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JLA: Earth 2 (Justice League of America JLA Earth 2)

by Grant Morrison, Frank Quitely (Illustrator)

3.92 of 5 stars 3.92 · rating details · 2,087 ratings · 52 reviews

They are the world's gravest super-villains: Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring and Johnny Quick—the legendary Crime Syndicate of Amerika!
Nothing has ever seriously threatened the global corruption they proudly enforce, but now a twisted mirror image of the CSA has arrived from the flip side of reality.
Can anything stop this so-called “JUSTICE LEAGUE,” or will the...more

Paperback, 96 pages

Published October 1st 2000 by DC Comics (first published 2000)

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Nov 03, 2011 mark monday rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: comikon

this is a fairly awesome revisit of some completely awesome bad guys originating in the DC Silver Age: the reverse Jusice League, known as the Crime Syndicate of America (formerly of Earth-3, then of the Anti-Matter Universe, now of... ??? well i don't fuckin know, everything's so confusing these days). each of the villains is the happily evil equivalent of various Justice Leaguers. whenever i see them appear in a comic strip, i am overcome with massive delight-convulsions. they're the ~~best~~ wors...more

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Mar 07, 2013 Raja99 rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: mcpl

Why I Reread this Book: Partly because I'm on a general Grant Morrison kick, partly because he referenced it in Supergods. I couldn't find my hardcover, so I eventually asked my public library to get a copy, which they did.

Overall, I'd say the art is (mostly) excellent, but I didn't care that much for the story. There were some nice intellectual twists, but I found it pretty uninvolving. I suspect I was probably completely confused when I read this when it came out; now, I'm more familiar with t...more

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Nov 11, 2012 Scott rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

I just went back and re-read this one, as it' s been on my shelf for about a decade, a remnant from my younger days as a hard-core comic fanboy.

I haven't kept up with comics for over ten years, but I used to be avid about them. Back in the late 1990s, I was heavily into the wave of British and Irish writers who were dominating a lot of the comic book scene - Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis, and others. Grant Morrison was one of these, though one who was rather unique. This gra...more I just went back and re-read this one, as it' s been on my shelf for about a decade, a remnant from my younger days as a hard-core comic fanboy.

I haven't kept up with comics for over ten years, but I used to be avid about them. Back in the late 1990s, I was heavily into the wave of British and Irish writers who were dominating a lot of the comic book scene - Alan Moore, Neil Gaiman, Garth Ennis, Warren Ellis, and others. Grant Morrison was one of these, though one who was rather unique. This graphic novel, JLA: Earth 2 is a great example of his greatest strength and weakness.

The story is not an unusual one for comics. The Justice League swaps places with their anti-matter universe counterparts - evil versions of themselves known collectively as "The Crime Syndicate of Amerika" - and the two groups deal with their inverse places by acting as they only know how. The Justice League attempts to right all of the infinite wrongs in the alternate Earth, while the Crime Syndicate attempts to dominate our planet.

As with most other Morrison-penned stories that I read back in the day, the strength of the story is the creativity in the little details. Morrison drew from decades of DC hero lore to create some darker quirks in the aspects of the Crime Syndicate world. To name one, instead of becoming Batman, the "Bruce Wayne" of that world becomes the thoroughly twisted "Owlman," who fights against his father Thomas Wayne, the police commissioner. There are tons of curious little warping such as this one.

Also, Morrison always had intriguing over-arching ideas. In JLA: Earth 2, the "big idea" and revelation is that the two worlds are so completely different, that "right" and "wrong" themselves are inverted. Whereas on the "good" Earth, justice always triumphs, on the dark Earth, "evil" always triumphs. Hence, even the combined powers of the Justice League heroes ultimately come to naught. It's dark and somewhat pessimistic for a mainstream comic book, but the philosophical exercise is interesting.

Unfortunately, this book also displays the one thing that I have always thought was Morrison's greatest weakness as a writer - cohesion. While his ideas are always great, and he even writes some decent dialog with amusing pop culture references, the flows of his narratives were almost always lacking. The jumps between times, places, and plot points can be absolutely dizzying. It amounts to a tale that is not as easily followed as it could be.

Aside from the story, the art is great. I always liked Frank Quitely. His style could probably be called "cartoony", but I love the fine details and the use of negative space that is present in so much of his work. Just from an aesthetic standpoint, the book is a joy to look at, due to Quitely's art and the vibrant colors.

