Justice League Elite

(DC, 2004-2005)
™ and © 2004 DC Comics, Inc.

In the introduction to the first volume of this trade paperback series that collects the adventures of the Justice League Elite, writer Joe Kelly tells us that Action Comics no. 775’s “What’s So Funny About Truth, Justice and the American Way?” was his “love letter to super-heroes” and “an argument for idealism and fantasy.” It introduced The Elite, a team of tough-talking, ultra-violent, super-cool super-heroes who challenged Superman’s effectiveness in the 21st century; the story became a fan-favorite and eventually led to the launch of a new, edgier Justice League franchise title, which found the team more closely associated with the Justice League of America, but pursuing a more proactive agenda.

While the mainstream JLA responds to the more overt, even cosmic, threats, the Elite team works undercover and takes down the more subversive threats—like a gathering of assassins who are planning to hit a major political target. Something of a black ops team, they take the fight directly to the enemy and sometimes ally themselves with the darker elements of the DC Universe to achieve their ends. Do they feel good about themselves when they lie down and close their eyes? Not necessarily, but that’s part of the intrigue.

— Thomas Moudry

Jump to issue: