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Justice League of America (2006)
Justice League of America, Vol. 2: The Lightning Saga
Number-one bestselling novelist Brad Meltzer joins forces with top comics writer Geoff Johns for this incredible graphic novel bringing together the DC Universes top super-teams! Two of DCs biggest super-teamsthe Justice League of America, featuring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and more, and the Justice Society of America, including Hawkman, Wildcat and othersjoin forces in this stunning hardcover volume! The JLA has discovered that several members of the Legion of Super-Heroes from the 31st century are in the present. With the help of the JSA, Superman and his team must track down all seven Legionnaires to discover why these heroes of the future have traveled back in time!
224 pages, Hardcover
First published February 13, 2008
58 people are currently reading
624 people want to read
About the author
Brad Meltzer
319 books7,304 followersBrad Meltzer is the Emmy-nominated, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning Rod, The Escape Artist, and eleven other bestselling thrillers. He also writes non-fiction books like The JFK Conspiracy, about a secret plot to kill JFK before he was sworn in – and the Ordinary People Change the World kids book series, which he does with Chris Eliopoulos and inspired the PBS KIDS TV show, Xavier Riddle and the Secret Museum. His newest kids books are We are the Beatles, We are the Beatles, and I am Simone Biles. His newest inspirational book is Make Magic, based on his viral commencement address.
In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction (The Nazi Conspiracy), Advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), Children’s Books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even comic books (Justice League of America), for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.
He is also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Lost History and Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel, and is responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero, making national news on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Meltzer unveiled the flag at the 9/11 Museum in New York, where it is now on display. See the video here. The Hollywood Reporter recently put him on their list of Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors.
He also recently delivered the commencement address at the University of Michigan, in front of 70,000 people, including his graduating son. Entitled Make Magic and called “one of the best commencement addresses of all time,” it’s been shared millions of times across social media. Do yourself a favor, watch it here and buy the book here.
For sure, it’s tough to find anyone being so successful in so many different mediums of the popular culture. But why does Brad thrive in all these different professions? His belief that ordinary people change the world. It is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects.
His newest thriller, The Lightning Rod, brings back characters Nola and Zig in a setting that will blow your mind (you won't believe where the government let Brad go). For now, we'll say this: What's the one secret no one knows about you? It's about to come out. Nearly 2,000 five-star reviews. Raves by everyone from the Wall Street Journal, to James Patterson, to Brad's mother-in-law. Plus that twist at the end! And yes, the new Zig & Nola thriller is coming soon!
His newest non-fiction book, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy -- and Why It Failed, which he wrote with Josh Mensch, is a true story about a secret assassination plot to kill JFK at the start of his Presidency and, if successful, would’ve changed history.
His illustrated children’s books I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln, which he does with artist Chris Eliopoulos, were written for his own children, to give them better heroes to look up to. Try them. You won’t believe how inspired you and your family will be. Some of our favorites in the series are I am Mister Rogers and I am Dolly Parton.
His other non-fiction books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter, are collections of heroes – from Jim Henson to Sally Ride — that he’s been working on since the day his kids were born and is on sale now, as well as History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time.
He’s also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby.
Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. The Tenth Justice was his first published work and became an instant New York Times bestseller. Dead Even followed a year later and also hit the New York Times bestseller list, as have all thirteen of his novels. The First Counsel came next, which was about a White House lawyer dating the President’s daughter, then The Millionaires, which was about two brothers who
In addition to his fiction, Brad is one of the only authors to ever have books on the bestseller list for Non-Fiction (The Nazi Conspiracy), Advice (Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter), Children’s Books (I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln) and even comic books (Justice League of America), for which he won the prestigious Eisner Award.
He is also the host of Brad Meltzer’s Lost History and Brad Meltzer’s Decoded on the History Channel, and is responsible for helping find the missing 9/11 flag that the firefighters raised at Ground Zero, making national news on the 15th anniversary of 9/11. Meltzer unveiled the flag at the 9/11 Museum in New York, where it is now on display. See the video here. The Hollywood Reporter recently put him on their list of Hollywood’s 25 Most Powerful Authors.
He also recently delivered the commencement address at the University of Michigan, in front of 70,000 people, including his graduating son. Entitled Make Magic and called “one of the best commencement addresses of all time,” it’s been shared millions of times across social media. Do yourself a favor, watch it here and buy the book here.
For sure, it’s tough to find anyone being so successful in so many different mediums of the popular culture. But why does Brad thrive in all these different professions? His belief that ordinary people change the world. It is that core belief that runs through every one of his projects.
His newest thriller, The Lightning Rod, brings back characters Nola and Zig in a setting that will blow your mind (you won't believe where the government let Brad go). For now, we'll say this: What's the one secret no one knows about you? It's about to come out. Nearly 2,000 five-star reviews. Raves by everyone from the Wall Street Journal, to James Patterson, to Brad's mother-in-law. Plus that twist at the end! And yes, the new Zig & Nola thriller is coming soon!
His newest non-fiction book, The JFK Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill Kennedy -- and Why It Failed, which he wrote with Josh Mensch, is a true story about a secret assassination plot to kill JFK at the start of his Presidency and, if successful, would’ve changed history.
His illustrated children’s books I Am Amelia Earhart and I Am Abraham Lincoln, which he does with artist Chris Eliopoulos, were written for his own children, to give them better heroes to look up to. Try them. You won’t believe how inspired you and your family will be. Some of our favorites in the series are I am Mister Rogers and I am Dolly Parton.
His other non-fiction books, Heroes for My Son and Heroes for My Daughter, are collections of heroes – from Jim Henson to Sally Ride — that he’s been working on since the day his kids were born and is on sale now, as well as History Decoded: The 10 Greatest Conspiracies of All Time.
He’s also one of the co-creators of the TV show, Jack & Bobby.
