As a longtime comic book enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in the vibrant worlds of DC Comics, I must say that the upcoming James Gunn-directed Superman movie seems to hold a special charm for me, reminiscent of one of my all-time favorite series – Justice League International.
As a die-hard film enthusiast, let me share my excitement about the upcoming teaser trailer for the 2025’s Superman movie. The anticipation has been palpable ever since it was revealed that James Gunn, hailed for his exceptional Guardians of the Galaxy trilogy, would be penning and directing this new chapter in the Superman saga. And boy, did he deliver! This teaser trailer validated the wait we’ve had since Gunn announced his upcoming DC film projects.
The Justice League International reworked the classic Justice League concept by assembling less prominent heroes from the DC Universe. Writers J.M. DeMatteis and Keith Giffen, along with artist Kevin Maguire’s dynamic illustrations, gave birth to what became known as the “Bwa-Ha-Ha Era” of the Justice League. Characters like Guy Gardner, Metamorpho, and Maxwell Lord from the Justice League International comic series are expected in Superman (2025), and their dialogue and humor strongly echo Gunn’s style.
Justice League International Was a Masterpiece of Character and Humor
In 1986, following the DC event comic “Legends,” the Justice League International was born. This marked a significant crossover in the DC universe since it had been rebooted with “Crisis on Infinite Earths.” Darkseid unleashed Brimstone, a monster, to attack Earth, prompting a group of heroes to join forces and protect the planet. This new version of the Justice League made their debut in Justice League (Vol. 1) #1. The team, consisting of regular members like Batman, Martian Manhunter, and Black Canary, along with fresh faces such as Shazam, Guy Gardner, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Doctor Fate, Doctor Light, Mister Miracle, Fire, and Ice, was initially funded by the 80’s stereotype Maxwell Lord.
Giffen and DeMatteis made it clear from the start what kind of comic book they were delivering. As the team fought foes such as the Champions of Angor, the Soviet Rocket Red Corps, and the Royal Flush Gang, a pivotal moment for the team occurred in issue five. Guy Gardner, a character known for his big mouth and frat boy-like demeanor, never tired of talking back, and finally took it too far by taunting Batman. The Dark Knight, who had no patience for such behavior, knocked Guy out with just one punch. This incident became well-known among DC fans, and the phrase “one punch” gained a legendary status within the universe.
The Justice League transformed into the Justice League International starting from issue seven, setting a distinctive tone for the series. Over time, new members would join and existing ones would depart, eventually forming a main group consisting of Elongated Man and his wife Sue, Rocket Red, Fire, Ice, Gardner, Captain Atom, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, and Maxwell Lord. Unlike previous Justice League comics that focused on multiverse-altering action, this new series took a humorous turn, becoming more of a soap opera featuring the diverse personalities within the team. Internal friendships developed – Fire bonded with the naive Ice, while Booster Gold and Blue Beetle formed a hilarious duo, their squabbles often leading to amusing situations. Elongated Man and Sue serve as the “normal” couple at the heart of it all, and Maxwell Lord, later accompanied by the put-upon robot L-Ron, finances the entire operation, embodying the archetype of 80’s businessmen with a slimy reputation.
Though the team encounters significant conflicts, such as their fierce battles against Despero, the Kalanorian warlord, it’s the wit and character growth that truly makes the book shine. Readers found joy in observing the group socializing at the Justice League Embassy, squabbling internally, and ultimately bonding like a close-knit family.
In my opinion, the camaraderie between Firestorm, Ice, Blue Beetle, and Booster Gold remains one of DC Comics’ most cherished friendships to this day. The unconventional pairing of Guy Gardner and Ice was a masterstroke by Giffen and DeMatteis. Characters like the bumbling Green Lantern G’Nort and the formidable Manga Khan, added a delightful touch of humor and chaos to the storyline. Maguire’s artistry, with his knack for capturing facial expressions and designing engaging page layouts, ensured that every joke hit home just right. Since then, no book has managed to replicate its unique charm quite like it. However, when DeMatteis, Giffen, and Maguire reunited to pen two stories in the mid-2000s – Formerly Known as the Justice League and I Can’t Believe It’s Not the Justice League – they came close.
Justice League International Is a James Gunn Movie in Comic Form
In his projects such as Super, Guardians of the Galaxy movies, Peacemaker, and Creature Commandos, Gunn excels at portraying groups of diverse heroes with vastly different personalities not just as a team, but as a family. This family is characterized by constant bickering, insults, and deep affection, much like the Justice League International. Despite their frequent disagreements, the members of Justice League International formed strong bonds, similar to those within the Guardians or Peacemaker’s team. While Justice League International had its fair share of battles, it is their growth as a unit and as individuals that makes the series so compelling.
In simpler terms, the upcoming Superman movie won’t be a slapstick comedy about superheroes, but it will retain the essence of Justice League International (JLI). Maxwell Lord, a wealthy character in the film, might resemble his comic book counterpart working with superheroes, and Nathan Fillion’s portrayal of Guy Gardner seems to echo the attitude fans have come to expect from the comics. The movie and comic are likely to share humor and character development, which are key elements in JLI and James Gunn’s other works. Reading Justice League International will give fans a glimpse of what DC can become when creators like James Gunn approach superheroes with the same perspective as him.
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2024-12-21 18:40