The DC Animated Universe is the greatest iteration of DC’s characters outside of comics. It all started with Batman: The Animated Series, reaching its pinnacle with Justice League Unlimited. For years, fans have been clamoring for a return to this iteration of the League in some form. Well, DC Comics has heard the cries for justice, so to speak. Coming this summer is Justice League Infinity, a new seven-issue series set in the world of JLU.
DC Comics
The new series is co-written by JLU producer James Tucker and series writer J.M. DeMatteis, with art by Ethen Beavers. Justice League Infinity stars the fan favorite original animated Justice League lineup. That means Superman, Wonder Woman, Batman, The Flash, Green Lantern (John Stewart), Hawkgirl, and Martian Manhunter, alongside a host of other heroes. The first digital chapter arrives on Thursday, May 13; the first 20-page print issue hits comic book stores on Tuesday, July 6.
DC Comics
JLI also gives the creatives team a chance to incorporate a host of new characters from across the DC Multiverse. Hopefully, this means certain characters that were “off-limits” to the original JLU producers back then. Heroes like Firestorm and Black Lightning can finally join up. The new series will pick up from the end of the animated show, when Darkseid was finally defeated. This defeat has left a war over the control of his homeworld Apokolips. When the war for the throne arrives on Earth, the true ruler will be determined via one test: Who can destroy the Justice League?
Justice League Infinity is actually DeMatteis’ second Justice League title with the abbreviation of “JLI.” One of the writer’s most famous works at DC was his ’80s/’90s series Justice League International. However, that book rarely had any of the “big guns” of the League together at once; it focused more on B-list heroes like Blue Beetle and Booster Gold. (Maybe the Blue and Gold team will show up in Justice League Infinity too.)
Warner Bros. Animation
The issue #1 main cover is provided by Francis Manapul with a card stock variant cover created by Scott Hepburn. Each 20-page issue sells for $3.99, with the card stock variant cover selling for $4.99. Here’s hoping that JLI, along with the comic’s continuation of Batman: The Animated Series, leads to a proper animated return for DC’s greatest heroes. Whether it’s Batman or JLU, we want to see these classic versions continue on.
