"JLA: Liberty and Justice" Talkback (Spoilers)

[Jor-El]

http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2003-11/dcuniverse/t-jla-libertyandjustice.jpg (http://comics.toonzone.net/solicitations/2003-11/dcuniverse/jla-libertyandjustice.jpg)

Written by Paul Dini
Art and cover by Alex Ross

The original members of the classic Justice League are back in an original graphic novel told in sequential comic-book storytelling by Emmy Award-winning writer Paul Dini and Eisner Award-winning painter Alex Ross! The JLA must confront a threat from space in the form of a deadly space-borne virus that sets off a chain reaction of worldwide fear and panic. Soon the JLA itself is under suspicion. Are they ultimately responsible for this alien danger? Can the JLA keep the world from tearing itself apart?
Does this book truly need any introduction?

What did you think?

[John Delaney]

This one was the best of the Big Books! I didn't think Superman Peace on Earth could be beat but this one did it. I thought the story was very intelligent and the commentary on our reliance on the media was very well executed. Alex Ross' big screen feel of this book was nothing short of brilliant. Paul Dini really gets Aquaman as so few do and the bit with Barry Allen calling his wife on the phone was such a great touch it made the book worth buying for that moment alone. Great chemistry between Barry & Hal & J'onn & Clark.

Truly a fantastic end to a great series.

John

[Clayface]

*drool* .....pretty art....... *drool*

Man, I love these oversized Alex Ross pieces. Haven't had a chance to read through this yet, but I think I've flipped through it 8 or 9 times already just to take in the art. I'll stop by again once I've gotten a chance to sit down and read the thing.

[fxmatt]

I thought this book was great! And the price seemed extremely reasonable for a book that is both oversized and by Alex Ross. Not that I'm complaining but I would think they'd be charging at least $15 for a book this good.

[Batman49]

This one is now my favorite of the oversized books. It was great especially with the fact that we got to see the original team. Makes me miss Barry and Hal.

[Nick K.]

I saw it but i dint pick it up as i bought Mythology cause Ross's is signing by where i live, but i think i might pick it up now! It looked really awesome, didnt get a chance to look at it in depth though!

[Eddie G.]

Actually JL I believe that Ross is also signing Liberty and Justice too, or so Midtown Comics' website says. I'll be buyin the copy tomorrow to get it signed by Ross, it going to be a pain reading it while trying to keep it in mint condition.

[Nick K.]

I thought that also, but i think it says hell be signing mythology, and Lib & Justice is also available! You never know!

Also, OT i cant stop reading Mythology!

[Harvey Dent]

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was great to see the JLA of my youth again in a situation that didn't involve punching someone's lights out.

Favorite moments:
Hal using his ring's AI to determine the origin of the virus
J'onn Vs. the fighter jets
Arthur Vs. the Russian submariners
Arthur kicking over the fire hydrant and subduing some rioters with the rushing water
Barry's chats with Iris
Barry and Hal working together to get rid of the infected clouds
There really isn't much out there that appeals to me in comics anymore, but as long as guys like Dini and Ross can come up with great stories using icons without betraying what makes them icons in the first place, then I've got no problem with digging into my wallet to buy a book.

*****

[randomguy]

I'm looking forward to this in ways I can't even articulate. I'll pick it up sometime next week, and I can't wait. For the size, it's a bargain.

[Eddie G.]

Wow, wow, wow. That was so friggin' cool, not only did it have jaw dropping art but the story and the way the characters were shown was so awesome. Only bummer was that I didn't get the book signed by Mr. Ross like I wanted to :(

[Fernus]

My favorite one of these kind of books yet. The art was amazing, to say the least.

The ending where "Superman" gave the speech reminded me a lot of Justice League Adventures #10, especially when we found out who it really was.

It was great seeing Hal Jordan, Barry Allen, and the older members of the League back for a change. Reminds of going back to year one's team.

