Justice League International #14 (June 1988)

This week, I thought I'd showcase an issue from an DC run I am very fond of: The Giffen/DeMatteis JLI. I love the JLI so much. Also, I couldn't think of anything else to review this week. As such, let's take a look at Justice League International #14!

The cover is a Steve Leialoha and Al Gordon piece. It's pretty interesting. It's depicting the JLI trying to stop a bunch of what look like a bunch of components from raining down everywhere. Although I have to admit, I wonder what Fire and Ice are doing there. What're you two doing there? Just standing there? 

"Shop...or Die"
Writers: Keith Giffen (Plot/Breakdowns) and J.M. DeMatteis (Script)
Penciler: Steve Leialoha
Inker: Al Gordon
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Editor: Andrew Helfer
Executive Editor: Dick Giordano

The story begins with a craggy-faced red alien watching what looks possibly like a space bridge from the Transformers franchise rising into the air.

Page 9, Panel 4

The narration laments that this alien's world has been ravaged. That there was a civilization here. People, cities, a culture. But now that's gone. All nothing but memory. 

The device returns to a massive ship, its only occupants being robots...and a being of shiny golden metal.

Page 12, Panel 2

This wannabe-Iron Man/Doctor Doom/possible C3PO hybrid is called "Lord Manga", later to be known as Manga Khan. Mr. Manga works for an intergalactic outlet called the "Cluster". He harvested all the raw materials and resources of this world for them. But it's not enough. It's never enough. The Cluster is always demanding more. Manga is met by his robotic/assistant/secretary L-Ron. L-Ron is named after L. Ron Hubbard. The robotic assistant has found another planet filled to the brim with resources for the never-ending appetites for the Cluster. And since this is a Justice League comic, it's not hard to figure out what planet the robot is talking about.

On said planet, we look in on the Justice League International's New York embassy. Oberon, Mr. Miracle's assistant [you may remember him from my review of Mister Miracle #1 (March 1971)] is taking a meeting. 

Page 14, Panel 3

The heroines he's meeting are the Brazilian bombshell Beatriz da Costa, aka Green Flame, and the Norwegian nymph Tora Olafsdottir, aka Icemaiden. You may know them better as respectively Fire and Ice. They were members of the Global Guardians. The Global Guardians were the UN's first superhero team, but since the UN diverted the funding for them to the League, the Guardians were essentially disbanded. As such, the future Fire and Ice are looking to join the Justice League.

We next get a brief segway to the suburban home of Mr. Miracle and Big Barda. Miracle is doing a bit of stargazing, his thoughts showing that he is basically in heaven right now. He notices that some stars have gone missing. However, he gets diverted by Big Barda, who needs his help with installing the JLI teleporter. We also get to see Booster Gold and the Ted Kord Blue Beetle going to visit Miracle and Barda.

Elsewhere, Manga Khan is getting briefed on Earth by one of his droid assistants. The planet he previously ravaged gets a visitor.

Page 19, Panel 5

Say hello to one of the most unlikely Green Lantern Corpsmen, G'nort of G'newt. He debuted in Justice League International #10 (February 1988). During an attack by the robotic Manhunters, G'nort got stuck in a ventilation system. He is confused as to how he ended up here, but he's able to learn about how the planet got ravaged. As he heads to Earth, Booster, Beetle, and Miracle are enjoying a game of American football when L-Ron cuts into the broadcast.

Page 23, Panel 7

"We interrupt this program to bring you a special broadcast..."

The transmission is witnessed around the world. L-Ron basically states that the Earth has twelve hours to make a choice: Either barter with the Cluster...or they'll ravage the planet and leave it a wasteland. The United Nations argues over whether Earth should join the barter system of the Cluster or not. The JLI are also short-handed. Both Batman and Black Canary are unavailable. ...considering that this team has the Martian Manhunter and Captain Atom, I think they're alright, powerhouse-wise.

Fire and Ice are watching the UN meeting and decide to tag along...only to be summoned by the Martian Manhunter. He had met them earlier in the issue and basically told them to leave. But since the League is short-handed, he's gonna need their help. The story ends with G'nort landing on the Moon, and flying to Earth, saying he's on the way.

I enjoyed this issue. But then again, I'm a big fan of the JLI in general. The JLI is more known for being humorous, and it's definitely true here. There's a touch of humor in everything here from Manga Khan's characterization to the interactions between the heroes and the UN members in the debate after L-Ron makes his demands. Speaking of Manga Khan, I do like the character. At first glance, he seems to be a cheap ripoff of Galactus. But in reality, he's just an employee of the Cluster. In fact, it's funny seeing the aliens in the Cluster acting and talking like they're just office employees. 

Steve Leialoha's art has a bit of a cartoony vibe to it, which I think fits here for this more humorous version of the League. It doesn't quite have the realism of Kevin Maguire's art, but it still has that expressive vibe that helped make the members of the JLI that much more likable. 

If you want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2008 trade paperback Justice League International Vol. 3. Thanks for reading this blog entry! If you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! Stay safe, stay healthy, stay home, wash your hands often, wear a mask, and get vaccinated and boosted! See you next time!