JLA: Superpower

Justice League: One-Shots

by John Arcudi, Scot Eaton (Illustrator), Ray Kryssing (Illustrator)

Antaeus, a young, enthusiastic hero, is invited to join the League just as the rest of his life is falling apart. However, he finds it very difficult to accept the League's position on non-interference with affairs of state.

Genres: Comics, Graphic Novels, Dc Comics, Graphic Novels Comics, Comic Book

64 pages, Graphic Novel

Published January 1, 1999

About the author

John Arcudi has made a name for himself by scripting comics that manage to combine long-running subplots with impeccable characterization and action sequences, making for some of the most exciting and consistently good comics out today.

Reviews

[Richard Dominguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful read, a marvelous plot that held me from start to finish.
The story centers on the theme that power isn't enough, that some problems need more to be solved than muscle and a reminder that your ends can not and must not justify the means.
The main character (Mark) reacts to tragedy with a powerful conviction to make sure it never happens again with very sad results.
A excellent single story read that is powerful, meaningful and worthy of being read over and over.

[Steve · Rating 3 out of 5]

Felt like it should have been longer to flesh the story out a bit more.

[José Miguel (TheHudson) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Una historia para pensar, con una fuerte temática filosófica-humanista.

La extraña y eterna discusión sobre los límites del poder se ve desarrollada en esta historia. Recomendable.

A story to think about, with a strong philosophical-humanistic theme.

The strange and eternal discussion about the limits of power is developed in this story. Recommendable.

[Danie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one's a bit philosophical. And answers the question (just a little), why wouldn't Supes and the others just go crazy and take out all the dictators. And, it does it better than the film Superman IV did...

[Jason · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than it had any business being. Yes, it was a little schlocky. Yes, it was a little heavy-handed. But Antaeus was well-written as a well-meaning hero for whom reality cannot match up to his ideal and who suffers greatly because of it. Also surprising is a usually composed Superman showing strong emotion as a result of the events of the story. I think Superman saw something of himself in the young man, but ultimately was not able to save him--a helplessness Superman is not used to feeling. There's some really good stuff brewing beneath the surface. It's a quick read, and worth it.

[Scratch · Rating 4 out of 5]

Surprisingly good one-shot. This Antaeus character hasn't been spoken of since, to my knowledge, but he makes for a good case study in what happens when a good character does a bad thing.

My only complaint is how poorly Kyle is treated. But I'm thrilled to still find works back from the good ol' days of the JLA, decades later, to warm my heart.

[Noni · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Why do you keep acting as if he were some kind of homicidal maniac? He wanted to help people. But he went too far, and he knew it, and he couldn't stand it. He wasn't a bad man. He was a good man… Who did a bad thing."

[Matt · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was good. It has a neat political message.