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Justice League of America #2
Justice League of America: Batman: The Stone King
Superman. Batman. Wonder Woman. The Flash, Green Lantern.
They are the world's greatest super heroes, fighting endlessly against corruption and injustice. Each of them alone is a formidable opponent of evil, but banded together their powers are unmatched. Ever ready, they stand united as the -
Justice League of America
Something has been unearthed in Gotham City, something that should not ahve been disturbed. An ancient pyramid has unleashed supernatual energies throughout the world. Drawn to the eye of this arcane storm, the heroes of the JLA become caught in the grip of a force far beyond thier extraordinary powers. Only Gotham's protector, the Batman, manages to escape - but to free his allies and stop the chaos that is fast engulfing the world, the Dark Knight must somehow unlock the pyramid's secret curse.
They are the world's greatest super heroes, fighting endlessly against corruption and injustice. Each of them alone is a formidable opponent of evil, but banded together their powers are unmatched. Ever ready, they stand united as the -
Justice League of America
Something has been unearthed in Gotham City, something that should not ahve been disturbed. An ancient pyramid has unleashed supernatual energies throughout the world. Drawn to the eye of this arcane storm, the heroes of the JLA become caught in the grip of a force far beyond thier extraordinary powers. Only Gotham's protector, the Batman, manages to escape - but to free his allies and stop the chaos that is fast engulfing the world, the Dark Knight must somehow unlock the pyramid's secret curse.
297 pages, Hardcover
First published February 26, 2001
8 people are currently reading
484 people want to read
About the author
Alan Grant
1,714 books144 followersAlan Grant was a Scottish comic book writer known for writing Judge Dredd in 2000 AD as well as various Batman titles during the late 1980s and early 1990s. He is also the creator of the character Anarky.
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
Alan Grant first entered the comics industry in 1967 when he became an editor for D.C. Thomson before moving to London from Dundee in 1970 to work for IPC on various romance magazines. After going back to college and having a series of jobs, Grant found himself back in Dundee and living on Social Security. He then met John Wagner, another former D.C. Thompson editor, who was helping put together a new science fiction comic for IPC, 2000 A.D., and was unable to complete his other work. Wagner asked Grant if he could help him write the Tarzan comic he was working on; so began the Wagner/Grant writing partnership.
The pair eventually co-wrote Judge Dredd. They would work on other popular strips for the comic, including Robo-Hunter and Strontium Dog using the pseudonym T.B. Grover. Grant also worked on other people's stories, changing and adding dialogue, most notably Harry Twenty on the High Rock, written by Gerry Finley-Day. Judge Dredd would be Grant's main concern for much of the 1980s. Grant and Wagner had developed the strip into the most popular in 2000AD as well as creating lengthy epic storylines such as The Apocalypse War. Grant also wrote for other IPC comics such as the revamped Eagle.
By the late 1980s, Grant and Wagner were about to move into the American comic market. Their first title was a 12-issue miniseries called Outcasts for DC Comics. Although it wasn't a success, it paved the way for the pair to write Batman stories in Detective Comics from issue 583, largely with Norm Breyfogle on art duties across the various Batman titles Grant moved to. After a dozen issues, Wagner left Grant as sole writer. Grant was one of the main Batman writers until the late 1990s. The pair also created a four issue series for Epic Comics called The Last American. This series, as well as the Chopper storyline in Judge Dredd, is blamed for the breakup of the Wagner/Grant partnership. The pair split strips, with Wagner keeping Judge Dredd and Grant keeping Strontium Dog and Judge Anderson. Grant and Wagner continue to work together on special projects such as the Batman/Judge Dredd crossover Judgement on Gotham. During the late 1980s, Grant experienced a philosophical transformation and declared himself an anarchist. The creation of the supervillain Anarky was initially intended as a vehicle for exploring his political opinions through the comic medium. In the following years, he would continue to utilize the character in a similar fashion as his philosophy evolved.
