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JLA: The Deluxe Edition
JLA: The Deluxe Edition, Vol. 2
Comics legend Grant Morrison (ALL STAR SUPERMAN, FINAL CRISIS) delivers his unique take on the adventures of the World's Greatest Super-Heroes in this second oversized hardcover volume in the series starring Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, the Flash, Green Lantern and Martian Manhunter.
This volume features a cosmic adventure on a grand scale as the Justice League faces off against Lex Luthor's newly assembled Injustice Gang while the fate of the Earth itself hangs in the balance. Plus, the heroes must race through time to stop a threat to all the evil god Darkseid.
This volume features a cosmic adventure on a grand scale as the Justice League faces off against Lex Luthor's newly assembled Injustice Gang while the fate of the Earth itself hangs in the balance. Plus, the heroes must race through time to stop a threat to all the evil god Darkseid.
320 pages, Hardcover
First published June 9, 2009
60 people are currently reading
312 people want to read
About the author
Grant Morrison
1,791 books4,565 followersGrant Morrison has been working with DC Comics for twenty five years, after beginning their American comics career with acclaimed runs on ANIMAL MAN and DOOM PATROL. Since then they have written such best-selling series as JLA, BATMAN and New X-Men, as well as such creator-owned works as THE INVISIBLES, SEAGUY, THE FILTH, WE3 and JOE THE BARBARIAN. In addition to expanding the DC Universe through titles ranging from the Eisner Award-winning SEVEN SOLDIERS and ALL-STAR SUPERMAN to the reality-shattering epic of FINAL CRISIS, they have also reinvented the worlds of the Dark Knight Detective in BATMAN AND ROBIN and BATMAN, INCORPORATED and the Man of Steel in The New 52 ACTION COMICS.
In their secret identity, Morrison is a "counterculture" spokesperson, a musician, an award-winning playwright and a chaos magician. They are also the author of the New York Times bestseller Supergods, a groundbreaking psycho-historic mapping of the superhero as a cultural organism. They divide their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Scotland.
In their secret identity, Morrison is a "counterculture" spokesperson, a musician, an award-winning playwright and a chaos magician. They are also the author of the New York Times bestseller Supergods, a groundbreaking psycho-historic mapping of the superhero as a cultural organism. They divide their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews
March 22, 2017
Another okay volume from my most disliked famous author, Grant Morrison! So let's get the good and bad.
Good - Enjoyed Rock of Ages story despite it being too long for it's own good. However some bad writing we will address later it contained some fun moments and a look into the terrible future that COULD be. I always enjoy those type of stories. Prometheus storyline is really good. Especially finding out his origins, how he tricks the entire JL, and how they eventually stop him all worked well. Felt like a well made story.
Then we get that last piece of shit story. Whatever it was it was terrible. Also Morrison doesn't intend to give our heroes any real character development. Like most of his stories it's all over the place, he can hardly write dialog worth a damn, and we're stuck with generic character's from Saturday cartoons instead of making us feel like we can learn and like these characters.
Bonus - Priest little side story was excellent and makes me wish he wrote this entire volume instead. Well done pacing (better than the rest of the stories) and FUN and WELL DONE dialog.
Check it out, it's fun, but expect a lot of bad traits from Morrison you've learned to expect.
Good - Enjoyed Rock of Ages story despite it being too long for it's own good. However some bad writing we will address later it contained some fun moments and a look into the terrible future that COULD be. I always enjoy those type of stories. Prometheus storyline is really good. Especially finding out his origins, how he tricks the entire JL, and how they eventually stop him all worked well. Felt like a well made story.
Then we get that last piece of shit story. Whatever it was it was terrible. Also Morrison doesn't intend to give our heroes any real character development. Like most of his stories it's all over the place, he can hardly write dialog worth a damn, and we're stuck with generic character's from Saturday cartoons instead of making us feel like we can learn and like these characters.
Bonus - Priest little side story was excellent and makes me wish he wrote this entire volume instead. Well done pacing (better than the rest of the stories) and FUN and WELL DONE dialog.
Check it out, it's fun, but expect a lot of bad traits from Morrison you've learned to expect.
December 29, 2021
This one was quite good and has the team face off against Lex's legion of doom and well something with the philosophers stone and then we see a future in which Darkseid took control of earth and how they have to prevent the destruction of the stone and its an alright story and sort of a mess sometimes feels like but its alright. The writing is good there and just shows the ultimate threat of LOD/Darkseid and I love the role of some characters in this.
