Justice League International

ARTISTS

Writers: J. M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen
Penciller: Keith Giffen
Inker: Al Gordon
Colorist: Gene D'Angelo
Letterers: Bob Lappan, John E. Workman
Editor: Andrew Helfer

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CHARACTERS & SETTINGS

heroes: Batman, Black Canary II, Blue Beetle II, Booster Gold, Green Lantern IV, Martian Manhunter, Mister Miracle, Nightshade, Rick Flag, Jr., Rocket Red #4, Vixen
villaines: Bronze Tiger, Captain Boomerang, Deadshot, Duchess, Javelin
supporting: Oberon

Settings: 20th-century Happy Harbor, DCU, USA; 20th-century Moscow, Russia

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ISSUE SUMMARY

Cover Description: Suicide Squad members (from left to right) Javelin, Rick Flag, Bronze Tiger, and Captain Boomerang are in the background, being attacked by Justice Leaguers Guy Gardner, Batman, Blue Beetle, and Mister Miracle, respectively. (No Booster Gold.) The cover of this issue is the flip side of the cover to Suicide Squad #13.

Brief Synopsis: The JLI is called into Russia to defend a prison from a pending Suicide Squad attack.

Booster Gold's role in this story:
Featured (Booster Gold plays a prominent role)

Costume Worn: MARK I power-suit

Story Notes: This story will be continued in Suicide Squad #13.

This story has been reprinted in the following issue:
Justice League International Volume 2 (2009)

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ISSUE ANNOTATIONS

Page 5, panel 1
The uniform of new JLI member Rocket Red #4, Dimitri Pushkin, instead displays the number "13." This is the first and only time that Dimitri Pushkin will be shown in suit number "13" for his duration as a Justice Leaguer.

Page 11, panel 2
Booster Gold warns Blue Beetle II to keep his voice down when Beetle suggests that Batman may have hired villains in order to advance his cause. The mere suggestion irritates Batman, but Booster will keep it in mind for a later date. (See 52 Week Six).

Page 15, panel 3
Appearance of the Soviet superhero and future Titan Red Star. Red Star first appeared in Teen Titans, Vol. 1, #18, under the name Starfire (a name that will be reused by a different Titan beginning in The New Teen Titans). Like his moniker, his costume has also changed over the years, but until the 1990s, it appeared very similar to Booster Gold's, including exposed scalp, oversized goggles, high collar, and costume complete with a star on his chest, though with a military olive and red color scheme. Red Star is a communist, making him almost a complete inversion of Booster Gold, both visually and ideologically.

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ISSUE REVIEW

Boosterrific Review: Keith Giffen's art is an acquired taste, equal parts postmodern pop art and film noir. In general, it is not well suited to the needs of a super hero group comic book such as the Justice League. However, Giffen the writer serves up a tale of political intrigue and skullduggery that provides Giffen the artist the perfect opportunity to mix his art style with super powered fisticuffs. In many ways, this issue is pure setup for the inevitable fight in Suicide Squad, Volume 1, #13, and does not stand alone as well as one might hope. As a result, this issue may be enjoyable only for those initiated into the DC Universe and frustrating for those who pick up a Justice League book hoping to see the DCU's most prominent team in action.

Boosterrific Rating:

• Currently 3.0/5 Stars.

Average Fan Rating:

• Currently 3.0/5 Stars.

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