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Superman & Justice League America #1
Superman & Justice League America, Vol. 1
Dan Jurgens takes over as writer and artist on the classic JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA—leading directly into the legendary DEATH OF SUPERMAN!
The Justice League of America is in disarray. With only a few heroes left on the team, they are now a shadow of their former selves. Superman, seeing that the JLA is in crisis, decides to rejoin and inadvertently becomes their leader. Now the Man of Steel—alongside Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Fire, Ice and new members Bloodwyn and Maxima—must face some of the deadliest threats that the League has ever seen.
Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE SPECTACULAR #1 and JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #60-68.
The Justice League of America is in disarray. With only a few heroes left on the team, they are now a shadow of their former selves. Superman, seeing that the JLA is in crisis, decides to rejoin and inadvertently becomes their leader. Now the Man of Steel—alongside Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Fire, Ice and new members Bloodwyn and Maxima—must face some of the deadliest threats that the League has ever seen.
Collects JUSTICE LEAGUE SPECTACULAR #1 and JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #60-68.
240 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1992
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82 people want to read
About the author
Dan Jurgens
2,233 books285 followersDan Jurgens is an American comic book writer and artist. He is known for his work on the DC comic book storyline "The Death of Superman" and for creating characters such as Doomsday, Hank Henshaw, and Booster Gold. Jurgens had a lengthy run on the Superman comic books including The Adventures of Superman, Superman vol. 2 and Action Comics. At Marvel, Jurgens worked on series such as Captain America, The Sensational Spider-Man and was the writer on Thor for six years. He also had a brief run as writer and artist on Solar for Valiant Comics in 1995.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
June 16, 2016
All I need to know is that Dan Jurgens wrote and drew it.
Of the hundreds and hundreds of Superman comics I have read, Dan Jurgens’ work is always my favorite. His annual Christmas stories had heart (Superman as Santa!), and I still think The Death of Superman holds up over the two decades since it was published.
The references are frustratingly dated. Yeah, Madonna. We get it. Thanks. Sometimes the dialogue comes across as a bit clunk. But it is still Jurgens in his early years, just after he created Showcase Presents: Booster Gold and right before he killed Superman.
His Superman is so large that he is imposing to anyone (that chest, I tell ya), but still has an approachable face that children want to run up to and talk to. To me, he is the perfect Superman writer and artist. Try not to worry about the Bloodwynd mystery (it gets revealed eventually. Honest) and ignore the fact that Booster’s mullet is, well, quite tragic. Instead, revel in the fun of Superman. Oh, and some of the Justice League too.
Of the hundreds and hundreds of Superman comics I have read, Dan Jurgens’ work is always my favorite. His annual Christmas stories had heart (Superman as Santa!), and I still think The Death of Superman holds up over the two decades since it was published.
The references are frustratingly dated. Yeah, Madonna. We get it. Thanks. Sometimes the dialogue comes across as a bit clunk. But it is still Jurgens in his early years, just after he created Showcase Presents: Booster Gold and right before he killed Superman.
His Superman is so large that he is imposing to anyone (that chest, I tell ya), but still has an approachable face that children want to run up to and talk to. To me, he is the perfect Superman writer and artist. Try not to worry about the Bloodwynd mystery (it gets revealed eventually. Honest) and ignore the fact that Booster’s mullet is, well, quite tragic. Instead, revel in the fun of Superman. Oh, and some of the Justice League too.
April 29, 2016
Public library copy.
This is a collection of old work that I never read before. I was reading the J.L.I. title however, in bits and pieces in single issue form back when the stories were published that way. Artistically, it's decent but it sufferers from that bad era when many artists chose to draw like Michael Golden, Art Adams, Rob Liefeld, and Todd McFarlane--or they were directed to draw in their style by editorial. Luckily the artists draw in their own style now and are significantly better. Story wise, I thought the book was okay, but I prefer the team on the main title JLI, which brought the funny and did a great job meshing non A-list characters (with exceptions to cameos and whatnot) in rather spectacular fashion.
This is a collection of old work that I never read before. I was reading the J.L.I. title however, in bits and pieces in single issue form back when the stories were published that way. Artistically, it's decent but it sufferers from that bad era when many artists chose to draw like Michael Golden, Art Adams, Rob Liefeld, and Todd McFarlane--or they were directed to draw in their style by editorial. Luckily the artists draw in their own style now and are significantly better. Story wise, I thought the book was okay, but I prefer the team on the main title JLI, which brought the funny and did a great job meshing non A-list characters (with exceptions to cameos and whatnot) in rather spectacular fashion.