Raised in Brooklyn and Miami, Brad is a graduate of the University of Michigan and Columbia Law School. The Tenth Justice was his first published work and became an instant New York Times bestseller. Dead Even followed a year later and also hit the New York Times bestseller list, as have all thirteen of his novels. The First Counsel came next, which was about a White House lawyer dating the President’s daughter, then The Millionaires, which was about two brothers who
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews
August 8, 2020
Meltzer continues his ode to the Justice League of old by doing a JLA / JSA crossover. Back in the days where there was an Earth-1 and Earth-2, I looked forward to these every year. This was almost more of a Legion of Super-Heroes story as the JLA and JSA go on a quest to find seven LSH members lost in our time. The writing really shines though in the solo stories also included. Walls won an eisner and it's easy to see why. It's a story about Red Arrow and Vixen trapped in a collapsed building. Gene Ha's art is tremendous. The art feels like it's collapsing in on you as the two are running out of time. Monitor Duty was another fun story as it follows each member as they come on monitor duty. It's a real shame Meltzer didn't stay on the book longer.
January 18, 2021
Ok, I thought there would be more to this. This covers the 2nd Volume of Meltzer's Justice League and the main story arc is "The Lightning Saga" and my volume had three additional issues of Justice League America. There in lies the problem I had with this volume. But first, let's look at the main story:
The "Lightning Saga" if viewed by itself is a good story. A 4 star (possibly 5 star depending on the conclusion of the full story) adventure/mystery that Meltzer seems adept at penning. What is going on? The Legion of Super-Heroes from the 31st Century is appearing in our time stream. From Karate Kid appearing and subsequently fighting Batman in a rather cool scene, to finding Dreamgirl inside Arkham Asylum, this starts as a "find the missing Legion member" adventure.
But, knowing Meltzer, there is more to it. Turns out the Legion has returned to make some changes in the future and have not shared this little tidbit with the Justice League. This is the mystery part of the story as the motives and the mission of the Legion turn out to be quite serious.
So far so good. Then, the main story ends. I shall not spoil it (even if this is an older tale), but with the conclusion and the big reveal complete, there were still quite a few plots left to be dealt with. When I did some research I found that this "entire" story completes if one reads several other comics ranging from Booster Gold to Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds and Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton. Ummm ok, I understand the fetish, and naked greed, that fuels extending a story into other series to "flesh it out". That is not my complaint. My complaint is the half-wits that put together this collection neglected to provide those rather crucial issues.
Did I like the additional JLA issues? Um sure. But I'd MUCH rather have had crucial issues like:
Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds #3- where you find out WHO the person they REALLY were rescuing was.
Action Comics #858–863- where it's explained why the Legion never visited Superman again after the first Crisis.
Adventure Comics #504-506; 509-510- where the Lightning Saga is supposed to reach its penultimate with the return of another famous character.
These are rather hugely important stories left out of a "collection". Had the collection ended with just the Lightning Saga as presented in JLA and JSA, then fine. But to include the additional stories without focusing on adding the stories that really are REQUIRED to finish the main arc would have been a wiser choice? Really?
Thus 3 stars for this volume. The Saga itself is interesting enough where I shall likely rea the rest of it. I shall also need to refresh my whole Crisis storyline again. At some point.
The "Lightning Saga" if viewed by itself is a good story. A 4 star (possibly 5 star depending on the conclusion of the full story) adventure/mystery that Meltzer seems adept at penning. What is going on? The Legion of Super-Heroes from the 31st Century is appearing in our time stream. From Karate Kid appearing and subsequently fighting Batman in a rather cool scene, to finding Dreamgirl inside Arkham Asylum, this starts as a "find the missing Legion member" adventure.
But, knowing Meltzer, there is more to it. Turns out the Legion has returned to make some changes in the future and have not shared this little tidbit with the Justice League. This is the mystery part of the story as the motives and the mission of the Legion turn out to be quite serious.
So far so good. Then, the main story ends. I shall not spoil it (even if this is an older tale), but with the conclusion and the big reveal complete, there were still quite a few plots left to be dealt with. When I did some research I found that this "entire" story completes if one reads several other comics ranging from Booster Gold to Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds and Superman: Last Stand of New Krypton. Ummm ok, I understand the fetish, and naked greed, that fuels extending a story into other series to "flesh it out". That is not my complaint. My complaint is the half-wits that put together this collection neglected to provide those rather crucial issues.
Did I like the additional JLA issues? Um sure. But I'd MUCH rather have had crucial issues like:
Final Crisis: Legion of Three Worlds #3- where you find out WHO the person they REALLY were rescuing was.
Action Comics #858–863- where it's explained why the Legion never visited Superman again after the first Crisis.
Adventure Comics #504-506; 509-510- where the Lightning Saga is supposed to reach its penultimate with the return of another famous character.
These are rather hugely important stories left out of a "collection". Had the collection ended with just the Lightning Saga as presented in JLA and JSA, then fine. But to include the additional stories without focusing on adding the stories that really are REQUIRED to finish the main arc would have been a wiser choice? Really?
Thus 3 stars for this volume. The Saga itself is interesting enough where I shall likely rea the rest of it. I shall also need to refresh my whole Crisis storyline again. At some point.
April 2, 2015
The primary story is roughly a B to B plus. The stories that follow after that aren't as good but some of them are homages to The Justice League of America so definitely they're worth a read. A lot of JLA History within. Comes close to a four star in some ways but not quite.
OVERALL GRADE: B
OVERALL GRADE: B
October 15, 2021
This was a pretty good one and focuses on the return of Legion and we sort of follow their motive as to what they are doing in the present and all that and its not a bad storyline just too meh and its the return of wally west and his kids who disappeared and its well done mostly dealing with the fallout of certain things but its hinting at a larger Legion story and I love the way Superman is involved and the callback to certain stories of the past. The art was pretty good too.
It also deals with stories like Roy and whatever is happening to him and Vixen when they are trapped, Hawkgirl and her premonitions and all that. Its an okayish read and leads well into the next volume.
