10 Best Justice League Stories of the 90s

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In the Silver Age, it was largely due to the Justice League that superheroes gained such immense popularity. They pioneered the concept of the multiverse in comic books, reintroduced characters from the Golden Age through crossover events, and demonstrated what a comic could be like when it featured the most talented heroes from the DC Multiverse. However, the Justice League has experienced numerous collapses due to its own complexity. Despite having impressive rosters and facing off against a myriad of threats, the evolution of superheroes over time has caused the League’s golden era to recede into the past.

During the ’80s, the Justice League regained popularity due to the era known as Justice League International, which featured B and C-list heroes in humorous superhero tales. However, DC kept this version of the Justice League active for too long, with lesser-known heroes making up the team. As a result, readers started to dwindle during the ’90s. Eventually, DC found the ideal creator to address this issue – Grant Morrison. This marked the return of the Justice League, though many of the ’90s were unsuccessful for the team. Nevertheless, some remarkable Justice League stories emerged from that decade. Here are ten exceptional stories that stand out as the best of the best, true classics in the Justice League canon.

10) JLA #16-17

In issues #16-17 of “JLA,” penned by Grant Morrison, Howard Porter, and Arnie Jorgensen, the Justice League experienced an expansion influenced by the Satellite League, a group with their own space fortress brimming with superheroes. This tale marks the addition of a significantly larger team roster, modeled on the Satellite League. The Justice League unveiled their new, expanded roster at a press conference, but their grand gesture was exploited when a new antagonist, Prometheus, infiltrated the Watchtower and executed a flawless plan to subdue the Justice League. With the odds against them and key members incapacitated, the new recruits were forced to prove their mettle. This is an exciting two-issue arc — typical of the book’s early years — that introduced DC comics to an exceptional villain in Prometheus, who was underutilized in subsequent stories. The narrative offers a thrilling ride and serves as an entertaining demonstration of Morrison’s take on the Justice League.

9) JLA #22-23

Starro the Conqueror plays a significant role in the history of the Justice League. He was their initial adversary and provided the team with their first major challenge in “JLA Secret Files and Origins” #1. This initial assault marked the start of many more challenges to come, and “JLA” issues 22-23 depict Starro launching his most potent attack yet. However, during this attack, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Kyle Rayner were summoned by Daniel into the Dreaming, a mission crucial for Earth’s survival. This tale remains thrilling to this day, offering action that can only be found in DC Comics. Grant Morrison and Porter truly excelled with this story, and it continues to impress even after all these years.

8) JLA: Earth-2

In 1985’s “Crisis on Infinite Earths,” the multiverse was obliterated, leaving a significant gap within the Justice League. Yet, writer Grant Morrison wasn’t content with this loss and found a creative solution. He introduced an alternate Earth identical to Earth-2 in “JLA: Earth-2.” Morrison collaborates with artist Frank Quitely on this storyline, delivering pure Justice League excitement. When a plane from another dimension, featuring currency unlike any we know and passengers with hearts on the opposite side, crashes, both the Justice League and the Crime Syndicate become aware of their mirror realms. This realization leads to an attack on each other’s Earth, culminating in one of the most thrilling battles between the League and the Crime Syndicate ever. This storyline offers a glimpse of Silver Age multiverse tales within the singular DC Universe.

7) DC One Million/JLA #1,000,000

Rediscovering the Magnificence of DC One Million

In the ’90s, comic book enthusiasts were treated to a pair of unforgettable tales: “DC One Million,” a four-part epic penned by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Val Semeiks, and its tie-in, “JLA” #1,000,000, written by Morrison and Howard Porter. When read together, these masterpieces provide one of the most exhilarating Justice League adventures from the 90s.

The story unfolds as the Justice Legion A from the 853rd century journey to the present, inviting the Justice League to witness the birth of Prime Superman in the future. However, a centuries-old plan devised by Vandal Savage and Solaris the Tyrant Sun leaves both groups stranded outside their respective time periods, forcing them to collaborate over an astounding 833 centuries. They must face adversaries who seem to have anticipated every move, with a traitor lurking among their ranks poised to strike at any moment.

This tale is brimming with unexpected twists and turns, showcasing the pinnacle of Justice League storytelling. Unfortunately, DC One Million often goes overlooked for its true greatness. It’s high time we celebrate this exceptional narrative by showering it with the recognition it truly deserves.

6) JLA #6-7

In issues #6-7 of Justice League America, penned by Morrison and Porter, the Justice League confronts a clash between angels and demons. Neron and the Demons Three initiate an assault on Earth, timed perfectly as angel Zauriel flees Silver City to aid against renegade angel Asmodel and his host, the Bull Host. Superman, Kyle Rayner, and Wally West find themselves trapped on the Watchtower, leaving the rest of the League to engage the Bull Host of angels in battle. This story is a testament to the jaw-dropping action that Justice League comics were known for in the mid ’90s. The visuals are striking, featuring Superman pulling the moon back into its orbit using his electric blue powers and two massive electromagnets, as well as an entire page dedicated to Superman wrestling Asmodel. This is a remarkable demonstration of superhero action, truly showcasing Morrison and Porter’s collaborative prowess at their best.

5) JLA #5

In issue #5 of the Justice League Adventure (written by Morrison and Porter), an unexpected gem awaits you! The Justice League organizes trials to recruit new members, attracting several well-known heroes from the mid ’90s such as Hitman, Connor Hawke’s Green Arrow, Artemis, Plastic Man, and others. Yet, only one of them earns a spot on the team – a fresh hero named Tomorrow Woman. However, she harbors a secret: she is an android crafted by T.O. Morrow and Professor Ivo to infiltrate and destroy the Justice League. As time passes, Tomorrow Woman develops affection for her experiences with the Justice League, ultimately making a crucial decision during their battle against the enigmatic IF. This is top-tier Justice League action, exploring themes of nature versus nurture. Be prepared to shed a few tears by the end.

4) JLA #1-4

In these four issues penned by Morrison and Porter, known as “New World Order,” I found myself utterly captivated. As an ardent fan of the Justice League, I was thrilled to witness a fresh perspective on what this legendary team could become.

The arrival of a new band of superheroes, the Hyperclan, set the stage for some extraordinary events. These newcomers, with their bold actions, claimed to be safeguarding our world, but their methods were far from conventional.

Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the Big Seven – Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Kyle Rayner, and Wally West – united to address this enigma, delving into the Hyperclan’s origins. However, their encounter with the Hyperclan was far from cordial; the League was swiftly overpowered.

The shocking truth was unveiled: The Hyperclan did not wish to save Earth but to conquer it. What made this revelation even more chilling was that they were not of human origin. “New World Order” served as a masterful reintroduction for the Justice League, presenting them with an adversary that only they could vanquish. This tale is a testament to exceptional superhero storytelling, with a twist that I won’t divulge because experiencing it firsthand is part of the joy when reading this remarkable story.

3) JLA: The Nail

In the comic book series titled “The Nail“, penned by Alan Davis, stands out as one of the most captivating Elseworlds tales ever created. This narrative unfolds on a world where a flat tire prevented the Kents from discovering baby Superman, Kal-El. Consequently, the superhero landscape evolves with the same characters, but without the presence of Superman, leading to a significantly altered reality. As Lex Luthor is elected mayor of Metropolis, a scheme is set into motion that ultimately aims to annihilate Earth’s metahumans, affecting both heroes and villains. A mysterious manipulator exploits the Justice League’s vulnerabilities in this plot. From its inception to its conclusion, this story is nothing short of extraordinary. Davis demonstrates exceptional talent as a writer and artist, skillfully crafting a distinct DC Universe within merely three issues, one that resonates with the Silver Age DC Universe while subtly differing. This tale from the ’90s remains one of the most impressive representations of the Justice League, offering a fresh perspective on their capabilities after witnessing them in action.

2) Kingdom Come

In the graphic novel “Kingdom Come,” penned by Mark Waid and Alex Ross, it’s often labeled as a Superman tale, a DC story, or even a Justice League saga. Regardless of its categorization, this masterpiece undoubtedly resonates as a significant chapter in the annals of the Justice League. When Superman decided to step down, many from his generation followed suit, leaving a new breed of superheroes with questionable motives at the helm. These heroes eliminate all supervillains, but their restlessness leads them to engage in internal conflicts instead. A calamity born out of a clash between these heroes rekindles Superman’s spirit, prompting him to revive the Justice League to address the global crisis posed by these self-proclaimed “heroes.” However, there are hidden forces working behind the scenes, some with malicious intentions and others with benevolent ones, who aren’t exactly thrilled about Superman’s methods. Simply put, “Kingdom Come” is a work of art. It serves as a counterpoint to the darker, grittier superheroes popularized in the ’90s, but it also raises profound questions about the limits of heroism when saving the world. The seamless fusion of writing and artwork creates an immersive superhero experience that deserves recognition alongside other notable ’90s Justice League tales like “JLA: Year One,” another classic from Mark Waid, co-authored by Bryan Augustyn and Barry Kitson.

1) JLA #10-15

The Justice League Adventures #10-15, penned by Morrison and Porter, are renowned as the finest Justice League narrative ever, making it undoubtedly the best Justice League tale of the ’90s. When Lex Luthor learns that the Justice League has reformed, he orchestrates the Injustice Gang to annihilate the heroes. Luthor not only has a strategic plan but also a hidden weapon – the Philosopher’s Stone. However, an even greater danger lurks, one that could shatter the DC Universe, and it will be the heroes themselves who bear the blame. “Rock of Ages” is an exceptional story. It offers near-flawless widescreen Justice League action, and when the plot takes a twist, readers will be left speechless. This book brilliantly encapsulates Morrison’s JLA vision, while Porter delivers stunning artwork. If you’ve ever dreamt of watching Green Arrow and Atom battle against Darkseid, this is the story for you. It is packed with everything that makes Justice League stories a joy to read.

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2025-07-03 19:12