April 22, 2016
via NYPL - Passable if forgettable superhero adventures.
August 26, 2018
Superman and the Justice League of America Volume 1 (1992/ Collected 2016): written by Dan Jurgens and Gerard Jones; illustrated by Dan Jurgens, Rick Burchett, Ron Randall, and others: From the months before 1992's Death of Superman event comes this collection of Justice League stories.
In the continuity of the time, Superman didn't help found the Justice League and had never really been a member. Until now! I have a feeling adding Superman to the roster was part of the set-up for the Death of Superman. And maybe an attempt to boost sales for the decidedly underpowered, underpopular Justice League of 1992.
After a double-sized special introducing the new Justice League (and reintroducing classic JLA foes The Royal Flush Gang!), the regular stories are written by Dan Jurgens and drawn by Jurgens and finisher Rick Burchett. Jurgens and Burchett deliver solid, meat-and-potatoes superhero storytelling.
That can often look like genius 25 years on when compared to today's often over-rendered, over-coloured, and poorly coordinated superhero comics. One can actually follow the action from panel to panel and page to page in Jurgens' work. Wow!
Jurgens and company do a good job with an underwhelming group of Justice League members and a bunch of sketchy super-villains. They manage to create a good storyline around better-left-forgotten JLA foe Starkiller. They manage to make C-list heroes that include Fire, Ice, Maxima, Booster Gold, and Blue Beetle interesting. They manage to make a satisfying mystery out of new hero Bloodwynd.
Through it all, Superman, also written in his own title by Jurgens at the time, is his usual decent, occasionally self-doubting self. You'd think he'd been a Justice League member before! Recommended.
In the continuity of the time, Superman didn't help found the Justice League and had never really been a member. Until now! I have a feeling adding Superman to the roster was part of the set-up for the Death of Superman. And maybe an attempt to boost sales for the decidedly underpowered, underpopular Justice League of 1992.
After a double-sized special introducing the new Justice League (and reintroducing classic JLA foes The Royal Flush Gang!), the regular stories are written by Dan Jurgens and drawn by Jurgens and finisher Rick Burchett. Jurgens and Burchett deliver solid, meat-and-potatoes superhero storytelling.
That can often look like genius 25 years on when compared to today's often over-rendered, over-coloured, and poorly coordinated superhero comics. One can actually follow the action from panel to panel and page to page in Jurgens' work. Wow!
Jurgens and company do a good job with an underwhelming group of Justice League members and a bunch of sketchy super-villains. They manage to create a good storyline around better-left-forgotten JLA foe Starkiller. They manage to make C-list heroes that include Fire, Ice, Maxima, Booster Gold, and Blue Beetle interesting. They manage to make a satisfying mystery out of new hero Bloodwynd.
Through it all, Superman, also written in his own title by Jurgens at the time, is his usual decent, occasionally self-doubting self. You'd think he'd been a Justice League member before! Recommended.
October 29, 2018
Some solid, classic comic adventures starring, who else, Superman and the Justice League! Very little previous comic-reading knowledge is necessary for this one, although it might help to know the members (listed below.) Not your classic Justice League here, but more the goofy, somewhat dysfunctional Justice League International members here!
This book starts off a new run, I believe, of the JLA. At the beginning of the book, characters reveal that the JLA was disbanded by the UN or something, so there is no super-team to address threats. But one thing leads to another, and the heroes band together to form a new one anyway.
This time it's really more like the JLI, though, since the members are mostly the same: Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Guy Gardner, Fire, Ice, and then newcomers Maxima and Bloodwynd. Batman gets a reluctant Superman to lead the team, but at least in this volume he's not always around. If you've read JLI collections before, you're probably familiar with the goofy, bickering, and generally "carefree but still devoted to being heroes" attitude of the JLI, and it's kind of hilarious to see Superman dealing with it (especially since he's not enthusiastic about being a team player... trying to control Guy Gardner is no one's idea of a good time.)
We also get some peaks at Max Lord, working with Oberon for some reason, and still trying to weasel his way into controlling the JLA. Superman's not for it, but he slowly gets in there anyway.