It also deals with stories like Roy and whatever is happening to him and Vixen when they are trapped, Hawkgirl and her premonitions and all that. Its an okayish read and leads well into the next volume.
February 28, 2010
"Walls", the story of Red Arrow and Vixen trapped in a demolished building sinking in the Potomac, is definitely one of the top ten best single issue stories ever written.
July 17, 2008
Holy shit was that bad. There is NO THREAT, the situation doesn't get any worse. The tension is not elevated. The Legion of Superheroes have come back to save Wally West, but to do so they have to sacrifice one of their members, so they must make sure that this time line's super heroes does not stop that sacrifice. This is revealed in the last issue so all the issues before it read like the two greatest superhero teams in DC are punching VISIONS for two strait days. That's right they fight illusions on multiple occasions (and the best part is that the figure out the first one right away, but are fooled by the second one, when they should be expecting it). That being said Melzer does have some fantastic moments. When he juxtaposes multiple scenes and has different characters giving the same narration... oh is it good. And the One Shot with Red Arrow and Vixen trapped in the Watergate hotel... which is sinking into the Potomac was AWESOME!!! I think that the Lighting Saga was a cooperate "OK we need an event in order to bring back Wally West and you have a week to write it." And this is what they came up with with out much time to plot or edit.
June 17, 2020
This was nowhere near as engaging as the last volume.
I found "The Lightning Saga" storyline baffling and confusing to follow. On top of that... I just didn't really care about the Justice Society? Is this why I've never read much on Power Girl? That team just didn't grab my attention and they took up the brunt of that storyline.
Anyway, the issue with Roy and Mari was really well done. The art worked well for it, I liked the focus on Mari's guilt and her struggle with her powers going wonky. (Although... I would think drawing power from metahumans could be equally as useful as her animal powers).
The last issue was back to showing us what the League did outside of big battles, which was somewhat interesting. I don't care one way or the other about Roy's crush on Kendra. I was a bit confused as to whether they were implying he was in love with her? Because I don't think enough time has passed for that to be the case.
So, even with one great issue with Mari and Roy, this is definitely not a recommend for me. Definitely a step down from the last one.
I found "The Lightning Saga" storyline baffling and confusing to follow. On top of that... I just didn't really care about the Justice Society? Is this why I've never read much on Power Girl? That team just didn't grab my attention and they took up the brunt of that storyline.
Anyway, the issue with Roy and Mari was really well done. The art worked well for it, I liked the focus on Mari's guilt and her struggle with her powers going wonky. (Although... I would think drawing power from metahumans could be equally as useful as her animal powers).
The last issue was back to showing us what the League did outside of big battles, which was somewhat interesting. I don't care one way or the other about Roy's crush on Kendra. I was a bit confused as to whether they were implying he was in love with her? Because I don't think enough time has passed for that to be the case.
So, even with one great issue with Mari and Roy, this is definitely not a recommend for me. Definitely a step down from the last one.
February 5, 2016
I am a big fan of both the JSA and the JLA, both in their various incarnations over the years. This crossover team up story is very well done with above average art and plot. This Very recommended
September 14, 2017
While the main five-chapter plot was just okay (although both the artwork - there were some great two-page spreads - and the deft handling of over two dozen involved characters were above average) it was the three unrelated short stories that close the book that made it worthwhile. Walls, Monitor Duty, and Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow were, although different in style and content, uniformly excellent as a finale.
Also, someone somewhere lost a bet. The initial story cried out for Power Girl (but you could also substitute Vixen, Dream Girl, Dawnstar, etc.) to use the old Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker (see Naked Gun 2 1/2 ) punchline set-up "Is this some kind of bust?"
Also, someone somewhere lost a bet. The initial story cried out for Power Girl (but you could also substitute Vixen, Dream Girl, Dawnstar, etc.) to use the old Zucker/Abrahams/Zucker (see Naked Gun 2 1/2 ) punchline set-up "Is this some kind of bust?"
May 28, 2010
I found The Lightning Saga to be a confusing and uninvolving mess. It's hard to care about any of the characters and the plot isn't particularly gripping. There are so many characters from the Justice League, the Justice Society, and the Legion of Superheroes that don't really get explained, it felt like there was some additional homework that I should've been doing to get everything straight. The last issue about the big three, Superman. Batman, and Wonder Woman, was pretty good but still suffered from having to know a lot about DC comics history.
January 19, 2012
This book series continues it's standard of excellence.
June 19, 2017
Happy ending, but pretty boring (and confusing) up to that point.
March 11, 2025
“So you’re like Teen Titans from the future…?”
Career #450 and *jk Simmons voice* much more my tempo.
It’s funny, i absolutely remember the JSA parts of this crossover because it got its own weird collection on its own that DIDNT include the JLA elements of this and it always confused the absolute hell out of me, though I always did appreciate the Eaglesham and Pasarian of it all, which I do once again. They just deliver some incredible visuals that probably bumps this a whole ⭐️ for me, if I’m being completely honest.
But really, I’m still just struck at how much “The JSA and new JLA team up to help the Legion of Super-Heroes resurrect Wally and Linda West” falls unexpectedly flat for me. That’s like…three of my absolute favorite comic book things of all time and weirdly Meltzer makes it feel boring and pedestrian, probably because he can’t stop trying to force Roy and Kendra to happen while also continuing to torture Red Tornado for some weird reason. And then introducing a truly interesting story set up and then…basically leaving it on the table for McDuffie and company to then later resolve (I think? I don’t really remember if the Per Degaton of it all gets followed up on, tbh)
Also this probably contains one of the absolute worst Geoffrey Johns scenes ever in the first JSA issue and it hit me like a fucking Mack truck and almost made me put the whole volume down entirely. Thankfully we leave that bit pretty quickly after the page in question and it certainly picks up, buoyed even better by the two one off exit issues for Meltzer (“Walls” & “Monitor Duty”) and the #0 issue; that probably would have worked better in the first volume, but whatever. DC collection decisions, especially back then when this was published, were weird as fuck so I’m just happy the issue itself is pretty good as a single experience.
