The mid-1980s was seen as a tough time for the Justice League of America. Not only was there the threat of a multiversal Crisis the likes of which the DCU had never known, but the team itself seemed to be at a low point.
Sales of the book were slumping by the early 80s. Len Wein, who had at the time been the editor of the book since 1979, had felt that perhaps the team needed a shakeup. He noted that Marvel's X-Men and DC's own New Teen Titans had become rather hot books sales-wise. The two titles had younger, hipper rosters, and were more character-driven in nature. The book's then-writer, Gerry Conway, agreed with this wholeheartedly. As such, in Justice League of America Annual #2 (October 1984), many of the "A-List" Justice League members (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, etc) left the team. The team's headquarters also went from the Earth-orbiting satellite to a bunker in Detroit. That's why this era is called the "Detroit Era".
There was also another reason for it: Many of these "A-List" heroes had their own books, and being a shared universe, it makes sense that Conway would have to keep up with what was going on in said solo books and keep those events in mind when writing Justice League of America. As such, removing those characters from the book allowed him more freedom to tell stories focused on the team itself.
Desperately needing some new blood, the JLA brought in younger superheroes that also, much like the X-Men, were also more diverse: The Latino shockwave-shooting Vibe, the Romani illusionist Gypsy, the cyborg powerhouse Steel, and the model with the powers of the animal kingdom Vixen. Vixen was the only pre-established character of this quartet, having first appeared in Action Comics #521 (July 1981). She was co-created by Gerry Conway and Bob Oksner. Yeah, much like with Firestorm earlier, Conway brought her along to the Justice League.
However, it didn't quite have the rejuvenating effect that was hoped. The book was seen by fans as a desperate attempt to capture the heat of the aforementioned X-Men and Teen Titans, and Conway's writing of Vibe and Gypsy was seen as stereotypical. It's something that Conway (as well as artist Chuck Patton) would go on to regret.
My first exposure to an actual story of the Detroit-era team was not from the original comics (I was a baby when they were first published), but a story from the 2005-2008 series JLA Classified. In particular, issues #22-26 (July-September 2006): a four-part flashback story called "A Game of Chance" written by Steve Englehart and featuring art by Tom Derenick (pencils) and Mark Farmer (inks).
The story begins in a place you would not expect: the Canadian Yukon. In particular, a small town named St. Jude. About 200 or so people live here, one of them is this drunk right here.
Page 6, Panel 1
Meet "Slick" Jake MacGregor. He's a prospector with a bitter streak and a drinking problem. The drunk angry man stumbles away from town into the bitter cold. MacGregor is too wrapped up in his grudges, both real and imagined, to notice how cold it is out there and how dangerous it is for him to be in said cold. However, he runs into someone. A strange figure spells the end for "Slick" Jake MagGregor.
Page 7, Panel 4
But this is a book about the Justice League, isn't it? Yes, it is. As such, we should look in on them. The first Leaguers we focus on are veteran Leaguer Aquaman and one of the newbie members of the group at the time: Mari Jiwe McCabe, aka Vixen. Mari advises Arthur to take some time off from the League to go look for his estranged wife Mera. Arthur refuses as she chose to leave him, and he wants to respect it. Vixen thinks that the real reason he's not doing it is because he is afraid to face her.
The two were married for about seven years according to this comic, and they've been through a lot of triumph and tragedy, most notably the death of Arthur Jr, their baby boy at the hands of Black Manta in Adventure Comics #452 (August 1977). Vixen points out that they've clearly put a lot of work into their marriage. That's something that can't easily be discarded. Arthur just says "maybe" and walks off.
Vixen then smells something good. She follows the scent to the kitchen.
Page 11, Panel 3
Mmm...food...
(Homer drool)
Dale Gunn, the League's resident handyman is making some Texas-style chili, Cindy Reynolds and J'onn J'onzz, the Martian Manhunter, helping out. Cindy slips and is about to cause the chili sauce to spill everywhere.
(Uh oh)
Thankfully, Ralph Dibny, the Elongated Man is able to save the bowl and prevent an awful mess. Sue Dibny drags Ralph out of the room. After all, he promised he'd go jogging with her, and they're going jogging. Cindy grunts that there is no way that Ralph and Sue's marriage can be that happy. It's like they jumped out of a sitcom. J'onn asks if she knows from experience, but Cindy stays quiet, saying that she'll one day tell him about it. Until then, it's her business.
