What do you think?
Rate this book
Justice League International #5
Justice League International, Vol. 5
The fifth volume collecting the wacky (mis)adventures of the 1980s Justice League of America. The team is reborn in this volume as Justice League International, featuring heroes including The Flash, Power Girl, Metamorpho, Animal Man and The Elongated Man, all operating under the mysterious influence of Maxwell Lord.
240 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 1989
14 people are currently reading
171 people want to read
About the author
Keith Giffen
1,943 books217 followersKeith Ian Giffen was an American comic book illustrator and writer. He is possibly best-known for his long runs illustrating, and later writing the Legion of Super-Heroes title in the 1980s and 1990s. He also created the alien mercenary character Lobo (with Roger Slifer), and the irreverent "want-to-be" hero, Ambush Bug. Giffen is known for having an unorthodox writing style, often using characters in ways not seen before. His dialogue is usually characterized by a biting wit that is seen as much less zany than dialogue provided by longtime collaborators DeMatteis and Robert Loren Fleming. That approach has brought him both criticism and admiration, as perhaps best illustrated by the mixed (although commercially successful) response to his work in DC Comics' Justice League International (1987-1992). He also plotted and was breakdown artist for an Aquaman limited series and one-shot special in 1989 with writer Robert Loren Fleming and artist Curt Swan for DC Comics.
Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.
He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.
He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.
Giffen's first published work was "The Sword and The Star", a black-and-white series featured in Marvel Preview, with writer Bill Mantlo. He has worked on titles (owned by several different companies) including Woodgod, All Star Comics, Doctor Fate, Drax the Destroyer, Heckler, Nick Fury's Howling Commandos, Reign of the Zodiac, Suicide Squad, Trencher (to be re-released in a collected edition by Boom! Studios)., T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents, and Vext. He was also responsible for the English adaptation of the Battle Royale and Ikki Tousen manga, as well as creating "I Luv Halloween" for Tokyopop. He also worked for Dark Horse from 1994-95 on their Comics Greatest World/Dark Horse Heroes line, as the writer of two short lived series, Division 13 and co-author, with Lovern Kindzierski, of Agents of Law. For Valiant Comics, Giffen wrote XO-Manowar, Magnus, Robot Fighter, Punx and the final issue of Solar, Man of the Atom.
He took a break from the comic industry for several years, working on storyboards for television and film, including shows such as The Real Ghostbusters and Ed, Edd 'n' Eddy.
He is also the lead writer for Marvel Comics's Annihilation event, having written the one-shot prologue, the lead-in stories in Thanos and Drax, the Silver Surfer as well as the main six issues mini-series. He also wrote the Star-Lord mini-series for the follow-up story Annihilation: Conquest. He currently writes Doom Patrol for DC, and is also completing an abandoned Grant Morrison plot in The Authority: the Lost Year for Wildstorm.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 6, 2019
Collects Justice League International Annuals #2 and #3 and the first 6 issues of Justice League Europe. Annual #2 actually takes place back during volume 3 of this series. I'm guessing it was moved to make all the volumes a similar size. In this story, the Joker goes after the Justice League. Then we get to see the beginnings of Justice League Europe as someone tries to discredit them before they can establish themselves. Plus, Rex's wife shows up. The final story features both JL teams as they visit all the JL embassies and Kooey Kooey Kooey comes into the picture. Not quite as good as previous volumes but still fun.
December 3, 2019
Giffen takes his JLI formula and applies it to a new group of heroes, to good (but not great) results. Although there are some memorable members in this team, like Animal Man and Red Fox, you never get quite the iconic pairing that you find in JLI, with Beetle, Booster, Fire, and Ice. And the humor is at times strong, but these heroes just aren't quite as well stereotyped as folks like Guy over in JLI.
The first arc in this volume centers on Bialya, and it's a great expansion of an existing JLI story that feels very appropriate for the new team. We also get the absolutely terrific issue #6, where the Injustice League and the JLE both go to school to learn French.