Once again it’s like…it wants to be big and crazy and referential to a bunch of other stuff but also can’t stop doing icky shit with its female cast and getting caught up in the Serious Seriousness of this era of DC. These are proving to be a super odd (and compellingly strange) window into major market comics at the start of a boom period. I’m happy I’m getting through these, now I can get to the REAL juice and some more modern stuff I’ve been meaning to catch up on.
Career #450 and *jk Simmons voice* much more my tempo.
It’s funny, i absolutely remember the JSA parts of this crossover because it got its own weird collection on its own that DIDNT include the JLA elements of this and it always confused the absolute hell out of me, though I always did appreciate the Eaglesham and Pasarian of it all, which I do once again. They just deliver some incredible visuals that probably bumps this a whole ⭐️ for me, if I’m being completely honest.
But really, I’m still just struck at how much “The JSA and new JLA team up to help the Legion of Super-Heroes resurrect Wally and Linda West” falls unexpectedly flat for me. That’s like…three of my absolute favorite comic book things of all time and weirdly Meltzer makes it feel boring and pedestrian, probably because he can’t stop trying to force Roy and Kendra to happen while also continuing to torture Red Tornado for some weird reason. And then introducing a truly interesting story set up and then…basically leaving it on the table for McDuffie and company to then later resolve (I think? I don’t really remember if the Per Degaton of it all gets followed up on, tbh)
Also this probably contains one of the absolute worst Geoffrey Johns scenes ever in the first JSA issue and it hit me like a fucking Mack truck and almost made me put the whole volume down entirely. Thankfully we leave that bit pretty quickly after the page in question and it certainly picks up, buoyed even better by the two one off exit issues for Meltzer (“Walls” & “Monitor Duty”) and the #0 issue; that probably would have worked better in the first volume, but whatever. DC collection decisions, especially back then when this was published, were weird as fuck so I’m just happy the issue itself is pretty good as a single experience.
Once again it’s like…it wants to be big and crazy and referential to a bunch of other stuff but also can’t stop doing icky shit with its female cast and getting caught up in the Serious Seriousness of this era of DC. These are proving to be a super odd (and compellingly strange) window into major market comics at the start of a boom period. I’m happy I’m getting through these, now I can get to the REAL juice and some more modern stuff I’ve been meaning to catch up on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 31, 2021
A crossover between the Justice League and the Justice Society, in order to investigate why the Legion has arrived in their time period. Crossovers between the two teams are always a fun time and this one is no different.
The legion is here and attempting to restore someone to life as they had previously restored Lightning Lad. In order to do this one of the members must sacrifice themselves.
The story itself is well written, but it feels as though it was all set up for Geoff Johns to write both his Action Comics run, and his Legion of 3 Worlds event. It takes away from what Brad had written in the previous volume, and sadly ended his run on a moot note.
This volume does see the return of both the Legion, and a DC fan favourite character who had disappeared during Infinite Crisis. As a part of Meltzer’s run, this arc and graphic novel feel like it doesn’t add anything to what was established or written. As a piece of DC continuity history, it gives us our post Infinite Crisis return of the Legion and Wally West. All in all, worth a read at least once!
The legion is here and attempting to restore someone to life as they had previously restored Lightning Lad. In order to do this one of the members must sacrifice themselves.
The story itself is well written, but it feels as though it was all set up for Geoff Johns to write both his Action Comics run, and his Legion of 3 Worlds event. It takes away from what Brad had written in the previous volume, and sadly ended his run on a moot note.
This volume does see the return of both the Legion, and a DC fan favourite character who had disappeared during Infinite Crisis. As a part of Meltzer’s run, this arc and graphic novel feel like it doesn’t add anything to what was established or written. As a piece of DC continuity history, it gives us our post Infinite Crisis return of the Legion and Wally West. All in all, worth a read at least once!
December 2, 2018
Because Batman and Superman each have at least 500 movies about themselves, I already knew a lot about them and a fair amount about Wonder Woman. This graphic novel introduced me to several other members of the Justice League, though, which I was very into. My only issue with this one is that they might have tried to fit too many characters into this one, so even with the visuals it was sometimes difficult to follow what was going on with all of the different characters teaming up and running all over the place.
April 13, 2019
Muito legal a volta da Legião dos Super Heróis, o mistério por trás do que eles querem voltando no tempo, o fato de que esse Starman da SJA é o mesmo de Reino do Amanhã, e ótimos plots abertos: volta do Wally, altas dicas do q viria a acontecer nas falas do Starman, a permanência do Karatê Kid no presente. Mas se não me falha a memória, muita coisa disso se perdeu, vários motivos, prenúncios e propostas ficaram só na lembrança com a saída do Meltzer de Liga. Mas deixo essas duas críticas:
1, nenhum sentido esse sacrifício e chororô todo dos legionários pelo Wally West.
2, final muito destoante do resto, Liga e SJA aceitam muito fácil aquilo tudo e fica por isso mesmo.
E tem uma primeira referência ao caso da Legião dos 3 Mundos.
1, nenhum sentido esse sacrifício e chororô todo dos legionários pelo Wally West.
2, final muito destoante do resto, Liga e SJA aceitam muito fácil aquilo tudo e fica por isso mesmo.
E tem uma primeira referência ao caso da Legião dos 3 Mundos.
July 27, 2020
Meltzer at his best
So many great stories including the lightning saga. The Eisner winning one shot of red arrow and vixen trapped underground with Gene Ha art is a classic too. This is a great volume.
So many great stories including the lightning saga. The Eisner winning one shot of red arrow and vixen trapped underground with Gene Ha art is a classic too. This is a great volume.
