It’s pretty clear from Superman and from their scene in Peacemaker that James Gunn’s Justice Gang team is very inspired by DC Comics’s ‘80s/’90s series Justice League International. That comic by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire introduced a version of the League without many of its most famous heroes, led by billionaire Maxwell Lord. Prominent members included Green Lantern Guy Gardner, and Metamorpho. Sound familiar? Although the DCU team goes by the name Justice Gang, the clear inspiration was Justice League International. Could Gunn be setting up the DCU for a series or film based on the JLI, but simply going by the name Justice Gang instead?
We have a strong feeling that the title Justice League is being reserved for an eventual film with DC’s heaviest hitters. Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, etc. A Justice League in live-action is a rare occurrence, so you want to make sure all the “Big Guns” are there. We actually think it’ll likely be based on the animated series roster. But in the meantime, a Justice Gang project could thrive while we wait for the All-Stars to team up. We think a series on HBO Max would work better than a movie, if only because the classic JLI comics have an episodic, sitcom-like nature.
But which characters would they include? Well, the ones already established in Superman, naturally. Although we do think Mister Terrific deserves his own team. But the best JLI comics had the following heroes in them, and we think the Justice Gang should, too. Here’s who we think Maxwell Lord needs to recruit into his Justice Gang when it’s their time to shine.
Blue Beetle and Booster Gold
Blue Beetle (Ted Kord) and Booster Gold were two heroes who DC tried to launch in the mid-’80s. But neither of their series really clicked with readers. When DC canceled their books prematurely, they found a home for them in JLI, where they became the team’s lovable losers. Both were tech former billionaires who lost everything, who now only had the superhero thing going for them. Not to mention, a mutual love of chasing women. They became best friends, among the best friendships DC Comics has ever published. Gunn revealed that Booster would get his own DCU show in 2023. But they should really have him do double duty along with his best bud Ted in a Justice Gang project.
Fire and Ice
These two ladies were the definition of Z-list characters before they joined the JLI. As the Green Flame and Icemaiden, they were the heroic representatives of Brazil and Norway, respectively, in the little-known team known as the Global Guardians. Created for the Super Friends comics, they only made a handful of appearances before Justice League International reintroduced them as Fire and Ice. They became the female “BFFs” counterparts to Blue & Gold, and essential members of the team. Ice was often the love interest of Guy Gardner, usually the only person who could see past his jerk persona.
Mister Miracle and Big Barda
We know that we’re getting an animated adaptation of the excellent Tom King and Mitch Gerads Mister Miracle series for HBO Max. And we assume it will be part of the DCU, like Creature Commandos. If so, then why not bring in live-action versions of Mister Miracle and his wife, Big Barda, into the Justice Gang? In the comics, Mister Miracle is really escape artist Scott Free, the adopted son of Darkseid. His wife Barda was one of Darkseid’s former foot soldiers, the Female Furies. They escaped the evil planet Apokolips for a comfortable life in the carnival (and living in the suburbs). But both were key members of the JLI. They are one of comics’ best husband/wife teams, and we’d love to see a Gunn version of them in live-action.
Shazam
Yes, we know we just had a Shazam in the DCEU. And since the last movie was a big money loser for Warner Bros., they’re not likely to go back to the iteration ever again. So no, we don’t mean the version played by Zachary Levi. But Shazam (or Captain Marvel as they called him then) was an early member of the JLI. The “kid in an adult body” angle was perfect for the comedic approach to the comic book, and it is perfect for Gunn’s sensibilities too. Since the character is not likely to get a solo project anytime soon, why not use this iconic hero here? Recast of course.
Martian Manhunter (J’onn J’onzz)
The field leader of the JLI, J’onn J’onzz is one of the founding members of the Justice League. But he’s rarely carried his own solo comic book series, at least not for long. So we doubt DC Studios is planning a Martian Manhunter series or film. In the comics, he works best as the heart of the Justice League, the orphaned alien from Mars who finds a home with a group of dysfunctional human heroes. While he definitely needs to stand alongside Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman in a proper Justice League movie, there’s no reason a Justice Gang show can’t be the place to introduce him to the DCU. Also, Gunn has said he wants Peacemaker season one actor Chukwudi Iwuji to play a different DCU role in the future. He’d be the ideal Manhunter from Mars.
Some other key JLI members who would be perfect include stretchy hero Elongated Man, and his wife, Sue. Rocket Red from Russia is another one, although his personality is possibly too similar to Red Guardian at Marvel. But if Gunn chooses to go the JLI route with his Justice Gang, the comics offer several options for members. If any project is secretly in the planning stages, we certainly hope it’s a JLI-inspired Justice Gang getting the spotlight.
The post JUSTICE LEAGUE INTERNATIONAL Might Inspire a DCU Justice Gang appeared first on Nerdist.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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