern (a new character, one just learning the ropes, and inducted into the League in a “trainee” capacity.)

Oberon would come back to serve as the team’s non-powered, ‘ordinary Joe’ sidekick. (He was a heck of a lot cooler than Snapper Carr.)

6

We need a space monkey. Gotta have a space monkey.

7

Um, I hate to say this, but The current Phantom Lady, Dee Tyler, was killed in Infinite Crisis #1, impaled by Deathstroke’s sword. And it didn’t look like the kind of injury she would be walking away from.

Alex Ross? Is that you? Who else would want silly '70s nostalgia?

8

Perhaps it’s a prelude to a NEW, new Phantom Lady!

9

First of all, any group that doesn’t include J’onn isn’t the Justice League. The Martian Manhunter is of course the first pick.

Now, the original concept for the Justice League is to have the biggest DC heroes all in one group. How do we define “biggest”? By sales of course! Or maybe not.

OK, who else for the group? I realize that it’s traditional to have Superman in the JL. But…well, with Superman in the group, what exactly are the other members supposed to be doing? Kind of like God-man from “Tom the Dancing Bug”, why not just let Superman solve everything? So Superman is out.

Captain Marvel can substitute as Superman lite. He’s got all the powers that Supes has, just not as much.

Add in a Green Lantern. A have no idea who’s the main GL for Earth nowadays, but whoever that is should be in the League. Tradition. OK, Wonder Woman and Flash too.

OK, we’ve got some heavy hitters. How about the second tier?

Green Arrow? What exactly was he doing in the League? Oh yeah, he had his own series, so he was in the league. Sorry Oliver. Yer out. And I know Batman is traditional, but face it, his inclusion in the League makes no logical sense for his character. Batman isn’t gonna hang around these guys, he’s gonna fight from the shadows. Aquaman? Snork. Shyea, right. We’ll call you when there’s trouble in the ocean. Too bad 99% of our missions are gonna be on land.

So those guys are out. Eh, I haven’t kept up with comics in the last few years. I can’t really come up with a good list of other characters without just rehashing members from the old lineups. Blue Beetle was great back in the old days, but does he deserve permanent slot because of that?

Anyway, MM, CM, WW, GL and F for major stars, I’ll let others fill in supporting characters.

10

It’s just not the Justice League without Steel, Gypsy and Vibe.

ow! stop hitting!

11

Superman- Provides muscles and leadership through inspiration.

Wonder Woman- Almost as mighty as Superman, but without his weaknesses. A stronger tactical commander, too.

Batman- The strongest tactician of all. Plus, he’ll provide a lighter, more stealhy touch when that’s necessary.

The Flash- Because he’s just plain useful.

Green Lantern- Because he can do anything. But which one? Hmm… Kyle works well with Wally, but Hal’s the bigger badass. I vote Hal.

The Atom- His power is an X-Factor against any villainous schemes. Plus, he’ll provide technical expertise.

Zatanna- Occult expertise.

Oracle- Logistics and communication.

That’s a good number.

12

I couldn’t disagree more. The way he’s been writen since the 80s, it’s clear he doesn’t belong there. He doesn’t work well with other people unless they’re his subordinates, and when they are subordinate to him, he has a tendency not to treat them very well even so.

[ol]
[li]Superman. Probably the most well known and best liked metahuman in the DCU. He wants to be an inspiration to others, the League’s the best place to do it. Besides, his powers are very useful.[/li][li]J’onn J’onzz. Superman level powers, has been in (most) incarnations of the League. Plays a critical role in coordinating the team.[/li][li]Wonder Woman. Much the same reasoning as Superman. Plus it helps to have as many international heroes as possible to mitigate the rather unfortunate ‘Justice League is an American group’ perception.[/li][li]Aquaman. Much like the others, his powers are quite impressive (despite the impression Superfriends gives), and like Wonder Woman, being foreign royalty mitigates the ‘AMERICAN!!!’ thing.[/li][li]Flash. The League needs a Flash. It’s really that simple. I could go into what Wally brings to the team, but…he just needs to be there.[/li][li]Green Lantern. If you could have someone weilding the most powerful tool in the universe on your team, wouldn’t you say yes? Doesn’t much matter which one, I like all four. But, let’s call it John, he’s probably my favourite since Mosaic.[/li][li]Geoforce. Another attempt to internationalize the team a bit more. And I think Prince Brion needs a little more exposure, too.[/li][li]Black Canary. The League was her idea in the first place, and she’s useful to have. Granted, she’s mostly working with Barbara lately, but…[/li][li]Oracle should really be working with the League, anyway, so it’s not a major thing.[/li][li]Green Arrow. I just like him a lot. Besides, a few more low/no-powered characters are needed to keep from sending Batman down the Max Lord road with the power level of the League. :p[/li][li]Nightwing. Between him, J’onn and Oracle, all of Batman’s major tasks with the League will be covered. [/li][li]Zatanna. 1) I like her. 2) She’s a very powerful mage. 3) She’s both willing to make tough decisions, but reluctant to do so.[/li][/ol]