December 1, 2020
Great nostalgia from the legion of superheroes
September 11, 2024
Przegadane, nudne, pseudofilozoficzne wynurzenia godne Cohelio. Choc bardzo dobra kreska to jednak meczace w czytaniu. Kolejne combo od DC ktore zawodzi
November 30, 2016
Yes, the story is convoluted. That's almost to be expected when you have more than one author; here, we're gifted with novelist Brad Meltzer and comic writer Geoff Johns. The story involves three super teams: the Justice League of America, the Justice Society of America, and the Legion of Super-Heroes (from the 31st century). Seven of the Legion have been trapped in time in different areas and it's up to the JSA and JLA to determine where and why. The artwork by Ed Benes is terrific, and the ending is worth it. Also, pick this up for one of the best written and illustrated comic stories ever: "Walls" by Brad Meltzer with claustrophobia-inducing pictures by the very talented Gene Ha.
Re-read in 2016: This is a strange story. Brad Meltzer, Geoff Johns, and several good artists and pencillers worked together on it, but in the end, it’s a bit confusing and unfulfilling.
There’s no villain in the story, but midway through, we get a panel featuring three of DC’s worst (including the Ultra-Humanite and Ocean Master) and then they are never seen nor heard from again. Why?
The story begins with a man named Val Armorr, who is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, a 31st century band of teenagers with special powers. He’s trapped in this timeline with seven other members of the Legion, and the JLA and JSA must find them all and see what’s going on.
And that’s part of the major problem. We’re never sure what’s going on. We know they’re here and we’re told that they’re trying to save someone (or something), but nothing is fully realized or explained. The fun comes in watching the two superhero groups team up. The ending is pretty good, but overall the story falls flat, and that’s surprising when it’s coming from two great writers.
The standalone story “Walls” is one of the best I’ve read (Brad Meltzer wrote this one), and the artwork is amazing. It involves Red Arrow and Vixen being trapped in a collapsing (or collapsed) building. Gene Ha’s work here is terrific. Get the book if only for this story.
The other two stories, “Monitor Duty” and “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” show the JLA as more of an extended family than a group of superpowered beings. They eat, play, laugh, love, and fight with each other regularly. They also routinely save the universe. The latter story shows the growing bond between Clark, Diana, and Bruce and how this bond is nearly severed. All in all, a good read for those who love the JLA.
Re-read in 2016: This is a strange story. Brad Meltzer, Geoff Johns, and several good artists and pencillers worked together on it, but in the end, it’s a bit confusing and unfulfilling.
There’s no villain in the story, but midway through, we get a panel featuring three of DC’s worst (including the Ultra-Humanite and Ocean Master) and then they are never seen nor heard from again. Why?
The story begins with a man named Val Armorr, who is a member of the Legion of Super-Heroes, a 31st century band of teenagers with special powers. He’s trapped in this timeline with seven other members of the Legion, and the JLA and JSA must find them all and see what’s going on.
And that’s part of the major problem. We’re never sure what’s going on. We know they’re here and we’re told that they’re trying to save someone (or something), but nothing is fully realized or explained. The fun comes in watching the two superhero groups team up. The ending is pretty good, but overall the story falls flat, and that’s surprising when it’s coming from two great writers.
The standalone story “Walls” is one of the best I’ve read (Brad Meltzer wrote this one), and the artwork is amazing. It involves Red Arrow and Vixen being trapped in a collapsing (or collapsed) building. Gene Ha’s work here is terrific. Get the book if only for this story.
The other two stories, “Monitor Duty” and “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow” show the JLA as more of an extended family than a group of superpowered beings. They eat, play, laugh, love, and fight with each other regularly. They also routinely save the universe. The latter story shows the growing bond between Clark, Diana, and Bruce and how this bond is nearly severed. All in all, a good read for those who love the JLA.
September 5, 2008
I love the Justice League. It is hard for me to read a book with the Justice League and not like it. I love looking into the lives of my favorite super hero team and being that fly on the wall.
This book, like all the Justice League stuff I read, has great team dynamics. The book was very well written and very fun. The artwork is pretty good as well. In all honesty there is not a lot of action, as the league tries to stop some heroes from the future from doing ... I ain't telling. You have to read this book with the other volumes for you to enjoy it fully and get the richness of the characters.
I love how they are flushing out Red Tornado's character. The scene where Red Tornado has to go do Justice League duty and watch Felix Faust instead of spend time with his family was very good. Especially since he swapped shifts with someone else to create the inconvenience. It shows that even our heroes have human qualities we can connect with.
The last thing I love about this book as well (as all the JLA books) is that DC knows how to use their insignificant characters so well in these group settings. I love how they take the nobodys and make them important to the team. I honestly feel DC has the best characters and team of writers out there for the big publishers.
My gripes about this book are that the stories are way too rich to try and fit into such a puny graphic novel. We need a much more substantial book. I am willing to pay for the extra cost.
The last thing, I didn't quite get the last story with Red Arrow and Vixen. I wasn't sure how that fit in with the rest of the book.
Cheers.
This book, like all the Justice League stuff I read, has great team dynamics. The book was very well written and very fun. The artwork is pretty good as well. In all honesty there is not a lot of action, as the league tries to stop some heroes from the future from doing ... I ain't telling. You have to read this book with the other volumes for you to enjoy it fully and get the richness of the characters.
I love how they are flushing out Red Tornado's character. The scene where Red Tornado has to go do Justice League duty and watch Felix Faust instead of spend time with his family was very good. Especially since he swapped shifts with someone else to create the inconvenience. It shows that even our heroes have human qualities we can connect with.
The last thing I love about this book as well (as all the JLA books) is that DC knows how to use their insignificant characters so well in these group settings. I love how they take the nobodys and make them important to the team. I honestly feel DC has the best characters and team of writers out there for the big publishers.
My gripes about this book are that the stories are way too rich to try and fit into such a puny graphic novel. We need a much more substantial book. I am willing to pay for the extra cost.
