The Justice League Is Back (But Will It Doom the Earth?)

The Justice League stands as one of the most iconic groups in comic book superhero lore, having spent their entire existence safeguarding the DC Multiverse against various dangers. This team boasts an impressive roster of potent and skilled heroes, making them exceptionally powerful. However, their legacy has been complex, and it was amplified significantly during the event known as Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths. Realizing the need for a respite to reconsider the evolving world, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman took a break from the League. The tale of their hiatus was told in Absolute Power, while Justice League Unlimited marked their return to prominence. In these new adventures, they’ve clashed with Darkseid and a covert Legion of Doom masterminded by Gorilla Grodd for Darkseid’s power, demonstrating once again that they are the multiverse’s most accomplished team.

In Justice League Red #1, we find ourselves delving into an alternate narrative. The story initiates with Red Tornado, whose programming within the Justice League’s computer network, employs futuristic predictions to gauge the impact of the Justice League’s reemergence on Earth. Unfortunately, the forecast paints a grim picture as it seems that the presence of the Justice League attracts chaos. In response, Red Tornado establishes a covert team within the Justice League for addressing these issues. This initial installment hints at deeper complexities surrounding Red Tornado and suggests he may be overreacting-a notion that carries weight, given the past history of the team.

The Justice League Brings as Many Problems as They Solve

In various phases of DC Comics, such as pre-Crisis, post-Crisis, and New 52, the Justice League was often united to confront a menacing threat. While the enemy varied across these periods, in the pre and post-Crisis eras, it was either Starro the Conqueror, an alien monster, or the Appellaxian invasion. In contrast, during the New 52 era, the team faced off against Darkseid’s invasion. Upon assembling, they consistently thwarted attacks by a variety of villains, some being arch-nemeses of individual heroes joining forces in groups like the Legion of Doom or the Secret Society of Supervillains, while others were entirely new adversaries. These villains often harbored hostility towards the Justice League. Similarly, when dealing with extraterrestrial races, subsequent attacks were frequently aimed at the Justice League, and unintended consequences would often impact the rest of the world as collateral damage. The first story arc in ‘Justice League Unlimited’ depicted Earth being attacked by Inferno, who presented themselves as a world-conquering group, but were actually an earlier version of the Legion of Doom, orchestrated by Grodd, with the primary intention of targeting the Justice League.

Examine the past of the Justice League. Frequently, they face numerous adversaries whose attacks often spill over, causing harm and even loss of life among innocent people. Occasionally, villains manage to seize control of the Justice League’s advanced technology to launch attacks on Earth. Known across the Multiverse, their enemies frequently target Earth in an attempt to attract the attention of the League. The Justice League is also known for their extensive use of cutting-edge technology. What safeguards are in place to prevent a catastrophe from arising during one of their complex scientific experiments, such as the creation of a black hole that could consume the Earth? Are we certain that the AI they utilize won’t behave like Ultron and seek to destroy humanity? Couldn’t the Justice League unwittingly bring back a virus from another universe for which there is no immunity, leading to dire consequences for Earth? Consider DCeased, where a zombie virus was brought about due to interaction between Earth technology and Apokoliptian technology. While the Justice League performs many heroic deeds, their very presence seems to introduce significant risk to the people they are meant to protect.

The Justice League Draws Trouble to It

The Justice League is an exceptional group with numerous compelling tales depicting their heroic feats as well as their struggles. These narratives illustrate both their peak performances and moments of weakness, demonstrating the immense potential for destruction when they falter.

The analysis by Red Tornado indicates three potential hazards that could be attributable to the Justice League:

1. A planet-wide freeze due to an overabundance of DC’s icy villains (you can hardly count them all).
2. An outbreak of a zombie virus.
3. An invasion from Apokolips, which is the only threat that could materialize without the Justice League’s involvement.

Red Tornado seems justified in feeling apprehensive (although there does appear to be something fishy about the entire situation). While the Justice League typically protects humanity, their presence might unintentionally pose a risk to human safety.

Justice League Red #1 is on sale now.

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2025-08-23 06:41