A lot of fans have had a problem with Maxwell Lord becoming a major villain in the DCU. Some say the transition was logical and evident in his original characterization. Others say that the metamorphosis was artificial and poorly executed. Whichever side of the fence you are on, you'll find something valuable in the multi-part post from The Captain's Unofficial Justice League Homepage blog (part 1 starts here). It's thorough, insightful, and informative, even for fans who think they remember the entire JLI run.
Erin posted on Jun. 30, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Interesting stuff, although I was under the impression that the ICBINTJL stuff was questionable canon-wise. I do think that Giffin and Winicks' version of Max and his relationship to the league reads truer than the previous evil Max stories. During the Blue and Gold arc Booster didn't seem to feel any conflict when facing Max, and Max seemed to think poorly of Booster. I think that if anyone in the league outside Batman would get Booster it would be the guy that pulled the strings to get him in the league in the first place.
Superman posted on Jul. 1, 2010 at 8:53 AM
You're spot-on about Giffen and Winick, Erin. This is what makes me care so much for JL: GL: not so much the Brightest Day stuff, although I enjoy that, and not for what it could mean to Booster and the JLI once this storyline is over, but for the chance to see Max resolved once and for all. There's just so much that happened to Max throughout his publication history, and right now I just want to get Giffen's definitive say on the character he made, who I love so much in the Giffen-era JLI.
TGB posted on Jul. 1, 2010 at 9:21 AM
But do you really think that Booster or some of the others could ever really come full circle on Max? For everything else, he DID kill Ted Kord, and that's something that Giffen will have a hard time erasing. Ted's death is almost the entire reason for Booster's maturing over the past several years. Perhaps they could make the readers more sympathetic towards the Max Lord character, but within the story, I don't know how they could accomplish the same.
Erin posted on Jul. 1, 2010 at 1:44 PM
Unless there's a twist I don't think they can redeem Max with Teds' death hanging over his head. DC insists it meant something and that the biggest impact of it was that someone he knew murdered him. But really showing that Max still cares on some level and that his actions affect the others means a lot. I think it will make a further impact on Booster who's already questioning the wisdom of the Time Masters rules and Max is preaching his "the end justifies the means" methods. I don't think it's so much about erasing what he did than exploring his reasoning and how the others cope with it.
KMD posted on Jul. 1, 2010 at 5:11 PM
Very good article--Max Lord is fascinating whether as a hero or a villian. I am very curious to see what he is up to here.
Harry posted on Jul. 2, 2010 at 9:22 AM
Anyone else under the impression that we will learn that the "bad" Max is not the "real" Max? Perhaps under the control of a Kilg%e-esque entitiy? I'm rooting for a living Ted Kord the be the key figure behind saving the JLI Max Lord.
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Jul. 2, 2010 at 2:53 PM
I really hate that sort of retroactive continuity "fix," as I think that it drastically damages character development and the attachment between reader and character that is required for sustained sales. Personally, I'd much rather have a rehabilitated Max than a retconned one.
Harry posted on Jul. 3, 2010 at 1:40 AM
Party-pooper. Besides, there is a gigantic hole in Max's history from the time he was Lord Havoc to the time he shot BB. Anything could have happened.
Boosterrific [Official Comment] posted on Jul. 3, 2010 at 12:17 PM
Fair enough, Harry. There is at least an entire 7-year gap between the last appearance of questionably evil Max Lord Havox and his brief return as a good-natured cyborg in FKATJL before his second return as a fully evil human a year after that. No doubt, there is plenty of room for explaination in all that time span that would make a lot of people happy. Of course, Maxwell Lord was always a mysterious and driven character who would do whatever it took to accomplish his goals, no matter how drastic or morally questionable. So I don't really see a conflict between the Maxwell Lord of old and the modern characterization. It is really nice to see Lord in Giffen's hands, where the character expresses an affinity for his old team but refuses to allow his feelings to get in the way of his goals.