The last thing, I didn't quite get the last story with Red Arrow and Vixen. I wasn't sure how that fit in with the rest of the book.
Cheers.
January 23, 2012
Maybe I'm getting old, but surely, just because the target audience for comic books is assumed to be teenage males, is that any excuse for the sheer size and prominence of Power Girl's chest?
It doesn't help that there is no villain to speak of, huge chunks of the story require way too much historical background that the casual reader will just not know and that the big reveal/ finale/ whatever is yet another case of a dead hero coming back from the dead.
The death of a major character in the superhero worlds of DC or Marvel can have no impact whatsoever these days - the fact is that whoever has died will be turning up again within a couple of years as part of yet another "event"!
This volume is padded out with a story that elevates this review to two stars - featuring a couple of under-powered heroes trapped in a tiny space in a building that is slowly collapsing around them, and a Superman/ Batman/ Wonder Woman story which treads over the tired old ground of their special bond and how awesomely important they are.
While I'm ranting about the sad state of superhero comics - what happened to heroes taking on villains? Why must we have this constant introspective drivel about how these characters feel?
Yuck, bring back the fun Justice League International - a bunch of B listers who actually did stuff rather than just save the multi-verse and get all angsty about it.
It doesn't help that there is no villain to speak of, huge chunks of the story require way too much historical background that the casual reader will just not know and that the big reveal/ finale/ whatever is yet another case of a dead hero coming back from the dead.
The death of a major character in the superhero worlds of DC or Marvel can have no impact whatsoever these days - the fact is that whoever has died will be turning up again within a couple of years as part of yet another "event"!
This volume is padded out with a story that elevates this review to two stars - featuring a couple of under-powered heroes trapped in a tiny space in a building that is slowly collapsing around them, and a Superman/ Batman/ Wonder Woman story which treads over the tired old ground of their special bond and how awesomely important they are.
While I'm ranting about the sad state of superhero comics - what happened to heroes taking on villains? Why must we have this constant introspective drivel about how these characters feel?
Yuck, bring back the fun Justice League International - a bunch of B listers who actually did stuff rather than just save the multi-verse and get all angsty about it.
April 13, 2008
These long story arcs in which there is a mystery kept until the end of the arc (and that REALLY is the only story plot element that matters) are getting really really old and formulaic and tiring. The "big secret" in this one allows the writers to let characters act out of character for the entire arc. No spoilers, I promise: The secret kept until the end...there is no reason for it. None. Characters do things they would not normally do so as to provide conflict between them and others. The secret I am talking around is kept from Superman, but in the end, there was absolutely no reason the people keeping the secret needed to. They say, "He'll understand and forgive us when we're done," but they had just told him what they were doing, he would have helped. This is modern comic storytelling as bad the really dumb formula comics of the distant past, but it has showy art and a seemingly post-modern comment to make. Some modern comic writers ride on the shoulders of giants and do work that even surpasses their predecessors...these writers fell off the shoulders of the giants and into the mud.
August 26, 2010
This follow up to the story line in "Justice Society of America: the Next Age" takes the Justice League / Justice Society crossover to new heights when authors Brad Meltzer & Geoff Johns also bring in the Legion of Superheroes from the 31st Century. The catch is that the Legion members are not letting even their old friend and honorary member Kal-El (Superman) in on their secret mission. Seven Legion members have been sent back in time for their own secret mission and it looks like they all know that one of them won't be coming back. What is this mission, why are they keeping secrets and how do the LSA, JLA and Legion all interact? You've just gotta read it to see. (Easter Egg: look for the reference to 'Kingdom Come') Fantastic artwork throughout (in different styles) really adds to the story too. Plus, there are a few follow up stories included at the end, which address why this new Justice League looks so different from what we're used to. Oh, and the introduction to the trade graphic novel by Patton Oswalt is great too!
June 7, 2012
Brad Meltzer writes comic book scripts as if he has Alzheimer's. It is a confused, strained and muddled mess of epic proportions that make little sense. Go away, Brad. Stick to your cute little legal thrillers and leave the greatest superhero's history has ever known alone.
April 5, 2009
A lot of characters I was unfamiliar with detracted from my enjoyment of what was an interesting story.
July 6, 2021
I thought this would be a continuation of Red Tornado's storyline in Justice League of America, Vol. 1: The Tornado's Path, but it wasn't. :-/
It was good on its own, but I definitely wanted more than where Vol. 1 left his story.
I'm going to be real, the addition of the Justice Society in this volume was a bit much (for a first-ish time JLA reader, like me), but I tried just "paying attention" to the JLA characters I know and love & appreciated this for what it is.
I loved Batman fighting the nightmare versions of himself (he is the nightmare of Two-Face, Riddler, Mad-Hatter...) in Arkham. And thought the whole premise of saving someone from was super interesting.
After The Lightning Saga plotline, there are three short individual stories that fill out the rest of this vol. Walls with Roy & Mari stuck underwater. The writing is strong (Roy never gives up) & the art is great, with really impactful paneling making you feel stuck with them in their tiny crawlspace.
I also loved Monitor Duty. There's a lot of character highlighting & development for such a short story. And the commentary from Bruce, Clark, & Diana about the makeup of the team is very good.
The volume caps off with Justice League of America issue 0 Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, which cobbles together bits and pieces of Bruce, Clark, and Diana's relationship over the years as they meet annually as founding members of the JLA. It was interesting to see them through their highs and lows without the backstory -just the snippets as they came together on every page.
Overall, this was a very solid volume (even though I didn't love The Lightning Saga story, I still enjoyed it...
4 stars for the whole volume.
It was good on its own, but I definitely wanted more than where Vol. 1 left his story.
I'm going to be real, the addition of the Justice Society in this volume was a bit much (for a first-ish time JLA reader, like me), but I tried just "paying attention" to the JLA characters I know and love & appreciated this for what it is.