Over at his suite, Arthur ponders Vixen's words to him. He finds himself admitting that the model-turned-heroine may have had a point about that whole thing with Mera. Maybe that has affected his thinking. Maybe if he had confronted this sooner, he wouldn't have broken up the original Justice League. Maybe he wouldn't have been acting so crazy lately. But enough of this characterization stuff, we're here to see some action!
We head back to St. Jude. It's there we focus on the town's resident constable: Mal Parkins. Parkins may be a lawman, but he's not exactly a good guy. He loves the power that comes with his position, and he's never had any qualms using it for his own gain. He's even taken candy from babies, being all "I'm a cop, what're you gonna do?" He's never regretted his path, until today. A figure smashes his truck, with him in it.
Page 16, Panel 1
The figure rants and raves about "thieves", claiming to be Jake MacGregor. The snowy figure angrily turns his fury on St. Jude, destroying the town. Back to Detroit! Sue and Ralph jog through the city, discussing how things have changed for the League recently. It's broken up by a man telling them there's a brawl going down.
(fight fight fight)
Who is doing the fighting? Well, two of the younger League members: Hank Heywood III/aka the patriotic powerhouse cyborg known as Steel, and Paco Ramone, the breakdancing metahuman known as Vibe.
Page 19, Panel 1
Now, you may be thinking, especially if you know of Vibe from the Arrowverse Flash series, "Wait, Paco Ramone? Isn't his first name Francisco?" Well, yes.
(explanation, please)
Sure. You see, when the DCU hit their New 52 reboot in 2011, Vibe was resurrected as part of it. As part of his revamp (he was also given a new origin story), the character was renamed from Paco to Francisco. That is why when the character was adapted into the 2014 Flash show, he was named Francisco.
(the more you know)
Anyway, what are Vibe and Steel brawling about? Well, Hank has taken a bit of a shine to Vibe's older sister Rosita. And being the protective younger brother, Vibe doesn't take too kindly to it. Sue and Ralph break up the fight. Rosita convinces Hank (the art messed up making it look like she's talking to Ralph) to ask Vibe permission. Hank does so, and suddenly, he's good with it.
Page 21, Panels 5-6
I admit, I laughed at this a bit. But it's time for the JLA to hop into action. Vibe is especially excited, as he gets to show off his new supersuit.
Page 23, Panel 2
"Yeah, this is certainly the 80s, Ramone."
Cindy thinks he looks cute, which annoys Vibe, as he wanted to look tough and intimidating. But that will have to be tabled for now, as Aquaman's gone missing, and the League got word of the destruction of St. Jude. There was a survivor, and said survivor reported that the being that did this showed a bunch of familiar powers: Super-strength and heat vision, a sonic scream, super speed, etc. It's obvious who this figure was: Amazo. Thing was, Amazo was last seen being locked up in Superman's Fortress of Solitude in Superman Special #3. How did he get out?
(how)
They'll have to figure that out later. We know the rest of the story from here. MacGregor hated St. Jude, and considering his personality somehow got control of the android, it makes sense he'd use his new power to turn the place into a smoldering ruin. He was last spotted in a forest between Prince George and Dawson Creek, two cities in British Columbia.
When the League arrives, they spot three signs of activity in the area: Ralph spotting movement in the northwest, Steel detecting a warm body out to the west, and Vixen picks up a scent to the south. They can't all be Amazo, as he does not have the power to duplicate himself. As such, the team has to split up.
(let's split up)
Ralph and Cindy will check out the northwest movement he spotted. Steel and Zatanna will head to the west, and Vixen and Vibe will follow the southern scent. Martian Manhunter will stay behind to coordinate. If Amazo is spotted, call and do not engage. Dale Gunn points out that they're facing an unknown enemy. Splitting up the team may not be the best idea. To be fair Dale, Amazo is not unknown, problem is, he's new to this version of the League. J'onn wonders that himself. Sadly, he comes to regret that decision as, well, Amazo decided to show his android mug.
Page 27, Panel 3
"AMAZO WANTS HIS COOKIES BAAAAACK!"
Using his super-breath, Amazo easily takes care of J'onn and Dale, then flies off.
We next go to Florida. Aquaman sees a couple promising to love each other forever in the moonlight. The story ends with him diving into the waters, starting his search for Mera. After all, even after everything, a part of him still believes in eternal love.
I have heard it said that the "Detroit Era" was a low point for the Justice League. Honestly, based on this comic, I can't help but find that a bit of an exaggeration as this was a pretty decent solid little story.
Having been reading through some of the Detroit Era League's adventures, I think personally that there was a lot of missed potential. I think it would have been neat to see this "next generation".
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