Justice League #4 (August 1987)

Back in October of 2023, I looked at Justice League #3 (July 1987) as a tribute the late, great Keith Giffen, who had passed away then. I felt that Justice League International was some of his finest works in the comic industry. I am a big fan of that era of the Justice League. As such, when I wanted to look at a comic this week, I thought "Well, I don't think I've looked at a comic from the JLI era for a while, so why not go back there?" 

Last time we saw this group, they had battled the Champions of Angor, a group of superheroes from an alternate reality that were basically a pastiche/homage to the Avengers. They were trying to prevent the DCU from being destroyed by a nuclear war, much like their world was. Unfortunately, their coming to the then-USSR (remember, this was the 1980s) threatened to spark that very event in the DCU. Thankfully, the Justice League were able to prevent the tragedy, at the cost of what seemed like one of the lives of the Champions. That story ended with them discovering that Maxwell Lord had managed to make their way into their headquarters with another superhero he wanted in the League's ranks: Booster Gold. So, where do we go from here? Let's find out in Justice League #4!

The cover is a Kevin Maguire and Al Gordon piece. It's really well-drawn. We see Booster standing around the defeated Justice League, and he then spots the perpetrator. The shot reminds me of the For Your Eyes Only film poster.

It's a very unique shot for a comic book cover. A good way to hide the identity of the villain, while showing the last hero standing being shocked and unsure what to do. I love it.

"Winning Hand"
Writers: Keith Giffen and J.M. DeMatteis
Penciler: Kevin Maguire
Inker: Al Gordon
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Letterer: Bob Lappan
Editor: Andrew Helfer
Executive Editor: Dick Giordano

The story begins with the newly-formed Justice League [Batman (Bruce Wayne), Blue Beetle (Ted Kord), Black Canary, Martian Manhunter, Captain Marvel (Billy Batson), Mister Miracle (Scott Free), and Green Lantern (Guy Gardner)] meeting at a table. Batman is, as is typical for the Dark Knight, not a happy rodent cosplaying crimefighter. He wants to know how Maxwell Lord got into their headquarters, how he duplicated their signal devices, and even why he thinks he could put Booster Gold on the team. 

Guy Gardner, being Guy Gardner, is more interested in usurping Batman as leader. Meanwhile, we look in Maxwell Lord, Doctor Light, and Booster Gold. 

"Couldn't be bothered to provide a Keurig, Max?!"

Kimiyo Hoshi is none too happy with the bogus signal device she was given. Lord tries to mollify her by pointing out he has a plan for her and the League. However, Hoshi is furious about being used, so she quits.

I can understand why she quit. But I do wish she still stayed. I mean, say what you will about the Detroit-era JLA, but at least there was more than one female member in the group!

Booster Gold tries to get her to stay, but she's not hearing him. Lord assures him that if he needs her, he'll get her back in the fold. Lord is then confronted by Batman, Mr. Miracle, and J'onn. Lord tries to convince Batman the League needs Booster Gold, but Michael Jon Carter just tells Max to shut up.

He yells that he's doing fine on his own, and he's got no need to beg to join the League. As he leaves, he wishes Max luck with his plan, which leads the League to demand answers. Captain Marvel thinks that it is sad that Booster left, as he had a neat costume.

Outside, Booster kicks himself over his outburst and sees the press outside. He could fly off and not say a word to them, but that's not his style. Booster loves the spotlight, so he goes to talk to the reporters. A group of people notice this and think he'll be the perfect distraction. They disrupt the League's electric fence. Booster sees this and goes to check it out. 

The League's HQ has got power back, but they're vulnerable now (Mister Miracle hadn't finished the new HQ's security system yet). Canary pulls up an image of Booster, and wonders if he's trying to prove something. Booster finds the perpetrators.

"Uh...we're cosplayers looking for directions to the Comic-Con?"

Yes, it's the Royal Flush Gang! And of course, a fight breaks out.

Canary is wondering what the Gang is doing here. Batman asks if Mr. Miracle has the base's new energy shield ready. It is, and he turns it on. Unfortunately, it traps Booster with the Gang.

Booster tries to keep fighting, but a reporter snaps a photo, the camera's flash blinding him.

You'd think his costume's visor would be polarized in case of such a thing. Ten gives Booster a rock to the face, and Queen also lets him see what her boot tastes like. Jack tries to blast Booster but ends up hitting Queen. Fortunately for her, Jack's laser gun has a stun setting. That would have been awkward if he did accidentally blast a hole in her.

Jack then tries to blast Booster (his gun is set to kill this time)...and he fails. Yeah, Booster's suit also has its own forcefield. Since Jack's gun is useless against the future-born hero, Booster easily sends Jack to dreamland. He then taunts Ten by telling her he can see her. She asks him if he'd hit a woman. And the answer is...

"There's also the fact that you're a supervillain and all..."

...yes, he would. The League give Booster some applause. Well, except for Batman. Batman does not clap for people. He does give Booster a smirk. That is very high praise from the Dark Knight right there. He also warns Booster there is someone behind him. Oh, Bats must love him. Well...also because he has a good reason for Booster to be concerned.

"ME ACE SMASH PUNY GOLD MAN."

Evidently, gamma radiation steroids are a thing in the DCU. Who knew?

But seriously, this Ace is not a human like the other members of the Gang. He's not even a metahuman. He's actually a big robot. A very big, and very annoyed robot that easily swats Booster aside like he was a fly. Forcefield or not, that has to hurt.

The rest of the League jump into action. This Ace has many useful gadgets that allow him to counter the League. He's got flamethrowers to counter the Martian Manhunter. He's stronger than Captain Marvel. He can turn himself yellow to counter Green Lantern. He presumably is unaffected by Black Canary's sonic scream. It's almost as if he was deliberately modified to fight the League. Maybe somebody provided information about the League to the Gang to ensure that Ace was modified to nullify them...

Despite Ace being the supposed "perfect weapon" against our heroes, there's one factor that even whoever modified him to nullify the League can't defend against: the power of quick thinking and inspiration. Booster grabs Ace and takes him into the sky. You see, he and Blue Beetle have cooked up a plan.

Booster tells Beetle to push the League HQ's energy shield to critical. Ted obeys, and their plan works beautifully.

The rest of the Gang are not going to get that deposit back.

Force shield cut the robot in half, baby!

As Booster hoots and celebrates the big win, J'onn notes that the future-born fame-seeker would make a fine Leaguer after all. He just needs some energy and enthusiasm. Batman says they'll get him to work on that. 

Later, the League lick their wounds. They fully welcome Booster to the League. Captain Marvel calls their attention to the TV, as it shows Maxwell Lord holding a press conference. He calls himself the official press liaison to the League and talks about how happy the superhero team is to welcome Booster to "our" group, like he's involved with them. The story ends with Batman saying that Lord is going to be dealt with, and the man is not going to like it...

I enjoyed this comic. We get some really good intrigue with Maxwell Lord muscling his way onto the League in his own slick corporate manner, and it can be implied that he hired the Royal Flush Gang to fight the League. Notice how Ace didn't have a counter for Booster Gold? We also get to see some of the humor that would later fully define the JLI era, mainly in the interplay between Guy Gardner and Batman. Honestly, their interplay is a lot of fun to read. The Dark Knight is a great straight man. 

We also get to see the very beginnings of the Blue and Gold team, the friendship between Blue Beetle and Booster Gold. It's also nice showing that for all his faults, Booster is truly a capable hero at heart. His interplay with the Royal Flush Gang is hilarious. I do wish that Kimiyo Hoshi/Dr. Light did stick around. Yeah, from a story and character perspective, I do get why she'd quit. 

Thing is, the character only recently debuted in Crisis on Infinite Earths. So, including her on the team does make sense. But I do wish she stayed because as I said earlier, this League could use another woman on the team. Not to mention her scientific skills would be a boon. And it could continue her story of becoming humbler after the Crisis. I get the feeling the creative team did intend for her to return, but as they say in pro wrestling, "Card Subject to Change". I would have had her bond with Ted Kord, both being brilliant minds and all that. 

Kevin Maguire's art is very good. I especially love the way he draws faces. He is a master of facial expressions. You can see the emotions on the characters' faces very well, which also helps with the drama and humor. He also draws costumes very well. They look almost exactly like real clothes. 

I love this era so much, and if you ever get the chance to read it, do so! And if you do want to read this for yourself, I recommend tracking down the 2008 trade paperback Justice League International Vol. 1. Thanks for reading this blog entry! if you liked it, show it off! Take care of yourselves and each other! If you liked what I write and want to give this blog some additional support, please make a donation to my Ko-fi! See you next time!