Justice League of America #144
Published and © by DC, July 1977
Title: “The Origin of the Justice League – Minus One!”
Synopsis: Green Arrow learns the truth about a secret adventure that predates the Justice League’s official formation.
Writer: Steve Englehart
Penciler: Dick Dillin
Inker: Frank McLaughlin
Review: Former Marvel writers can’t seem to help themselves when given the opportunity to dive into the Distinguished Competition’s deep toy box of characters. The resulting stories are often overstuffed, cluttered affairs, which is exactly the case with this one. Former Avengers scribe Steve Englehart sets out to craft a compelling piece of retcon but seems far more interested in shoehorning in historical heroes ranging from the Blackhawks to Roy Raymond, TV Detective. So. Many. Characters. On the art side, longtime JLA artist Dick Dillin turns in admirable journeyman work, as usual.
Grade: B-
Second opinion: “The mother of all origin stories. … It still makes great reading today.” – Gene Popa, Comic Effect #47, Spring 2009 … Included on Alan Brightmore’s “Individual Comics That You Should Not Be Without” list, from “A Consumer’s Guide to D.C. Comics, Part 2,” Comics Unlimited #51, October-November 1979. … “(Englehart) produced page-turning plots, including (this) now forgotten alternative origin. … Recommended.” – The Slings & Arrows Comic Guide (second edition), 2003
Cool factor: Damn, DC has a deep bench of characters.
Not-so-cool factor: Most of the one’s showing up here are inconsequential to the story.
Notable: Guest appearances by the Blackhawks, the Challengers of the Unknown, Congo Bill, Congorilla, Rip Hunter, Lois Lane, Jimmy Olson, Plastic Man, Roy Raymond, Rex the Wonder Dog, Robotman, Adam Strange and Vigilante. … Also includes an uncredited two-pager recapping “The Plague That Struck the Justice League!” from JLA #44. … The “JLA Mail Room” letters page includes LoCs from fan cartoonist Fred Hembeck and comic-book historian Peter Sanderson.
Character quotable: “The Mars I loved is gone! It is a world of loss causes and dead dreams! Evil triumphed over good there! But here, on Earth, the eternal struggle continues!” – J’onn J’onzz, Manhunter on Earth
Editor’s note: This review was written July 7, 2024.