This volume is padded out with two annuals. JLI Annual #2 is way out of place here, as an American-focused issue, and one that should have taken place at least a year earlier. It also misfires a bit with way too much focus on the fact that the Joker is a murderous psychopath. Yawn. JLI Annual #3, meanwhile, may have the best story in the volume: a great character piece on J'onn J'onnz, also not a European member, but who cares. Of course that's not the main story in the annual, which is instead a somewhat dull tour of JLI embassies, which does at least bring together the American and European teams.
The first arc in this volume centers on Bialya, and it's a great expansion of an existing JLI story that feels very appropriate for the new team. We also get the absolutely terrific issue #6, where the Injustice League and the JLE both go to school to learn French.
This volume is padded out with two annuals. JLI Annual #2 is way out of place here, as an American-focused issue, and one that should have taken place at least a year earlier. It also misfires a bit with way too much focus on the fact that the Joker is a murderous psychopath. Yawn. JLI Annual #3, meanwhile, may have the best story in the volume: a great character piece on J'onn J'onnz, also not a European member, but who cares. Of course that's not the main story in the annual, which is instead a somewhat dull tour of JLI embassies, which does at least bring together the American and European teams.
July 5, 2022
So Captain Atom is assigned a new mission...move Justice League to Europe. In which case he has a very...fun group of people with him.
In comes Power Girl, Flash, Rocket Red, good old Animal Man, and who can forget the husband and wife Elongated man and Sue! This is a wild group of people, none really close, but all working together to stop bad guys. This first volume consist of a Nazi showing up on their doorstep dead, finding out why that is, and ending with them trying to take French as a class to be able to speak to people there.
It's still wacky as the original International series yet a bit more serious in tone at times. A more balanced version I'd say. However, I really enjoyed it. I didn't laugh as much though the stuff with Wally and Kara was gold. I also enjoyed the villain plot here and Queen Bee was a fun addition.
A easy 4 out of 5.
In comes Power Girl, Flash, Rocket Red, good old Animal Man, and who can forget the husband and wife Elongated man and Sue! This is a wild group of people, none really close, but all working together to stop bad guys. This first volume consist of a Nazi showing up on their doorstep dead, finding out why that is, and ending with them trying to take French as a class to be able to speak to people there.
It's still wacky as the original International series yet a bit more serious in tone at times. A more balanced version I'd say. However, I really enjoyed it. I didn't laugh as much though the stuff with Wally and Kara was gold. I also enjoyed the villain plot here and Queen Bee was a fun addition.
A easy 4 out of 5.
August 16, 2025
“I don’t see Crocodile Dundee anywhere! Why isn’t HE working on the cleanup?”
“He’s not REAL, Ralph!”
“Oh, PLEASE - - next you’ll tell me Superman is just a comic book character!”
“Well, let’s not be ridiculous!”
Still just an incredibly silly comic with an ever increasingly silly cast and now with even more “Euro” centric storytelling.
Which I think is where this volume really starts to stumble for me. The shakeups with the team I’m kind of okay with since that’s very much part and parcel with the title itself, but to go from largely sitcom set ups to an extended story about Queen Bee trying to paint the JLE as Neo-Natzis it’s just…tonally, ya know, I think we might have finally found the book’s ceiling.
But still! Lots of stuff here to love still. Sapphire Stagg. All the Who’s Who of the embassy support staff. More Annuals. Love love love that stuff. Love less Ultra Horny Wally West.
“He’s not REAL, Ralph!”
“Oh, PLEASE - - next you’ll tell me Superman is just a comic book character!”
“Well, let’s not be ridiculous!”
Still just an incredibly silly comic with an ever increasingly silly cast and now with even more “Euro” centric storytelling.
Which I think is where this volume really starts to stumble for me. The shakeups with the team I’m kind of okay with since that’s very much part and parcel with the title itself, but to go from largely sitcom set ups to an extended story about Queen Bee trying to paint the JLE as Neo-Natzis it’s just…tonally, ya know, I think we might have finally found the book’s ceiling.
But still! Lots of stuff here to love still. Sapphire Stagg. All the Who’s Who of the embassy support staff. More Annuals. Love love love that stuff. Love less Ultra Horny Wally West.
