Under Morrison's pen, the JLA expanded in its members and their fan base. Photo property of DC Comics.
15 years ago, DC Comics charged legendary comics writer Grant Morrison with the task: reviving their legendary super group franchise: the Justice League of America.
Under Morrison’s guidance JLA was formed and it focused on DC Comics’ Big Seven: Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Flash (Wally West), Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner), Aquaman and Martian Manhunter. Throughout Morrison’s three-year tenure on the series, there were numerous and talented artists that brought his ideas to life.
This edition of Throwback Tuesday is dedicated to Grant Morrison’s incredible run that rekindled the JLA franchise and brought memorable moments in the series.
The Team Line-Up
Morrison successfully built the team around the Big Seven but he was able to add numerous members including the comedic Plastic Man, Wonder Woman’s mother Hippolyta, New Gods Orion and Big Barda, two members of the Batman family including Huntress and Barbara Gordon, fallen angel Zauriel and Steel. He showed that despite the number increase, he was able to make the group gel together while giving the characters-the correct voicing and attitude.
Reviving The Villains
Throughout his run on the title, Morrison breathed fresh life into the Justice League villains. The first villains to benefit from this were mad scientists T.O. Morrow and Professor Ivo, who created the android Tomorrow Woman to destroy the JLA. Next up was the Key, who broke out his coma to take revenge and nearly succeeded until Green Arrow’s son showed up and defeated them.
However, a villain group that was used twice throughout his run was the Injustice Gang. This group of dastardly villains is a collection of the JLA’s arch-nemeses lead by Superman arch-foe Lex Luthor. Each time the heroic super group battled the Injustice Gang, the stakes rose to a new threat level.
Raising the Bar
Each time a story arc finished, readers wanted and expected more from the title. There have been numerous writers that took over the title after Morrison left in 2000 but while there were a few successes from Mark Waid, Joe Kelly and Geoff Johns, but none have made a huger impact on the JLA series than Morrison.
Recommended Reading: JLA-Rock of Ages, JLA-Strength in Numbers and JLA-Earth Two