I loved Batman fighting the nightmare versions of himself (he is the nightmare of Two-Face, Riddler, Mad-Hatter...) in Arkham. And thought the whole premise of saving someone from was super interesting.
After The Lightning Saga plotline, there are three short individual stories that fill out the rest of this vol. Walls with Roy & Mari stuck underwater. The writing is strong (Roy never gives up) & the art is great, with really impactful paneling making you feel stuck with them in their tiny crawlspace.
I also loved Monitor Duty. There's a lot of character highlighting & development for such a short story. And the commentary from Bruce, Clark, & Diana about the makeup of the team is very good.
The volume caps off with Justice League of America issue 0 Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow, which cobbles together bits and pieces of Bruce, Clark, and Diana's relationship over the years as they meet annually as founding members of the JLA. It was interesting to see them through their highs and lows without the backstory -just the snippets as they came together on every page.
Overall, this was a very solid volume (even though I didn't love The Lightning Saga story, I still enjoyed it...
4 stars for the whole volume.
January 5, 2020
Los cruces entre la Liga y la Sociedad de la Justicia en el Universo DC habían sido habituales durante mucho tiempo, aunque se suspendieron después de Crisis en Tierras Infinitas por aquello de que el Multiverso había dejado de existir y volvieron cuando Johns y Goyer se hicieron cargo de JSA. Con las dos colecciones ahora actualizadas, no tardarían mucho en decidir volver a cruzar los caminos de estos dos grupos, así que incluso antes de que las colecciones cumplieran un año (JSA sólo llevaba cuatro números), Geoff Johns y Brad Meltzer prepararon una historia conjunta, La Saga del Relámpago.
Entre los miembros de la JSA se encontraba Starman, con poderes sobre la gravedad y esquizofrenia, que colaboraba con el equipo cuando no estaba en un centro de internamiento, y que afirmaba proceder del siglo XXI. Y en su enfrentamiento con los villanos reclutados por el Profesor Ivo en La Senda del Tornado, la JLA había capturado a un villano de cuarta llamado Tridente... pero que resultó ser Karate Kid. No Ralph Macchio, si no el miembro de la Legión de Superhéroes (la clásica), que también procedía del siglo XXXI. Así que comparando apuntes, JSA y JLA se reúnen para descubrir que no son sólo Karate Kid y Starman los únicos miembros de la Legión que han viajado en el tiempo con el objetivo de realizar un viejo ritual, llamado La Vara del Relámpago... una especie de ruleta rusa que les permitió tiempo atrás devolver a la vida a uno de los miembros fundadores de la Legión, Relámpago... y que probablemente iba a costarle la vida a uno de los miembros de la Legión de Superhéroes.
Si bien en su momento La Saga del Relámpago me llamó mucho la atención y me pareció muy interesante, con el paso de los años me ha parecido mucho más caótica... muy llamativa, sí, y la reaparición de los personajes clásicos de la Legión de Superhéroes (desaparecidos también desde Crisis en Tierras Infinitas) le aporta un toque de nostalgia bastante llamativo, al tiempo que permite a Johns preparar su Legión de Tres Mundos, que llegaría algún tiempo después dentro de los eventos ligados a Crisis Final (aunque no tendría ni la menor relación con la historia trazada por Grant Morrison). De este modo, la Saga del Relámpago pasa a ser parte de una macrosaga que Johns habría iniciado con Crisis Infinita para continuarla en La Guerra de los Sinestro Corps, pasar por la Saga del Relámpago y concluir en Legión de Tres Mundos.
Un poco caótica y desdibujada, pero en fin... mola.
Entre los miembros de la JSA se encontraba Starman, con poderes sobre la gravedad y esquizofrenia, que colaboraba con el equipo cuando no estaba en un centro de internamiento, y que afirmaba proceder del siglo XXI. Y en su enfrentamiento con los villanos reclutados por el Profesor Ivo en La Senda del Tornado, la JLA había capturado a un villano de cuarta llamado Tridente... pero que resultó ser Karate Kid. No Ralph Macchio, si no el miembro de la Legión de Superhéroes (la clásica), que también procedía del siglo XXXI. Así que comparando apuntes, JSA y JLA se reúnen para descubrir que no son sólo Karate Kid y Starman los únicos miembros de la Legión que han viajado en el tiempo con el objetivo de realizar un viejo ritual, llamado La Vara del Relámpago... una especie de ruleta rusa que les permitió tiempo atrás devolver a la vida a uno de los miembros fundadores de la Legión, Relámpago... y que probablemente iba a costarle la vida a uno de los miembros de la Legión de Superhéroes.
Si bien en su momento La Saga del Relámpago me llamó mucho la atención y me pareció muy interesante, con el paso de los años me ha parecido mucho más caótica... muy llamativa, sí, y la reaparición de los personajes clásicos de la Legión de Superhéroes (desaparecidos también desde Crisis en Tierras Infinitas) le aporta un toque de nostalgia bastante llamativo, al tiempo que permite a Johns preparar su Legión de Tres Mundos, que llegaría algún tiempo después dentro de los eventos ligados a Crisis Final (aunque no tendría ni la menor relación con la historia trazada por Grant Morrison). De este modo, la Saga del Relámpago pasa a ser parte de una macrosaga que Johns habría iniciado con Crisis Infinita para continuarla en La Guerra de los Sinestro Corps, pasar por la Saga del Relámpago y concluir en Legión de Tres Mundos.
Un poco caótica y desdibujada, pero en fin... mola.
July 21, 2024
I enjoyed this but I wouldn't actually recommend it to anyone -primarily because I felt the ending was very weak and with all the reboots, deaths and coming back to life stories I was underwhelmed and a tad confused by the ending. It is one of those "oh this was fun - but if I think too much about it there is no logic".