13
  1. J’onn J’onnz- What everyone else said.
  2. Ice- Because she should still be around, damnit!
  3. Fire- To keep Ice company and for comic relief between the two.
  4. The Flash (Wally)- He’s damn useful.
  5. GL (John)- same reason as Wally
  6. Power Girl- We could use another heavy hitter. She has experience over the current Supergirl and depending on how her powers settle, she may wind up with the same powers. The boobs also help.
  7. Black Canary- Gotta love a melee fighter.
  8. Green Arrow- Another melee fighter who will have fun chemistry with Canary.
  9. Zantanna- We need a mage.
  10. Mr. Terrific- Tactics, tech, and um…coolness.

On reserves: The Big three. Aquaman. Captain Marvel. The current Legion of Superheroes’s Brainic 5 and Karate Kid. Plastic Man. The Atom.

14

Already mentioned

Superman - for legitimacy and muscle
Batman - tactics
J’onn - because it’s the League, he’s J’onn
Flash - speed helps
GL - Sheer power, Hal would be my choice
Atom - Tehcnical expertise

Others

Firestorm (the original) - I feel the ability to create whatever element or chemical you need is useful

Robotman (Cliff Steele) - Just because he’s cool

Captain Comet - could suppliment both Supes and J’onn

Infectious Lass - Anybody who’s seen War of the Worlds knows how potent a weapon germs can be. :smiley:

15

This is the team I have had in mind for a while. The featured lineup would vary slightly from issue to issue:

group core/regular members: (in practically every issue)
Wonder Woman
Flash

rotating regular members: (& why they’re not there all the time)
Superman (4 books a month, he’s busy)
Martian Manhunter (too many fortuitous resemblances to Superman)
The Atom (seems to work as scientist/advisor)
Manitou Raven (hey, sometimes a different mystic hero fits the story)

very occasional members:
Batman (4 books a month, he’s busy… & really, isn’t he devoted to Gotham? & let him get some sleep, people!)
Aquaman (only in sea-based stories)
Major Disaster
Zatanna

newish blood:
Fire (regular member until she & J’onn go to Brazil to form a Latin American team)
Faith (appears occasionally, eventually replaces Fire as regular member)

"the kids":
The Ray (Ray Terrill)
Windfall (from the Masters of Disaster/Batman’s Outsiders)

Other people would pop up, like Firehawk or some of the Young Justice kids. Donna Troy might take over as Wonder Woman when Diana gets injured or has a kid or something. I’d like to have Captain Atom & Power Girl on the team, but they seem to be doing other things, & the late '80’s versions seem to be disappeared/disappearing.

16

My League, in no particular order:

J’onn, obviously. A given.

Alan Scott and
Jay Garrick Flash, as the veterans of the team

Hawkman, for the brutal melee fighter

Starfire for the girlness

Power Girl for muscle

Firestorm. Mucho usefull fellow, though I’d pick the older one based on costume

Tempest for magic and sea-stuff.

I’d agree with Mr. Terrific for tactics.

I read too much JSA

17

J’onn. The commander and centerpiece of the League.

Captain Marvel. The World’s Mightiest Mortal.

Oracle. A vital information link. Though she’d be so behind the scenes, I might consider another to be the “active” twelfth member. Probably Plastic Man.

Hawkman. He’s got the most experience of anybody except the Stranger.

The Atom. Science good. Also is a wildcard.

The Flash. (Wally) Always nice to have a Speedster.

Green Lantern. (Hal) Green Lantern is a requirement.

The Phantom Stranger. Because I like him. And he’s less antisocial than Batman, these days.

Firestorm. (Ronnie, dammit.) Incredibly versatile.

Red Tornado. Nice to have a non-biological sort.