Overall, the collections in this volume are good for a fun, light read. I'm always up for some Blue and Gold, Fire and Ice, and Guy Gardner and whoever he doesn't like this week. If you enjoy the JLI or lighter comic fare (especially if you don't really know too much backstory), give this volume a try.
This book starts off a new run, I believe, of the JLA. At the beginning of the book, characters reveal that the JLA was disbanded by the UN or something, so there is no super-team to address threats. But one thing leads to another, and the heroes band together to form a new one anyway.
This time it's really more like the JLI, though, since the members are mostly the same: Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Guy Gardner, Fire, Ice, and then newcomers Maxima and Bloodwynd. Batman gets a reluctant Superman to lead the team, but at least in this volume he's not always around. If you've read JLI collections before, you're probably familiar with the goofy, bickering, and generally "carefree but still devoted to being heroes" attitude of the JLI, and it's kind of hilarious to see Superman dealing with it (especially since he's not enthusiastic about being a team player... trying to control Guy Gardner is no one's idea of a good time.)
We also get some peaks at Max Lord, working with Oberon for some reason, and still trying to weasel his way into controlling the JLA. Superman's not for it, but he slowly gets in there anyway.
Overall, the collections in this volume are good for a fun, light read. I'm always up for some Blue and Gold, Fire and Ice, and Guy Gardner and whoever he doesn't like this week. If you enjoy the JLI or lighter comic fare (especially if you don't really know too much backstory), give this volume a try.
July 3, 2020
Good old-fashioned superhero comics, caught in the middle of a transition. Dan Jurgens takes control of the Justice League as the buildup to “Doomsday” begins, reshaping it from the Bwa-ha-ha era to something that would actually feel tragic when tragedy really struck. Some members are retained, some are added, abd obviously Superman among them, with Jurgens emphasizing the effect he has on the team, and cosmic threats being tossed against the League one after the other...
Some of these issues are among the first I had a chance of reading nearly thirty years back. My brother’s comics, but I got to have a look, right before history took a massive jackhammer to the medium. Once I began reading regularly, I became enamored of Bloodwynd, whose first appearances occur in this volume, as Jurgens treats him as a mystery figure. Interestingly, he treats a far better established character in a similar manner for a brief visit. Ray Palmer, The Atom, is one of DC’s most famous lower tier heroes, regularly popping up and adding to his lore. I believe this is the beginning of Jurgens’ revival of the character, which stretches into Zero Hour and Jurgens’ Teen Titans, which gave the character renewed visibility, a killer role in Grant Morrison’s JLA arc “Rock of Ages,” and arguably the exposure that led to his defining story arc in Identity Crisis. (Even if that’s not the case, it was still Jurgens who kept the character relevant in the ‘90s.) No one really seems to appreciate what Jurgens did with Palmer, but it’s there.
Not the best material but has considerable long term value.
Some of these issues are among the first I had a chance of reading nearly thirty years back. My brother’s comics, but I got to have a look, right before history took a massive jackhammer to the medium. Once I began reading regularly, I became enamored of Bloodwynd, whose first appearances occur in this volume, as Jurgens treats him as a mystery figure. Interestingly, he treats a far better established character in a similar manner for a brief visit. Ray Palmer, The Atom, is one of DC’s most famous lower tier heroes, regularly popping up and adding to his lore. I believe this is the beginning of Jurgens’ revival of the character, which stretches into Zero Hour and Jurgens’ Teen Titans, which gave the character renewed visibility, a killer role in Grant Morrison’s JLA arc “Rock of Ages,” and arguably the exposure that led to his defining story arc in Identity Crisis. (Even if that’s not the case, it was still Jurgens who kept the character relevant in the ‘90s.) No one really seems to appreciate what Jurgens did with Palmer, but it’s there.
Not the best material but has considerable long term value.
August 23, 2025
“You people might call yourselves a Justice League- -
- -But as far as I’m concerned you’re far short of the real thing!”
You tell ‘em, The Atom!
Because it’s weird, after some crossover shenanigans (something apparently called Breakpoint? Or Breaking Point? Apparently like every DC broke up post-Invasion and from what I can tell, not much of this is collected anywhere, so you just kinda have to roll with it)
But the rolling with it consists of you basically having to realize this has become an entirely different book. Even beyond now different Justice League Europe is.
There is one thing I’ll say for it, look phenomenal. You got some great Jurgens and Burchett artwork throughout and everything is so angular and high fashion, you can’t deny how awesome it looks.
