This June, Justice League is relaunching, which means there’s another roster change in store for DC Comics’ foremost superhero team. The good news: If you loved the Justice League animated series, then the setup is rather familiar.
Wonder Woman, Hawkgirl, The Flash and Green Lantern as they all appear on Jiménez’s cover for Justice League #2. Image: Jorge Jiménez (DC Comics)
Announced this morning by DC, the main Justice League series will relaunch in June as a bi-weekly title. Scott Snyder – the former Batman scribe and current writer of the totally wild event series Dark Nights: Metal – will be joined by artists Jorge Jiménez and Jim Cheung (who is predominantly known for his work at Marvel Comics). Cheung will handle art duties for Justice League #1, while Jiménez boards the title for issue two, but DC has yet to confirm how the artists will handle the series beyond that.
Jim Cheung’s full cover for Justice League #1. Image: Jim Cheung (DC Comics)
What it has confirmed is that the new team will be tackling a cosmic-tinged storyline in the wake of the No Justice event set to start in May, as a new threat leads to some members of the team having to reconcile with new discoveries about their own mythologies. Speaking of which, here is that new League:
- Batman
- Superman
- Wonder Woman
- The Flash (Barry Allen)
- Cyborg
- Aquaman
- Hawkgirl
- Martian Manhunter
- Green Lantern (John Stewart)
Yup, save for a swap in of Barry over Wally West, and the addition of Cyborg, this is pretty much the team we all knew and loved in the fabulous Justice League animated series. Hawkgirl is a natural addition to the team, given Kendra’s major re-involvement with the DC universe in the events of Dark Nights: Metal (alongside a new and just-as-convoluted tweak to her origin story to add to the long, long list of convoluted tweaks to her origin story), but John Stewart is a nice surprise.
Jorge Jiménez’s full cover for Justice League #2. Image: Jorge Jiménez (DC Comics)
Since the New 52 reboot, John has mostly been confined to the cosmic realms of DC’s comics, while Hal Jordan (and then, more recently, Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz, the most recent GLs of Earth) served as the Corps’ representative in the League. Recently in DC Rebirth, John had an even bigger role in the stars leading the Green Lantern Corps, but it looks as though he’s now being brought back home for a stint. We’ll find out why when Justice League #1 hit shelves June 6.
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3 responses to “Hawkgirl And John Stewart Are Joining The New Justice League Lineup ”
Was never a fan of Hawkgirl in the Justice League. Just didn’t see what she brought to the table that wasn’t already covered by Wonder Woman, Superman, Martian Manhunter or even to a lesser extent Aquaman. They all have super strength and can fly (except Aquaman) while bringing other things to the team as well. My understanding of Hawkgirl has always been some angry chick with a weapon and some above average strength who can fly.
I was really enjoying the Christopher Priest run, so was a little sad to see him go for a new relaunch. However the inclusion of John Stewart my favourite Lantern and Hawkgirl is awesome.
I love how Hawkgirl is this powerhouse character on a similar level with the hulk. But what’s cooler about her at least in the animated series was how ready she was to rough house and go for a beer followed by another bar fight in another galaxy like it was no big deal. She was also less princessy than Diana who has more serious duties as an ambassador to Earth.
Also her duty to Thanagar and her role as spy was really good characterisation on the writers part as was her redemption with Doctor Fate.
Personality goes a long way.
Pretty excited for this, though Snyder’s stuff lately hasn’t been gelling with me the way Black Mirror and Court of Owls did. Really happy to see Jimenez on art too, he has such a great style.
It’s great that they are expanding the League’s roster too, especially bringing back Manhunter. Nice to see another lady added to the League as well, though I’m sad to lose Jessica. Mera would have been a cool addition as well.