It's a fun little read, for those who like to see DCs mainstream heroes tussle with some rather uncommon situations. However, I certainly don't consider it a classic by any means.(less)

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Jun 24, 2011 Justyn Rampa rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels

I had seen this cover several times but never really picked it up for one reason or another until now. Due to my grad school comic project, I am trying to read through as much literature as possible.

This is one of the first pairings of Grant Morrison and Frank Quietly, both men I have come to appreciate over the past year.

Like Grant Morrison do, he pulls an obscure nugget of comic lore out and builds an entire story around it. This tale revolves around the Crime Syndicate of Amerika which takes...more

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Jan 19, 2013 Wesley rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics

This recent reprint is of a graphic novel from 2000. The book was by the Scottish creative team of writer Grant Morrison and artist Frank Quitely. The pair have worked on a number of projects together including Flex Mentallo and We3 for Vertigo, All-Star Superman and the launch of Batman and Robin for DC and New X-Men for Marvel.<

Alexander Luthor uses stolen technology to cross the barrier between an anti-matter and matter dimension. He arrives on what he calls Earth 2 looking to call on the...more

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Jan 24, 2011 Jake added it

Shelves: favorite-authors, graphic-novels, science-fiction, superheroes

JLA: Earth 2 is Grant Morrison’s take on one of the classic plots of science fiction and superhero stories, the “Mirror Universe”, where good is evil, evil is good, and everything is backwards.

The concept of an alternate earth has a long history in comics, and even in the pages of the JLA, where Earth 2 was originally a home for the silver age versions of the DC characters. Earth 3 was actually the earth where good was evil, etc…

Yeah, don’t ask. This shit doesn’t make any sense to me either.

JLA:...more JLA: Earth 2 is Grant Morrison’s take on one of the classic plots of science fiction and superhero stories, the “Mirror Universe”, where good is evil, evil is good, and everything is backwards.

The concept of an alternate earth has a long history in comics, and even in the pages of the JLA, where Earth 2 was originally a home for the silver age versions of the DC characters. Earth 3 was actually the earth where good was evil, etc…

Yeah, don’t ask. This shit doesn’t make any sense to me either.

JLA: Earth 2 pretty much ignores all of that. It is basically a stand alone story (though Kurt Busiek would trot it back out later), written at a time when DC had dispensed with all of this multi-verse nonsense. So Morrison basically has a free hand to do whatever he feels like. Of course, he only has one small graphic novel to do it in, so this is not the sort of crazy, sprawling, epic that you might expect out of Morrison. Instead, it’s a tight little story about the JLA reacting to meeting their evil counterparts.

Whether or not you’ll like this story mostly comes down to a question of whether or not you like Mirror Universe kind of stories. If you do, this one is a pretty fun one. Morrison plays fast and loose with the inversions, with members of the CSA (Crime Syndicate of Amerika—the evil JLA) using expressions like “God Below”, and all the people on the Evil Earth having their hearts on the left side of their bodies. The idea of a universe where evil always wins actually turns out to be a central plot point, and the key to victory on the part of the JLA actually turns out to be exploiting that entire concept. It’s not quite as “meta” in its plot as some later stories (like Infinite Crisis and Final Crisis), but it’s definitely in there.

If you don’t like Mirror Universe stories, but like superheroes, and the JLA, then this is a fun ride. If you like none of those things, I don’t know why you’re even considering reading this book, frankly.

[Side note/nitpick: I know that this is not Morrison’s fault, but why is Batman’s counterpart Owlman? How are Owls the opposite of Bats? And why does my spellchecker actually recognize the name Batman, anyway?]
(less)

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Jul 18, 2012 D.M. rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

It takes a bit to get me to buy a superhero book, but the team of Grant Morrison & Frank Quitely's easily enough. I don't know why, but I really like Quitely's style. It's like a detailed blend of caricature, comic-realism and superheroes-on-steroids, which sounds awful but he always makes it work. Morrison's writing is, as ever, strange and superb. He's not a mastermind or anything, but his imagination is magnificent and put to good use in comics. This topsy-turvy world story is firmly root...more

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Aug 07, 2011 Ron rated it 2 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Morrison turns in the most pedestrian--verging on boring--script of his career, and one that frequently crosses over into incomprehensibility. This is strictly a paint-by-numbers good versus evil story that does nothing of the progressive or interesting nature that is usually a hallmark of his work. Further, the artwork by Quitely has the overly busy feel that a great deal of superhero artwork took on after the late 80s, making for a very distracting and hard to follow read, and not at all fores...more

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Jun 27, 2010 Lionel rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

A nice tribute to a classic Silver Age story where the Justice League and Justice Society met their evil counterparts on the reversed Earth Three. This time out, the heroes of the JLA are approached by Alexander Luthor, a refugee from an anti-matter universe who dubs their Earth "Earth 2" to distinguish it from his own, and who seeks their help to deal with their counterparts, the Crime Syndicate of Amerika, back on his earth.