If only it read as good. Tonally it’s all over the place and the roster is really limited now that all the crossover stuff took some of the better JLI players off the board. Plus, for a title that keeps touting how awesome it is it’s getting to use Superman, Big Blue don’t really do all that much here except yell at Guy Gardner and get moon-eyed looks from Ice which…is certainly a Choice.
Idk it’s weird and certainly a drop in quality but I’m still oddly fascinated by it (and this era of Detective Comics Comics in general, to be fair).
- -But as far as I’m concerned you’re far short of the real thing!”
You tell ‘em, The Atom!
Because it’s weird, after some crossover shenanigans (something apparently called Breakpoint? Or Breaking Point? Apparently like every DC broke up post-Invasion and from what I can tell, not much of this is collected anywhere, so you just kinda have to roll with it)
But the rolling with it consists of you basically having to realize this has become an entirely different book. Even beyond now different Justice League Europe is.
There is one thing I’ll say for it, look phenomenal. You got some great Jurgens and Burchett artwork throughout and everything is so angular and high fashion, you can’t deny how awesome it looks.
If only it read as good. Tonally it’s all over the place and the roster is really limited now that all the crossover stuff took some of the better JLI players off the board. Plus, for a title that keeps touting how awesome it is it’s getting to use Superman, Big Blue don’t really do all that much here except yell at Guy Gardner and get moon-eyed looks from Ice which…is certainly a Choice.
Idk it’s weird and certainly a drop in quality but I’m still oddly fascinated by it (and this era of Detective Comics Comics in general, to be fair).
August 19, 2025
Superman and the Justice League of America Vol. 1
Seeing the JLA disbanded and the world in peril, Superman decides to rejoin. Hoping to inspire a new spirit of teamwork, Superman is surprised when Batman suggests he take over leadership of the League. The new team takes time to gel, as Superman must first take Maxima into custody for murder.
The art is smooth and bright, with a nice flow. The goofy comedy has been toned down and the new Justice League of America is more internally conflicted, which makes the characters feel more realistic.
Seeing the JLA disbanded and the world in peril, Superman decides to rejoin. Hoping to inspire a new spirit of teamwork, Superman is surprised when Batman suggests he take over leadership of the League. The new team takes time to gel, as Superman must first take Maxima into custody for murder.
The art is smooth and bright, with a nice flow. The goofy comedy has been toned down and the new Justice League of America is more internally conflicted, which makes the characters feel more realistic.
November 25, 2025
I remember anticipating this changing of the guard from Giffen to Jurgens with some trepidation and remorse having so thoroughly enjoyed the Giffen run, and realistically it was not nearly as good. But it wasn't bad either. They kept the core characters I'd grown to love so I kept buying the issues. The characterization and dialogue was kind of one dimensional, but the overall plot and artwork were good, in fact this was some of my favorite art from Jurgens. Jurgens had a pretty tough act to follow, all things considered he did OK.
July 29, 2025
First comic was a bit boring, but it starts to pick up as the comics go on. Gardner is such an annoying character, but the story would’ve been pretty bland without his humor and energy. I read this mostly just for Superman, but Booster and Beetle ended up being my favorite parts about it, they’re a great duo. The writing was alright, I still enjoyed it though.
November 5, 2017
Super 90s action. Not at all bad, giving, along with the subsequent volumes, some background to the Death of Superman, as well as just detailing some of the history of the Justice League. The reference jokes and comedy can occasionally wear thin, but it was the style at the time.
February 23, 2019
A much better collection than I expected - I read it out of a sense of nostalgia but found myself actually getting interested in the stories and the characterization. Definitely worth picking up for a read for Justice League fans.
October 4, 2022
Gems include Supes then Maxima & Bloodwynd join, Supes-Maxima-Guy-Ice quadrangle starts, Starbreaker 3parter, Supes v. Sinestro Corps Guy, Blue & Gold prank JLE, & Guy scams an alien to save the earth
May 29, 2024
This is okay. It’s all getting a bit tired and repetitive. The JLI isn’t as successful under Jurgens. It’s a bit flat and Fire and Ice are even more infuriating in this book. Under Giffen and co they had far more nuance
October 20, 2024
Good but definitely a drop off from the Keith Giffen run. It’s not bad but nothing substantial. Feels a bit like filler before the Death of Superman event. If you like JL, you’ll like it but not a good place to start reading.