May 11, 2024
Another hilarious volume
March 19, 2015
This book's got some fun stories, especially the story where Metamorpho goes off to find his kid. The one downside is the awful, awful art by Bart Sears, who never met an anatomy he couldn't screw up.
February 9, 2016
Sometime you just gotta have fun, even in the superhero world of stopping crime and evil. JLI is that fun answer to the superhero world. Nicely written and drawn stories make this an enjoyable read. Recommended
April 5, 2018
No more hardcovers of this series. Not that DC put much care into the hardcovers anyway.
JLI Annuals 2 & 3 - 2's fun, with Joker being hired to assassinate the JLI - of course, if you've read the collections in sequence, he's hired by the late leader of Bialya - Queen Bee killed him a while back! Not much foresight here. Still, it's a funny lark of an issue. Annual 3's a little more forgettable - the humor's not as good, although there is some good banter. DeMatteis gets to get introspective in the second tale, getting inside J'Onn's head nicely.
The first six issues of JLE are here also. They're pretty solid - the French school issue remains a blast, as is the team's takedown of Queen Bee. The character dynamics aren't nearly as strong as those in JLA at this stage - and they'll never really get that strong. DeMatteis leaves the series after issue 6, and subsequent scripters, Bill Messner-Loebs & Gerard Jones, are capable enough, but can't weave humor and character like Marc.
Metamorpho - a character I'm pretty indifferent to - gets a nice spotlight in JLE 5, as his memory returns when Sapphire and Java show up. Lots of great comedy in this chapter!
JLI Annuals 2 & 3 - 2's fun, with Joker being hired to assassinate the JLI - of course, if you've read the collections in sequence, he's hired by the late leader of Bialya - Queen Bee killed him a while back! Not much foresight here. Still, it's a funny lark of an issue. Annual 3's a little more forgettable - the humor's not as good, although there is some good banter. DeMatteis gets to get introspective in the second tale, getting inside J'Onn's head nicely.
The first six issues of JLE are here also. They're pretty solid - the French school issue remains a blast, as is the team's takedown of Queen Bee. The character dynamics aren't nearly as strong as those in JLA at this stage - and they'll never really get that strong. DeMatteis leaves the series after issue 6, and subsequent scripters, Bill Messner-Loebs & Gerard Jones, are capable enough, but can't weave humor and character like Marc.
Metamorpho - a character I'm pretty indifferent to - gets a nice spotlight in JLE 5, as his memory returns when Sapphire and Java show up. Lots of great comedy in this chapter!
January 15, 2020
This first run of Justice League Europe, from 1 to 6, was just fun, drama and intrigue in a perfect balance.
I really appreciated that the Byalya issues had their repercussions in Justice League America as well. There was a big sense of cohesiveness between these two titles and it only added when put together.
This trade contained some Annuals as well. For some reason they weren't that good, but I'll skip them since I mentioned them for the previous volume.
When JLE got started I was worried it would be a copy of the JLI title, but each character had his/her own distinctive voice, and in a way, I think this title stayed more focused than the JLI ever did.
From Byalya, to Sapphire, to French classes, the whole thing was revolutionary and quite a ride.
I really appreciated that the Byalya issues had their repercussions in Justice League America as well. There was a big sense of cohesiveness between these two titles and it only added when put together.
This trade contained some Annuals as well. For some reason they weren't that good, but I'll skip them since I mentioned them for the previous volume.
When JLE got started I was worried it would be a copy of the JLI title, but each character had his/her own distinctive voice, and in a way, I think this title stayed more focused than the JLI ever did.
From Byalya, to Sapphire, to French classes, the whole thing was revolutionary and quite a ride.
April 15, 2024
Giffen and DeMatteis take the JLI approach that has worked phenomenally well and apply it to a brand new team. This line-up is called the Justice League Europe, headlined by a self-defeating Captain Atom. There are fun inclusions into the team, such as Ralph and Sue Dibney, but a good amount of them feel underdeveloped. As it stands, this iteration of Flash feels like a lesser Guy Gardner with how he's obsessed with money, women, and told that he's not as good as Barry. There are good issues, such as a fun jaunt where the team takes a night class to learn French, but a good amount of the resolutions occur off panel. Not bad, but a lesser take on what JLI perfected.
