With a name likeJustice League Unlimited, writer Mark Waid is taking that name as literally as possible. It’s a new era for the premier super-team and their latest overhaul has seen them open their ranks to every member of the superhero community.
After Amanda Waller’s attack on metahumansinAbsolute Powerfailed, the heroes of the world brought the Justice League back, bigger and better than ever before. The revitalized team is currently exploredinJustice League Unlimited, where readers have already seen fan-favorites working alongside more popular heroes.And series writer Mark Waidconfirms that he’s finding a place for as many heroes as humanly possible.
Mark Waid is Making Room for Everyone inJustice League Unlimited, Not Just A-Listers
This is a Story About the DC Universe as Much as It Is the Team
After the game-changing events ofAbsolute Power, it was a new chapter for the DC Universe, which began its incredibly coordinated and jam-packed All In initiative. The initiative has been a two-pronged approach, with DC Comics launching its new Absolute line, featuring new versions of classic heroes like Superman and Wonder Woman set in a world where they face greater difficulties and challenges. At the same time,DC has revitalized its main line of comics with new jumping-on points for established series, as well as new miniseries and ongoing titles, such asAquamanandThe Question: All Along the Watchtower.
About a month into DC All In, DC began publishingJustice League Unlimited, a series by Mark Waid and Dan Mora. This new series follows the Justice League, which has reunited after disbanding shortly afterDark Crisis on Infinite Earths. After what Amanda Waller put the heroes through inAbsolute Power, the heroes are working together to a never-before-seen degree and the team has become a haven for every metahuman in the DC Universe. Waid spoke withAIPTabout the Justice League’s latest incarnation and what he means by the world ‘unlimited’.
Waid explained that it wasn’t just about showcasing the lesser-featured heroes of the DC Universe, but finding the right place for them so that they feel authentic to the story. Waid highlights the inclusion of magic characters like Dr. Occult andSpirit World’sXanthe Zhou inJustice League Unlimited #3and how he wanted them to be more than just ‘window dressing’ and feel like vital parts of the story. Waid also pointed out advice he received from artist Mikel Janín,who told him to makeJustice League Unlimited“feel unlimited”.
Justice League’s Unlimited Era is Making the Best Use of the DCU
Finally, Everyone Gets a Chance to Shine
For the longest time, the Justice League was a team composed of the best of the best. But if the heroes took away anything fromAbsolute Power, it’s that the forces of evil in the DCU are too big for the heroes to face without coordination and teamwork. Waller nearly took over the Earth because the heroes took their eyes off the ball, and they weren’t looking out for one another. Now DC’s heroes see the value in working together with every metahuman possible,even ones who weren’t previously part of the Justice League.
Waid recognizes that things have shifted in the DC Universe and is responding in the best way possible. The truth is, the DCU has so many great characters that can be considerable help to the League, but have never gotten a chance, either because they were too new, or not as popular, or their power was too specific.ButJustice League Unlimitedis doing something completely new with the teamand correcting a mistake that’s been long overdue.
Of course, Waid makes it clear that this isn’t just about cramming in as many characters as possible into this story. It’s about looking at the DC Universe as a whole and finding new ways for characters who haven’t really had their moment in a while to better serve the story. So far,Justice League Unlimitedhas had moments for characters like Star Sapphire, Mary Marvel, the Metal Men, and, as Waid mentioned, fan-favorites like Xanthe Zhou. For the first time, fans actually havea Justice League that actually represents the DC Universe as a whole.
Justice League Unlimitedis the Future of DC’s Iconic Team
This New Status Quo is the Best Incarnation of the League Yet
Everyone has their favorite version of the League, but it’s hard to argue thatJustice League Unlimitedisn’t the most effective incarnation of the team yet. With greater coordination among the team and a place for every hero around, Waid is taking the team into the future. With how strong the Justice League is now, it’d be hard to go back to a roster of just seven or eight heroes.Justice League Unlimitedisn’t just a smart idea, it’s the best way of showing off just how many amazing metahumans actually occupy the DC Universe.
