In the realm of comic book heroes, none surpass the legendary status of the Justice League. Emerging strong from the ’90s, Grant Morrison’s tenure on JLA revitalized their popularity, making them one of the most cherished DC comics during the early 21st century. Despite the ’00s not being the League’s most prosperous period, they had some stellar runs from top-tier creators. However, there were also a few less successful years for the team, which was a common theme during that turbulent decade. The Justice League, unfortunately, felt the brunt of those challenging times more than any other DC team. Nonetheless, the ’00s produced many remarkable stories featuring the Justice League.
In the 2000s, the Justice League experienced some extraordinary journeys, offering a fresh perspective on the team and reminding us of their most imaginative period. The standout Justice League narratives from the 2000s showcased a dynamic group, highlighting their immense potential, and left readers with a wealth of tales that underscored the enduring greatness of the Justice League. These ten stories, hailing from the 2000s, represent the cream of the crop when it comes to JLA narratives; they’re destined to stand the test of time.
10) Justice League Elite
Titled “Justice League Elite“, penned by Joe Kelly and illustrated by Doug Mahnke, this series stemmed from issues #775 of Action Comics and the duo’s run on the JLA. Notably, their work often goes unrecognized as one of the best JLA runs (with “The Obsidian Age” receiving an honorable mention). “Justice League Elite” features characters from the Justice League such as Wally West, Green Arrow, Manitou Raven, Manitou Dawn, and Major Disaster joining forces with the Elite, a group led by Manchester Black’s sister Sister Superior who favor more aggressive tactics. This team, known as JLE, operates covertly but is eventually drawn into a vengeful plot that holds the very fabric of reality in the balance. Over the course of twelve issues, “Justice League Elite” delivers an extraordinary take on Justice League action, boasting unexpected twists and turns throughout, with Mahnke’s artwork consistently outstanding.
9) “Crisis of Conscience”
As a devoted film aficionado, I vividly recall the gripping narrative of “Crisis of Conscience” penned by Geoff Johns, Allan Heinberg, and Chris Batista, which unfolded across issues #115-119 in the Justice League Adventures (JLA). The plot stemmed from the events of “Identity Crisis,” where members of our beloved League grappled with their guilt-ridden past actions. Their transgressions resurfaced when the vengeful Secret Society of Supervillains reappeared, intent on exposing the Justice League’s dark secrets and seeking revenge for what was done to their minds.
Hal Jordan, Hawkman, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Zatanna, and Batman found themselves in a daunting predicament as they struggled to keep the League’s secrets buried, ultimately leading to catastrophic revelations that shook the very foundation of the team. “Crisis of Conscience” stands out as an exceptional storyline, skillfully building upon the core elements of “Identity Crisis” and propelling the Justice League forward in a compelling manner.
Readers at the time were left reeling from the dramatic twist – a hint that would later prove crucial to the unfolding of “Infinite Crisis” – which remains as impactful today as it was back then. Without a doubt, this tale represents Johns’s finest work when it comes to writing the Justice League, a narrative that has unfortunately slipped into obscurity in the years since its release.
8) Justice League of America (Vol. 2) #12
Justice League of America Volume 2, Issue #12, written by Brad Meltzer and Ed Benes, serves as the final installment of Meltzer’s tenure with the team. Entitled “Monitor Duty”, this issue offers readers a glimpse into an ordinary day in the Justice League, as different members rotate on duty, addressing their issues and forming bonds (particularly between Hawkgirl and Red Arrow). Simultaneously, two legendary League members discuss the latest roster, evaluating its strengths and weaknesses. This issue, which emphasizes character development over action, is a delight to read. It’s both amusing and heartwarming, serving as a fitting conclusion to a run that aimed to rekindle fans’ love for the Justice League. Regrettably, this run often goes unacknowledged in the annals of Justice League history, but here’s hoping it will receive the recognition it deserves in the future.
7) Justice
The comic book “Justice” by Jim Krueger, Alex Ross, and Doug Braithwaite is similar to a more contemporary take on the “SuperFriends”. The story revolves around Earth’s villains who have visions of the apocalypse while the heroes fail to prevent disasters. This unites them as the Legion of Doom. Brainiac proposes a plan to save the world, which involves the Legion improving the planet. However, the plot thickens as they start systematically defeating the Justice League, leading to a split within the Legion of Doom when the Justice League fights back with all their might. The story is classic Justice League, filled with unexpected twists and turns that will leave readers astonished. Krueger and Ross, who collaborated on the “Earth X” trilogy at Marvel, make an exceptional writing duo, and the artwork by Braithwaite and Ross is the icing on the cake. Overall, “Justice” is a captivating tale that will remind readers of why they loved the Justice League so much.