And finally its recruitment day and new members on JL but what happens when they are under attack by PROMETHEUS and that was such a cool story and a crossover with Wildcats where they fight EPOCH, the lord of time and yeah I don't like that story and its boring. The art was bad and kinda lowered this volumes rating for me.
Overall good read and it does set the stage for dc one million which should be exciting to read.
And finally its recruitment day and new members on JL but what happens when they are under attack by PROMETHEUS and that was such a cool story and a crossover with Wildcats where they fight EPOCH, the lord of time and yeah I don't like that story and its boring. The art was bad and kinda lowered this volumes rating for me.
Overall good read and it does set the stage for dc one million which should be exciting to read.
May 3, 2013
It's really difficult to assess this. Everything featuring Prometheus is terrific. On the surface it's your standard mysterious new supervillain story --somebody comes out of nowhere and quickly becomes a more credible threat to the heroes of the DCU than their established rogues galleries that have been around for decades. It's been done to death but Morrison makes it seem fresh and vital and right around the time Batman is easily dismantled by the aforementioned Prometheus you begin to feel genuinely nervous for our heroes. It all works and you're left with the feeling that only Morrison could have pulled it off.
However, that's only about three issues of this sizable collection. The rest is ... less exciting. The majority is late 90s insanity (see: Electric Blue Superman) and, although Morrison has some interesting ideas, the story goes all over the place and it's difficult to keep the thread(or the interest).
The WildC.A.T.S./JLA crossover found at the end of the book is phoned in by Morrison and is collected, I guess, only for the completists. I don't think DC owned the Wildstorm characters outright in 1997 so perhaps it was a big deal when it was published but the crossover reads literally as the best of no worlds.
However, that's only about three issues of this sizable collection. The rest is ... less exciting. The majority is late 90s insanity (see: Electric Blue Superman) and, although Morrison has some interesting ideas, the story goes all over the place and it's difficult to keep the thread(or the interest).
The WildC.A.T.S./JLA crossover found at the end of the book is phoned in by Morrison and is collected, I guess, only for the completists. I don't think DC owned the Wildstorm characters outright in 1997 so perhaps it was a big deal when it was published but the crossover reads literally as the best of no worlds.
May 23, 2015
The JLA stories are some of the best JLA stories I have read so far. The crossover with Wildcats is however terrible and should be skipped.
August 11, 2020
4
I've been debating if this would be a 3.5 or 4 rating, but I finally settled on the latter. JLA volume 2 had a lot of solid storylines mixed with a few not so great. Grant Morrison throws so much at this book and it almost becomes a Morrison book before dialling it back. The first volume felt like Morrison was holding back on the weirdness and this feels like he is stuck on the fence.
Why the 4?
Morrison can't seem to land the storylines. Overall this volume is a slight dip in quality compared to the first. I can avoid the unexplained changes of Superman and Wonder Woman as these were changes done in their solo storylines. The issue I had was the uneventful nature of this collection. Morrison obviously wanted to unleash some of his own style but is heavily restrained with JLA. I hope the next volume can recover some of missed opportunities here and return to the better structure of the first volume.
I've been debating if this would be a 3.5 or 4 rating, but I finally settled on the latter. JLA volume 2 had a lot of solid storylines mixed with a few not so great. Grant Morrison throws so much at this book and it almost becomes a Morrison book before dialling it back. The first volume felt like Morrison was holding back on the weirdness and this feels like he is stuck on the fence.
Why the 4?
Morrison can't seem to land the storylines. Overall this volume is a slight dip in quality compared to the first. I can avoid the unexplained changes of Superman and Wonder Woman as these were changes done in their solo storylines. The issue I had was the uneventful nature of this collection. Morrison obviously wanted to unleash some of his own style but is heavily restrained with JLA. I hope the next volume can recover some of missed opportunities here and return to the better structure of the first volume.
June 1, 2022
Grant Morrison continues his "superheroes are literally gods" run of the JLA and I'm here for it.
The star of the show for this volume is Rock of Ages. The JLA face not only the Injustice Gang but also Darkseid.
Then, Morisson leans even more heavily into the whole "superheroes=gods" thing by pitting the JLA against Prometheus (although instead of stealing fire from heaven, this Prometheus seems content to be just starting them there).
Finally, there is a totally skippable JLA/WildC.A.T.s. teamup.
I could have done without the whole "new member/team shakeup" nonsense and the teamup issue was pretty meh, but Rock of Ages is so fantastic and the Promethus arc is so good that I'm still giving this one five stars.
The star of the show for this volume is Rock of Ages. The JLA face not only the Injustice Gang but also Darkseid.
