There are times when a great era ends and a new one must begin. The question hangs over the beginning until the end, was it as good as what preceded it? Justice League Detroit is what had risen from the ashes of the Justice League after a dark low point. What happened and how did they do? Let’s find out!
The Justice League had developed from a base in the coastal town, Happy Harbor. As their numbers swelled and their responsibilities grew, so did their home, they left the Earth for its orbit. The Justice League satellite was like a new Olympus, where the most powerful beings looked down upon the world. You don’t get to be that big without making many enemies. The white Martians would decide to invade Earth and while the team was able to fight them off the satellite would come crashing down.
Aquaman saw it was time to rebuild and to do so, he disbanded the team. He would be joined by fellow former members, Martian Manhunter, Zatanna and the Elongated Man, who would then begin recruiting new teammates of fairly young heroes. It would be one of these members, Commander Steel, son of an older hero, would be able to provide them a new headquarters with his family’s wealth.
Stationed in Detroit, Michigan, the team became referred to as Justice League Detroit though it was never officially termed anything but the Justice League in their own records. The team never made as big of waves as their previous incarnation but they did some good. Aquaman would leave the team when his marriage needed more attention than his heroics, leaving Martian Manhunter as the new team leader.
There would be a team up with the original Justice League, even having some of them rejoining to help in teaching the new batch. Mainly with Batman taking on a mentor role for these new heroes. While the team was developing, tragedy struck. Commander Steel and fellow teammate, Vibe, were killed in an explosion that also took out their base. This would spell the end of the Detroit team, dispersing until a new Justice League roster could be formed.
There you have it! The Justice League Detroit team may sound like a joke but they were basically a recovery method. Allowing new members to be educated by the more experienced. It may not have lasted long but the characters are still seen today. Many of the Detroit team are cast through out the CW’s DC shows. See you next time!
Suggested Reading
Justice League of America Annual #2
Justice League of America #261
Dr. Bustos
drbustos@comicattack.net
You’re wrong, Vibe was killed by an android of Dr Ivo’s creation while Steel also succumbed to yet another of Ivo’s androids. Vibe was the first ever Justice League member to die in the line of duty, Steel was the 2nd