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JLA (Original Trades)
JLA: Earth 2
They are the world's gravest super-villains: Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring and Johnny Quick--the legendary Crime Syndicate of Amerika. Nothing has ever seriously threatened the global corruption they proudly enforce, but now a twisted mirror image of the CSA has arrived from the flip side of reality. Can anything stop this so-called "JUSTICE LEAGUE," or will the stable, perfect evil of the Earth 2 fall victim to the tyranny of law, righteousness and freedom?
93 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2000
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1,762 people want to read
About the author
Grant Morrison
1,798books4,418followersGrant Morrison has been working with DC Comics for twenty five years, after beginning their American comics career with acclaimed runs on ANIMAL MAN and DOOM PATROL. Since then they have written such best-selling series as JLA, BATMAN and New X-Men, as well as such creator-owned works as THE INVISIBLES, SEAGUY, THE FILTH, WE3 and JOE THE BARBARIAN. In addition to expanding the DC Universe through titles ranging from the Eisner Award-winning SEVEN SOLDIERS and ALL-STAR SUPERMAN to the reality-shattering epic of FINAL CRISIS, they have also reinvented the worlds of the Dark Knight Detective in BATMAN AND ROBIN and BATMAN, INCORPORATED and the Man of Steel in The New 52 ACTION COMICS.
In their secret identity, Morrison is a "counterculture" spokesperson, a musician, an award-winning playwright and a chaos magician. They are also the author of the New York Times bestseller Supergods, a groundbreaking psycho-historic mapping of the superhero as a cultural organism. They divide their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Scotland.
In their secret identity, Morrison is a "counterculture" spokesperson, a musician, an award-winning playwright and a chaos magician. They are also the author of the New York Times bestseller Supergods, a groundbreaking psycho-historic mapping of the superhero as a cultural organism. They divide their time between their homes in Los Angeles and Scotland.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 288 reviews
February 21, 2018
Excellent reading!
This is a prestige format graphic novel.
Creative Team:
Writer: Grant Morrison
Illustrator: Frank Quitely
WHEN IN EARTH-2...
First of all, don't get confused for the title of the this story, JLA: Earth-2, since it was published in the interim way after the "end" of other parallel Earths during the famous Crisis on Infinite Earths, but quite before the new "explosion" of hypertime and then an official re-introduction of parallel earths during the "New52".
Since, originally, before the Crisis, the Earth of the Crime Syndicate was called "Earth-3", and even when the multiple Earths concepts was retaken on the "New52", got its designation once again of "Earth-3",,,
...BUT...
...since this story was written during the said interim, well it was odd to refer to the only one other known parallel Earth as "3" if there isn't any "2" out there,,,
...but I want to explain thie little "mess" since nowadays there is the quite popular "Earth-2" titles published during the "New52" and part of the "Rebirth" era, but that it's about the formerly known "Earth-2" before the Crisis, just with a new angle.
So....
In this awesome tale, the infamous Crime Syndicate is re-introduced, updating their costumes and even part of their origin stories, which it was so well received that when they were re-introduced once again during the "New52" on the Forever Evil event, you can notice that the supervillain team has more common with this "in-between" version that its original at the Silver Age.
This "Earth-2" (which as I already explained should be treated as the former "Earth-3") is the basic concept like in Star Trek's classic episode "Mirror, Mirror" where the characters that are "good" in the "original" reality, there they are "evil" and viceversa.
Easy.
However, the great creative team of Morrison and Quitely give us a great understanding and deep true meaning of how works an antimatter universe, really reasoning what it means that what is "good" here, therefore is "evil" there, and the implications between both parallel dimensions.
The Crime Syndicate: Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, Johnny Quick (evil twisted versions of the Justice League), rules in a merciless way over the whole population of their Earth, and the last "superhero" left alive is Alexander Luthor, whom decides to crossover to Earth-1 and ask for help to the Justlce League to return to "Earth-2" and fighting against the super tyrants there.
Obviously, the Justice League will comply the request, but they don't suspect that this mission won't be any easy at all for reasons beyond of their comprehension.
It's the Justice League versus the Crime Syndicate!
What else do you need?!
This is a prestige format graphic novel.
Creative Team:
Writer: Grant Morrison
Illustrator: Frank Quitely
WHEN IN EARTH-2...
First of all, don't get confused for the title of the this story, JLA: Earth-2, since it was published in the interim way after the "end" of other parallel Earths during the famous Crisis on Infinite Earths, but quite before the new "explosion" of hypertime and then an official re-introduction of parallel earths during the "New52".
Since, originally, before the Crisis, the Earth of the Crime Syndicate was called "Earth-3", and even when the multiple Earths concepts was retaken on the "New52", got its designation once again of "Earth-3",,,
...BUT...
...since this story was written during the said interim, well it was odd to refer to the only one other known parallel Earth as "3" if there isn't any "2" out there,,,
...but I want to explain thie little "mess" since nowadays there is the quite popular "Earth-2" titles published during the "New52" and part of the "Rebirth" era, but that it's about the formerly known "Earth-2" before the Crisis, just with a new angle.
So....
In this awesome tale, the infamous Crime Syndicate is re-introduced, updating their costumes and even part of their origin stories, which it was so well received that when they were re-introduced once again during the "New52" on the Forever Evil event, you can notice that the supervillain team has more common with this "in-between" version that its original at the Silver Age.
This "Earth-2" (which as I already explained should be treated as the former "Earth-3") is the basic concept like in Star Trek's classic episode "Mirror, Mirror" where the characters that are "good" in the "original" reality, there they are "evil" and viceversa.
Easy.
However, the great creative team of Morrison and Quitely give us a great understanding and deep true meaning of how works an antimatter universe, really reasoning what it means that what is "good" here, therefore is "evil" there, and the implications between both parallel dimensions.
The Crime Syndicate: Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring, Johnny Quick (evil twisted versions of the Justice League), rules in a merciless way over the whole population of their Earth, and the last "superhero" left alive is Alexander Luthor, whom decides to crossover to Earth-1 and ask for help to the Justlce League to return to "Earth-2" and fighting against the super tyrants there.
Obviously, the Justice League will comply the request, but they don't suspect that this mission won't be any easy at all for reasons beyond of their comprehension.
It's the Justice League versus the Crime Syndicate!
What else do you need?!
July 15, 2016
A rocket crashes in the countryside and out climbs... Lex Luthor? Alexander Luthor hails from the anti-matter universe and implores the Justice League to help him overthrow their evil selves. Can the JLA stop their most powerful foes to date?
Remember the mirror universe episode of Star Trek where Spock had the goatee? Earth 2 is the super hero version of that, after a fashion. It reads a little like Squadron Supreme in that the evil versions of the JLA have set themselves up as the rules of the anti-matter Earth.
Superman becomes Ultraman, a tyrant empowered by Kryptonite
Batman becomes Owlman, Thomas Wayne Junior who starts a life of crime after seeing his mother and brother gunned down.
Wonder Woman becomes Superwoman, a sadistic sexy Amazon.
Flash becomes Johnny Quick, who gets his super powers from an addictive drug.
Green Lantern becomes Power Ring, a coward with a ring that controls him.
Aquaman and Martian Manhunter stay behind on Earth so they conveniently don't have counterparts.
The story is pretty standard super hero fare, although Morrison turns the dial up a few notches. While Green Lantern extraordinaire Kyle Rayner holds the Syndicate hostage, the rest of the JLA work to undo the evil the Syndicate has wrought. When the Syndicate escapes and makes its way to the JLA's Earth, the carnage goes off the chart.
For the most part, it's a lot of mindless superhero fun on a grand scale. While I thought the logic went off the rails at times, I loved when the main villain was revealed. The contrast between the Crime Syndicate and the Justice League was nicely done. I'd read an Owlman/Superwoman book.
While the logic of the story falls apart at the end, it was still entertaining for what it was. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
Remember the mirror universe episode of Star Trek where Spock had the goatee? Earth 2 is the super hero version of that, after a fashion. It reads a little like Squadron Supreme in that the evil versions of the JLA have set themselves up as the rules of the anti-matter Earth.
Superman becomes Ultraman, a tyrant empowered by Kryptonite
Batman becomes Owlman, Thomas Wayne Junior who starts a life of crime after seeing his mother and brother gunned down.
Wonder Woman becomes Superwoman, a sadistic sexy Amazon.
Flash becomes Johnny Quick, who gets his super powers from an addictive drug.
Green Lantern becomes Power Ring, a coward with a ring that controls him.
Aquaman and Martian Manhunter stay behind on Earth so they conveniently don't have counterparts.
The story is pretty standard super hero fare, although Morrison turns the dial up a few notches. While Green Lantern extraordinaire Kyle Rayner holds the Syndicate hostage, the rest of the JLA work to undo the evil the Syndicate has wrought. When the Syndicate escapes and makes its way to the JLA's Earth, the carnage goes off the chart.
For the most part, it's a lot of mindless superhero fun on a grand scale. While I thought the logic went off the rails at times, I loved when the main villain was revealed. The contrast between the Crime Syndicate and the Justice League was nicely done. I'd read an Owlman/Superwoman book.
While the logic of the story falls apart at the end, it was still entertaining for what it was. 3.5 out of 5 stars.
January 21, 2022
An epic inter-dimensional event squeezed into 144 pages, it suffers from brevity and summarization. That’s unfortunate because this could have been an easy 12 issues of otherworld fantasy.
October 31, 2015
The DC Universe is largely responsible for superhero comics� reputation as a baffling and utterly inscrutable place. Case in point: JLA: Earth 2. In Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely’s late �90s book, Earth 2 is actually our Earth - Earth-Prime - dubbed so by Alexander Luthor (from the mirror world). However to the “real� Justice League of America and the audience, our Earth is Earth-Prime and Earth 2 is the home of the Crime Syndicate, the “evil� Justice League headed up by Ultraman, Owlman, and Superwoman.
BUT to more recent comics readers who joined DC when they rolled out their infamous New 52 line and who read the event books Trinity War and Forever Evil, the Crime Syndicate is from Earth 3. Also, looking at Morrison’s latest DC book, The Multiversity, the Guidebook confirms Earth 3 as home to the Crime Syndicate.
So what are we to make of JLA: Earth 2? Here’s my advice to new readers of superhero comics and anyone else for that matter: ignore all the extraneous crap and focus on the story and characters instead. Don’t try to understand the continuity and all the trivial nonsense, you’ll never get it; it’s way too convoluted and pointless, especially as DC reboot their universe(s) whenever their sales hit lower than usual points and they get desperate - “Quick, slap a CRISIS on that book or we’re all going to the poorhouse!�. Just enjoy the books themselves without looking too hard at the context.
That said, a large amount of DC books (and Marvel for that matter) are total shit so it’s a real pleasure when something superb like JLA: Earth 2 comes around - but then it’s Morrison and Quitely so it was never going to suck!
Earth 2 Alexander Luthor travels to Earth-Prime where he discovers the Justice League are good. He tells them about the Crime Syndicate and they return to Earth 2 to help make Lex’s world a better place. But, like what goes up must come down, the Multiverse must be balanced (or something) and as the heroes of our Earth head to Earth 2, their villainous counterparts are sent to our Earth - oh noooo!
This might be my favourite Justice League book which isn’t saying much as I’ve pretty much disliked every one I’ve read! I love how Morrison doesn’t feel like he has to use every member of the League every time (take note Geoff Johns!). The opening scene sees Superman, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Flash saving a falling plane full of dead people (they were pre-dead - the game is afoot!) without Aquaman or Batman in sight - and it’s awesome (even if it’s kinda undermined by a better scene years later in Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns where Superman saves a downed plane full of living humans all by himself)!
Something similar happens once the League head to Earth 2 without all its members feeling the need to go and a couple stay behind to protect the Earth if things go awry (as they are wont to do). That’s great! Use the ones who’ll be most effective - think tactically, not in terms of numbers.
Besides the action, it’s just interesting seeing how strangely Earth 2 looks with corruption and evil everywhere, familiar characters turned upside down, etc. Also because it’s a relatively short book at under 100 pages, Morrison gets right into it: we’re at Earth 2 in no time, the League get stuck in, the Crime Syndicate are pushed with their backs to the wall, and things barrel along quickly with some twists and turns thrown in. Brilliant, gripping stuff!
It helps that Frank Quitely - in my mind the greatest superhero comics artist working today - draws the hell out of this book. Some of my favourite scenes: Owlman operating in his Gotham City, the Crime Syndicate’s Watchtower hovering over the city, the opening plane sequence, and Green Lantern’s prison for the Crime Syndicate. There’s not a page in this book that’s not perfect. Frank Quitely’s art is just awesomeness personified and makes me very, very happy to see it!
To readers who are familiar with Morrison’s writing style and might be a little gunshy: Earth 2 is one of his “sober� comics. It’s not weird and zany and it doesn’t go all round the insane asylum - it’s straightforward superhero storytelling at its finest. Totally accessible.
JLA: Earth 2 is arguably the best adventure the Justice League have ever had and is yet another masterpiece from one of the medium’s greatest creative teams, Morrison and Quitely. It’s enough to forgive DC’s bullshit tinkerings with their universe!
BUT to more recent comics readers who joined DC when they rolled out their infamous New 52 line and who read the event books Trinity War and Forever Evil, the Crime Syndicate is from Earth 3. Also, looking at Morrison’s latest DC book, The Multiversity, the Guidebook confirms Earth 3 as home to the Crime Syndicate.
So what are we to make of JLA: Earth 2? Here’s my advice to new readers of superhero comics and anyone else for that matter: ignore all the extraneous crap and focus on the story and characters instead. Don’t try to understand the continuity and all the trivial nonsense, you’ll never get it; it’s way too convoluted and pointless, especially as DC reboot their universe(s) whenever their sales hit lower than usual points and they get desperate - “Quick, slap a CRISIS on that book or we’re all going to the poorhouse!�. Just enjoy the books themselves without looking too hard at the context.
That said, a large amount of DC books (and Marvel for that matter) are total shit so it’s a real pleasure when something superb like JLA: Earth 2 comes around - but then it’s Morrison and Quitely so it was never going to suck!
Earth 2 Alexander Luthor travels to Earth-Prime where he discovers the Justice League are good. He tells them about the Crime Syndicate and they return to Earth 2 to help make Lex’s world a better place. But, like what goes up must come down, the Multiverse must be balanced (or something) and as the heroes of our Earth head to Earth 2, their villainous counterparts are sent to our Earth - oh noooo!
