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Justice League International #6
Justice League International, Vol. 6
The 1980s adventures of the Justice League continue in this new volume starring Batman, Blue Beetle, Booster Gold and many other heroes. Two branches of the Justice League – Justice League American and Justice League International – team up in this volume to face the threat of what seem to be vampires in the Balkans.
240 pages, Paperback
First published February 1, 1990
13 people are currently reading
156 people want to read
About the author
Keith Giffen
1,934 books217 followersKeith Ian Giffen was an American comic book illustrator and writer. He is possibly best-known for his long runs illustrating, and later writing the Legion of Super-Heroes title in the 1980s and 1990s. He also created the alien mercenary character Lobo (with Roger Slifer), and the irreverent "want-to-be" hero, Ambush Bug. Giffen is known for having an unorthodox writing style, often using characters in ways not seen before. His dialogue is usually characterized by a biting wit that is seen as much less zany than dialogue provided by longtime collaborators DeMatteis and Robert Loren Fleming. That approach has brought him both criticism and admiration, as perhaps best illustrated by the mixed (although commercially successful) response to his work in DC Comics' Justice League International (1987-1992). He also plotted and was breakdown artist for an Aquaman limited series and one-shot special in 1989 with writer Robert Loren Fleming and artist Curt Swan for DC Comics.
Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.
He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.
He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.
Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.
He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.
He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
August 13, 2014
The Teasdale Imperative. It's nice to see the two Leagues together, and the continued use of the Grey Men is cool. I also enjoy my comics to have consequences, and this does for the JLE. With that said, the super large cast doesn't do the writing any favors. There's still funny, but too many characters to concentrate on and too much fighting [6+/10].
The Shorts that follow unfortunately continue to be weak. There's still some funny (especially in JLA) and there's still some nice character moments (especially in JLE), but over all the comics are mostly forgettable. The JLA comics are the worst of the lot with their Island Casino story which seems pointlessly silly and which drags. The JLE has better story lines both with Kara's near death and Metamorpho's quest for his child ... but unfortunately ends the volume without resolution! [6/10]
The Shorts that follow unfortunately continue to be weak. There's still some funny (especially in JLA) and there's still some nice character moments (especially in JLE), but over all the comics are mostly forgettable. The JLA comics are the worst of the lot with their Island Casino story which seems pointlessly silly and which drags. The JLE has better story lines both with Kara's near death and Metamorpho's quest for his child ... but unfortunately ends the volume without resolution! [6/10]
April 5, 2018
I said in the post above that Marc DeMatteis left JLE after #6. Guess my memory's faulty, because he hangs around until #8, to complete the JLA/JLE crossover. The crossover's fun stuff, and what I think most people consider part of what JLI did well - serious plots, with witty banter and character-based humor threaded throughout. After the crossover, we get a couple of my favorite JLA issues - Guy Gardner's brawl with Kilowog that led to Kilowog joining the JLI franchises as a handyman. (I always think I don't like Kilowog, until I reread this series and remember how entertaining Giffen and DeMatteis made him!) JLA wraps with the Club Justice League arc, still very funny, and a pleasure. It's the first story I think of when anybody mentions the Justice League.
The other JLE issues are okay. Superman operates on Kara (after her severe injuries during the JLA/JLE crossover) while Ralph and Wally bond; Crimson Fox gets a brief spotlight and joins the team, and then Metamorpho pummels Guy Gardner to save his son from Simon Stagg. The Metamorpho issue is pretty solid, the rest are passably good.
Adam Hughes comes aboard JLA as series' artist, so it looks great! Plus, cameos by Gabe and Jen from Mike Barr's The Maze Agency, a great indie mystery series that Hughes drew before getting the call from DC. Bart Sears and Art Nichols provide less appealling artwork in JLE.
