Why Superman Does Not Belong In The Justice League

Why Superman Does Not Belong In The Justice League

Superman, The Big Blue Boyscout, The Last Son of Krypton simply does not belong in the Justice League.

Editorial Opinion
By CheckmateComics - Nov 25, 2012 02:11 PM EST
Filed Under: Superman
Source: Checkmate Comics Blog

Forgive me for mixing companies here, but as Uncle Ben said, “With great power comes great responsibility.” As we’ve seen, time and time again, Superman’s power is unrivaled. Even Doomsday, once powerful enough to “kill” Superman, has been reduced to another of Superman’s personal punching bags. So what should Supes do with all this power? Should he use it to defend the Metropolis, Kansas, The earth, and the Universe? Or should he ally himself with half a dozen other heroes whose powers are now being wasted? The choice seems obvious to me.

That being said, let’s take a look at the other members of the Justice League. We have the Martian Manhunter, who is basically Superman, with a much more common weakness. I suspect Martian Manhunter hasnt Aquaman, super strong, talks to fish, you know this guy. We’ve seen that the Flash is faster than Superman, but he is constantly wasted on crowd control and disarming military forces. Green Lantern, the power of the human mind in the force of a small green ring. Green Lantern has other duties, but seems to spend all his time on earth helping the League, however, there are 4…no wait, 5 Green Lanterns from Earth, so they can share their responsibilities. Wonder Woman is also on the team, if you stripped Superman down to his core powers and gave him breasts you would have Wonder Woman. (But at least she’s better than the Wasp). Finally Batman, who is barely on the team to begin with. I’m going to go ahead and leave Batman out of this, because I don’t plan on getting beaten about the head and neck by fan-boys.

So, the problem we run into is that Superman, a veritable Swiss-army knife of super powers, is just in the way. Most Justice League encounters devolve into Superman handing out busywork and then going to punch somebody into submission. This is not the best recipe for compelling stories.

Ideally, the Justice League should be composed of heroes who need to work together and can feed off each others’ strengths while covering their weaknesses. I’m not suggesting we use Booster Gold and Blue Beetle, because we’ve seen that fail in the past, but I am suggesting a more power-diverse team. Its not necessary to have Superman team up with anyone, but if DC decides that they want or need it to happen to sell comics, then I suggest the Trinity style team that they ran in 2008.

I encourage you to leave your JLA dream team in the comments section, and to visit my blog at checkmatecomics.wordpress.com, mostly for links back to here.

Justice League and Superman and all that are trademarks of DC Comics, while Uncle Ben belongs to Marvel

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CorndogBurglar
CorndogBurglar - 11/25/2012, 2:54 PM
Are you retarded?

Supermam doesn't belong on the JLA? Let me ask you something. Lets pretend you have super powers and are going to be on a team of super heroes. Would you want to keep the most powerful person on the planet off the team because you're afraid you wouldn't be able to do enough, or would you want all the heaviest hitters you could find? Being a hero isn't about being selfish and thinking you aren't doing enough. You think The Flash cares that he gets the job of rounding up innocents? No, he's saving lives...you know, the whole point of becoming a super hero.

Also, maybe i'm wrong when i say this and you just have a psychotic way of thinking, but it sounds like you dont read many comics. Many times, the villains find a way to separate Superman or incapacitate him to some extent. He's usually the first person the villains want to target because he'sthe biggest threat.

Its like Thor in the Avengers. He always seems to be the first guy to get taken out of the game, otherwise he would just solve all the problems himself. It happened in Dark Reign AND Fear Itself most recently.