Then, Morisson leans even more heavily into the whole "superheroes=gods" thing by pitting the JLA against Prometheus (although instead of stealing fire from heaven, this Prometheus seems content to be just starting them there).
Finally, there is a totally skippable JLA/WildC.A.T.s. teamup.
I could have done without the whole "new member/team shakeup" nonsense and the teamup issue was pretty meh, but Rock of Ages is so fantastic and the Promethus arc is so good that I'm still giving this one five stars.
February 19, 2022
Didn't love Rock of Ages as much as I was hoping, but goddamn if Prometheus isn't great
December 18, 2016
Segundo tomo que recopila JLA del 10 al 17 más Prometheus, Secret Files 2 y JLA Wildcats. 336 páginas en gran parte ocupadas por uno de los arcos más nombrados de los últimos años, Rock of Ages. Ya cuando lo había leído por los 90s me resultó confuso y me volvió a pasar lo mismo. Es una historia clásica de viaje en el tiempo para impedir un futuro probable. En este caso lo que vuelve confusa la historia es el arte de Porter que es despampanante para mal, parecen ser dibujos muy buenos pero que en cada pagina pierde sentido lineal de narración mención aparte que uno de sus peores defectos es una característica determinante de calidad en cómic y son los rostros, el tipo dibuja todos los rostros idénticos sin diferencia de género ni para los alienigenas. El coloreado en cambio es de los mejores que se encuentran en los cómics de superheroes de entonces. La presentación de Prometheus y los 16 y 17 que le siguen en cambio es una historia mucho más compacta y clara que divierte más que todo el choclo anterior. Y para cerrar la historia con los Wildc.a.t.s. que recuerda a lo peor de Image, coloreado feo, personajes de musculaturas atrofiadas y toda una página entera para mostrar una bruta piña. Un dispositivo temporal dividido en ocho partes en distintas partes del tiempo y el universo manda a la JLA de viaje para así cruzarse con el grupo de Image que siempre por si acaso lo primero es repartirse tortazos. Me gusta Morrison, la JLA y tenía mejor recuerdo de este tomo.
January 12, 2015
Damn you, Kevin Smith! I bought this book entirely based on your raving review of it during your conversation with Grant Morrison in "Fat Man on Batman". This book reminds me of the fact that for every great Morrison comic there's dozens of shitty ones full of nonsensical plots and zero characterization.
January 31, 2018
I gotta say, I’m a bit disappointed considering how much I’ve heard people talk up Rock of Ages. It’s ok and all, but for a fan like me who really enjoys the cosmic/crisis angle, there are certainly better stories out there. I’ll re-read at some point in the future, but I don’t think it’ll move up in the order of cosmic events I really dig in DC.
I was delightfully surprised by the middle sections involving Prometheus. Having read Justice League a Cry for Justice a few years back, I was always keen to learn a bit more about him. In this, we get his origin and what would appear to be his first attempt at taking out the JLA or any heroes. Sure, you could say he’s a simple villain, but I liked how cold and calculating he was in the issue that had his origin and what he was up to at the moment in time hoping to meet the JLA.
The last bits? Dear Lord. Ok, at first, I thought it was far too 90s for my modern-day sensibilities, but it just further evolved into crap. I’m specifically talking about the issues with the JLA and WILDC.A.T.S.. This simply wasn’t my cup of tea and felt like a weird time travel crisis shoehorned in all of this. Like I said, started too 90s, then evolved into some Grant Morrison “too clever for his own good BS”, and was topped off with what I would call Frank Miller-style “visual garbage”. There’s no way I’m re-reading this stuff, and the dialogue is complete bonkers with attempts at techno-jargon that comes off as completely ridiculous…”Holographic projectors on a 21st century Virtual-Manga Emperor activate Infra-Laser Tracking Systems.”
I was delightfully surprised by the middle sections involving Prometheus. Having read Justice League a Cry for Justice a few years back, I was always keen to learn a bit more about him. In this, we get his origin and what would appear to be his first attempt at taking out the JLA or any heroes. Sure, you could say he’s a simple villain, but I liked how cold and calculating he was in the issue that had his origin and what he was up to at the moment in time hoping to meet the JLA.
The last bits? Dear Lord. Ok, at first, I thought it was far too 90s for my modern-day sensibilities, but it just further evolved into crap. I’m specifically talking about the issues with the JLA and WILDC.A.T.S.. This simply wasn’t my cup of tea and felt like a weird time travel crisis shoehorned in all of this. Like I said, started too 90s, then evolved into some Grant Morrison “too clever for his own good BS”, and was topped off with what I would call Frank Miller-style “visual garbage”. There’s no way I’m re-reading this stuff, and the dialogue is complete bonkers with attempts at techno-jargon that comes off as completely ridiculous…”Holographic projectors on a 21st century Virtual-Manga Emperor activate Infra-Laser Tracking Systems.”