The other JLE issues are okay. Superman operates on Kara (after her severe injuries during the JLA/JLE crossover) while Ralph and Wally bond; Crimson Fox gets a brief spotlight and joins the team, and then Metamorpho pummels Guy Gardner to save his son from Simon Stagg. The Metamorpho issue is pretty solid, the rest are passably good.
Adam Hughes comes aboard JLA as series' artist, so it looks great! Plus, cameos by Gabe and Jen from Mike Barr's The Maze Agency, a great indie mystery series that Hughes drew before getting the call from DC. Bart Sears and Art Nichols provide less appealling artwork in JLE.
February 20, 2023
A few fair warnings:
A. Don’t buy this volume, seeing as this is the last paperback of this run DC put out and the second omnibus seems to collect all the issues in here.
B. In their infinite wisdom, the last issue collected here is the first half of a 2 part storyline. Why they didn’t reprint the second one as well or leave the first out of anybody’s guess.
C. The way the two parallel running series JLA and JLE are ordered here is less than ideal
D. The Dibneys get a more prominent role in this volume, which had the unfortunate effect of me getting angry about the shitfest that is IDENTITY CRISIS that I blissfully hadn’t thought of for a decade before.
That said, this remains more or less the gold standard of superhero comedy, and the arrival of Adam Hughes on art duty is a well needed comfort for the departure of Kevin Maguire in volume 4.
A. Don’t buy this volume, seeing as this is the last paperback of this run DC put out and the second omnibus seems to collect all the issues in here.
B. In their infinite wisdom, the last issue collected here is the first half of a 2 part storyline. Why they didn’t reprint the second one as well or leave the first out of anybody’s guess.
C. The way the two parallel running series JLA and JLE are ordered here is less than ideal
D. The Dibneys get a more prominent role in this volume, which had the unfortunate effect of me getting angry about the shitfest that is IDENTITY CRISIS that I blissfully hadn’t thought of for a decade before.
That said, this remains more or less the gold standard of superhero comedy, and the arrival of Adam Hughes on art duty is a well needed comfort for the departure of Kevin Maguire in volume 4.
August 19, 2025
Justice League International Vol. 6
The European and American branches must unite when a crazed army of what appear to be vampires begin to attack in Eastern Europe. Beetle and Booster decide to create a Justice League themed resort which goes horribly wrong and Metamorpho comes to blows with Guy Gardner.
Behind the slightly silly jokes are some interesting and fun stories, which actually try to answer the question as to how a superhero finds their work. The artwork is of its time and readers can enjoy seeing this iteration of the Justice League at work.
The European and American branches must unite when a crazed army of what appear to be vampires begin to attack in Eastern Europe. Beetle and Booster decide to create a Justice League themed resort which goes horribly wrong and Metamorpho comes to blows with Guy Gardner.
Behind the slightly silly jokes are some interesting and fun stories, which actually try to answer the question as to how a superhero finds their work. The artwork is of its time and readers can enjoy seeing this iteration of the Justice League at work.
August 17, 2025
“Now I know what Hawkman was talking about…
- - you people are RIDICULOUS!”
You tell ‘em, Arthur. But again, for my money? Still some of the best Detective Comics Comics bullshit around. And also the volume that finally gets me vibing properly with the Justice League Europe. Funny what putting Loebs on a book will do both for the book itself and my interest.
But seriously, folks, these are some good freaking comics. Both interesting and constantly surprising set ups, ala Gerber Era Defenders, super character focused throughout the arcs, and even manages a fee genuine shocks along the way! And a bonkers freaking crossover that could have been its own book alone.
And then to top it all off (and this was something I did NOT know) Adam Freaking Hughes makes his interior artwork debut here?!! Why the hell not? I freaking love comics yall. I’m gonna be sad when I get to the tail end of this (even though I haven’t the slightest idea how it actually “ends” before the reboot during New 52).
EDITED TO ADD: also! Very very VERY interesting and cool to finally see how much tone and characterization Gunn pull from this run for the new Superman, even beyond Guy, Rex Mason is almost 1-for-1 here on the page to the screen it’s been very cool to see.