This might be my favourite Justice League book which isn’t saying much as I’ve pretty much disliked every one I’ve read! I love how Morrison doesn’t feel like he has to use every member of the League every time (take note Geoff Johns!). The opening scene sees Superman, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern and Flash saving a falling plane full of dead people (they were pre-dead - the game is afoot!) without Aquaman or Batman in sight - and it’s awesome (even if it’s kinda undermined by a better scene years later in Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns where Superman saves a downed plane full of living humans all by himself)!
Something similar happens once the League head to Earth 2 without all its members feeling the need to go and a couple stay behind to protect the Earth if things go awry (as they are wont to do). That’s great! Use the ones who’ll be most effective - think tactically, not in terms of numbers.
Besides the action, it’s just interesting seeing how strangely Earth 2 looks with corruption and evil everywhere, familiar characters turned upside down, etc. Also because it’s a relatively short book at under 100 pages, Morrison gets right into it: we’re at Earth 2 in no time, the League get stuck in, the Crime Syndicate are pushed with their backs to the wall, and things barrel along quickly with some twists and turns thrown in. Brilliant, gripping stuff!
It helps that Frank Quitely - in my mind the greatest superhero comics artist working today - draws the hell out of this book. Some of my favourite scenes: Owlman operating in his Gotham City, the Crime Syndicate’s Watchtower hovering over the city, the opening plane sequence, and Green Lantern’s prison for the Crime Syndicate. There’s not a page in this book that’s not perfect. Frank Quitely’s art is just awesomeness personified and makes me very, very happy to see it!
To readers who are familiar with Morrison’s writing style and might be a little gunshy: Earth 2 is one of his “sober� comics. It’s not weird and zany and it doesn’t go all round the insane asylum - it’s straightforward superhero storytelling at its finest. Totally accessible.
JLA: Earth 2 is arguably the best adventure the Justice League have ever had and is yet another masterpiece from one of the medium’s greatest creative teams, Morrison and Quitely. It’s enough to forgive DC’s bullshit tinkerings with their universe!
April 2, 2014
3.5 stars
Whoa.
But. It's so lucid !
I just never expected to say something like that about anything Morrison wrote.
Ever.
It's even, dare I say, simplistic? I mean, the bad guys are bad because they're from the bad world, where evil always triumphs! And the good guys are...oh, you get the picture.
And that wasn't the only surprising thing. It's also a really quick read. I assumed with all of the hullabaloo surrounding this one, that it was probably lengthy and intense. It's really not.
Almost fluffy by Morrison's standards.
The art?
EEEK!
It's so bad it's almost good. I'm not sure how to explain it.
Was the artist going for the Neolithic look? It looked like this characters would be better suited to clubs and mammoths skins, rather than capes and tights. Not quite blocky, maybe more like stumpy? I don't know. It's just one of those things you have to see to believe.
At any rate, I had fun reading this. And even if it didn't blow me away today, I probably would have been gushing praise if I'd read it when it first came out.
Whoa.
But. It's so lucid !
I just never expected to say something like that about anything Morrison wrote.
Ever.
It's even, dare I say, simplistic? I mean, the bad guys are bad because they're from the bad world, where evil always triumphs! And the good guys are...oh, you get the picture.
And that wasn't the only surprising thing. It's also a really quick read. I assumed with all of the hullabaloo surrounding this one, that it was probably lengthy and intense. It's really not.
Almost fluffy by Morrison's standards.
The art?
EEEK!
It's so bad it's almost good. I'm not sure how to explain it.
Was the artist going for the Neolithic look? It looked like this characters would be better suited to clubs and mammoths skins, rather than capes and tights. Not quite blocky, maybe more like stumpy? I don't know. It's just one of those things you have to see to believe.
At any rate, I had fun reading this. And even if it didn't blow me away today, I probably would have been gushing praise if I'd read it when it first came out.
November 1, 2021
An original graphic novel Morrison wrote in the middle of his JLA run. This was the first time we'd really seen the Crime Syndicate since Crisis. The book is an enjoyable stand alone read.
March 6, 2016
A mirror world exists, it's antimatter to Earth's matter, evil prevails over good, and life isn't fun for anyone. Welcome to Earth 2.
I've near been a dedicated comic reader so until recently I knew next to nothing about Earth 2. Season 2 of the Flash revolves around breaches to Earth 2 being open so I decided to read about Earth 2. It's basically what I expected, but things are a bit more convoluted. Evil wins over good on this antimatter Earth and people's hearts are on the other side of their bodies. The characters aren't simply the opposite of one another for the exception of Lex Luthor and Superman/Ultraman. Even then Ultraman's origin differs significantly from Superman's.
Earth 2 is a cool concept, but the storytelling was just OK.
I've near been a dedicated comic reader so until recently I knew next to nothing about Earth 2. Season 2 of the Flash revolves around breaches to Earth 2 being open so I decided to read about Earth 2. It's basically what I expected, but things are a bit more convoluted. Evil wins over good on this antimatter Earth and people's hearts are on the other side of their bodies. The characters aren't simply the opposite of one another for the exception of Lex Luthor and Superman/Ultraman. Even then Ultraman's origin differs significantly from Superman's.
Earth 2 is a cool concept, but the storytelling was just OK.
October 7, 2015
Originally reviewed at
Morrison really perplexes me how he can write such great stories, then throw something absolutely bizarre at you the next time out. Talk about hot and cold. This guy should trademark the term as a description for his writing style. Thankfully, this was Morrison at his best.
Here Alexander Luthor discovers a way to travel from his anti-matter earth to the matter earth of the JLA; his desire to beg the JLA for help in stopping the evil rule of the Crime Syndicate. As those familiar with DC already know, the Crime Syndicate (Ultraman, Superwoman, Owlman, Johnny Quick, and Power Ring) come from Earth-2 (at least at the time of this DC continuity), are the evil counterparts of the JLA, and rule their world with iron fists. Luthor is the only "good guy" on this earth.
From this beginning, Morrison crafts an interesting story about the clash of the JLA and the Syndicate, mixing in a few twists and turns that really dash our heroes hopes and plans. The fights aren't all that much, but the characterization is better than I expected from such a short story. And while Frank Quitely isn't my favorite artists, I thought the artwork was well done and helped convey the story in a fast paced manner.
All in all, I really liked this one, but it would have been better if it would have focused a bit more on the Crime Syndicate and less on the familiar JLA characters. Not that I don't love Bats, Supes, and the rest, but it would have been good to see how the bad guys rolled and why.
Morrison really perplexes me how he can write such great stories, then throw something absolutely bizarre at you the next time out. Talk about hot and cold. This guy should trademark the term as a description for his writing style. Thankfully, this was Morrison at his best.
Here Alexander Luthor discovers a way to travel from his anti-matter earth to the matter earth of the JLA; his desire to beg the JLA for help in stopping the evil rule of the Crime Syndicate. As those familiar with DC already know, the Crime Syndicate (Ultraman, Superwoman, Owlman, Johnny Quick, and Power Ring) come from Earth-2 (at least at the time of this DC continuity), are the evil counterparts of the JLA, and rule their world with iron fists. Luthor is the only "good guy" on this earth.
From this beginning, Morrison crafts an interesting story about the clash of the JLA and the Syndicate, mixing in a few twists and turns that really dash our heroes hopes and plans. The fights aren't all that much, but the characterization is better than I expected from such a short story. And while Frank Quitely isn't my favorite artists, I thought the artwork was well done and helped convey the story in a fast paced manner.
All in all, I really liked this one, but it would have been better if it would have focused a bit more on the Crime Syndicate and less on the familiar JLA characters. Not that I don't love Bats, Supes, and the rest, but it would have been good to see how the bad guys rolled and why.
March 25, 2018
A great dark gem of a graphic novel based on a modern twist of a classical comic book concept, the superheroes' evil doppelgangers from a parallel world, and reintroducing in DC comics the multiverse cancelled by the event.
Morrison & Quitely are at their best here. Loved the storyline, the artworks, the twists and the black humour.
The Alexander Luthor from the antimatter earth calling the Jla one "Earth 2" was a real stroke of genius: in DC multiverse "Earth 2" was the JSA world and they were the Golden Age first heroes, so that is just the correct way of referring to Earth "1".
An excellent one-shot read, but it was really too short.
March 28, 2021
An excellent mirror universe episode of the JLA. Filled to the brim with smart ideas and cool concepts, and yet pretty tame and coherent by Morrison’s standards (although I almost always find these kinds of books to be their best, the ones where they restrain themself from going too deep into the crazy and psychedelic). The only downside is that the final act felt a bit jumbled and I’m not sure how much sense it made, but maybe I just missed something. The overall impression is still excellent, the book is a lot of fun and a great read for those who want to get more into DC’s multiverse.
March 11, 2016
Christ! The man (Morrison) can write such a simple entertaining book. Its fun and well done. Why cant this be his norm?!!
February 22, 2016
A truly dark and wonderful take on the JLA story. In an alternate universe the Justice League is evil and Lex Luthor is good. Luthor travels to Earth-2 (our reality) and enlists the help of the JLA to help restore the balance. I enjoyed this Morrison tale of good and evil. The Crime Syndicate, the evil JLA, is something to behold. From Ultraman to Owlman the evil versions of the JLA are twisted and darkly amusing. The artwork is good, though the artist has a tendency to draw his characters are overly muscular and that causes the visualizations of Wonder Woman and her alternate Superwoman to be less than attractive. I also enjoyed the evil Flash, as he kept shooting up with speed. Of them all Ultraman and Owlman were my two favorite characters. Though I must admit a bit of confusion as to who Owlman was. In the evil world Bruce and his mother died and Thomas Wayne became the commissioner. I think any Morrison fan will love this story, as will anyone who likes a good Justice League tale. One of my favorite graphic novels.
March 26, 2025
Still holds up well, not the best of Grant Morrison's JLA work but a good isolated story of a parallel evil universe.
It's the iconic Justice League team, and timeless in that way. The story is just fine, but the art by Frank Quitely is powerful and 'cinematic' if you're into that style
It's the iconic Justice League team, and timeless in that way. The story is just fine, but the art by Frank Quitely is powerful and 'cinematic' if you're into that style
July 3, 2022
So Lex Luthor of Earth 2 comes to the prime DCU and thus it falls on him to recruit the heroes of this earth and with their help defeat the Crime syndicate on his planet and we see the league going there and seeing the state of the world and how they help the people of this planet but then they face the peril of the existence of their earth and how Brainiac of earth-2 has destruction plans for both earths, and stop him and ultimately realize not every battle can be won..
Its a very short story and not the greatest Morrison work but he does well to reimagine earth 2 and Crime syndicate and showing the team member's thought process and evil personality and he does play on the love triangle between Ultraman, Superwoman and Owlman and the deceivous nature of that trinity.. Pretty interesting story and makes for some nice banter between the JLA and CSA and shows the evil vs good nature. Deep meanings maybe here, maybe it will read better on second read.
Its a very short story and not the greatest Morrison work but he does well to reimagine earth 2 and Crime syndicate and showing the team member's thought process and evil personality and he does play on the love triangle between Ultraman, Superwoman and Owlman and the deceivous nature of that trinity.. Pretty interesting story and makes for some nice banter between the JLA and CSA and shows the evil vs good nature. Deep meanings maybe here, maybe it will read better on second read.
November 19, 2016
I think I would have liked this more with better art...maybe?
So besides the ugly art and the dumb as fuck idea to put this in a graphic novel costing 15 bucks but only half of it being a actual story the rest being just pages of random sketches, it wasn't all that bad. It was interesting, kind of fun, but little pointless.
On a world that is based off evil is right the Justice league come to fix things. As they do, they finally realize this world isn't like their own. NO matter how much you try to do "right" the right in this universe isn't what works. It's a interesting take on things and I enjoyed that part.
I also enjoyed the interaction of the characters, all well done.
I dunno though, just didn't grab me. It's good, just not great.
So besides the ugly art and the dumb as fuck idea to put this in a graphic novel costing 15 bucks but only half of it being a actual story the rest being just pages of random sketches, it wasn't all that bad. It was interesting, kind of fun, but little pointless.
On a world that is based off evil is right the Justice league come to fix things. As they do, they finally realize this world isn't like their own. NO matter how much you try to do "right" the right in this universe isn't what works. It's a interesting take on things and I enjoyed that part.
I also enjoyed the interaction of the characters, all well done.
I dunno though, just didn't grab me. It's good, just not great.
December 25, 2022
Rating 4 out of 5 | Grade: B+; Beyond Good & Evil lies, the Multiverse
Premise
An unexpected visit from an Earth-2 version of Alexander Luthor (who is good) prompts the Justice League of our reality to travel to the parallel antimatter version of their earth, where morality if reversed.
Good is bad, and Bad is Good. Luthor, the only superhero of this reality, is fighting a losing battle against the Crime Syndicate, filled with the evil counterparts of the Leaguers. This includes Ultraman (Superman), Superwoman (Wonder Woman), Owlman (Batman), Power Ring (Green Lantern) & Johny Quick (The Flash).
Being the paragons of justice that they're the League is unwilling to let the billions of people in the antimatter reality suffer due to their overpowered overlords. Setting off to face off their evil mirrors, some would reaffirm their vow towards doing good, others would be forced to look at a black mirror of what happens in one bad day.
Thoughts
It was the Brilliant DC animated TV movie which them prompted me to dig into the comic lore behind that story. And suffice to say, I was not disappointed.
Although I still do consider the animated movie superior to the comic in some regards, in others I appreciate the darker more sardonic tone that the comic presents.
One of the key differences is how, the animated version treats the battle between the League & the Syndicate as just another confrontation between Good & Evil, with the players now changing sides. But Grant Morrison's version, showcases the heroes who are suited for their respective realities.
The Leaguers were born and brought up in a reality where people are generally good. Clark Kent,
Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince the rest, benefitted from growing up with paragons to look up to; be it loving and moral parents or guardians to guide their moral compass.
By contrast, the Syndicate rule over a reality, which fosters the worse in people. Where the environment and upbringing is geared towards the vices, and a person growing up good and honest is the uncommon outlier.
Which means that, what the League are fighting against are not just their evil versions, but also the fabric of reality itself.
One complaint that I have in this regard is how, both the comics and movie explore the ramification of this antimatter world in snippets. But in the comic, which is all to short, we are not given enough time to process and understand the reality of the Syndicate & the antimatter world, with its predilection to evil.
There is one portion in particular, regarding the confrontation between Owlman and Commissioner Wayne, which is hinted but then cut short. It is implied that Owlman is Thomas Wayne Jr, brother to a late Bruce Wayne and son to the murdered Martha Wayne. One who blames his father for the loss of his family and is willing to destroy the city that he so cherishes in a lifelong quest for vengeance.
When he then flees to the matter world, with the intention of confronting and torturing the Thomas Wayne of this reality, he realizes to his horror that his father is already dead, and that he himself never came to be.
This complex dynamic is something to have been explored further but was not.
Similar is the case of the 'good' Alexander Luthor. In Grant Morrison's , Superman accuses Luthor. He calls out Luthor for his ego, and argues that, if Luthor really wanted, with his genius intellect, he could've solved cancer, world hunter, and made the world a better place. But instead, he chooses to use his considerable faculties and resources to one up the man of steel.
The antimatter version of Luthor, seems to have been the iteration who personified Superman's ideals. One who uses his potential to help people and tries to be the change he wants to become.
But he is unreasonable outnumbered, outmatched and alone, against this Superpowered beings of the Syndicate. We get a brief glimpse of what sort of man this Luthor is, for the brief period that he takes over the persona of the criminal Luthor, and in those moments, proves to be a better boss to his employees, and a better person all round.
Yet his desire for good is thwarted by the inadequacies of his reality. Which forces him to jump worlds and ask help from the League. And the story ends, not with the victory for the good guys; but rather the return to status quo, with Luthor once again forced to confront the syndicate on his own. With all the obstacles arrayed against him, you can't help cheer for the guy.
Although I do have to say, Crisis of two earths, the movie handled the confrontation between the Syndicate & League much better. That work had an overall deeper world building, more details regarding the twisted versions of heroes in the antimatter reality. Not to mention, had one of the best climaxes for these sorts of movies, with the clash of Owlman & Batman, not only using brains & brawn, but also morality & philosophy. The nihilistic 'God is dead' version of Owlman portrayed in the film is to this day, one of the most bone chilling renditions of an evil counterpart for the caped crusader.
Art
Now, I've seen most people complain about the art. As to how stocky, rigid and caveman like it appears. No arguments there. What points the art gets for coloring, lines, lighting and general atmosphere, is lost on the uncanny proportions of the characters, which seem to differ from page to page.
But to be fair, despite not being that aesthetically pleasing, never do we feel broken out of immersion when reading. The art serves the story well, and maintains its pace, without being too jarring. Plus, there are some pages which are genuinely well drawn, such as the pages which show the contrasting structures of the League's and Syndicate's moon bases.
I would definitely recommend it as a well written, entertaining Else worlds story for the Justice League.
Premise
An unexpected visit from an Earth-2 version of Alexander Luthor (who is good) prompts the Justice League of our reality to travel to the parallel antimatter version of their earth, where morality if reversed.
Good is bad, and Bad is Good. Luthor, the only superhero of this reality, is fighting a losing battle against the Crime Syndicate, filled with the evil counterparts of the Leaguers. This includes Ultraman (Superman), Superwoman (Wonder Woman), Owlman (Batman), Power Ring (Green Lantern) & Johny Quick (The Flash).
Being the paragons of justice that they're the League is unwilling to let the billions of people in the antimatter reality suffer due to their overpowered overlords. Setting off to face off their evil mirrors, some would reaffirm their vow towards doing good, others would be forced to look at a black mirror of what happens in one bad day.
Thoughts
It was the Brilliant DC animated TV movie which them prompted me to dig into the comic lore behind that story. And suffice to say, I was not disappointed.
Although I still do consider the animated movie superior to the comic in some regards, in others I appreciate the darker more sardonic tone that the comic presents.
One of the key differences is how, the animated version treats the battle between the League & the Syndicate as just another confrontation between Good & Evil, with the players now changing sides. But Grant Morrison's version, showcases the heroes who are suited for their respective realities.
The Leaguers were born and brought up in a reality where people are generally good. Clark Kent,
Bruce Wayne, Diana Prince the rest, benefitted from growing up with paragons to look up to; be it loving and moral parents or guardians to guide their moral compass.
By contrast, the Syndicate rule over a reality, which fosters the worse in people. Where the environment and upbringing is geared towards the vices, and a person growing up good and honest is the uncommon outlier.
Which means that, what the League are fighting against are not just their evil versions, but also the fabric of reality itself.
One complaint that I have in this regard is how, both the comics and movie explore the ramification of this antimatter world in snippets. But in the comic, which is all to short, we are not given enough time to process and understand the reality of the Syndicate & the antimatter world, with its predilection to evil.
There is one portion in particular, regarding the confrontation between Owlman and Commissioner Wayne, which is hinted but then cut short. It is implied that Owlman is Thomas Wayne Jr, brother to a late Bruce Wayne and son to the murdered Martha Wayne. One who blames his father for the loss of his family and is willing to destroy the city that he so cherishes in a lifelong quest for vengeance.
When he then flees to the matter world, with the intention of confronting and torturing the Thomas Wayne of this reality, he realizes to his horror that his father is already dead, and that he himself never came to be.
This complex dynamic is something to have been explored further but was not.
Similar is the case of the 'good' Alexander Luthor. In Grant Morrison's , Superman accuses Luthor. He calls out Luthor for his ego, and argues that, if Luthor really wanted, with his genius intellect, he could've solved cancer, world hunter, and made the world a better place. But instead, he chooses to use his considerable faculties and resources to one up the man of steel.
The antimatter version of Luthor, seems to have been the iteration who personified Superman's ideals. One who uses his potential to help people and tries to be the change he wants to become.
But he is unreasonable outnumbered, outmatched and alone, against this Superpowered beings of the Syndicate. We get a brief glimpse of what sort of man this Luthor is, for the brief period that he takes over the persona of the criminal Luthor, and in those moments, proves to be a better boss to his employees, and a better person all round.
Yet his desire for good is thwarted by the inadequacies of his reality. Which forces him to jump worlds and ask help from the League. And the story ends, not with the victory for the good guys; but rather the return to status quo, with Luthor once again forced to confront the syndicate on his own. With all the obstacles arrayed against him, you can't help cheer for the guy.
Although I do have to say, Crisis of two earths, the movie handled the confrontation between the Syndicate & League much better. That work had an overall deeper world building, more details regarding the twisted versions of heroes in the antimatter reality. Not to mention, had one of the best climaxes for these sorts of movies, with the clash of Owlman & Batman, not only using brains & brawn, but also morality & philosophy. The nihilistic 'God is dead' version of Owlman portrayed in the film is to this day, one of the most bone chilling renditions of an evil counterpart for the caped crusader.
make like this at MakeaGif
Art
Now, I've seen most people complain about the art. As to how stocky, rigid and caveman like it appears. No arguments there. What points the art gets for coloring, lines, lighting and general atmosphere, is lost on the uncanny proportions of the characters, which seem to differ from page to page.
But to be fair, despite not being that aesthetically pleasing, never do we feel broken out of immersion when reading. The art serves the story well, and maintains its pace, without being too jarring. Plus, there are some pages which are genuinely well drawn, such as the pages which show the contrasting structures of the League's and Syndicate's moon bases.
I would definitely recommend it as a well written, entertaining Else worlds story for the Justice League.
December 15, 2013
Finally read this after sitting years in my dusty collection. This long after publication, I feel like its impact is diluted from shock to fading curiosity. While it would've stood out as new back then, after 12 books of The Boys to *really* explore the arrogant depravity of super-powered beings, this feels like a half-hearted effort at illustrating where they could just as easily go wrong as right.
Some of the "opposite" stuff is clever, creative (how each of the Crime Syndicate came to their powers); some of it is just plain terrible (US history, bobbies with guns, Jimmie Olson, high-tar cigarettes advertising).
Quitely at this point in his career just couldn't draw a female that didn't look like a communist athlete from the 80's. Otherwise distinctive, his talent is notable but not yet necessarily praise-worthy.
There are a few good laughs, that come not at the expense of the anti-world gimmick. Then there are a few moments that feel like cheap laughs for shock value, and I realize that Morrison has certainly grown as a writer (or maybe just didn't like the gig writing for gimmicks).
The most redeeming aspects of this otherwise underwhelming book are (a) the twist and (b) the commentary on the predictable role of heroes vs. villains in our comics. I'll admit that at least after reading this I feel okay about the whole arc of this story, but it still doesn't whelm me.
Some of the "opposite" stuff is clever, creative (how each of the Crime Syndicate came to their powers); some of it is just plain terrible (US history, bobbies with guns, Jimmie Olson, high-tar cigarettes advertising).
Quitely at this point in his career just couldn't draw a female that didn't look like a communist athlete from the 80's. Otherwise distinctive, his talent is notable but not yet necessarily praise-worthy.
There are a few good laughs, that come not at the expense of the anti-world gimmick. Then there are a few moments that feel like cheap laughs for shock value, and I realize that Morrison has certainly grown as a writer (or maybe just didn't like the gig writing for gimmicks).
The most redeeming aspects of this otherwise underwhelming book are (a) the twist and (b) the commentary on the predictable role of heroes vs. villains in our comics. I'll admit that at least after reading this I feel okay about the whole arc of this story, but it still doesn't whelm me.
October 19, 2016
this is a really enjoyable revisit of some completely awesome bad guys originating in the DC Silver Age: the reverse Jusice League, known as the Crime Syndicate of America (formerly of Earth-3, then of the Anti-Matter Universe, now of... ??? well i don't fuckin know, everything's so confusing these days). each of the villains is the happily evil equivalent of various Justice Leaguers. whenever i see them appear in a comic strip, i am overcome with massive delight-convulsions. they're the best worst!
this is a typically mind-boggling Grant Morrison meta-adventure. fortunately, his more self-indulgent tendencies towards bizarro metaphysics have been somewhat tempered and the narrative is clear and fun. the art by Frank Quitely is iconic, stripped-down, and "muscular" - per usual.
overall this is a lot of fun.
__________
Super Template Action!
* Superman: Ultra-Man
* Wonder Woman: Superwoman
* Batman: Owlman
* Green Lantern: Power Ring
* The Flash: Johnny Quick
this is a typically mind-boggling Grant Morrison meta-adventure. fortunately, his more self-indulgent tendencies towards bizarro metaphysics have been somewhat tempered and the narrative is clear and fun. the art by Frank Quitely is iconic, stripped-down, and "muscular" - per usual.
overall this is a lot of fun.
__________
Super Template Action!
* Superman: Ultra-Man
* Wonder Woman: Superwoman
* Batman: Owlman
* Green Lantern: Power Ring
* The Flash: Johnny Quick
July 24, 2018
I enjoyed the alternate world idea. I just really want someone to explain to my why male comic writers do not do women justice in alternate universe. Marvel did it with Firestar, and here Lois Lane is basically Earth 2 Wonder Woman, not Diana.
March 4, 2016
I should probably start by stating my shock at this book. Grant Morrison has written a book that, wait for it, wait for it, is an easy read. Yep that's right. I said it out loud and the earth didn't stop spinning or anything.
All joking aside this really is an easy read. It is also a good story. It is however, a shame that I read Forever Evil before I read this. I think I would have really enjoyed discovering the Crime Syndicate for the first time in this book. I am also not quite sure how, or for that matter if this book is part of the DC continuity. Maybe it's an elseworld story? I wasn't sure before and I am still not now. All I can tell you is, it is called Earth 2 because that is what Alexander Luthor refers to our Earth (Earth Prime) as. So while the Crime Syndicate are from Earth 3 I guess it could be argued that it could be part of the main continuity. But then didn't Crisis on infinite Earths do away with the Multiverse. Then there's the fact that Alexander Luthor is from an anti-matter mirror universe where good is evil and� And there you have it, I have got another DC headache!!! All this really serves to prove is that in the case of the DC continuity too much information definitely can be a bad thing. That and not everything has an answer.
On to the story. The plot here is, Alexander Luthor is the only hero in an anti-matter mirror universe where good is evil. He manages to travel manages to travel to our universe seeking the help of the JLA to defeat the Crime Syndicate and overthrow their tyrannical rule on his Earth. There are some interesting and enjoyable twists and turns in both the characters and the plot which I won't spoil for you. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between the Crime Syndicate members and it's stark contrast with how JLA interact with one another.
I wasn't a big fan of the artwork. It had a very nineties look to it, if that makes any sense. I wasn't a comic book reader in the nineties but he more backstory's I read, the more I realise that I am not a huge fan of that artistic style. I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of 90’s comics in general.
I must have gotten used to Grant Morrison’s writing style with the amount of his books I have read because, (and I can't believe I am about to say this) I almost miss his scattergun approach to storytelling. I also feel the story here could have been a little denser. It is however reassuring to know that you have followed and managed to understand the full plot on one read through.
This is not an epic read, but if you have an hour to kill and fancy a bit of escapism you could do a lot worse than this book. Though I would advise reading it before Forever Evil to get the most out of it. All in all a solid 3 stars.
All joking aside this really is an easy read. It is also a good story. It is however, a shame that I read Forever Evil before I read this. I think I would have really enjoyed discovering the Crime Syndicate for the first time in this book. I am also not quite sure how, or for that matter if this book is part of the DC continuity. Maybe it's an elseworld story? I wasn't sure before and I am still not now. All I can tell you is, it is called Earth 2 because that is what Alexander Luthor refers to our Earth (Earth Prime) as. So while the Crime Syndicate are from Earth 3 I guess it could be argued that it could be part of the main continuity. But then didn't Crisis on infinite Earths do away with the Multiverse. Then there's the fact that Alexander Luthor is from an anti-matter mirror universe where good is evil and� And there you have it, I have got another DC headache!!! All this really serves to prove is that in the case of the DC continuity too much information definitely can be a bad thing. That and not everything has an answer.
On to the story. The plot here is, Alexander Luthor is the only hero in an anti-matter mirror universe where good is evil. He manages to travel manages to travel to our universe seeking the help of the JLA to defeat the Crime Syndicate and overthrow their tyrannical rule on his Earth. There are some interesting and enjoyable twists and turns in both the characters and the plot which I won't spoil for you. I especially enjoyed the dynamic between the Crime Syndicate members and it's stark contrast with how JLA interact with one another.
I wasn't a big fan of the artwork. It had a very nineties look to it, if that makes any sense. I wasn't a comic book reader in the nineties but he more backstory's I read, the more I realise that I am not a huge fan of that artistic style. I'm not sure I'm a huge fan of 90’s comics in general.