February 19, 2017
A fun but forgettable collection of stories from when the Justice League was populated by D-list nobodies like Fire, Ice, and Bloodwynd.
September 11, 2019
Enjoyably corny while feeling like a solid continuation of JLI.
January 13, 2020
Too bad. I really like where this book was headed. But then there was Doomsday.
April 15, 2020
Don't really know to rate this one, as havn't read a lot of comic books. But, I always love to read how Superman and Bateman don't get along, as there was plenty of this within this comic.
September 21, 2020
Very enjoyable read, Superman's dynamics with the team are great, particularly his rivalry with Guy Gardner and Ice's crush on him.
August 13, 2016
This run of 8 issues of Justice League America may have been published in 1992 but it still clung very much to the 80's style which I grew up on. The plots and characters are often extremely cheesy, the personalities are mere archetypes, and the art is all bright primary colors, giving way to hope in imagination. The older generation of comics were dense in dialogue and plot and this book took five times longer to read than its contemporary equivalent, making it feel like I got more value. The plot weaved all over the universe in melodramatic soap opera style, from the newly formed group led by Superman going through growing pains, to new Green Lantern Guy Gardner joining the group then quitting the group then rejoining prodigal style all the while being acerbic and cranky, to defending the fate of the universe against the ultimate cheeseball villain Starbreaker, there is never a dull moment. Worth a read for nostalgia factor alone, I highly recommend this one.
Read
August 23, 2016Because a man will do desperate things when he gets to craving more Blue Beetle and Booster Gold, even read Dan Jurgens' shaky continuation of the classic Giffen/deMatteis JLI. This opens with a silly retread of the series' classic Royal Flush Gang kick-off, which attempts to up the power levels and tension but instead just loses most of the charm. Thereafter it does improve, slightly, but too often it's just going through the motions without apparently understanding why they worked or how to make them work again. Also, at one stage Booster grows a mullet between issues. Highlights include the enigmatic Bloodwynd (even, or especially, with hindsight, this still looks like a nicely-constructed mystery), and the return of a veteran League member whose disappointment with the new incarnation is nicely portrayed. You're not the only one, mate.
May 27, 2016
We're is the laughter
If your a fan of this version of the JLA you would love this and love the interaction between everyone..the only tuff part is that superman joins this Verizon and he.s a huge buzz kill added to that u have this crush that Ice seems to have on superman,the other weird part is bringing in Maxima (poor mans jean grey) also there are a few character developments that are a little strange like the issue with booster all of a sudden having money were he can finance a calendar of fire who once she finds out throw a tantrum like a child.. This action seems strange given the fact that she.s a model so what does she expect.
If your a fan of this version of the JLA you would love this and love the interaction between everyone..the only tuff part is that superman joins this Verizon and he.s a huge buzz kill added to that u have this crush that Ice seems to have on superman,the other weird part is bringing in Maxima (poor mans jean grey) also there are a few character developments that are a little strange like the issue with booster all of a sudden having money were he can finance a calendar of fire who once she finds out throw a tantrum like a child.. This action seems strange given the fact that she.s a model so what does she expect.
July 28, 2016
In theory, I don't mind the idea of adding Superman to the JLA, but it didn't work for me in this. He is just too negative towards the team and comes across really unlikable. There is also a lot of Guy Gardner, and the love triangle with him, Superman, and Ice is the least welcome part of this volume. The team has several characters that I like. Booster Gold and Blue Beetle are two favorites of mine. I do like both Maxima and Bloodwynd, even if his costume is a little too ridiculous. The team spends too much time as underdogs, especially since the biggest doubters are on the team or attempting to join them.
September 19, 2016
Back in 1992, Dan Jurgens took over the JLI and tried to turn it into a more serious team book. The art is quite good. The villians are REALLY cheesy. For some reason there are multiple times when heroes show up to join the JLA and then decide not to by the end of the issue. Guy Gardner is just a jerk without the humor of Batman putting him in his place so he doesn't really work in this iteration.
September 8, 2016
Writer/artist Dan Jurgens adds Superman to the team as a way to contrast (and criticize) the previous run of Justice League books, particularly the way that most of the characters behaved like 12 year olds at summer camp. This book makes for an interesting transition from the 1980s style to the more serious 1990s approach to superhero comics.
June 5, 2016
Meh, it was okay.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews