Justice League International #15 (July 1988)

Back in March 2022, I took a look at Justice League International #14 (June 1988). I had figured that since I had looked at an issue of Aquaman last week, why not stay in the DCU for a while? After all, I may be a Marvel head at heart, I am a big fan of DC, too. Funny enough, I chose this comic at random. I did not intend to follow up on a previous review. But this coincidence was a nice one. And I love the JLI, so that was even better! So, let's take a look at Justice League International #15!

The cover is a Steve Leialoha piece. I love it. This cover is awesome. It depicts Manga Khan front and center showing a hologram of the Earth. Behind him are screens showing the JLI and G'nort doing what they can, while Khan is throwing a sales pitch. You can have the Earth, and all for one low price: the lives of the JLI. It makes him look like a menacing supervillain, while subtly showing that he's ultimately a salesman. 

"Gnort and South"
Writers: Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Pencilers: Steve Leialoha
Inkers: Al Gordon
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Editor: Andrew Helfer
Executive Editor: Dick Giordano

The story begins with Lord Manga witnessing the Cluster being attacked. He demands that his robotic assistant L-Ron tell him who would dare do this. L-Ron tells him it's a Green Lantern Corpsman. The Corpsman is not the member that is assigned to this sector of space. This means either this Lantern has gone Cowboy Cop...or is a complete blithering idiot. And considering that this is the JLI we're talking about, which do you think it is? 

L-Ron tries to assure Manga that everything is fine, and this one GL isn't going to cause any real harm. And considering which GL it is...

"All I did was ask for a cup of sugar!"

Yeah, I can see why they're not worried. For those not in the know, this is G'nort. He's not really the brightest of beings, but he does have a loyal streak and he has a hero's heart. G'nort manages to destroy Khan's ship's cloaking shield. And the ship's main power unit. Khan realizes he needs to up the timetable. Time to attack Earth!

Oberon notices the League's sensors picking up the fleet on the way to attack. The readings are so intense, they literally blow out the power monitor.

"Blasted cheap monitors! Last time I shop in a back alley!"

Oberon calls in the troops. The Justice League are here to save the day!

Mr. Miracle is able to track the surge to the Australian Outback. Booster wishes that Guy Gardner is with them, as they could use his power. Beatriz da Costa, aka the Green Flame, points out that she and Tora Olafsdottir, aka Icemaiden, can back them up. Thye may be on probation (they're not full League members yet), but they can still help. Out in space, the Martian Manhunter, Rocket Red, and Captain Atom are on a STAR Labs shuttle. They intend to keep the fleet from reaching Earth. Yeah, three superheroes and a space shuttle. That'll stop a fleet.

Meanwhile on Earth, the League arrives in Australia and find this big complex waiting for them.

"You guys think this place has a McDonalds? I'm hungry."

The heroes get attacked by one of Khan's armored troops. Meanwhile, out in space, the three Leaguers are trying to fight the fleet. Captain Atom is especially having trouble. Thing is, they're fighting an army. Captain Atom is a soldier, so he has to think like a soldier. That gives him an idea.

He suggests that the debris from the battle can be used to their advantage. Since he and J'onn both have superhuman strength, they can use it to batter the Cluster's fighter craft. A nice bit of psychological warfare. Make them think they're going up against something they can't stop.

I can imagine that they can also use chunks of debris as cover. The Martian is skeptical, but since nobody has any better ideas, he's going with it. A fighter manages to get a bead on the two, but G'nort makes the save.

"Eat THAT, Batman!"

Back on Earth, the rest of the League are battling two of Manga Khan's troopers. 

Scott notes that the future Fire and Ice have been pretty helpful, but the team could use some more muscle as Gardner isn't with them, not to mention as shown earlierm J'onn, Captain Atom, and Rocket Red are in space. He thinks his beloved wife Barda would fit the bill. After all, she's a powerhouse herself: Super strong, very durable, skilled hand-to-hand combatant, she got power armor and her Mega-Rod weapon. But now is not the time to think about recruiting, it's time for Mr. Miracle to do what he does best: work a miracle. Scott makes his way inside the complex, one of the big troopers chasing him in. This allows the others to worry about his twin. 

And the superhero bubble was about to burst.

I'm sure they'll be fine. So, how's the Space Crew doing?

"You messed with the wrong guy! I'm a champion at Asteroids!"

They're doing fine. G'nort, despite his reputation for incompetence, is actually shown to be pretty helpful. The remaining fighter craft retreat, confusing J'onn. After all, there's still a lot of ships. Manga Khan's forces could still overwhelm the planet. But the reason is simple: this operation is no longer profitable. Remember, Lord Manga Khan is an intergalactic trader. He's a businessman. Continuing the fight with the League likely will cause him to have to spend more on ships, pilots, etc. And he likely would not be able to recoup those costs with this operation. So, yeah. Time to write off the losses and get out of here.

Naturally, on Earth, the big trooper trying to take down Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Green Flame, and Ice Maiden also returns to the complex in Australia. There's one problem: Mr. Miracle is still inside. And the complex is leaving.

"Did they think we were Jehovah's Witnesses?"

Naturally, the League has to tell his wife Barda about this. And of course, she is not a happy camper about it. After all, he said he'd do the dishes tonight. She grabs her armor, and it's time for the League to go rescue him. Later on, the League are heading out to get Scott. Well, some of them. Booster Gold, Blue Beetle, Green Flame, and Ice Maiden are left to mind the store, as it were. As they converse, they wonder where Guy is off to. The story ends with that question answered.

"No Guy, I will not tell Booster my hobo soup recipe."

Yeah, turns out he's in Gotham, looking for Batman. 

I enjoyed this issue, but then again, I freakin' love the JLI. I know that some may find the heroes' endless bantering a bit annoying, I can understand that. I always saw this banter as basically similar to the sarcastic humor that we see characters use in police dramas. It's a way of dealing with the craziness of the job. Superheroing is dangerous work, after all. But I love the bantering between Manga Khan and L-Ron the robot. It's honestly one of the funniest aspects of the book. It's like Manga Khan wants to play the "dramatic supervillain", but he can't quite pull it off. 

I also do like the portrayal of G'nort here. Many like to emphasize his goofier characteristics, like his supposed stupidity and incompetence, but he does show some skills in Green Lantern ringslinging. Which should make sense. G'nort may have gotten into the Green Lantern Corps due to a family connection (wouldn't be the first time. Look at Arisia Rrab, who comes from a whole family of GLs), but he wouldn't have been allowed to stay in the Corps if he did not demonstrate some skills and brains. He certainly had the willpower to be a GL.

While Kevin Maguire is considered the artist associated with the JLI, Steve Leialoha does pencil duties here, like he did with the last issue. I do enjoy his art here. As i said with the last issue, his has that cartoony vibe and his characters are expressive, which helps sell the comedy. It is a bit scratchier and less "realistic" than Maguire, but it's fine. It works. 

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! See you next time!