Bottom line is, if Superman was really the problem you say he is, then no story in the JLA books would ever be interesting, yet they are. The reason is because Superman doesnt always just show up and end it lickety split. So i really dont know what the hell you're talking about.
GreenHalJordan
GreenHalJordan - 11/25/2012, 3:01 PM
I agree with everyone above. I have nothing more to say.
wearethewalkingdead9
wearethewalkingdead9 - 11/25/2012, 3:14 PM
thats like saying "lets have an avengers movie without captain america, thor, and iron man."
GuardianDevil
GuardianDevil - 11/25/2012, 4:18 PM
Yes, I definitely agree I've been saying that for years, Superman is awesome but I think he's better alone, he really takes away from the team image, or they could remove MMH he's more powerful than Supes but lesser known, I've been asking why does the team need three all powerful super beings that are invincible (Supes, WW, MMH) they remove one of these three preferably Superman cuz he's totally awesome on his own.
johnblake
johnblake - 11/25/2012, 4:57 PM
i think he has a point but people are going to bash you because of how big superman is. but i agree on how they waste powers. like wtf is Captain marvel doing, he should be more pushed.
GuardianDevil
GuardianDevil - 11/25/2012, 5:32 PM
Actually my epic DC comics fantasy is to have MMH realize that he isn't needed because they have Superman and Wonder Woman, and then he joins Captain Marvel and they enter into a partnership and begin an intergalactic crime fighting team but only with the two of them, that honestly is my biggest fantasy when it comes to DC, Martian Manhunter and Captain Marvel, magic dude and psychic dude, UNIVERSAL DEFENDERS!!
Minato
Minato - 11/25/2012, 8:01 PM
I understand what your trying to say but that is the job of a good writer. Taking this team of SUPERHEROES and giving them a challenge that would rival them individually and as a group. Superman for all his powers is the reason the Justice League even exists. He is the figurehead, the one the public trusts. Without him there is no way any government would allow Batman, Wonder Woman, Jonnz, any Lantern or Flash to form this group.
While Superman, Jonnz, Wonder Woman and Green Lantern are powerful enough to be a successful solo acts they all have Rogue galleries that have experience breaking each one of them.
I wish the would adept Tower of Babel the way they did for Justice League Doom again for the Movie but I digress.
LP4
LP4 - 11/25/2012, 9:13 PM
Superman doesn't belong in the JLA?

SUPERMAN???!

yourdaddy
yourdaddy - 11/26/2012, 3:43 AM
[frick]ing idiotic.

if you think superman's too strong and doesn't need the justice league. shut your [frick]ing mouth and read a justice league comic. he needs them. superman isn't as invincible as ignorant twats think.

1) batman's an intellectual superior
2) wonder woman's a physical match
3) flash and green lantern are capable of several techniques that help significantly, and are not things superman can do
4) aquaman's the [frick]ing king of atlantis, rules 70% of the world, and can summon cthulu to chomp out your [frick]ing soul

super strength, super speed, and super endurance aren't as rare in the DC universe as you might think. and the opponents are tough as hell.

read the storyline 'obsidian age' the league gets murdered (yes, including superman) and they need help from a new league lead by nightwing to resolve the situation.

if you think superman can handle everything in the DC universe by himself. you are sadly and pathetically mistaken.
JM4Superman
JM4Superman - 11/26/2012, 4:55 AM
Seriously dude, you're a [frick]ing idiot
HulkinOut
HulkinOut - 11/26/2012, 10:25 AM
Why must we insult the guys for stating his opinion
anyways it sounds like u don't have a good understanding of these charecters. Plus the JL face many being that are stronger or as strong as superman so it would be stupid to leave him out and keep batman whose as no superpowers.
HulkinOut
HulkinOut - 11/26/2012, 10:29 AM
Also saying JL doesn't need superman is like saying avengers don't need the hulk "the strongest their is" who in one punch knocks out the metallic flying dragon.
6of13
6of13 - 11/26/2012, 11:07 AM
One thing that I really like about the Justice League is the chemistry. It is that mix of such vastly different personalities that makes it fun. If you look at the Justice League New 52, you see that Superman is a punch-first-ask-questions-later kind of guy whereas as Batman is more analytical. Even from the animated series its evident that not only the chemistry but how each member understands the others is what makes it more interesting. For me, it is not all about the threat the Justice League faces, but the team of unique individuals and how they relate to each other. Any villain worth their salt should be looking to divide and conquer - especially with a team like the Justice League. So, whilst Superman can certainly oppose a threat alone, he absolutely cannot be at 2 places at the same time nor can he save everybody all the time. If I was a villain I would definitely look to create multiple points of attack simultaneously knowing that neither Superman nor the Flash could possibly stop all the attacks. Therefore the Justice League needs to include Superman because the mash-up of personalities and how they get along is fun and that these heroes - even Superman - cannot always save the day alone.
thebearjew
thebearjew - 11/26/2012, 11:22 AM
GTFO wow you are really [frick]ing stupid
drellik
drellik - 11/26/2012, 1:12 PM
Members of the JLA come together because of Superman, not in spite of him. All powers aside, he does what most members would not have done in any given situation, which drives everyone to be better. He is the flagship, the leader, the example.

Besides, in a gang of super-humans, you have to have a badass that can keep them in control, just in case. Oh wait, that's Batman. :)
SuperBatAquaman
SuperBatAquaman - 11/26/2012, 8:34 PM
...smh...
Kalel59
Kalel59 - 11/27/2012, 10:24 AM

DCfan89
DCfan89 - 11/27/2012, 8:03 PM
-____-
DCjohnny
DCjohnny - 11/28/2012, 6:25 PM
what the hell is wrong with you ... justice league without superman.... seriously ... man!
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