While this isn't Morrison's best work by a stretch, it's far from his...more

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Nov 08, 2009 Jason rated it 4 of 5 stars

I picked up Earth 2 after it was featured in The Year of Great Comic Book Moments. It's a short read filled with some spectacular art from Quitely featuring some pretty great Batman and Owlman moments on their opposite earths and one of the few times in recent years where Aquaman and The Martian Manhunter have been written as the bad ass mofos they should be.

This isn't an event story. It's just a well woven tale about good and evil and the nature of it all.

Recommended for the cinematic quality o...more

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Dec 26, 2011 Ubalstecha rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2011-reads

Solid graphic novel about the JLA encountering the Criminal Syndicate of America, their evil twins from an alternate universe. Think Mirror Mirror episode(s) of Star Trek and you have the idea. The League is recruited by the Mirror Lex Luthor to help bring down the CSA, something to which the JLA readily agrees. There are unexpected consequences to the decision, which leads to all out battles and the two earths coming together.

A solid revisiting of a classic Silver Age story line, but nothing ov...more

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Jun 03, 2012 Mike rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels

JLA: Earth 2 is a stand alone graphic novel by Grant Morrison featuring the Justice League's evil opposites from a parallel universe, the Crime Syndicate, paying a visit.

The Crime Syndicate are intriguing villains, and Morrison does show a fair amount of clever ideas and twists within these pages, but as seems to be the usual with him the story does not reach it's potential. The story is not clearly told and too many interesting points are crammed in and not given enough development. What's here...more

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Mar 05, 2010 Federiken Masters rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition Recommends it for: Los mismos de siempre.

Recommended to Federiken by: El nombre de su autor.

Interesante reinterpretación de una de las ideas más divertidas de la Edad de Plata del comic yanqui. Claro que no puedo ser muy objetivo con la obra porque se trata de un trabajo de dos de mis autores favoritos, que siempre que hacen algo junto se potencian y generan una gran sinergia. El guión de Morrison es entretenido y se preocupa por mostrar tanto cómo funcionaría sociopolítica y económicamente un mundo donde el mal funciona como el bien y viceversa como en llenar todo de detallitos y curi...more

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May 15, 2008 Matt rated it 4 of 5 stars

A blast to the past kind of story of the Justice League of America, and an alternate Earth where their evil opposites reign supreme. Of course, between pure good and evil, a force of bland neutrality may be an even greater threat...

This book is a terrific achievement, marrying the complex sensibilities of the present with the kind of wonderful insanity that dominated the Silver Age of DC Comics. Morrison does a great job with the characters and the worlds, and never lets the sense of fun slip fr...more

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Dec 28, 2011 Electro added it

I read the book and I LOVED it. I like the part when 2 teams fight each other and I like the Owlman and Superwoman story cuz' it's kinda funny when Ultraman interfered. In addition, Green Lantern frightened a group of thugs attacking a dog by creating a construct of a ferocious beast and I really liked it. My most fav part of this novel is the Daily Planet scene because it's funny when Superwoman seduces Jimmy Olsen and it's still funny in my opinion.

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Feb 26, 2013 Amal El-Mohtar rated it 3 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comics

I liked it well enough. A bit burnt out on Brainiac being the "gotcha!" villain -- possibly that's just me having read too many stories where that's the case back to back. But also I'm a little tired of BDSM being proof of Women Being Evil and/or Broken. It's such lazy, inaccurate shorthand. But I guess in a book where "good" and "evil" are such bizarrely rigid, transcendent concepts, expecting more nuance there is unreasonable.

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Aug 03, 2011 M rated it 4 of 5 stars

Turning the Justice League on its ear with their evil counterparts, this trippy compilation asks what would happen if the good guys ever went rogue. And the answer is not pretty. Owlman, Ultraman, Superwoman, Power Ring, and Johnny Quick rule the alternate Earth-3; heroic Lex Luthor has arrived to our universe in order to have the League dethrone their deadly counterparts. This volume brings back the evil Crime Syndicate to the main DCU proper; and I'm glad it does.