The story? So basically a bunch of Legion of Super-Heroes have come back in time. Conveniently they all lose their memories so most of the story is the JLA and JSA rounding them up and reminding them who they are. I say conveniently because...that never has happened before so in this one story they are all "oh yeah - time travel always messes with your memory". If so...maybe have a video to play when you arrive to trigger your memory again? Or have some contingency plans? But - this is the first time this memory loss due to time travel has happened so it is all to serve the story not because it is logical.
Then - we have to ask "why did they travel back in time? What is so important?!". We find out they did it to save someone's life but it means one of them will die because they are using the lightning rod method which brought Lightning Lad back to life. As a big fan of the Legion I remember this silver age story but would many readers? And ...why? It worked in a very specific situation with Lightning Lad clinging to life...this is a totally different situation. I mean - yes fun and creative but please don't think about it too hard.
And finally - the person they bring back to life was a big letdown because I am reading this years after it was written so I was all "Oh...he died?" and "why would the Legion risk everything to bring this one hero back to life?" They have zero connection to this hero. There was no build up to it, I guess Brad wanted it to be a huge surprise but since there was no build up it was more a "oh..okay..weird" not a "oh wow!! What a cool twist!!"
They were a few other one shot stories in this volume. One was a nice thriller with Red Arrow and Vixen being trapped under water about to die. Another was one of those JLA through the years stories. Being a huge JLA fan I got most of the references but I can't see the average reader following it at all. And it was a disjointed story even with me getting most of the references.
Overall - a fun collection but not worth of the hype I had heard about it. Brad Meltzer is a very smart writer but his stories aren't to my taste.
The story? So basically a bunch of Legion of Super-Heroes have come back in time. Conveniently they all lose their memories so most of the story is the JLA and JSA rounding them up and reminding them who they are. I say conveniently because...that never has happened before so in this one story they are all "oh yeah - time travel always messes with your memory". If so...maybe have a video to play when you arrive to trigger your memory again? Or have some contingency plans? But - this is the first time this memory loss due to time travel has happened so it is all to serve the story not because it is logical.
Then - we have to ask "why did they travel back in time? What is so important?!". We find out they did it to save someone's life but it means one of them will die because they are using the lightning rod method which brought Lightning Lad back to life. As a big fan of the Legion I remember this silver age story but would many readers? And ...why? It worked in a very specific situation with Lightning Lad clinging to life...this is a totally different situation. I mean - yes fun and creative but please don't think about it too hard.
And finally - the person they bring back to life was a big letdown because I am reading this years after it was written so I was all "Oh...he died?" and "why would the Legion risk everything to bring this one hero back to life?" They have zero connection to this hero. There was no build up to it, I guess Brad wanted it to be a huge surprise but since there was no build up it was more a "oh..okay..weird" not a "oh wow!! What a cool twist!!"
They were a few other one shot stories in this volume. One was a nice thriller with Red Arrow and Vixen being trapped under water about to die. Another was one of those JLA through the years stories. Being a huge JLA fan I got most of the references but I can't see the average reader following it at all. And it was a disjointed story even with me getting most of the references.
Overall - a fun collection but not worth of the hype I had heard about it. Brad Meltzer is a very smart writer but his stories aren't to my taste.
March 23, 2020
You ever been in a situation where you were the least qualified in the room, but you still wanted to be involved despite your lack of knowledge? That is the allure of a Brad Meltzerm Geoff Johns and an all star collection of artists, but its what Meltzer brings as a novelist that is so attractive. When he did Identity Crisis i was blown away, so anything with his name on it I went for. Such is the case of this story.
You are thrown into something special, because the writing tells you so. The reverence and acknowledgement that Meltzer has for these characters is very evident. He builds from what has been canon from the big fining and charges ahead, but that to me is like advanced calculous, yes, what a feat to actually get that learned, but i would falter because of so much that comes before you reach this plateau. The Justice League, the Society of Justice, the Legion of Super-Heroes, two of those three I am lost about. And within the League the lineups feel wonderfully contemporary with the big=g three just hovering near by.
No matter Meltzer and Johns will not dumb their foundations down. They ramp it up and have these themes that are not easy to wrestle. I mean the pacing just picks up and wow you are wrapped up in this whole storyline, even when I don’t honestly know what is going on, but the bits and pieces are familiar enough like a gumbo. Then before you know it it is over. But there is still more left in the trade. How they are attached could be thematic but with the narrative, i know that its there i just can’t figure out the connection. Nevertheless, the stories are so compelling and they pull you to draw connections to what was just read. The Wall story is incredibly emotional and amazing with its powerful ethos. Then the last story, compilation? Hrs the hardest with the core of the big three, with yesterday, today and tomorrow as tabs.
Sometimes, excellent authors trump dense comprehension tales. Maybe better readers can make better sense of it than i. This still must be read.
You are thrown into something special, because the writing tells you so. The reverence and acknowledgement that Meltzer has for these characters is very evident. He builds from what has been canon from the big fining and charges ahead, but that to me is like advanced calculous, yes, what a feat to actually get that learned, but i would falter because of so much that comes before you reach this plateau. The Justice League, the Society of Justice, the Legion of Super-Heroes, two of those three I am lost about. And within the League the lineups feel wonderfully contemporary with the big=g three just hovering near by.
No matter Meltzer and Johns will not dumb their foundations down. They ramp it up and have these themes that are not easy to wrestle. I mean the pacing just picks up and wow you are wrapped up in this whole storyline, even when I don’t honestly know what is going on, but the bits and pieces are familiar enough like a gumbo. Then before you know it it is over. But there is still more left in the trade. How they are attached could be thematic but with the narrative, i know that its there i just can’t figure out the connection. Nevertheless, the stories are so compelling and they pull you to draw connections to what was just read. The Wall story is incredibly emotional and amazing with its powerful ethos. Then the last story, compilation? Hrs the hardest with the core of the big three, with yesterday, today and tomorrow as tabs.
Sometimes, excellent authors trump dense comprehension tales. Maybe better readers can make better sense of it than i. This still must be read.
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