July 29, 2020
I was eager for this to be over. It just didn’t do it for me. I know Grant Morrison is great and stuff, but this was all over the place. The best story was the one with Darkseid, and it had like 3 main plot! I just wanted it to pick a story and run with it. I really had no idea what threads to be invested in.
Also, I dislike Porter’s art. Everything looks stretches out. Keep an eye out for the panels where he obviously swipes Brian Bolland.
Not the best.
Also, I dislike Porter’s art. Everything looks stretches out. Keep an eye out for the panels where he obviously swipes Brian Bolland.
Not the best.
March 3, 2019
Again so up and down. I always find that Morrison takes it too far and sometimes his perfect. Im going to continue with this and see where it goes.
July 13, 2025
We don’t talk nearly enough about how terrible Frank Quitely’s art is.
March 12, 2017
Sympa ! Par contre j'ai hâte que Superman redevienne normal, sans pouvoirs électriques et sans mulet bizarre ^^
May 30, 2015
With this second volume, you read what many would consider as the one of the greatest JLA stores "Rock of Ages" in which a fight between the Justice League between Lex Luthor's Injustice Gang could result Darkseid's apocalyptic conquest of the Earth. Afterwards, the Justice League are reassembled to fight a new villain known as Prometheus.
As with the previous volume, writer Grant Morrison isn't interested in telling the personal lives of these superheroes who are depicted here as the modern day equivalent of the Greek Gods. Morrison is interested in telling grand adventures that travel through space and time and otherworldly matters. Collaborating with numerous artists on the book, its lead artist Howard Porter draws beautifully detailed panels which can provide many story beats in a single page.
Although Morrison's ideas can be head-scrambling and will confuse some readers, while the appearance of Electric Blue Superman is still unappealing, the Scot's run of JLA is certainly one of the greatest superhero team-ups ever.
As with the previous volume, writer Grant Morrison isn't interested in telling the personal lives of these superheroes who are depicted here as the modern day equivalent of the Greek Gods. Morrison is interested in telling grand adventures that travel through space and time and otherworldly matters. Collaborating with numerous artists on the book, its lead artist Howard Porter draws beautifully detailed panels which can provide many story beats in a single page.
Although Morrison's ideas can be head-scrambling and will confuse some readers, while the appearance of Electric Blue Superman is still unappealing, the Scot's run of JLA is certainly one of the greatest superhero team-ups ever.
August 6, 2011
This volume contains the JLA stories where Morrison really kicks his insane-o madness into high gear. "Rock of Ages" in particular presents some of Morrison's stabs at stories and ideas he would later fully flesh out in FINAL CRISIS, ALL-STAR SUPERMAN and BATMAN R.I.P. There's still a lot if unfortunate jumping around in DC continuity that's never really addressed directly-- this was the time period when Wonder Woman was replaced by her mother, for example, and Superman was this weird blue thing for a while.
I actually enjoyed this more on second read, which I'm finding to be the case with a lot of Morrison's work. This is enhanced by Porter's increasing skill with the art chores. While still not totally skillful, Porter's composition and detail ratchets up quite a few degrees.
I actually enjoyed this more on second read, which I'm finding to be the case with a lot of Morrison's work. This is enhanced by Porter's increasing skill with the art chores. While still not totally skillful, Porter's composition and detail ratchets up quite a few degrees.
October 19, 2014
Morrison, as always, has a good hold on what's necessary for a good story, but its his extras that are nothing but curveballs. It's less so here than later Morrison outings, but it's always a matter of aaaaalmost connecting the dots for the reader. I dug this collection a whole lot. There were just times it seemed to get a bit too far ahead for me with what's happening. But maybe that's why Morrison's exceptional and kind of a bogus challenge.
February 9, 2017
Long, drawn-out, detailed, technically-advanced plot points with plenty of deviation of other plot points. Sure, its action-packed, the ending is epic, and the art is extremely well done, but sometimes the characters grow to too many and the villians too few. It takes an advanced comic-reader to fully grasp exactly what happens in this collection. Also, at some points I ask myself (Is this plot ever going to end?) and I found myself dreading picking this book up again to read more.
October 27, 2009
You know, just because you write for DC doesn't mean that you MUST include a generically written story arc about quantum leaping through time and alternate universes to fight a not-so-convincing-evil-doer.
