| Justice League Dark | |
|---|---|
 Textless cover ofJustice League Dark #9 (July 2012), art byRyan Sook | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | DC Comics |
| First appearance | Justice League Dark #1 (2011) |
| Created by | Peter Milligan |
| In-story information | |
| Base(s) | House of Mystery Dark Quarters |
| Member(s) | Seebelow |
Justice League Dark, orJLD, is asuperhero team appearing inAmerican comic books published byDC Comics. The team made their debut inJustice League Dark #1 (September 2011). The team features some of the more supernatural characters in theDC Universe, handling mystical threats and situations deemed outside the scope of the traditionalJustice League. Similarly to theJustice League title, the team features well-known characters such asJohn Constantine,Zatanna,Doctor Fate, andWonder Woman while also bringing exposure to lesser-known supernatural characters. Two animated films were produced based on the team:Justice League Dark (2017) andJustice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020).
Justice League Dark was announced on May 31, 2011, as a First Wave title ofThe New 52.[1] The title and team was created byPeter Milligan, with art by Mikel Janín. The title launched on September 28, 2011.[2] The title brought several of DC Comics'occult and offbeat characters, something which had been a trait of sister imprintVertigo, back into the mainDC Universe following Vertigo's editorial change to publish purely new, creator-owned content.[3][4]
The Search for Swamp Thing, a three partminiseries released between June and August 2011 which led up toThe New 52 relaunch, and followed the events of theBrightest Daymaxiseries, follows John Constantine's search for the resurrectedAlec Holland as the newSwamp Thing, involving the cooperation ofBatman,Zatanna andSuperman.[5] In addition, theFlashpoint: Secret Seven miniseries, written by Milligan as part of the "Flashpoint" crossover story line, included theEnchantress andShade, the Changing Man and introduced the character Mindwarp in the lead-up to the start of the series.[6]
Peter Milligan stated in an interview that he got the job for the book from his work on the 2011Flashpoint: Secret Seven miniseries, and that he hoped to write something "emotionally dark" set in the DC Universe, comparing his characters to detectives, who struggle to cope with the things they see and have to do.[7] The initial anticipation for this title has been good, with critics celebrating the fact that DC are willing to bring back some of the darker elements which had moved over to Vertigo in the 1990s.[8]
The opening story line involves the Enchantress' defeat of theJustice League, leading to the necessity of a more supernatural team to assist in these events, and detailing how they have come together.[9] There is also a minor crossover story withI...Vampire.[10] From issue #9,Sweet Tooth andAnimal Man writerJeff Lemire became the principal writer on the series.[11] In his first story arc, Justice League Dark took residence in their new base, at theHouse of Mystery, and have started to show their links with the wider DC Universe, dealing withSteve Trevor andA.R.G.U.S.[12][13]
In August 2013, it was announced thatJ. M. DeMatteis would take over as series writer from Lemire in November 2013, after a solo issue by Ray Fawkes in October.[14] The series ended publication in March 2015.[15][16]
In March 2018, a new volume ofJustice League Dark was announced. Spinning out of the "Justice League: No Justice" story line, the title debuted in July 2018, written byJames Tynion IV and drawn by Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, and Brad Anderson.[17][18] The team features Zatanna, Swamp Thing,Man-Bat, andDetective Chimp, and is led byWonder Woman.[17] Additional magical characters from the DC Universe appeared in the series, likeJohn Constantine andDoctor Fate, although initially not as members of the League.[18][19]
The second volume ran regularly for 29 issues from July 2018 to February 2021.[20][21] The team would continue to appear as a back-up feature in the mainlineJustice League series from issue #59 in May 2021 to issue #71 in March 2022 with guest appearances throughout issues #72 to 74.[22][23][24][25]
In theKnight Terrors story arc of 2023, the team members find themselves falling victim to the spells ofInsomnia, becoming trapped by him within his Knightmare Realm. Remaining awake through the chaos,Zatanna andRobotman team up to defend the unconsciousDetective Chimp against Insomnia's Sleepless Knights, and the Sleeping Queen.[26][27] The third volume of theJustice Society of America included supporting appearances from the Justice League Dark, withDeadman andMadame Xanadu returning to the team. The series also introduces a predecessor to the Justice League Dark known as the 'Justice Society Dark', consisting ofZatara and the escape artistThaddeus Brown.[28]
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In the original run byPeter Milligan, the Justice League Dark team first operated out of theHouse of Mystery, first owned by John Constantine. Due to the nature of the house and his manipulations, the team could be called at any time by Constantine until its acquisition byZatanna.[29] In the second series onward, the team's headquarters is changed to theDark Quarters, located half a mile underneath theHall of Justice and built upon Wonder Woman's request of spearheading an official division of the Justice League dedicated to dealing with mystical threats.[30]
Typically consisting of supernatural-related heroes of theDC Universe, the team's original creative direction involved minimal contact with the mainstream Justice League, operating in secrecy.[31] First organized by Madame Xanadu to prevent a horrific future,[32][33] the first iteration's reoccurring conflict involved various rivalries and problems concerning team dynamics,[33] especially those stemmed from Constantine's leadership including coercion and manipulation.[29] In the second iteration founded by Wonder Woman, the team is cast as an official Justice League-sponsored subsect dedicated to handling mystical matters.[34] Among its re-occurring conflict includes Wonder Woman's navigating the difficulties of mystical matters,[20] Zatanna's reluctance in a role leadership,[35] and the team's relationship with the reluctant mystical community of theDC Universe.[20]