April 16, 2023
Weak In Every Way
Can’t think of anything good to say about this one.
I am guessing that this was supposed to be funny.
It wasn’t!
Totally unfunny!
The story was weak.
In fact it was quite 'unbelievable'.
Hated what they did to the characters.
For example, Kid Flash, Wally West was a money grubbing sleaze bag!
That, for me, was the biggest disappointment of all.
I really don't understand why DC Comics are so relaxed about the 'degrading' of their characters.
And, the art work was very ordinary.
Won’t be reading any more in this series.
Not recommended.
Bruce
Can’t think of anything good to say about this one.
I am guessing that this was supposed to be funny.
It wasn’t!
Totally unfunny!
The story was weak.
In fact it was quite 'unbelievable'.
Hated what they did to the characters.
For example, Kid Flash, Wally West was a money grubbing sleaze bag!
That, for me, was the biggest disappointment of all.
I really don't understand why DC Comics are so relaxed about the 'degrading' of their characters.
And, the art work was very ordinary.
Won’t be reading any more in this series.
Not recommended.
Bruce
May 5, 2024
Justice League International Vol. 5
As the roll out of Justice League embassies continues, Captain Atom takes command of Justice League Europe in Paris and soon finds himself at odds with his team, as well as in hot water with J'onn J'onzz and Maxwell Lord for taking the Queen Bee situation to a head.
A lively continuation of the JLI storyline, with some sneaky little jokes - for example see who is the liaison at the British JLI embassy. The artwork is good, for its time and the colouring is sharp and vibrant.
As the roll out of Justice League embassies continues, Captain Atom takes command of Justice League Europe in Paris and soon finds himself at odds with his team, as well as in hot water with J'onn J'onzz and Maxwell Lord for taking the Queen Bee situation to a head.
A lively continuation of the JLI storyline, with some sneaky little jokes - for example see who is the liaison at the British JLI embassy. The artwork is good, for its time and the colouring is sharp and vibrant.
July 15, 2023
I don’t like JL Europe as much as the og international team (now the American branch). Still some fun humor bc it’s the same writers. The standout issue is when the JLE end up in a French class with the Injustice League — great premise.
Annual 2 is super fun but annoying out of chronology here. Annual 3 was chill and had a great Martian Manhunter backup story.
Annual 2 is super fun but annoying out of chronology here. Annual 3 was chill and had a great Martian Manhunter backup story.
June 11, 2024
La etapa JLI da paso aquí a los primeros números de JLE y a un annual de lo más interesante, con un viaje por las nuevas embajadas de la Liga en el mundo (y la primera aparición de KooeyKooeyKooey), y una interesante y muy diferente historia del Detective Marciano con Batman que explora la personalidad del primero
January 22, 2024
good
Finally Justice league Europe a wonderful idea that at the start was fantastic i just feel they could have used more European heroes not just all the known characters. This is a chance you should take and run with whenever u can.
Finally Justice league Europe a wonderful idea that at the start was fantastic i just feel they could have used more European heroes not just all the known characters. This is a chance you should take and run with whenever u can.
April 26, 2020
I hadn’t read these in 20 years. They have not aged well. The jokes are more miss than hit, the superheroing is an afterthought, and it’s just absurdly horny.
April 19, 2022
JLE is a classic
Bart Sears and the rest are so fantastic!
This really brings me back, shear greatness.
The humor and art are top notch
Bart Sears and the rest are so fantastic!
This really brings me back, shear greatness.
The humor and art are top notch
March 9, 2016
Kooeykooeykooey Or Bust!
The hilarity continues as the Justice League International collections move out of hardcover to trade paperback and start collecting the Justice League Europe run, wherein Captain Atom is handed the reins of a spin-off team that's considerably more dysfunctional than he ever expected...with disaster raining down from all sides, a distinctly disenchanted French government casting a beady eye on them, and, most horrifying of all, French lessons for most of the team. Also, the amnesiac Metamorpho's ex-widow shows up. For extra icing, Flash, Wally West, is still an obnoxious sexist, which particularly aggravates Power Girl.