I must have gotten used to Grant Morrison’s writing style with the amount of his books I have read because, (and I can't believe I am about to say this) I almost miss his scattergun approach to storytelling. I also feel the story here could have been a little denser. It is however reassuring to know that you have followed and managed to understand the full plot on one read through.
This is not an epic read, but if you have an hour to kill and fancy a bit of escapism you could do a lot worse than this book. Though I would advise reading it before Forever Evil to get the most out of it. All in all a solid 3 stars.
April 5, 2021
Alexander Luthor, super-genius of an antimatter, morally reversed Earth, makes a desperate bid to reverse to our Earth and recruit the Justice League to travel back with him and wipe-out the corrupt Crime Syndicate of Amerika, who rule that Earth with an iron fist....
This was a fun reread - Morrison in widescreen, JLA-as-movie-heroes mode, with no time for soap operatics (though Morrison was always good at avoiding those) and just straight ahead whizz-bang supercomics imagination (a whole universe of opposite, evil beings - how can the JLA beat them when the entire cosmic balance is working against them and the only way to win is to lose and the only way to succeed is to fail?)
Quitely's art is his usual stolid, blocky figures - he's like is you took a reigned-in and projected him through a approach. This has the usual Morrison quirks (I'm a fan, but you still have those occasional moments where you look at a page or a line of dialogue and think - "wha?" - Morrison can be both frustrating and entertaining for assuming that his audience is right there along with him, never writing down or over-explaining, but the downside of this is that sometimes we aren't and we might need that explanation or clarity).
What's nice about this are all the little imaginative touches - character stuff (Ultraman as sleazy bully, Superwoman as femme fatale, Johnny Quick as speed junkie and Power Ring as a callow, excuse-spouting coward), larger conceptual stuff (no matter the universe, Batman/Owlman is still driven by his inability to get beyond personal tragedy; the fact that since Brainiac is driven by intellect/rationality he's essentially the same in both universes, Alexander Luthor's fate to try and fight and fail over and over) and unanswered, imaginative suppositions ("If we change this world, what happens back on ours?" is a great posed question that's never addressed in the plot beyond that). Because it's just a short one-off, Morrison doesn't get to go crazy and indulge himself, as he probably would have in an actual multi-issue JLA arc (one can't help but wonder what the Bizarros of the antimatter universe are like).
This is a good read. It's not amazing or anything - it has a simple story that just chugs along and then it's over, but it's a fun time-waster.
This was a fun reread - Morrison in widescreen, JLA-as-movie-heroes mode, with no time for soap operatics (though Morrison was always good at avoiding those) and just straight ahead whizz-bang supercomics imagination (a whole universe of opposite, evil beings - how can the JLA beat them when the entire cosmic balance is working against them and the only way to win is to lose and the only way to succeed is to fail?)
Quitely's art is his usual stolid, blocky figures - he's like is you took a reigned-in and projected him through a approach. This has the usual Morrison quirks (I'm a fan, but you still have those occasional moments where you look at a page or a line of dialogue and think - "wha?" - Morrison can be both frustrating and entertaining for assuming that his audience is right there along with him, never writing down or over-explaining, but the downside of this is that sometimes we aren't and we might need that explanation or clarity).
What's nice about this are all the little imaginative touches - character stuff (Ultraman as sleazy bully, Superwoman as femme fatale, Johnny Quick as speed junkie and Power Ring as a callow, excuse-spouting coward), larger conceptual stuff (no matter the universe, Batman/Owlman is still driven by his inability to get beyond personal tragedy; the fact that since Brainiac is driven by intellect/rationality he's essentially the same in both universes, Alexander Luthor's fate to try and fight and fail over and over) and unanswered, imaginative suppositions ("If we change this world, what happens back on ours?" is a great posed question that's never addressed in the plot beyond that). Because it's just a short one-off, Morrison doesn't get to go crazy and indulge himself, as he probably would have in an actual multi-issue JLA arc (one can't help but wonder what the Bizarros of the antimatter universe are like).
This is a good read. It's not amazing or anything - it has a simple story that just chugs along and then it's over, but it's a fun time-waster.
July 2, 2015
I can't get over how disturbing the evil twins of the Justice League are. I mean just the Triad is bad enough. Ultraman is a sleazy, psychopathic, cruel bully. Owlman is like a demon-possessed Batman (or maybe if Batman was the Antichrist). Superwoman is a little more developed in this than in , and I what I know, I definitely don't like. She's playing Owlman and Ultraman off each other, and I think she hates both of them (but feels more lust for Owlman). She's sadistic and psychosexually deviant. Yeah, it's just bad. More disturbing is that Earth 3 is the opposite of Earth 2. Evil is the predominant value, given free reign.
I think that the science seems too implausible (or at least was so nebulously explained, I didn't believe it was plausible), and I didn't get how the day was saved in the end. I feel that Crisis on Two Earths Justice League movie (which I suspect this is based on) explains the situation a lot better. It's worth watching as an adjunct to this graphic novel. I re-watched it again last night and I liked the further insight into the characters.
It was pretty good, and kept my interest. Surprisingly adult and dark in content. It's kind of fun if you want to see the dark side of the triad of the Justice League and Lex Luthor as a good guy.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
I think that the science seems too implausible (or at least was so nebulously explained, I didn't believe it was plausible), and I didn't get how the day was saved in the end. I feel that Crisis on Two Earths Justice League movie (which I suspect this is based on) explains the situation a lot better. It's worth watching as an adjunct to this graphic novel. I re-watched it again last night and I liked the further insight into the characters.
It was pretty good, and kept my interest. Surprisingly adult and dark in content. It's kind of fun if you want to see the dark side of the triad of the Justice League and Lex Luthor as a good guy.
Overall rating: 3.5/5.0 stars.
August 22, 2022
Well, i can say that this book is really a Grant Morrison's one. And man, what a great arc.
On this one, we got a Lex Luthor from another earth, coming to ours, seeking help from the JLA to defeat the Crime Syndicate that rules his earth and is just an exactly mirrors of our heroes. In fact, that universe and everything that is on it, it's a mirror of our own. And that's the catch on it. Morrison makes an important analogy that, what it's good will always be good, as well evil will be evil. We don't have a winner on this battle. The evil group from earth 2 is really evil. Almost a disgusting kind. We see Morrison playing with the super hero status quo, as we see for example what he does with Jimmy Olsen, and with the love triangle between Owlman, Super Woman and Ultraman. Moore and Ennis should've been proud of him.
And we have a good twist on the end. And everything being beautifully brought to us by Morrison's partner in crime, Frank Quietly. Great book, man.
On this one, we got a Lex Luthor from another earth, coming to ours, seeking help from the JLA to defeat the Crime Syndicate that rules his earth and is just an exactly mirrors of our heroes. In fact, that universe and everything that is on it, it's a mirror of our own. And that's the catch on it. Morrison makes an important analogy that, what it's good will always be good, as well evil will be evil. We don't have a winner on this battle. The evil group from earth 2 is really evil. Almost a disgusting kind. We see Morrison playing with the super hero status quo, as we see for example what he does with Jimmy Olsen, and with the love triangle between Owlman, Super Woman and Ultraman. Moore and Ennis should've been proud of him.
And we have a good twist on the end. And everything being beautifully brought to us by Morrison's partner in crime, Frank Quietly. Great book, man.
July 19, 2017
I've loved any Morrison/Quitely collaboration I've gotten my hands on up to this point, with this crossworlds arc no exception- there's just not enough of it! 96 pages left me wanted 96 more, and then 96 more after that.
