Best Justice League Comics

With Batman, Flash, Black Adam, and Aquaman hitting the big screen this year. We can’t help but go over some of the best storylines for each character hoping that they’ll cover them in one way or another. But this is not one of those articles. To be frank, these heroes and vigilantes have one thing in common and they’re members of the Justice League. Yes, Black Adam, is a member of the Justice League as of 2021 during the Infinite Frontier relaunch. However, let’s take a look back at the Justice League’s greatest comics of all time. 

Babel Tower

If you’re new to comics, you may have heard the infamous/controversial statement that Batman can single handily beat the Justice League. How does a man beat the Gods? Well, if you’ve been reading comics for a while, then you know about Babel Tower. 

One of Batman’s greatest enemies (not the Joker) has learned of his methods to take down each member of the League and has used it against them with a minor change to them. Here we see why Batman is considered the world’s greatest detective and why he’s considered many people’s favorite in the comic world. 

So, if you were ever wondering where that statement came from, Babel Tower is the source of the information. 

Justice League: Origins 

When Flashpoint took place in 2011, DC rebooted their entire catalog, staring everyone over at issue #1 and Justice League was no exception. With Flashpoint starting everything over, we see our heroes meet up again for the first time. With Batman not knowing anything about Superman, Hal Jordan is back to his old ways, and Cyborg is the newest member. We see an entirely new League going up against Darkseid’s army of Parademons. Yes, our heroes are thrown into the trenches in this one with no build-up whatsoever. 

However, Justice League: Origins set in motion for an epic conclusion in the New 52 that many have said was a satisfying conclusion to a long event. 

Crisis series

Whether you read Crisis on Infinite Earths, Infinite Crisis, or Final Crisis. The League was in the middle of it all. With each crisis putting the multiverse in jeopardy. It’s up to the League (Well, the trinity really) to make sacrifices to save their homes and that of others. With Marv Wolfman, Geoff Johns, and Grant Morrison storytelling. You’re in for a ride. 

Injustice 

Just admit it, you once thought what would happen if the League had enough to use their moral code not to kill and just did it anyway?  Well, the hit video game by NetherRealm Studios (Mortal Kombat), Injustice, is exactly that and is now a comic book series spanning a total of five years. 

A universe where Superman suffered a great tragedy and has decided that being merciful isn’t going to cut it anymore, and with the death of one of its greatest villains. Superman and the league form a new regime to oppress the world they once swore to protect. But no regime is built without a little resistance. With Green Arrow, Black Canary, and a few others following Batman (You should’ve seen that coming a mile away), they’ll do whatever it takes to stop them, even if it means bringing some people back from the beyond.  

Divided We Fall

If you read and thought Babel Tower was good. Then Divided we Fall is right up your alley. When our heroes are separated from their alter-egos. One unlikely hero has to put them back together again.  Mark Waid continued his amazing run by showing us what makes our heroes…well, heroes. With the help of Bryan Hitch, Divided We Fall is one to remember for years to come. 

JLA: The Tornado’s Path

This is an interesting and at times fan favorite of the Justice League. We see that Red Tornado’s dream of becoming a human is almost a reality when a villain agrees to help him accomplish that. But at what cost? 

Taking place one year after the Infinite Crisis. We see the league has become a bit more diverse by adding Vixen and the Black Lightning to the team. It was nothing that turned the series on its head, but it did take the League back to its roots, remind all of us what it meant to be a Justice League Member and a human being.

New World Order

Grant Morrison’s story of the New World Order took the DC world by storm with this four-issue story arc.  With his first entry into the JLA, Morrison put together or reunited what many will call the big seven (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Martian Manhunter, The Flash, Green Lantern, and Aquaman) that goes against another group that has some secrets of their own. 

With some surprising twists here and there, Morrison’s story kicked down the door and told all of us it was here to stay. New World Order goes down as one if not the best storyline in Justice League history and any fan should take the time to read this one. 

Totality 

When it was announced that Scott Snyder was taking over writing duties for Justice League, you were in for a real treat if you read his Batman run ( Court of Owls, Dark Knight Metal). With his powerful storytelling, he took a risk by returning an old team that many thought they would never see again. That’s right the Legion of Doom has returned in a grand gesture and I mean grand. With the death of a known villain and a dangerous secret waiting at the bottom of the new/old headquarters. Snyder had us in for a ride on his run. 

Totality was considered a jumping point in 2018 at one point, but now with infinite frontier happening that is no longer the case. No matter the cast Totality should be on your list of justice league stories to read in the meantime. 

Year One

With Mark Weid re-introducing the Justice League after the Crisis of Infinite Earths, it stop being considered canon after a while. However, I recommend that many should read it as Waid does well in telling the origins of how the League was formed. Grounded and not over the top, and watching our heroes make one mistake after another. Year One may no longer be canon, but it’s still worth the read to see our heroes at the worse leading them to become their best. 

JLA/Avengers

We all know everyone was thinking and no one can deny that watching Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and the Gods amongst men duke it out in this explosive crossover. 

Act of God

This is what we used to call an Elseworld story which was printed by Vertigo(now DC Black) and it was about the league losing their powers (Besides Batman, I don’t think he lost his fortune here). But it raised the question do you need superpowers to be a hero. With its thought-provoking storytelling Act of God has come highly recommended by many including myself.

Kingdom come

Saving the best for last, Kingdom Come has been known as a groundbreaking story by Mark Waid and is considered one of the best Justice League stories ever told. When the League all retired and left the fate of the world in the hands of new Heroes. A religious man is visited by Spectre who needs his help in finding Superman and re-establishing the league once more.  The only problem is no one hasn’t seen Superman in quite some time, until tragedy strikes and he has no choice but to come out.