This won't be to the tastes of everyone, of course, given that the goofiness is front and center (with the exception of William Messner-Loebs' J'onn J'onzz story from JLI ANNUAL #3) and the plots take something of a back seat. Also, the artwork by Bart Sears has a craggy, big-hair ugliness to it that can be very distracting at times, particularly with Power Girl. The deliberate lack of political correctness will also unsettle some readers...Giffen and DeMatteis aren't fond of coloring inside the lines at times. Messner-Loebs cheerfully follows suit in Annual #3's first story, which introduces Kooeykooeykooey and its bizarre cargo-cult tribe.
I enjoyed this collection, but I happen to have a fondness for this era of the League.
The hilarity continues as the Justice League International collections move out of hardcover to trade paperback and start collecting the Justice League Europe run, wherein Captain Atom is handed the reins of a spin-off team that's considerably more dysfunctional than he ever expected...with disaster raining down from all sides, a distinctly disenchanted French government casting a beady eye on them, and, most horrifying of all, French lessons for most of the team. Also, the amnesiac Metamorpho's ex-widow shows up. For extra icing, Flash, Wally West, is still an obnoxious sexist, which particularly aggravates Power Girl.
This won't be to the tastes of everyone, of course, given that the goofiness is front and center (with the exception of William Messner-Loebs' J'onn J'onzz story from JLI ANNUAL #3) and the plots take something of a back seat. Also, the artwork by Bart Sears has a craggy, big-hair ugliness to it that can be very distracting at times, particularly with Power Girl. The deliberate lack of political correctness will also unsettle some readers...Giffen and DeMatteis aren't fond of coloring inside the lines at times. Messner-Loebs cheerfully follows suit in Annual #3's first story, which introduces Kooeykooeykooey and its bizarre cargo-cult tribe.
I enjoyed this collection, but I happen to have a fondness for this era of the League.
October 4, 2012
This volume collects Justice League Europe 1-6, and Justice League International Annuals 2 and 3.
It very much focuses on the JLE at their Paris Embassy.
Annoyingly, the inclusion of JLI Annual 2 means that stories that take place before some of the stories in JLI Volume 4 are included here.
However, the stories are decent (if unspectacular) and artwork the same. The humour is still present, though some of it (Wally West in particular) feels a little forced.
It very much focuses on the JLE at their Paris Embassy.
Annoyingly, the inclusion of JLI Annual 2 means that stories that take place before some of the stories in JLI Volume 4 are included here.
However, the stories are decent (if unspectacular) and artwork the same. The humour is still present, though some of it (Wally West in particular) feels a little forced.
August 28, 2015
(This review covers Vol. 4, Vol. 5, and Vol. 6.)
I was only halfway through the JLI trades, and had considered getting rid of them. Now I'm glad I kept them around! The mix of humor and heroism here is the perfect antidote to the grimdark of DC's current titles. The JLI/JLA stories are a little more appealing to me than the JLE stories, but they're both fun. I'm just annoyed Volume 6 ends on a cliffhanger... (B)
I was only halfway through the JLI trades, and had considered getting rid of them. Now I'm glad I kept them around! The mix of humor and heroism here is the perfect antidote to the grimdark of DC's current titles. The JLI/JLA stories are a little more appealing to me than the JLE stories, but they're both fun. I'm just annoyed Volume 6 ends on a cliffhanger... (B)
March 22, 2011
Not as good as it's predecessors. Perhaps due to a lack of Blue Beetle/Booster Gold cameos. Illustration was quite horrid at times. The jokes were incredibly lame. I only really remember the story about the cookout, which was awful.
September 14, 2015
The JLE book was good, but I don't think ever quite as good as the original JL book. After this batch of stories it became a slightly more traditional superhero team book, which was effective counter programming to the increasing sitcom like status of the parent title.
March 25, 2013
Not the best volume in the run. Still not terrible. The last story about Martian Manhunter and Batman is probably the best even with pretty wonky art.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews