Summary
First introduced in the pages ofThe Brave and the Bold#28,The Justice Leaguequickly became arguably the most iconic superhero team in comics – especially at DC. Made up of the publisher’s A-list heroes, the team has since undergone a variety of changes, and been written into some of the best stories in print. As with any comic book, the title has been sold in part thanks to its eye-catching and thrilling covers, some of which stand out among the best.
Whether it’s the original series or rebooted books,the Justice League have been featured in some of the most stunning covers in comics. Ranging from epic battles to poster-style pin-up covers, these works of art helped the League’s adventures outsell many of their competitors. From depictions of the original team to C-list rosters and everything in between, the JLA boasts some of the greatest artwork in comics.
10Justice League International #5
Cover by Kevin Maguire & Terry Austin
During the 1987Justice Leagueseries, readers were given a fan-favorite rivalry in the feud between Batman and Guy Gardner, which finally boiled over in issue #5. Here, the loudmouthed Green Lantern made a play for leadership of the team, with his aggression leading to the famous one-punch knockout from Batman – after trading verbal jabs at one another.
Justice League International#5 is as much one of the best Guy Gardner covers as it is a Justice League one, and shows off the hotheaded nature of the Baltimore hero squaring up for a fight. With Shazam and Martian Manhunter trying to restrain their teammate, the book reels in readers for a fight that had been brewing since the title began.
9Justice League of America #196
Cover by George Perez
Justice League of America#196 continues the “Countdown to Crisis” story that began in the previous issue, with the JLA taking on the Secret Society of Super-Villains,led by Ultra-Humanite. The albino gorilla super-human determines that if ten heroes are removed from Earths One and Two (five from each), the cosmic balance will be thrown out of order. This concludes with a battle between the Humanite and Earth-2 Superman.
Justice League of America#196 features a great example of a triumphant villain, with the Ultra-Humanite standing victorious over fallen Justice League and JSA members. George Perez’s cover reflects the story inside, with the cliffhanger ending seeing the Secret Society of Super-Villains successfully capturing their enemies – and drawing nearer to Crisis.
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8JLA #1 (1997 Series)
Cover by Howard Porter & John Dell
In 1997, Grant Morrison and Howard Porter were charged with taking over the mainJustice Leaguetitle and restoring it to its A-list status. After years of more obscure heroes leading the pack, Superman, Batman, Martian Manhunter, Aquaman and Wonder Woman were joined by legacy heroes Kyle Rayner and Wally West. Their first story arc followed their battle with the Hyperclan, a team of villainous White Martians.
JLA#1’s cover stands out as one of the most memorable of the ’90s, in large part thanks to Porter’s bold, dynamic art style that gave the team a pin-up style group shot. In the full context of the book’s release, the cover says one thing: the original Justice League is back and better than ever.
7JLA #44 (1997 Series)
Cover by Howard Porter & Drew Garaci
During Mark Waid’s seminal “Tower of Babel” story in the pages of JLA, Batman’s secret contingency plans against the League were stolen by Ra’s al Ghul. With his teammates immobilized, the Dark Knight confronted his enemy, only to realize something cosmic was at play. Fighting to counteract his own plans, the hero assembled his colleagues to save the day – but lost their trust in the process.
JLA#44 is a perfect look at everything “Tower of Babel” represents in the DCU, with Batman controlling his teammates like marionettes on strings. Drawn by Howard Porter and Drew Geraci, the cover shows the Caped Crusader for what he is: a scheming, manipulative character – whose paranoia almost cost the team everything.
6Justice League International Annual #2
Cover by Kerry Gammill & Joe Rubinstein
During theJustice League Internationalera, the team took on a variety of rivals, but one of the most bizarre was the alliance between Joker and Rumaan Harjavti, the dictator of Bialya. Driving a tank down the streets of America to Big Barda and Mister Miracle’s home, the Clown Prince of Crime declared all-out war on the team.
The cover forJustice League InternationalAnnual#2 (Keith Giffen, JM DeMatteis, Bill Willingham & Joe Rubinstein) gives Joker arguably the best cover in his illustrious history. With a blood-red background and the perfect amount of sinister shadowing on his face, the killer clown holds a set of JLA member cards – with Fire already crossed off.
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5Justice League of America #21
Cover by Mike Sekowsky & Murphy Anderson
As the first crossover of the full JLA,Justice League of America#21 (Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky & Murphy Anderson) follows the team making contact with their Golden Age progenitors, the Justice Society of America. Having been moved to Earth-2, the two teams are forced into action when their respective rival teams work together. When the League are trapped, they use a crystal ball to find the JSA, who move them to their Earth to assist in a fight with the Crime Champions.
This comic is an important chapter in DC history for many reasons, including the first Justice League crossover, the first “Crisis” story and the first meeting of both teams. Sekowsky and Murphy’s cover depicts the League in a seance, with a crystal ball summoning the JSA, marking the first team-based multiversal adventure.
4Justice League of America Annual #1
Cover by Dick Giordano
Justice League America Annual#1 is a notable chapter in the team’s history for its elevation of Doctor Destiny, who turned his dream powers on the League themselves. Having been left unable to dream, the villain’s growing volatility plunges the heroes into terror, as they enter the dream dimension and face living nightmares.
Dick Giordano’s cover for the annual is a brilliantly psychedelic piece, which perfectly matches the horror-themed story contained within. With Doctor Destiny drawn as the looming force standing over the League as they fend off nightmarish creatures, the cover sells itself.
3Justice League International #1 (1987 Series)
In the aftermath ofCrisis On Infinite Earths,Justice Leaguewas relaunched under the creative team of Keith Giffen, JM DeMatteis and Kevin Maguire. Viewed by many as some of the best years of the team, the series followed a new line-up that included Batman, Martian Manhunter, Guy Gardner, Shazam and Mister Miracle. Striking a balance between slice of life, action and comedy, the series is a cartoonish era of the League.
Justice League International#1 was given a greatgroup shot pin-up coverthat includes the new team’s roster, with a defiant Guy Gardner grabbing the eye of readers. The cover perfectly encapsulated the new tone of the series, and Maguire successfully conveyed the group dynamic through his art style. Since the comic, the group photo shot has become a staple of comic book covers.
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2Crisis On Infinite Earths #7 (1985)
In 1985, Marv Wolfman and George Perez gave DC readersCrisis On Infinite Earths, a cataclysmic event designed to simplify the universe’s continuity. The story follows the League being recruited by the Monitor to fight his evil counterpart, the Anti-Monitor, who seeks to destroy the multiverse. As the heroes take the fight to their new cosmic enemy, their battle turns fatal.
Crisis On Infinite Earths#7 showcases the first major death of the series, with an embattled Superman holding a fallen Supergirl in his arms as other heroes look on. Drawn by Perez, the comic is a prime example of show-stopping covers, combining raw emotion, death and stellar art to make it one of the most memorable stories of DC.
1The Brave and the Bold #28 (1955 Series)
As the comic that started it all for the League,The Brave and the Bold#28 (Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky & Murphy Anderson) is one of the most memorable, duplicated and influential covers not just in DC history but of all time. The story itself follows the League in one of their earliest missions, teaming up to save the world from Starro the Conqueror. With Snapper Carr at their side, they repel the alien’s invasion.
While Batman and Superman are notably absent from both the story and the cover, that doesn’t hold it back from being the best in JLA history. With one of the League’s greatest villains taking on some of its most iconic heroes, replete with the bold title logo and stark background. Now one of the most copied covers of all time, the book is a Holy Grail for Justice League fans – and rightly so.