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Mar 15, 2013 Angel rated it 3 of 5 stars Recommends it for: JLA fans

Shelves: graphic_novels_and_comics

An interesting take on the Justice League. There is a parallel anti-matter world basically where villains, who are very much like our heroes, rule with an iron fist. Superman, Wonder Woman, and the others have evil counterparts in this other world. When an escapee of that world comes to our Earth seeking help, the JLA tries to help. But will they be able to? And what happens when the villains learn our world exists? The story did feel a little rushed towards the end, but it was entertaining over...more

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Jul 24, 2011 Lloyd rated it 5 of 5 stars

Shelves: 2000s, comic-book-graphic-novel, grant-morrison

In a world that's a strange mirror of our own, The Crime Syndicate of Amerika rule with an iron fist. They're seemingly the exact opposite of our heroes, The Justice League of America. In fact, everything is the opposite of our world.

When the two worlds collide, out comes this stunning tale by comics master Grant Morrison.

I highly recommend it.

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Jul 24, 2012 Andy Wisely rated it 4 of 5 stars · review of another edition

Shelves: comics, jla

It's a reboot of an old concept : there is an earth where Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and The Flash are evil, while Lex Luthor is good.
This is Grant Morrison story in his "simple" mode. Readers won't have (much) difficulty following the story. The villains' redesigned costumes are great, far superior to their old version.

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Nov 27, 2012 Gavin rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics

The Earth 2 version of the JLA is inverse from our Earth: the Justice League are the bad guys, and everyone is that way, so their Luthor (Alexander) is actually a good guy, and when the dimensions get their signals crossed, all hell breaks loose. Very cool idea, well executed and actually involving the major players.

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Apr 11, 2013 Scott rated it 4 of 5 stars

This was a fun and quick read. I really liked Grant Morrison's slightly edgy and adult take on the evil twins of the JLA from a mirror universe, where good is evil and right is wrong. The artwork by Frank Quitely is also excellent, as always. Recommended for DC Comics fans, or fans of Morrison's writing.

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Sep 01, 2012 James T rated it 4 of 5 stars

Must have. Earth 1 has the mirror image of the DC heroes and they are evil..."gasp".

Earth 1 - no matter how hard "good" tries, "evil" wins in the end.

Earth 2 - no matter how hard "evil" tries, "good" wins in the end.

Interesting concept that Mr. Morrison weaves a nice story out of.

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Nov 03, 2012 Mark rated it 3 of 5 stars

I'm not really a fan of alternate universe storylines, but this wasn't the worst I've ever read.

The ending was a bit garbled in Morrison's typical style of trying to be too clever, but all in all not a bad read. Quitely's artwork is, as always, top drawer.

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Jan 25, 2013 Ned Leffingwell rated it 4 of 5 stars

Got this as a birthday present. I enjoyed this one. Grant Morrison does a good job of telling a Sliver Age story that takes place in the modern world. Frank Quitely's art fits well with the story. Keep an eye out for the Statue of Liberty head.

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Apr 20, 2012 Michelle Cristiani rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels-jla

I just love the Crime Syndicate. Love those guys. I love them whenever they appear; I love them even though they're evil. This story is simply perfect, and I would have given it 5 stars except that the illustration is a little....juvenile. What's that, you say? This is targeted to a juvenile audience? Well, I say, no excuse. I'm not an artist and always feel a little guilty for judging someone else's drawing. If I drew Wonder Woman, she would be a stick figure with long hair and big boobs. But s...more

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Nov 29, 2008 Leonora rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: dc-comics

i like earth 2 (and the whole pre-crisis continuity hell multiverse) and i like grant morrisson, but i think he was reaching for too much in this book and it comes out flat and uneven.

plus frank quitely's art has always bothered me.

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Dec 22, 2008 David rated it 3 of 5 stars

Maybe this deserves a second read, but I really wasn't all that impressed here. Morrison is well known for leaving a lot out of his stories, but here, there felt like large holes in the story.
I don't know.

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Jul 09, 2012 Ian rated it 3 of 5 stars

Shelves: comics, superheroes

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman et al travel to an alternate world and get to battle their evil selves. The story is possibly a bit slight, but the art by Frank Quitely is glorious.

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Sep 14, 2010 Dan rated it 4 of 5 stars

Shelves: graphic-novels, super-heroes

A really great JLA story where we see the opposite (evil) numbers of the big heroes we love on an alternate earth, and where Lex Luthor of all people is that Earth's sole hero.

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