- - you people are RIDICULOUS!”
You tell ‘em, Arthur. But again, for my money? Still some of the best Detective Comics Comics bullshit around. And also the volume that finally gets me vibing properly with the Justice League Europe. Funny what putting Loebs on a book will do both for the book itself and my interest.
But seriously, folks, these are some good freaking comics. Both interesting and constantly surprising set ups, ala Gerber Era Defenders, super character focused throughout the arcs, and even manages a fee genuine shocks along the way! And a bonkers freaking crossover that could have been its own book alone.
And then to top it all off (and this was something I did NOT know) Adam Freaking Hughes makes his interior artwork debut here?!! Why the hell not? I freaking love comics yall. I’m gonna be sad when I get to the tail end of this (even though I haven’t the slightest idea how it actually “ends” before the reboot during New 52).
EDITED TO ADD: also! Very very VERY interesting and cool to finally see how much tone and characterization Gunn pull from this run for the new Superman, even beyond Guy, Rex Mason is almost 1-for-1 here on the page to the screen it’s been very cool to see.
January 18, 2020
Another almost perfect volume of Justice League International! I was a bit disappointed by the "Teasdale Imperative" storyarc. These books have so many stories flowing with such a good pace, but this crossover kind of lacked material. Their unofficial crossovers are way better than this, but well, it wasn't bad, just not perfect.
I hope they put out the rest of the JLI books. This entire set needs to be collected, even if it derailed a bit by the end. But still, there are some amazing stories still out there waiting to be reprinted.
Anyway, the JLI books will always stay close to my heart, and to my laughter. They brought so much joy.
I hope they put out the rest of the JLI books. This entire set needs to be collected, even if it derailed a bit by the end. But still, there are some amazing stories still out there waiting to be reprinted.
Anyway, the JLI books will always stay close to my heart, and to my laughter. They brought so much joy.
October 25, 2020
I think I've mentioned before that I was reading this volume to keep up with the JLI Podcast, which is a fun look at this era of the Justice League. Well, the newest episode dropped today, so it was time to finish out the volume. The further I've gotten into this collection, the less I have remembered these comics since I was in college at the time and almost at the point of leaving comics behind for a couple years. So, it's been fun to go back after 30 years and see what's what. These are fun comics, but the heights of this run are in the rearview. Still, how can you complain with Adam Hughes art?
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November 19, 2022Calling it on JLI. I didn’t finish this, and while there were fun parts, it was just too slow and not rich enough in comedy, character, or story for me. I think I like much more what this influenced, as this stretches thin plots across a lot of pages of sarcastic jokes. For the time though I get how it was iconic.
January 22, 2024
good read
Some great stories all wrapped in one but can we get better then the justice league in school or metamorphiso finding out he’s a dad. This already is great oh ye Green lantern. Guy Gardner getting his butt kicked More reason to read it
Some great stories all wrapped in one but can we get better then the justice league in school or metamorphiso finding out he’s a dad. This already is great oh ye Green lantern. Guy Gardner getting his butt kicked More reason to read it
June 3, 2018
fairly solid run, but they could have left off the last issue of JLE so as to avoid the incomplete story-arc/cliffhanger ending...
September 12, 2022
The crossover’s not great but gems include Linda & Kilowag join, Clark operates on Karen, Arthur fails to warn Mike & Ted, Viv shoots down Nathaniel, Helena v. Max, & Guy admires Simon Stagg
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 15, 2023
The crossover arc was chill. Club JLI arc was fun. The JLE issues were fine. Some great humor, especially with the Club arc. Blue and Gold my loves
May 19, 2024
I have to remove two stars because this finishes with an incomplete arc. There’s also no further published volumes I’m aware of. Oh well.