[Domino]

I loved this book, but I did have a problem with the continuity. I don't like how Alex Ross insists on including Captain Marvel and Plastic Man in this form of the JLA. They were never, ever, ever part of that version of the JLA. With that small detail out of the way, I'd like to say that these were the characters of my youth as well, and it was wonderful to see them again. With their sanities intact, all of their limbs, and a sense of right and wrong, my heroes returned to me, if only for a short visit.

Thank you, Alex Ross and Paul Dini.

[DR.MID-NITE]

I really enjoyed it. I love Alex Ross' work. My only qualm(and this goes for cartoon JLA also). They are making the Martian Manhunter way too strong. He lifted a jetliner. He has become the Green Superman.

[Fernus]

I really enjoyed it. I love Alex Ross' work. My only qualm(and this goes for cartoon JLA also). They are making the Martian Manhunter way too strong. He lifted a jetliner. He has become the Green Superman.
The Superman-Clone thing is so old.

He's supposed to be that powerful. You think anyone who has super strength is a Superman clone. Well, we have Wonder Woman, Power Girl, Captain Marvel. Wow, DC's full of Superman-Clone's, isn't it?

[Damien]

Well, sort of, Destiny. Superman was the first. He set the standard.

Anyway, I've read about this book, but I haven't even seen it yet. Isn't is supposed to be not only oversized, but 90-something pages?
Anywho, I'm looking forward to finding it. That and "Secret Origins".

[randomguy]

Wow, what a fantastic read. It brings back so many great memories- it's a real pleasure to see these chracters rendered with such class. They're all sane, well-adjusted people (yes, even Batman), firmly dedicated to helping their fellow man. It's nice to see these heroes rendered as heroes, with none of the angst or inner conflict that we're so used to seeing these days. Definitely makes one nostalgic for days gone by.

It was a stroke of genius to have the Martian Manhunter narrarate this tale. His gentle, almost grandfatherly tone greatly enriches the story.

There's little I can say about Ross' art- at this point, everything that could be said about the man's genius already has been said. I'll just say that he uses a nice, cinematic feel, makes good use of color (and the large pages). As always, nobody catches the iconic feel of superheroes better. Just really delightful art.

Other points of interest:
-Wonder Woman's invisible plane makes a cute guest appearance
-I loved the interaction between Barry Allen and Isis. Very sweet, and oddly charming for its pedestrain, fairly routine nature.
-Aquaman kicked some serious ass. I loved it.
-I really miss Hal Jordan as GL. Seeing this stable, smart, and compassionate version of Hal makes the whole Parallax thing even more annoying.
-I liked all the cameos and guest apperances towards the end.
-I'm thankful that this story chooses to focus on J'onn, Aquaman, Hal, and Barry the most. Since the each member of the Big 3 already has their own tabloid, it seems fair.
-The Atom plays a nice role.
-It's nice to see the League in a story that doesn't involve fighting some sort of super-being. The book isn't low on action, mind you, but physical conflict isn't the chief story tool as it usually is in JLA stories.

All in all, not only is this book a delight, but it's also one heck of a value. The pages (of which there are 90) are huge, incredibly colorful, and very high-quality, yet the book is only 10 dollars. With comics being such an expensive habit right now, it's nice to see such a great story at such a great price. Highly reccomended.

[screw on head]

this book couldn't have had prettier pictures. i enjoyed the story, and really, really loved little bits of the story here and there, some great writing by i guess dini and ross. saw dini style elements here and there, but saw a lot of alex ross's taste in the book. little more real than i was expecting, but it's easily the best big book i've read so far.

[Eddie G.]

-I really miss Hal Jordan as GL. Seeing this stable, smart, and compassionate version of Hal makes the whole Parallax thing even more annoying.

It really made me sad when Manhunter was talking about how he could change reality or the universe if he wanted to, but he insteads protects his home world. I'm not sure if that was supposed to be a reference to Parallex, but that made me sad knowing one day he won't use his powers to protect people. :(