WARNING: Contains Potential Spoilers for Justice League Unlimited #1!
The newJustice Leaguehas cemented itself as the most powerful iteration of the team yet, a fact boldly confirmed bySupermanhimself. But even with their unmatched strength and expanded roster, a new villain has emerged—one who might surpass them in power and pose their greatest challenge yet.
DC’s new Justice League made its official debut in Joshua Williamson and Daniel Sampere’s half of theDC ALL IN Special#1in October, unveiling a host of changes and exciting developments for this latest iteration of DC’s most iconic superhero team. Among the most significant of these developments was an unprecedented expansion of the roster to include every single hero on Earth, making the League larger and more inclusive than ever before.
Mark Waid and Dan Mora’sJustice League Unlimited#1 takes this transformation even further, exploring the implications of such a massive team and featuring a bold declaration from the Man of Steel:"…the Justice League is now the largest, most powerful force for good in the Universe."
Justice League Unlimited: The Definitive Version of DC’s Greatest Team
“…the Justice League Is Now the Largest, Most Powerful Force For Good in the Universe.”– Superman inJustice League Unlimited#1 (2024)
Justice League Unlimited#1delves deeper into the team dynamics and operating model of the League’s latest iteration. The story reveals that Red Tornado, now functioning as the League’s AI system after losing his body inAbsolute Power, monitors Earth and deploys subteams to respond to crises.These lineups are tailored to each mission’s parameters and needs, resulting in one of the most efficient and streamlined systems the League has ever employed.When a devastating crisis erupts in South Africa, leading to mass casualties, Tornado deploys the“Alpha Wave”team, featuring Superman, Wonder Woman, Star Sapphire, Black Lightning, Firestorm, and Kid Flash.
After resolving the crisis, Superman discovers a box that projects a hologram of the villains claiming responsibility—Inferno. In typical villain fashion, Inferno promises“endless suffering”for Earth’s inhabitants. Superman responds with a bold retort: “You seem to be behind on the news. You seem not to know that the Justice League is now the largest, most powerful force of good in the universe. Why else would you be foolish enough to warn us in advance of your plans?”This statement confirms that this iteration of the League is not only the most powerful version of the team to date but is alsothe strongest team the DC Universe has ever seen.
Meet INFERNO: The Justice League’s Newest Threat & Most Powerful Foe Yet
Cover I 1:25 Card Stock Variant by Dave Wilkins forJustice League Unlimited#1 (2024)
While much about Inferno remains shrouded in mystery, it becomes immediately clear through their use of plural pronouns and the imagery of multiple shadowy figures that the Justice League’s newest adversary is an organization, not a single individual. Introducing themselves as“…the fire that transforms,”Inferno boldly declares their intention to conquer Earth, further emphasizing the dark times ahead by stating, “…every nation, every person will beg us for mercy… release from their endless suffering.”It’s after this ominous threat that Superman delivers his powerful rebuttal, asserting theJustice League’s unprecedented size and strength.
However, Superman’s declaration, which might cause even Darkseid to hesitate, fails to faze Inferno. They dismiss the League as“too insignificant to matter,”proclaiming,“Your world, your League… It already belongs to us. You just don’t know it yet.”Inferno’s unwavering confidence in their victory against the Justice League’s most powerful iteration to date is deeply unsettling, hinting at their vast power and reach. This positions Inferno as perhaps the League’s most formidable foe yet. Adding to the tension, the issue ends with a shocking twist: the hero Air Wave appears to have plans to kill the Justice League, raising the question of whether he is an inside operative for Inferno.
Justice League Just Turned Two Heroes I Didn’t Care About Into New Faves
I’m officially giving Mark Waid a standing ovation for transforming two Justice League characters I couldn’t have cared less about into instant faves.
The New Justice League Is Officially More Powerful Than the Green Lantern Corps
The Power Hierarchies In the DCU Are Shifting
Superman’s declaration that the Justice League is“the largest, most powerful force for good in the Universe”cements its status as the most formidable team in the DC Universe, surpassing even legendary groups like the Green Lantern Corps. Composed of over 7,000 of the Universe’s strongest-willed beings, the Corps wields the ability to manifest their will into reality through unparalleled constructs. Yet,Superman’sstatement establishes that theJustice League’sstrength, size, and influence eclipse even this powerhouse corps, solidifying its position as the ultimate force for good.
Justice League
Superman
The icon who launched the entire world of superheroes, the last son of Krypton escaped his dying world to crash land on Earth and be raised as Clark Kent. The world knows him better as Superman, the Man of Steel, the leader of the Justice League, and the most well-known hero in the DC Comics Universe. Blessed with the powers of a demigod, Kal-El of Krypton fights enemies both small and cosmic in his endless pursuit of truth, justice, and a better tomorrow.