Oddly enough I kind of worked my way backward to this storyline, having watched the recent animated movie "Crisis on Two Earths" and having read the New 52 Forever Evil arc, so the dark mirror image of the Justice Leaguers didn't hold as much of a shock and awe factor for me, but the ultra-stylish execution more than made up for the relative lack of surprises.
Hard to believe this came out 15 years ago, it must have been considered ultra-edgy at the time
Oddly enough I kind of worked my way backward to this storyline, having watched the recent animated movie "Crisis on Two Earths" and having read the New 52 Forever Evil arc, so the dark mirror image of the Justice Leaguers didn't hold as much of a shock and awe factor for me, but the ultra-stylish execution more than made up for the relative lack of surprises.
Hard to believe this came out 15 years ago, it must have been considered ultra-edgy at the time
May 10, 2018
Started pretty well then kinda just petered out from midpoint. Too much going on to follow cohesively.
February 22, 2024
Puntaje: 3.5 Estrellas.
El primer acercamiento que tuve hacia “JLA Tierra 2� fue la adaptación animada que hizo WB cuando yo estaba más pequeño. Recuerdo que en ese momento me había parecido fascinante la idea de un mundo paralelo en el que lo malo era bueno y lo bueno era malo. En lugar de tener una liga de la justicia, existía un sindicado del crimen y sus integrantes eran una versión malvada y corrupta de los justicieros de la tierra 1. En mi adolescencia disfruté mucho de esta película, y la repetí varias veces.
Es por esta razón que no veía necesario leer el cómic. Si bien sabía de su existencia, ya conocía la historia gracias a su adaptación, así que su lectura no estaba en mi lista de prioridades. Esto cambió cuando me propuse leer toda la colección de novelas gráficas de DC, en la cual se encuentra incluido este tomo.
Pero bueno, ya que vamos a iniciar con mi opinión, seré franco desde el inicio: la verdad es que este cómic me decepcionó un poco. No sé si es que, tal vez, idealizaba mucho a la película (que por cierto ya no recuerdo con toda claridad), o si al leer la historia más de 10 años después ha hecho que ahora me parezca un poco aburrida.
Con este cómic tuve un problema grande y varios problemillas pequeños. El grande es que la conclusión no fue realmente una conclusión, y tampoco deja del todo satisfechos a los lectores. Pero, además de ello, es muy poco creíble el peligro que este sindicato del crimen representa. Claro, se entiende que en un universo el bien siempre ganará y en el otro el mal siempre ganará, pero realmente derrotar al sindicato fue tan sencillo que nunca se percibió un problema real, ni siquiera estando en Tierra 2.
Sin embargo, no puedo decir que todo fue malo. No por nada le di a esta historia un puntaje de 3.5 estrellas. Por ejemplo, me gustó el papel que jugó Brainiac en la historia. Como siempre, este personaje demuestra una superioridad única, capaz de controlar hasta lo incontrolable.
Las pocas escenas de combate también me gustaron, en especial porque resaltan a dos personajes que pocas veces reciben el protagonismo, y mucho menos en la época en que se publicaron estos cómics: El Detective Marciano y Aquaman.
La historia estuvo entretenida, pero no fue impactante ni fascinante. Simplemente estuvo Ok. Una lectura más que tachar en la lista de historias populares de DC. Aún no sé con qué otro tomo de la colección seguiré, pero pronto tomaré esa decisión.
El primer acercamiento que tuve hacia “JLA Tierra 2� fue la adaptación animada que hizo WB cuando yo estaba más pequeño. Recuerdo que en ese momento me había parecido fascinante la idea de un mundo paralelo en el que lo malo era bueno y lo bueno era malo. En lugar de tener una liga de la justicia, existía un sindicado del crimen y sus integrantes eran una versión malvada y corrupta de los justicieros de la tierra 1. En mi adolescencia disfruté mucho de esta película, y la repetí varias veces.
Es por esta razón que no veía necesario leer el cómic. Si bien sabía de su existencia, ya conocía la historia gracias a su adaptación, así que su lectura no estaba en mi lista de prioridades. Esto cambió cuando me propuse leer toda la colección de novelas gráficas de DC, en la cual se encuentra incluido este tomo.
Pero bueno, ya que vamos a iniciar con mi opinión, seré franco desde el inicio: la verdad es que este cómic me decepcionó un poco. No sé si es que, tal vez, idealizaba mucho a la película (que por cierto ya no recuerdo con toda claridad), o si al leer la historia más de 10 años después ha hecho que ahora me parezca un poco aburrida.
Con este cómic tuve un problema grande y varios problemillas pequeños. El grande es que la conclusión no fue realmente una conclusión, y tampoco deja del todo satisfechos a los lectores. Pero, además de ello, es muy poco creíble el peligro que este sindicato del crimen representa. Claro, se entiende que en un universo el bien siempre ganará y en el otro el mal siempre ganará, pero realmente derrotar al sindicato fue tan sencillo que nunca se percibió un problema real, ni siquiera estando en Tierra 2.
Sin embargo, no puedo decir que todo fue malo. No por nada le di a esta historia un puntaje de 3.5 estrellas. Por ejemplo, me gustó el papel que jugó Brainiac en la historia. Como siempre, este personaje demuestra una superioridad única, capaz de controlar hasta lo incontrolable.
Las pocas escenas de combate también me gustaron, en especial porque resaltan a dos personajes que pocas veces reciben el protagonismo, y mucho menos en la época en que se publicaron estos cómics: El Detective Marciano y Aquaman.
La historia estuvo entretenida, pero no fue impactante ni fascinante. Simplemente estuvo Ok. Una lectura más que tachar en la lista de historias populares de DC. Aún no sé con qué otro tomo de la colección seguiré, pero pronto tomaré esa decisión.
January 29, 2021
The good ole Crime Syndicate. I remember their first appearance way back in the 60's. The story and art were both top notch efforts. Picked this up from a Hastings going out business sale a few years ago and finally got around to reading it. I will pass this on to my son.
November 23, 2022
4.5⭐️ Wow. I finished this book in one sitting. This was one of the most unexpected reads I have ever had. I went into this expecting it to be decent but nothing to good but it shocked my in an amazing way. It was just such a good time to read. I was never bored. The pacing was just incredible. The art work was great the way they turned all the members of the justice league evil was just incredible. Like how flash did drugs for his speed. I just wished it was a little bit longer and they fleshed out this new world more. Overall it was great but isn’t quite five stars.
December 11, 2016
I really liked this. The plot was really interesting and I couldn't really put it down (it helps that it was so brief). I loved seeing the characters interact with their opposing Earths because I had seen the Crime Syndicate on the League's earth in the Forever Evil stuff in New 52, but I don't recall seeing the League on the Syndicate's earth. The artwork was good but didn't stand out as being fantastic. The dialogue was fine too. I would recommend this to any DC fans. You don't really need to read the preceding volumes in this series to understand it.
May 23, 2019
It's the mirror-mirror episode of Star Trek with the Justice League. Still a good story so you'll enjoy it.
I enjoyed the comic but I had to be honest about what is. There's a reason this was turned into a DC animated movie. That's why I can recommend this book.
I enjoyed the comic but I had to be honest about what is. There's a reason this was turned into a DC animated movie. That's why I can recommend this book.
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