Sigh...it was the over-rated Grant Morrison, should I have expected anything different. Even with my low expectations he still managed to underachieve.
Sigh...it was the over-rated Grant Morrison, should I have expected anything different. Even with my low expectations he still managed to underachieve.
January 24, 2015
A lot of people are blown away by Grant Morrison.. personally I can't think of a book by him that has really interested me. This story was ok but the star of this book was the colorist, that was my favorite part.
April 16, 2020
Another overall excellent batch of high-concept, sci-fi tinged superheroics with insane threat levels. A lot of cliche superhero stories lean on "Gotham City is going to be destroyed by this lame idiot" or "the entire world is going to be destroyed by this hokey asshole," but Morrison manages to make the villains and their plans so absurdly enormous that it fully loops around on itself and becomes cool again.
The first of these megathreats comes from Lex Luthor and his newly formed Legion of Injustice, including The Joker and some other villains I was less familiar with, in a storyline called "Rock of Ages." This one starts off a little weak, with Lex's plan and its various machinations and twists being pretty forced and unexplained. He basically just gets one over on the JLA because of a bunch of plans he only tells us about (we don't see most of it actually pan out), leaving the plotting feeling pretty unclear and cheap.
But, about halfway through, it suddenly (because of a bunch of interstellar spacetime travel that is classic Morrison insanity), the story shifts into becoming a post-apocalyptic future story featuring several lesser JLA members having to fight Darkseid and the evil gods of Apokolips. Things like this chunk of the story are the entire reason I read superhero comics. Tons of excellent characterization, well-earned twists, monumental action, and fantastic artwork from Howard Porter. This really turned the book around for me.
Then, once "Rock of Ages" wraps up, we're treated to the thrilling, surprising debut of Prometheus, a villain I assume Morrison created (I didn't Google it, sue me), a normal man intent on destroying the JLA, and who almost pulls it off in about an hour. It's a great, high-octane story centered on a very unlikely villain, and I'm hopeful Prometheus makes a return in later issues.
Finally, this wraps up with the somehow great "JLA/WildCATs" team-up graphic novel, which proves Morrison, who is often premise over character, can really nail the personalities of two entire teams if he really sets his mind to it. His approach to Grifter is particularly fun, and even though this one feels a little throwaway, it's a good enough time to recommend giving it a shot.
So, I continue to be impressed with Morrison's take on the JLA. It's interesting to see him writing such an approachable comic for once, and I gotta say, I'm down for more.
The first of these megathreats comes from Lex Luthor and his newly formed Legion of Injustice, including The Joker and some other villains I was less familiar with, in a storyline called "Rock of Ages." This one starts off a little weak, with Lex's plan and its various machinations and twists being pretty forced and unexplained. He basically just gets one over on the JLA because of a bunch of plans he only tells us about (we don't see most of it actually pan out), leaving the plotting feeling pretty unclear and cheap.
But, about halfway through, it suddenly (because of a bunch of interstellar spacetime travel that is classic Morrison insanity), the story shifts into becoming a post-apocalyptic future story featuring several lesser JLA members having to fight Darkseid and the evil gods of Apokolips. Things like this chunk of the story are the entire reason I read superhero comics. Tons of excellent characterization, well-earned twists, monumental action, and fantastic artwork from Howard Porter. This really turned the book around for me.
Then, once "Rock of Ages" wraps up, we're treated to the thrilling, surprising debut of Prometheus, a villain I assume Morrison created (I didn't Google it, sue me), a normal man intent on destroying the JLA, and who almost pulls it off in about an hour. It's a great, high-octane story centered on a very unlikely villain, and I'm hopeful Prometheus makes a return in later issues.
Finally, this wraps up with the somehow great "JLA/WildCATs" team-up graphic novel, which proves Morrison, who is often premise over character, can really nail the personalities of two entire teams if he really sets his mind to it. His approach to Grifter is particularly fun, and even though this one feels a little throwaway, it's a good enough time to recommend giving it a shot.
So, I continue to be impressed with Morrison's take on the JLA. It's interesting to see him writing such an approachable comic for once, and I gotta say, I'm down for more.
February 18, 2020
Ive got a lot of thoughts on this one, particularly because there were a few stories in this. My first comment on this was that it felt like it took me a long time to get through. I felt like I was about to slump reading this even though I liked a good amount of what was happening in almost every issue.
So, let’s break this up in 3. First will be the darkseid story, then our Prometheus segue and finally the JLA/WILDC.A.T.S. Crossover issue.
First of all I’m going to say that I hated the crossover and it did not make me interested to read any more about them even though I will since Warren Ellis has a legendary run on it.
The darkseid story was mostly terrific and the most quintessentially Morrisonesque in it’s plotting, narrative style and pace.
Which means you will love this run or you will hate it. But I am one of the few that are in the ‘in between’ on this. I think the story is cool but I think the plotting and pacing is dreadful. Morrison makes his best attempt at making the narrative in this arc almost incomprehensible, granted, it’s not as bad as the JLA/Wildcats crossover but it is more than convoluted at times. I feel like the obscurity of story and the haze of confusion readers walk through is what some like best about this story, however I found it extremely labourous at times to keep up with the ever changing perspectives and timelines that weren’t just changing page to page but sometimes panel to panel.
The Prometheus story was my favourite section of the book, I loved the way they dealt with retooling the team and felt it was the most interesting character exchanges in the run so far. And this villain was very cool. I think it worked so well because it used a more conventional style of plotting to hook you instead of confusing the reader with multiple plot lines that all feel like a bad acid trip.
Out of every Morrison comic I’ve read, this might be the most unashamedly vague and complex. Which is unreal to think that the JLA could be his most confusing with his most accessible characters. Of course the Invisibles is crazier, I can’t even assess those stories correctly they melt my brain. But still, this run is not an easy read. And this is coming from someone who reads classic literature for fun.
So, let’s break this up in 3. First will be the darkseid story, then our Prometheus segue and finally the JLA/WILDC.A.T.S. Crossover issue.
First of all I’m going to say that I hated the crossover and it did not make me interested to read any more about them even though I will since Warren Ellis has a legendary run on it.
The darkseid story was mostly terrific and the most quintessentially Morrisonesque in it’s plotting, narrative style and pace.
Which means you will love this run or you will hate it. But I am one of the few that are in the ‘in between’ on this. I think the story is cool but I think the plotting and pacing is dreadful. Morrison makes his best attempt at making the narrative in this arc almost incomprehensible, granted, it’s not as bad as the JLA/Wildcats crossover but it is more than convoluted at times. I feel like the obscurity of story and the haze of confusion readers walk through is what some like best about this story, however I found it extremely labourous at times to keep up with the ever changing perspectives and timelines that weren’t just changing page to page but sometimes panel to panel.
The Prometheus story was my favourite section of the book, I loved the way they dealt with retooling the team and felt it was the most interesting character exchanges in the run so far. And this villain was very cool. I think it worked so well because it used a more conventional style of plotting to hook you instead of confusing the reader with multiple plot lines that all feel like a bad acid trip.
Out of every Morrison comic I’ve read, this might be the most unashamedly vague and complex. Which is unreal to think that the JLA could be his most confusing with his most accessible characters. Of course the Invisibles is crazier, I can’t even assess those stories correctly they melt my brain. But still, this run is not an easy read. And this is coming from someone who reads classic literature for fun.
April 27, 2025
Midway through the comic I realized Morrison's vision, although it lacked their knack for metafiction, and their gatling gun rapid-fire dumping of big ideas was less deployed (disputable), what remained was the adolescent belief in superhero comics—pop genre pieces in general—and their capability to inspire and teach morals; it's what John Millius said of John Ford, “Wayne and John Ford taught us how to live, taught us how to grow up and become adults, you know, and to say it in a politically incorrect way. They taught us how to be men.” Now, I don't know much about the teaching to become adult bit, in much of Morrison's work their clinging of icons of childhood would seem to indicate a wish to return to said childhood, one where the heroes in those comic books were responsible for teaching him something or other while also saving the world, while on the other hand their activist parents were too busing saving the world to teach the future bald shaman much. The point I'm trying to make is JLA is the simple comic in which Morrison modernized the zany Silver Age antics that they read and enjoyed. Heroes as moral beacons, but let's not forget the mythological approach so dear to Morrison, and this is what I realized. Everything became pretty much pretty soon, but if you know any Norse mythology story, you know this maximalist, nonsense aspect is present in much of their myths. Combine that with the science fiction pseudo fiction wonders of the Silver Age and you have JLA. Unfortunately, this doesn't explain why Rock of Ages was so bland (Lex Luthor is the saving grace, Darkseid should've had a bigger role), and why should someone care for the crossover issue with WildC.A.T.s (insufferable and tedious), but this sin falls on the decision to include it in the Deluxe Edition. These 90s superhero creations, what a creatively bankrupt lot, null and Void all of 'em.
June 8, 2021
One of the things I generally like about Grant Morrison is that he tends to introduce seeds of the next arc while working on the current arc. When handled poorly, this has the potential to muddy the overall story and create convoluted plots. I believe this volume to be an example of that - too much happens at once and it’s not handled with the level of care (or maybe hand holding?) needed.
The story and the dialogue are too dense. It feels effortfull to have to read and go through it. I’m still liking it much more than JL international, but it could be due to his run having a more serious tone.
Like volume 1, the book could seriously benefit from having explanations to what happens behind the scenes in other hooks. This was printed at least a decade after it was originally published, DC! Not everyone remembers.
Anyway, the league deals with the Injustice Gang here, as well as with Darkseid. Then a lame villain named Prometheus shows up and causes way too much damage. The team expands and the roster changes again.
I skipped the giant Wildcats issue as I had no interest in that. So, as of now… I’m 2 books in and very much underwhelmed. Maybe I’m not a fan of these team books. 🤷🏽♂️
Overall, 6/10 for the story and 7/10 for the art.
The story and the dialogue are too dense. It feels effortfull to have to read and go through it. I’m still liking it much more than JL international, but it could be due to his run having a more serious tone.
Like volume 1, the book could seriously benefit from having explanations to what happens behind the scenes in other hooks. This was printed at least a decade after it was originally published, DC! Not everyone remembers.
Anyway, the league deals with the Injustice Gang here, as well as with Darkseid. Then a lame villain named Prometheus shows up and causes way too much damage. The team expands and the roster changes again.
I skipped the giant Wildcats issue as I had no interest in that. So, as of now… I’m 2 books in and very much underwhelmed. Maybe I’m not a fan of these team books. 🤷🏽♂️
Overall, 6/10 for the story and 7/10 for the art.
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February 29, 2020“Rock of Ages” rightfully endures as Morrison’s most famous JLA story. It’s a mind-bending, meticulously plotted saga that only Morrison could write, full of high concepts and out-of-this world superheroics. I do think it’s a bit tedious; there’s loads of text and the story gets bloated, almost falling in on itself as it simultaneously progresses the plot and sets up future storylines. Your enjoyment of “Rock of Ages” also depends on your familiarity with Fourth World concepts. I love Kirby’s Fourth World, so I mostly enjoyed it, but even I think Morrison could have executed it better. Issue 14, though, is amazing through and through. If only the rest were as good as that one.
The Prometheus arc is fun but ultimately predictable with little substance. It does introduce new members, like Steel, Orion, and Barda, setting up more interesting dynamics. I legitimately loved the WildC.A.T.s crossover. It reads like one of those JLA/JSA team-ups of old, but funnier. Seriously, the dialogue here is hilarious, and had me laughing out loud at points (favorite bit, from Wonder Woman: “Both our universes have Tom and Jerry? What are the chances...”).
The Prometheus arc is fun but ultimately predictable with little substance. It does introduce new members, like Steel, Orion, and Barda, setting up more interesting dynamics. I legitimately loved the WildC.A.T.s crossover. It reads like one of those JLA/JSA team-ups of old, but funnier. Seriously, the dialogue here is hilarious, and had me laughing out loud at points (favorite bit, from Wonder Woman: “Both our universes have Tom and Jerry? What are the chances...”).
June 22, 2019
Another great addition to Morrison's renowned run on JLA.
The main story here being the Rock of Ages storyline, which was awesome once I got my head around some parts. Lots of foreboding happening toward the World War 3 arc too in classic Morrison fashion. I think this story would go down even better second time round, because there is a lot to take in. A ton of subtle things early on that seem confusing as hell only to click into place right at the end.
Then we get a short arc introducing Prometheus, who I had no idea Morrison created. This was a cool introduction to the character and left me looking forward to when he next pops up.
The book starts off much stronger than it finishes, but it's still a very solid read. Not to mention I know there's still 2 volumes to get through after this so I'm still excited for the epic finale!
The main story here being the Rock of Ages storyline, which was awesome once I got my head around some parts. Lots of foreboding happening toward the World War 3 arc too in classic Morrison fashion. I think this story would go down even better second time round, because there is a lot to take in. A ton of subtle things early on that seem confusing as hell only to click into place right at the end.
Then we get a short arc introducing Prometheus, who I had no idea Morrison created. This was a cool introduction to the character and left me looking forward to when he next pops up.
The book starts off much stronger than it finishes, but it's still a very solid read. Not to mention I know there's still 2 volumes to get through after this so I'm still excited for the epic finale!
March 18, 2021
This second volume of Morrison's JLA run is, to me, a significant improvement over the first one. It comprises of mostly two arcs - "Rock of Ages" and "Prometheus Unbound".
"Rock of Ages" is one of the best Justice League stories I've ever read. It's phenomenal in every count. Wildly imaginitive, occasionaly complex, with high stakes and alot of fun to read.
The second story "prometheus Unbound" is not as good, but its still a pretty fun read, even if the concept and origin story of Prometheus is slightly ridiculous. It's not a bad story, but certain elements of it were a bit silly.
Howard Porter is still on art duties, and while his artwork improved, it's still not my favorite style of art. However, it doesn't get in the way of the story and its not so bad to the point of becoming an eyesore.
"Rock of Ages" is one of the best Justice League stories I've ever read. It's phenomenal in every count. Wildly imaginitive, occasionaly complex, with high stakes and alot of fun to read.
The second story "prometheus Unbound" is not as good, but its still a pretty fun read, even if the concept and origin story of Prometheus is slightly ridiculous. It's not a bad story, but certain elements of it were a bit silly.
Howard Porter is still on art duties, and while his artwork improved, it's still not my favorite style of art. However, it doesn't get in the way of the story and its not so bad to the point of becoming an eyesore.
January 24, 2022
This was my first time revisiting these issues in about 15 years or so. The "Rock of Ages" storyline, which was my high-water mark for superhero team stories for years, didn't hold up as well as I remembered. It's a big swing, and Morrison handles the Fourth World stuff with a fantastic amount of Kirby Khaos, but it doesn't ultimately hang together as well as I remembered. (And why did Lex Luthor go through all the time and trouble to recruit an evil doppelganger Injustice Gang if they're mostly just going to hang out on his satellite and watch him gloat?)
JLA/WildC.A.T.S. is terrible. Other writers have done interesting stuff with WildC.A.T.S., so you can't lay the blame for this one at their feet. And I know folks love the Prometheus story, but it reads to me like a pretty average version of "establish a new villain by reverse-engineering a way for him to beat up all the good guys." It's fine for what it is.
JLA/WildC.A.T.S. is terrible. Other writers have done interesting stuff with WildC.A.T.S., so you can't lay the blame for this one at their feet. And I know folks love the Prometheus story, but it reads to me like a pretty average version of "establish a new villain by reverse-engineering a way for him to beat up all the good guys." It's fine for what it is.
August 25, 2024
Better than the first book, but I was pushing myself to keep reading at certain points. Rock of the ages, the first arc starts out strong. Then cosmic stuff comes in and it gets confusing. Metron from the New Gods sends us to another dimension, Wonderworld, which has its own group of cosmic peoples. It turns out I never heard of it because this is its first appearance. They send us to a timeline Darkseid takes over the Earth. It’s all confusing. After that comes Prometheus and the book is fun again. Morrison gets a little tongue in cheek with the writing, acknowledging the about of absurdity they have to pull for a regular guy to take on the Justice League.
Howard Porter’s artwork feels more focused and confident in these issues and only improves.
Howard Porter’s artwork feels more focused and confident in these issues and only improves.
September 24, 2021
#10 - 16 (a liga da injustiça de luthor , a pedra filosofal que ameaça tudo , metron , planetas de realidades convergentes com super seres gigantes que decidem realidades , viagens ao futuro onde darkseid governa)——-nunca estes viloes iriam se sujeitar a ser mandados literalmente pelo luthor——o batman ou tem super soluções tiradas do nada ou super parvas como a do metron ser humano———😝😝😝finalmente!!! A verdadeira salganhada à la grant morrisson 😝😝😝
#17 (prometheus , um vilao com todo o conhecimento para derrotar toda a liga da justiça )
Prometheus #1 (a origem do vilao e como ele entrou no QG da jla)
Jla/wildcats (a liga persegue um vilao através do tempo e vai dar ao mundo dos Wildcats, lutam uns contra os outros e por fim unem forças para equilibrar o espaço tempo que foi abalado pelo Omega attractor)
——-?sou só eu que acha ridículo a morte ser representada na Dc por um tipo de capa a andar de sky?????🤪🤪🤪🤪———
#17 (prometheus , um vilao com todo o conhecimento para derrotar toda a liga da justiça )
Prometheus #1 (a origem do vilao e como ele entrou no QG da jla)
Jla/wildcats (a liga persegue um vilao através do tempo e vai dar ao mundo dos Wildcats, lutam uns contra os outros e por fim unem forças para equilibrar o espaço tempo que foi abalado pelo Omega attractor)
——-?sou só eu que acha ridículo a morte ser representada na Dc por um tipo de capa a andar de sky?????🤪🤪🤪🤪———
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