March 12, 2023
I don't think there are any more collections of this series after this volume. I still have 10 or so issues left to read on the Giffen/DeMatteis run, but in case I don't get another chance to check in: this has been a terrific comic book. I think maybe the writers spread themselves a little thin with the Justice League Europe and Mister Miracle spinoffs, but every time I've worried that they were running out of steam, they'd come back with another quirky, imaginative, laugh out loud issue.
B for this volume, A- for the run so far
B for this volume, A- for the run so far
March 9, 2016
The bwah ha ha starts to fade....
The schtick had to start getting tired eventually, and it pretty much starts running out of energy right at the start of this volume, with a crossover between the now-retitled Justice League America and the newer Justice League Europe, setting into motion the rather grim Simon Stagg arc (unfortunately, this volume ends right on a cliffhanger from that arc, as the Metal Men arrive to face down Metamorpho.)
William Messner-Loebs steps in to share the scripting with J.M DeMatteis, and while the humor is similar, Loebs tends to bring in more seriousness. While there's still a great deal of silly stuff to be found in the Kooeykooeykooey arc, much of this volume moves hard toward melodrama. There's also a jarring note sounded in the art as Bart Sears continues on JLE, while Adam Hughes debuts on JLA, bringing a far softer and more graceful tone to it.
The schtick had to start getting tired eventually, and it pretty much starts running out of energy right at the start of this volume, with a crossover between the now-retitled Justice League America and the newer Justice League Europe, setting into motion the rather grim Simon Stagg arc (unfortunately, this volume ends right on a cliffhanger from that arc, as the Metal Men arrive to face down Metamorpho.)
William Messner-Loebs steps in to share the scripting with J.M DeMatteis, and while the humor is similar, Loebs tends to bring in more seriousness. While there's still a great deal of silly stuff to be found in the Kooeykooeykooey arc, much of this volume moves hard toward melodrama. There's also a jarring note sounded in the art as Bart Sears continues on JLE, while Adam Hughes debuts on JLA, bringing a far softer and more graceful tone to it.
December 23, 2015
A very different Justice League than the one you may be currently reading. In the late 80's the Justice League became a very different organization under Maxwell Lord. While a fun book (thanks in a large part to Blue Beetle and Booster Gold), these stories are not your traditional Justice League adventures. Witness the first team-up of the Justice League International and Justice League Europe. See Metamorpho duke it out with resident Green Lantern, Guy Gardner. Most of the DC heavy hitters are absent from this version of the Justice League, with the exception of the Flash, Martian Manhunter, and Batman. If you like antics, then this is the team for you.
August 28, 2015
(This review covers Vol. 4, Vol. 5, and Vol. 6.)
I was only halfway through the JLI trades, and had considered getting rid of them. Now I'm glad I kept them around! The mix of humor and heroism here is the perfect antidote to the grimdark of DC's current titles. The JLI/JLA stories are a little more appealing to me than the JLE stories, but they're both fun. I'm just annoyed Volume 6 ends on a cliffhanger... (B)
I was only halfway through the JLI trades, and had considered getting rid of them. Now I'm glad I kept them around! The mix of humor and heroism here is the perfect antidote to the grimdark of DC's current titles. The JLI/JLA stories are a little more appealing to me than the JLE stories, but they're both fun. I'm just annoyed Volume 6 ends on a cliffhanger... (B)
November 3, 2012
This volume suffers for getting caught between two different titles - Justice League of America and Justice League Europe. Other than the initial story arc (which is joint between the two), it is presented as a story form title alternating with the other. Though there is plenty of cross over, it harms the flow.
Still, and although the run is obviously starting to lose steam, enjoyable.
Still, and although the run is obviously starting to lose steam, enjoyable.
February 9, 2016
Sometime you just gotta have fun, even in the superhero world of stopping crime and evil. JLI is that fun answer to the superhero world. Nicely written and drawn stories make this an enjoyable read. Recommended
March 20, 2015
Fun stuff, like usual. I really enjoy Giffen's run on Justice League all around.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews