After much demand from fans of Zack Snyder and the DC extended universe, Warner Bros is preparing to release the Snyder cut of the Justice League on the new streaming service, HBO Max. For those that aren’t in the know, Zack Snyder was supposed to direct and finish filming the Justice League film for Warner Bros but left the project due to a personal family tragedy. When Snyder left, Warner Bros hired Joss Whedon to wrap up filming of the project and have it ready for theatrical release. While filming the Justice League, Whedon made some studio mandated changes allegedly because Warner Bros wasn’t satisfied with what they had seen of the film. Then in 2017 the Justice League comes out with negative reviews, and many fans and even Zack Snyder himself and some of the cast members from the Justice League began demanding that Warner Bros release as much of the original cut as possible. While Warner Bros seems to have abandoned the idea of making a shared universe with DC comics characters, they’ve now reached a compromise with the fans and the Snyder cut will now be released on HBO max.
I don’t believe the director’s cut will change my mind on the overall DC extended universe. Ever since Man of Steel I’ve had issues with the storytelling and character development of all of Zack Snyder’s films in the DC universe; and the continuity seems to be stirring into a different direction that I’m personally not a big fan of; on the other hand as a fan of DC comics I am curious what characters and story ideas he was going to pull from in the comics, and if it makes everything that came before it better in retrospect. While I’ve enjoyed the solo movies of Wonder Woman and Aquaman, I would be curious to see if Warner Bros would consider making another Justice League film if this special on HBO max gains enough views and popularity.
Considering that another version of the Justice League is getting released next year, I thought this would be a good excuse to recommend some of what I consider the best Justice League stories in comics. These aren’t necessarily the best Justice League stories ever overall, but just the best ones I’ve just so happened to read.
5. Injustice: Gods Among us Year one-
Although this one isn’t a traditional Justice League story as it’s mainly an alternate reality story that affects the entire DC universe, the Injustice series written by Tom Taylor is an entertaining, thought-provoking, and mature Justice League story that I believe every DC comics fan should give a try. The Injustice series begins when Superman’s wife Lois is killed along with his unborn son by the hands of the joker. Crossing a line he’s never crossed before, Superman flat out kills the joker and begins a downward spiral into benevolent godhood and evilness. From this premise alone of Superman becoming an evil dictator does Injustice derive most of its character drama and plot. Slowly the reader sees how Superman goes from the lovable farm boy from Kansas just trying to do the right thing, to evil dictator that believes he knows best for everyone. What works best about this story is that Tom Taylor has a good understanding of not only the fundamental aspects of Superman, but many other characters in the DC universe and we get multiple perspectives on Superman’s rise to rule. The reason I put this low on the list is because some of the references and characters might be confusing for new readers, but If you are a DC fan, and a fan of the Zack Snyder DC movies, then I would highly recommend this series.
4. Justice-
Written and drawn by Alex Ross and co-written by Jim Krueger Justice is a story in which all the supervillains in the Legion of Doom which consist of Lex Luthor, The Riddler, The Joker, Cheetah, Gorilla Grodd, Captain Cold, and many others have a vision where the Justice League fail to prevent a nuclear war that destroys the world. It is because of this dream that the Legion of Doom begin doing good deeds such as ending world hunger so that the people can cease to believe in the Justice League. After that, the Legion begins to systematically take each member of the Justice League down and exploit on their weaknesses. Remarkably like Mark Waid’s Tower of Babel story, I believe it might be better for casual readers as it’s out of continuity and it works better as a stand-alone story. Justice also works in capturing why the Justice League and superheroes are culturally important to not only the DC universe but as a work of fiction for optimism.
3. Justice League International-
Written by Keith Griffin and drawn by J.M. Dematteis, Justice League International was the main book for the JLA for the ’80s and ’90s. The international run on the Justice League is largely known as the sitcom version of the team, and rightfully so because it is incredibly entertaining and stands out amongst all the league’s runs. The team consists of Batman, Dr. Light, Dr. Fate, Captain Marvel (Shazam), Guy Gardner, Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Mister Miracle, and Martian Manhunter. Later in the run, other members are added such as Captain Atom and Big Barda, but right away Griffin lets the reader’s know that many of the most famous DC characters such as Superman, Flash, or Wonder Woman (although they do make guest appearances throughout the run) won’t take center stage but instead focuses on different character dynamics a casual reader would never think to see together. Justice League International is a wildly entertaining run on the classic team and is a great jumping-on point for people starting to get into comics.
2. Justice League: Rock of Ages-
Picked from the great Grant Morrison’s run on the team, Rock of Ages pits the classic roster of the Justice League (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Martian Manhunter, and Green Lantern) against not only the Legion of Doom’s “corporate” takeover of the team but also against the forces of Darkseid. Rock of Ages, along with other stories from Grant Morrison’s run depict large-scale and strange adventures for the Justice League and even depicts a dark future in which Darkseid takes over the world and the last remaining members such as Batman, Wonder Woman, and the Atom have to use a Mother-Box to travel back in time and prevent Darkseid’s reign from happening. Also, another recommendation for those that are a fan of Zack Snyder’s version of the Justice League.
1. The New Frontier-
Written and drawn by the late Darwin Cooke, the New Frontier is not only a great Justice League story but in my opinion one of the best superhero graphic novels ever produced from DC comics. The New Frontier takes place in the ’50s and follows Hal Jordan, the Flash, and the Martian Manhunter as they grow into the heroes they’re destined to be while America goes through racism, the space-race, and social unrest from the fear of communism and the cold war. The story captures everything fascinating and endearing about the DC universe from the vast and diverse characters, to its connections to real-world history and mythology. Characters like Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman are put in the background but serve as different thematic and philosophical views on what heroism is in times of social unrest and uncertainty. The world-building alone from this graphic novel rivals that of any Superhero team movie and many Hollywood writers should take a page from this book.