6) “The Tornado’s Path”
Brad Meltzer made a significant impact in DC Comics during the 2000s with works such as “The Archer’s Quest” and the controversial “Identity Crisis“. Following “Infinite Crisis“, Meltzer, along with artist Ed Benes, was commissioned to reboot the Justice League. Their debut story was titled “The Tornado’s Path”, spanning issues #0-7 of Justice League of America (Vol. 2). This new generation of heroes – Vixen, Black Lightning, Hal Jordan, Black Canary, Red Arrow, and Red Tornado – found themselves caught up in a plot by the suddenly intelligent Solomon Grundy. The story is both reminiscent of classic Justice League tales and refreshingly modern. It provided readers with a glimpse into the League’s future direction and stands as an exceptional piece of storytelling overall.
5) “World War III”
Grant Morrison and Howard Porter’s final story in their JLA series is referred to as ‘World War III’. This epic tale unfolded primarily in the year 2000, making it a comic of the 2000s for this list. Lex Luthor re-emerges, leading a new Injustice Gang consisting of The General, Queen Bee, and Prometheus, to wage war against the Justice League. However, their battle is merely a prelude to a greater conflict, as an ancient weapon of destruction approaches Earth, threatening not just our planet, but the entire universe. ‘World War III’ is a spectacular JLA story that concludes Morrison and Porter’s run, neatly wrapping up loose ends and fulfilling the hints dropped earlier in the series. It showcases Morrison’s unique brand of creativity at its best.
4) Infinite Crisis
The epic comic book “Infinite Crisis,” penned by Geoff Johns, Phil Jimenez, George Perez, Ivan Reis, and Jerry Ordway, stands as the monumental DC event of the 2000s. While some might debate its classification as a Justice League tale since the team had dissolved at that time, I’ve always considered it to be so. The narrative unfolds as a band of once-forgotten heroes resurface in a critical moment, but unbeknownst to them, two of these heroes have been secretly manipulating events for the sake of creating the ideal world. With the heroes consistently outsmarted, they must find a way to set aside their disagreements to save the universe. “Infinite Crisis” remains an extraordinary read, a masterfully crafted event book that unraveled over years, filled with unexpected plot twists and turns. It underscores the significance of the Justice League within the superhero universe, showcasing why they are still as relevant today as they were twenty years ago when this story was first published. This is the pinnacle of DC storytelling!
3) “The Lightning Saga”
The Lightning Saga,” penned by Brad Meltzer, Geoff Johns, Shane Davis, Fernando Pasarin, Ed Benes, and Dale Eaglesham, represents the initial Justice League/Justice Society collaboration within the post-Infinite Crisis DC Multiverse. The narrative unfolds across issues #8-10 of Justice League of America (Vol. 2) and #5-6 of Justice Society of America (Vol. 3). Upon the arrival of Karate Kid, a member from the Legion of Superheroes in the present day, both teams combine forces to uncover the mystery behind his appearance as more Legionnaires start showing up. The group seems to have a significant mission that will reshape the Justice League fundamentally. Known for its classic team-up vibe, “The Lightning Saga” takes readers on a journey through various corners of the DC Universe, from Gorilla City to Gotham, demonstrating the seamless cooperation between these two iconic groups. This tale offers a hint of the Bronze Age era in the contemporary context, making for an exceptional read.
2) The New Frontier
Darwyn Cooke’s The New Frontier serves as a heartfelt tribute to the Silver Age of DC Comics. While not traditionally a Justice League story for some, it centers around the heroes of the DC Universe joining forces against a long-brewing enemy, effectively offering an origin story for the Justice League. Cooke masterfully portrays the struggles and growing pains within the superhero community, providing readers with a tale that vividly illustrates the greatness of the old DC Silver Age. To this day, Cooke’s artwork and characterization remain exceptional.
Upon its release, The New Frontier quickly earned classic status, captivating readers with each new issue. Even after all these years, it remains an extraordinary DC tale that every DC fan, regardless of their preference, should read if they haven’t yet.
1) Final Crisis
In “Final Crisis,” penned by Grant Morrison, with artistic contributions from J.G. Jones, Carlos Pacheco, and Doug Mahnke, I found myself witnessing the chilling consequences of when darkness prevails. This epic tale is a intricately woven masterpiece that follows the League of heroes as they grapple with a series of interconnected enigmas. The character Detective Dan Turpin unravels the truth – Darkseid and his Elite forces have infiltrated Earth, bringing along the Anti-Life Equation to wreak havoc and subdue the superheroes, ultimately aiming to dominate the Multiverse. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, the Justice League must devise a strategy to vanquish the embodiment of evil, who has manipulated the game to his advantage.
While “Final Crisis” carries a reputation for being intricate and elusive, it’s undeniably rewarding to decipher the narrative’s direction. Morrison masterfully crafts grandiose superhero tales, and the artwork of Jones, Pacheco, and Mahnke perfectly sets the stage for this extraordinary comic book. “Final Crisis” truly stands alone in its league, making it quite fitting for such a groundbreaking story.
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2025-07-08 18:42