Grant's projects at the start of the 90s included writing Detective Comics and Strontium Dog, but two projects in particular are especially notable. The first is The Bogie Man, a series co-written by Wagner which was the pair's first venture into independent publishing. The second is Lobo, a character created by Keith Giffen as a supporting character in The Omega Men. Lobo gained his own four issue mini series in 1990 which was drawn by Simon Bisley. This was a parody of the 'dark, gritty' comics of the time and proved hugely popular. After several other miniseries (all written by Grant, sometimes with Giffen as co-writer), Lobo received his own ongoing series. Grant was also writing L.E.G.I.O.N. (a Legion of Super-Heroes spin-off) and The Demon (a revival of Jack Kirby's charac
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews
March 1, 2009
This story is alright if you read it. It's nothing special, but there are certainly worse books based on Batman out there. However, if you get the audio book version from Graphic Audio this instantly turns into something special.
Not just an audio book, Graphic Audio turned this into more of a radio play. There were a full voice cast, sound effects, music, the whole nine. I've been a fan of radio dramas for a while, and this certainly scratched that itch.
The voice talent ranged from good to awful, but there was definitely more good than not. Most importantly though, is they got the voice of Batman down near perfectly. Kevin Conroy will forever be the voice of Batman to me, but the guy tapped to portray the Caped Crusader in The Stone King definitely rose to the challenge.
Not just an audio book, Graphic Audio turned this into more of a radio play. There were a full voice cast, sound effects, music, the whole nine. I've been a fan of radio dramas for a while, and this certainly scratched that itch.
The voice talent ranged from good to awful, but there was definitely more good than not. Most importantly though, is they got the voice of Batman down near perfectly. Kevin Conroy will forever be the voice of Batman to me, but the guy tapped to portray the Caped Crusader in The Stone King definitely rose to the challenge.
February 8, 2021
This is one of the J.L.A. prose novels that Pocket published a couple of decades ago in which a different member was featured in each volume. This is the Batman book, and is a good, if rather grim, Batman story. He's the only member of the League without super-powers, and should logically therefore be the weakest link, but he's the only effective member (other than Jonn) in this book. Alan Grant wrote many good Batman comics scripts back in the day, and he understood the character quite well. Good fare for Gotham fans!
March 11, 2025
3 🌟
This was fun! The beginning is so promising, especially because I love archaeology and I love batman. But the villain was kind of standard and a little meh but anyway.
This is set in the JLA series because we get some of the other justice league members but it focuses a lot of batman and his character.
This was fun! The beginning is so promising, especially because I love archaeology and I love batman. But the villain was kind of standard and a little meh but anyway.
This is set in the JLA series because we get some of the other justice league members but it focuses a lot of batman and his character.
July 5, 2018
Alright, I have a weakness.
That weakness is for cheesy audio drama.
This is a cheesy audio drama.
Batman I would say is not a complete stranger to supernatural goings on in his little corner of the world known as Gotham. That said I didn't expect a story so devoted to supernatural happenings and explaining their legitimacy in the ancient world as much as this one. Batman is a guy who deals with a lot of criminal madmen who's most supernatural trait is their devotion to comitting their particular crimes du jour. He handles corrupt police, mobsters, weirdos who are unfortunate victims of seeming superscience (that is to say 'scientific' justifications for things that are more or less fantastical) and a lot of everyday crime. How does he do this when the stakes are a little higher and his opponent can probably go toe to toe for a few rounds with Superman?
Simple: He's the smartest guy in the room. And extremely paranoid. And so used to investigating and taking apart career criminals and supervillains, both natural and supernatural, that doing a lot of this superhero stuff is second nature to him. He learns not just how to do something but how to do it in the most effective, efficient and morally sound way possible. Gotham is a city rampant with crime and Batman wrangles as much in as he can because he knows how every piece on the board is moving and if he doesn't he learns very quickly. This isn't to say the other members of the Justice League aren't smart either, or driven, or capable, but Batman is obsessively devoted to his job and to be the best at that job he has to be capable of doing and knowing a lot. And it keeps him spooky, even to people like Green Lantern and Superman for whom regular humans are not even an issue most of the time in a contest of various forms of prowess.
This story expressed that pretty well by having Batman as the sole member of the JL who isn't caught in a pretty serious trap. There were a lot of cut aways to other JL members doing heroic things for sure but Batman was the star of this one. Just the sheer repository of knowledge he has alone is staggering, imaginging the average person doing what he does is difficult to even fathom.
The best part about Graphic Audio though is just the sheer number of actors and sound effects it brings to the table. I feel like I'm watching one of the older Adam West shows even if the main character is a more gritty, growly sort of modern Batman who is usually dead serious. There's a lot of magical sparkles and auditory versions of onomatopoeia for fist fights and I really cannot help enjoying myself when I listen to this.
It won't change the world, but I think it's good fun.
That weakness is for cheesy audio drama.
This is a cheesy audio drama.
Batman I would say is not a complete stranger to supernatural goings on in his little corner of the world known as Gotham. That said I didn't expect a story so devoted to supernatural happenings and explaining their legitimacy in the ancient world as much as this one. Batman is a guy who deals with a lot of criminal madmen who's most supernatural trait is their devotion to comitting their particular crimes du jour. He handles corrupt police, mobsters, weirdos who are unfortunate victims of seeming superscience (that is to say 'scientific' justifications for things that are more or less fantastical) and a lot of everyday crime. How does he do this when the stakes are a little higher and his opponent can probably go toe to toe for a few rounds with Superman?
Simple: He's the smartest guy in the room. And extremely paranoid. And so used to investigating and taking apart career criminals and supervillains, both natural and supernatural, that doing a lot of this superhero stuff is second nature to him. He learns not just how to do something but how to do it in the most effective, efficient and morally sound way possible. Gotham is a city rampant with crime and Batman wrangles as much in as he can because he knows how every piece on the board is moving and if he doesn't he learns very quickly. This isn't to say the other members of the Justice League aren't smart either, or driven, or capable, but Batman is obsessively devoted to his job and to be the best at that job he has to be capable of doing and knowing a lot. And it keeps him spooky, even to people like Green Lantern and Superman for whom regular humans are not even an issue most of the time in a contest of various forms of prowess.
This story expressed that pretty well by having Batman as the sole member of the JL who isn't caught in a pretty serious trap. There were a lot of cut aways to other JL members doing heroic things for sure but Batman was the star of this one. Just the sheer repository of knowledge he has alone is staggering, imaginging the average person doing what he does is difficult to even fathom.
The best part about Graphic Audio though is just the sheer number of actors and sound effects it brings to the table. I feel like I'm watching one of the older Adam West shows even if the main character is a more gritty, growly sort of modern Batman who is usually dead serious. There's a lot of magical sparkles and auditory versions of onomatopoeia for fist fights and I really cannot help enjoying myself when I listen to this.
It won't change the world, but I think it's good fun.
February 17, 2009
Poorly written, overblown, cliché ridden novel of Batman and the JLA taking on an ancient evil hidden in a pyramid under Gotham City bent on destroying the world. Only the fact that I am a sucker for this kind of slam-bang caped action crap keeps me from just saying that is was junk, but I have to admit I had a good time.
January 8, 2018
How would you like to delve into the psyche of The Dark Knight? Ever wonder just how prepared Batman truly is? Ever wonder how much the human brain can retain, and to what ends will someone with just the right amount of drive can accomplish in ANY given circumstances? Want to know the WHY Batman is the ultimate tactician amongst the Justice League, and why a mere mortal with no 'Superpowers' is renowned throughout the DC Universe? THEN READ THIS! I read this years ago while I was still in the Navy during my 2001-2005 tenure aboard the USS Enterprise CVN-65 before she was sadly decommissioned in 2012. For ANY avid Batman aficionados, The Stone King is a MUST READ, truly! The way Alan Grant captures the sheer essence of Bruce Wayne's phenomenally indescribable highly attuned mindset of Batman is a pure joy to read! From his heightened awareness, to his very well researched techniques into eidetic memory that give him that constant razor's edge, this book is a TRUE Batman fan's must-have! Written in 2002, but definitely eons ahead of the Batman landscape. Y'all gotta give this a go!!! You won't be disappointed. Trust an old Navy Veteran that used to get swept away out to sea for hours on end in the adventures of The Caped Crusader! Batman earns his stripes several times over in this Justice League adventure.
August 14, 2024
4/10.
This is not a Batman Book. Yes, I understand JLA is in the title of the series, but the book presents itself as a Batman centered book. It is about the whole league, and batman has about 2 extra scenes over everyone else, and accomplishes nothing on his own, other than giving a priceless artifact to a murderous Scarecrow in exchange for fear toxin. Martian Manhunter and a tarot card reading psychic do all the heavy lifting in rescuing the JLA, and from there, they take care of the threat.
The threat being a world dominating man-bull, which is much much to large in scale for a Batman story. While Batman's character is written well on a personal level, he accomplishes nothing as a hero, and it just shows why he shouldn't be part of this version of the JLA. The only detective work he does is figuring out why he needs to knock out another member of the JLA.
This is not a Batman Book. Yes, I understand JLA is in the title of the series, but the book presents itself as a Batman centered book. It is about the whole league, and batman has about 2 extra scenes over everyone else, and accomplishes nothing on his own, other than giving a priceless artifact to a murderous Scarecrow in exchange for fear toxin. Martian Manhunter and a tarot card reading psychic do all the heavy lifting in rescuing the JLA, and from there, they take care of the threat.
The threat being a world dominating man-bull, which is much much to large in scale for a Batman story. While Batman's character is written well on a personal level, he accomplishes nothing as a hero, and it just shows why he shouldn't be part of this version of the JLA. The only detective work he does is figuring out why he needs to knock out another member of the JLA.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 17, 2017
I like Batman and I like archaeology, so I thought this would be a good mix. Turns out, not so much.
It's subtitled with the Justice League of America, but the other members don't play much of a part in the story, being either trapped or absent for most of the story.
The villain is a standard one note fellow, wanting to cleanse the world because people are scum, blah blah blah.
The audiobook included the word "dervish"(as in "whirling dervish") more than once as a simile. The first time was clever. Repeated usage came across as the author having run out of vocabulary.
And honestly, how many times do I need to hear about the stinking entrails on the floor of the temple?
Once was enough for this book.
It's subtitled with the Justice League of America, but the other members don't play much of a part in the story, being either trapped or absent for most of the story.
The villain is a standard one note fellow, wanting to cleanse the world because people are scum, blah blah blah.
The audiobook included the word "dervish"(as in "whirling dervish") more than once as a simile. The first time was clever. Repeated usage came across as the author having run out of vocabulary.
And honestly, how many times do I need to hear about the stinking entrails on the floor of the temple?
Once was enough for this book.
February 6, 2018
I read a lot of DC/MARVEL prose novels. Not all are good. Many authors don’t take time to really understand the history behind the individual character. I think this is one of the nest.
If you are looking for GREAT literature, this genre is probably not for you. If you are looking for something with imagination, thrills & SUPER Heroes who care to the point of sacrifice, then give this a try.
There are other great prose novels out there.
If you are looking for GREAT literature, this genre is probably not for you. If you are looking for something with imagination, thrills & SUPER Heroes who care to the point of sacrifice, then give this a try.
There are other great prose novels out there.
April 6, 2018
I'm currently listening to the six GraphicAudio JLA books, starting with this one.
This book had a lot of annoying background music that just didn't seem apt for most of the scenes. A lot seemed adrenaline fueled, which wasn't really needed for the filler scenes, just the action packed ones.
There wasn't a lot of focus on Batman, and hardly any on Bruce Wayne.
These are short books, and the GA makes them a fun listen. However they're not that great, and definitely not worth a re-listen.
This book had a lot of annoying background music that just didn't seem apt for most of the scenes. A lot seemed adrenaline fueled, which wasn't really needed for the filler scenes, just the action packed ones.
There wasn't a lot of focus on Batman, and hardly any on Bruce Wayne.
These are short books, and the GA makes them a fun listen. However they're not that great, and definitely not worth a re-listen.
July 8, 2025
Audiobook for the return road trip! The stories are totally new to me, and I am always impressed by how well-written a lot of these comic books are since I always thought they were mostly focused on action. I don't know if I would enjoy these stories as much if I read them, but the audio productions are excellent. It really is like a movie in my mind!
February 3, 2019
This book demonstrates how Batman can hold his own amongst the other senior members of the Justice League. There is a big focus on Earth magic and psychic powers. The GraphicAudio version is very well produced and fun.
July 23, 2019
Absolutely incredible. Batman has always been one of my favorite character in the DC comic, and this graphic audio book further cemented my love for the 'Caped Crusader' . The story line was very entertaining. Loved it.
October 9, 2019
It's been nearly 2 months since I listened to this, so I absolutely do not remember the details (also listened to like 4 other DC graphic audios, so they've blurred a bit).
I do remember enjoying it.
The performance was well done.
The story was alright.
All in all, I enjoyed it.
I do remember enjoying it.
The performance was well done.
The story was alright.
All in all, I enjoyed it.
January 9, 2020
Meh, I prefer Batman stories that are smaller scale, Gotham-centric criminal schemes to 'supervillain destroying the world' plots. Plus, the villain (a reincarnated mesoamerican shaman who draws power from ley lines and other new age pseudoscience) was kinda lame.
March 8, 2022
Meh. This was fine. This whole series of books is an interesting concept, but the execution is severely lacking. There was nothing inherently wrong with this book, it just wasn't a great story and I found it mostly forgettable.
December 10, 2023
A little meandering at times, especially with all the exposition and the Justice League dicking around, and the events necessary to make the threat global. Like we need to know who commissioner Gordon is in the middle of the book. But the audio production puts another star on top.
January 10, 2025
Graphic audio :
Batman: The Stone King (Justice League of America, #2)
was great adventure with mysterious musik and scrating backround like with a pencil , thanks the voices from actors and sinking down in to story ,part after part till the end of the book.
Thank you #Graphic audio .
Batman: The Stone King (Justice League of America, #2)
was great adventure with mysterious musik and scrating backround like with a pencil , thanks the voices from actors and sinking down in to story ,part after part till the end of the book.
Thank you #Graphic audio .
September 25, 2018
Eh. Didn't really like this one...not a long enough book to develop characters.
July 20, 2019
I think it’s extremely hard to move a story which would work fine (ok the book’s plot would not be great even in comics but still) in comics into book format. It was readable.
September 28, 2019
I liked the vocal performances and music in this. Having Batman and the Justice League deal with the supernatural over the course of a month held my interest well enough.
May 1, 2020
Loved it
December 4, 2020
3.5 Stars.
March 17, 2021
One of only two Batman prose works that I've read. A fairly decent and entertaining story.
May 7, 2021
It was interesting. No surprise ending though, because of course, Super Heroes are going to save the day.
June 23, 2021
I was so scared by this book, I almost got nightmares!
September 27, 2021
I truly hated the ending, but I was glad that it was there to explain what actually was happening.
December 22, 2021
Kid friendly. (Not all DC graphic audio books are so I've decided to make notes so I can remember which ones I can let the kids listen to.)
March 21, 2022
7.5 out of 10 not bad but could have been better
October 28, 2022
“Fear is a warning.” —Bruce Wayne/Batman
actually 1.5 stars!
not the best thing i’ve read, but also not the worst. the audiobook did heighten the reading experience though
actually 1.5 stars!
not the best thing i’ve read, but also not the worst. the audiobook did heighten the reading experience though
Displaying 1 - 30 of 68 reviews