Geo-Force. Definitely underused, and has cool powers.

Aquaman. He’s a founding member. Give the man some respect.

We’ve got the four elements covered with the last four; magic with the Stranger; Tech with Atom and Oracle; J’onn, Marvel, GL, and Firestorm are heavy hitters; GL, Hawkman and J’onn have space experience. Oracle, Atom, and J’onn cover the subtle arts.

18

What up wit J’onn J’onnz? I don’t have too much familiarity with him in the books, but in JL/JLU one of his super powers appears to be a super glass jaw. Was he always this way? He seems to be great with logistics and such, but in a fight he seems to go down too easily.

19

[ul]
[li]Superman–yeah, he’s tough. But it’ll make the writers come up with better/tougher bad-guys. I mean, who wants to see the Justice League fight the Bug-Eyed Bandit…well, bad example, 'cause I would but that’s just me.[/li][li]Batman of Earth 1–Or actually any Batman that’s not psychotic. IE: he doesn’t make elaborate plans to kill his allies that then get used by an arch-enemy. And then do it again. :rolleyes: [/li]Unconfirmed Infinte Crisis rumor. BIG spoiler if true.


After everything shakes out, Batman/Bruce ends up insane and in Arkham, Dick Grayson takes over as Batman. :: crosses fingers :: IMO, the current Batman is broken beyond repair.
[li]Martian Manhunter–the current guy. This is one character who’s been drastically improved post-Crisis. It’s amazing what the addition of a personality will do! :wink: Plus the telepathy is useful.[/li][li]Flash-Wally[/li][li]Green Lantern-Kyle. I’m glad they brough Hal back and fixed him, but Wally/Kyle is a fun team…frankly more fun that Barry/Hal ever were. [/li][li]Red Tornado: But please get him over his inferiority complex. The snarky version from Young Justice would be good. And remember he has a supporting cast (kathy Whatshername and Traya)[/li][li]Atom–There was a Justice League (#27?) by Mark Millar with Amazo. I want that Atom. Millar’s take on him (a scientist first) seems to have become the norm. Rah![/li][li]Zatanna: The version that was in Books of Magic. Specifically: Top hat, tails, fishnets and grounded/stable/nice. It’d be nice to have a voice of reason among these guys. No dumb costume changes, no “she’s too hard to write so I’ll change her powers”, no “Talking backwards is a sign of male oppression, I’ll make her do her magick through a long, hard staff! Grrlpower Roxxxx!” crap. Top hat, tails, fishnets, words backwards/sentences forward, and nice. Nothing less will do. :wink: [/li][li]Mera: she’s got cool powers (expand 'em a little though–she can pull water out of the air to do the “hard water” thing so she doesn’t have the “underwater” limitation), She’s underused and if Avengers has taught us anything, it’s that characters without their own titles tend to add a lot to a book.[/li][li]Bouncing Boy–Yeah. Him. From the Legion. If Karate Kid can get lost in the past, so can Chuck Taine. Plus his personality would be a good addition.[/li][li]Firestorm–Either the new guy with Ronnie inside, OR Ronnie & someone else (or Ronnie and the Professor). Not the new guy with the “I kill people” power.[/li][li]Hawkgirl–The one from Thanagar. (I think she’s still running around)[/li][li]Maybe Nightshade (but get rid of the blah new costume from Suicide Squad. The Ditko (?) created one was better). Someone sneaky (other than Batman) would be nice.[/li]and
[li]Just for weirdness sake, how 'bout a good-guy Gorilla City resident…Grodd’s nephew or niece or some such (“I am here to try to repay some of the damage that my evil relative caused.” Hey, it worked for the Pre-Crisis Braniac 5! :wink: ) 1) Gorillas are cool and sell comics. 2) A telepathic, agile, super-strong gorilla is always a useful addition, and 3) If Avengers have taught us anything else, it’s that the weird characters often work the best! :slight_smile: [/li][/ul]

Fenris

20

Fenris,

Your rumor has been flatly denied, thank God. It’s one of the few things about post-Infinte Crisis that they’ve just come out and said.

Clark Kent is Superman, Bruce Wayne is Batman, Diana of Themyscyra is Wonder Woman. So shall it be, series without end. Amen.

Thank God.

They did acknowledge that they’ve been piling a lot of shit on Batman, and that he’ll be working through all that. Hopefully once it’s all done with, he’ll be more social again.