| Character | Joined in | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Team leads and chairmen | ||
| John Constantine | Justice League Dark (2018) #1 | A working classLiverpudlian magician whom is a founding member of the first formation and former team leader after issue #9 of the first series due to manipulative tactics. Acts in an advisory capacity following the second formation as an on-and-off consultant in the second series and its backup.[36] |
| Madame Xanadu | Justice League Dark (2011) #1 | A mystic andfortune teller who is a founding member and organizer of the first formation of the team. Xanadu is a reoccurring member and while appearing as an official team member in the first series, she occasionally appears in the second series. |
| Wonder Woman | Justice League Dark (2011) #1 | The daughter of legendary warrior-queenHippolyta and trained demigoddessAmazon, she is the founding member of the second formation and its chairman until her supposed death prior toDark Crisis on Infinite Earths. She later returns to the team following the Justice League Unlimited initiative. |
| Zatanna Zatara | Justice League Dark (2011) #2 | A stage magician and genuine sorceress whom is a founding member of the first formation of the team and takes lead after ousting Constantine from the role in issue #30 of the first series. In the second series, she joins Wonder Woman's formation in issue #2 and is later promoted as the current chairman in the backup JLD feature in the mainline Justice League book. Among the team, she is among the most powerful of magic users. |
| Major and reoccurring members | ||
| Deadman | Justice League Dark (2011) #1 | Theghost of an assassinated acrobat who can possess the bodies of the living. A re-occurring member, Deadman appears as a member of the roster of the first formation and is featured in the second formation, albeit he is featured in crossovers taking place outside the Justice League Dark series as an auxiliary member. |
| Detective Chimp | Justice League Dark (2018) #2 | An intelligent chimpanzee with a genius-level intellect, the ability to talk, and was gifted the Sword of the Night, making him both theNightmaster and owner of neutral dimension Oblivion Bar. Serving as the team's resident detective, he joins the second formation of the team and is a confidante of both Wonder Woman and Doctor Fate. |
| Doctor Fate (Khalid Nassour) | Justice League Dark (2018) #13 | The current incarnation of Earth's mystic defender, he first joined without use of the moniker as a consultant alongside Kent as his apprentice and assistant.[37] He later elevated as an important member in issue #18 of the second series, corresponding with his succession of Kent as Doctor Fate and further legitimizing the team with a renowned sorcerer to the supernatural community. |
| Swamp Thing (Alec Holland) | Justice League Dark (2011) #19 | A plant elemental manifesting as a swamp monster and a protector of nature, Swamp Thing joins the team in its first formation and later in the second formation within issue #2 of the second series.[38] Within the team, he is considered a powerhouse and among the most powerful in the team. He is killed off and while resurrected in outside books, he is replaced byLevi Kamei. |
| Newer members, consultants, temporary, former, and other members | ||
| Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld | Justice League Dark Annual #1 | A princess from the world of Nilaa. She is summoned to Earth in an effort to reconnect Tim Hunter with magic inJustice League Dark Annual #1 for the first formation of the team.[39] Last seen with the team in issue #14.[13] Afterwards, she returned to Nilaa.[40] After DC Rebirth, this version of the characters' history is altered to fit her prior origin, making her standing in the team unknown. |
| Black Orchid | Justice League Dark (2011) #9 | A new shapeshifting version of Black Orchid and A.R.G.U.S. agent who worked underCol. Steve Trevor in the first formation.[13] Joined in issue #9.[12] leaves the team in issue #30. |
| Doctor Mist | Immortal sorcerer and founder of African empire, Kor. In modern times, he was a A.R.G.U.S. supernatural expert and consultant tasked with watching Constantine within the first formation but is revealed to be a spy coerced by Felix Faust before trying to redeem himself. Joined in issue #9[12] and left the team after it was revealed he was working for Faust in issue #11 of the first series.[41] | |
| Eternal Knight | Justice League #69 (2021) | Dark-skinned immortal knight and former member of theKnights of the Round Table tasked with guardingExcalibur. Betrayed by a Merlin secretly manipulated towards evil by Yuga Khan, she is eventually recruited by Doctor Fate (Khalid Nassour) to assist in fighting Merlin, granted Nth metal weaponry byBatman. She is an original character created in the storyline in the JLD backup. |
| Etrigan / Jason Blood | Justice League #60 (2021) | A powerful demon fromHell and skilled sorcerer whom was apprenticed under Merlin. Sharing a body, the pair work as a supernatural duo battling dark threats. He is accepted into the team by Justice League members and chairman Zatanna in the JLD backup series to help battle Merlin. |
| Frankenstein's Monster | Justice League Dark (2011) #14 | An erudite creature created by Viktor Frankenstein, Frankenstein first assists the first formation of the team inJustice League Dark Annual #1.[39] He chooses to stay with the team in issue #14 of the first series but leaves in issue #30.[13] |
| I, Vampire | Justice League Dark (2011) #9 | A powerful and immortal vampire. He becomes becomes a member of the first formation as a favor to Constantine and is forcibly induced.[42] Appearing in the first series, the team in issue #14,[13] rejoined in issue #35.[43] He is not present in the second formation. |
| Kent Nelson | Justice League Dark (2018) #13 | The original Doctor Fate and Khalid Nassour's mentor. While invited to the team as a full member by Wonder Woman in its second formation, Neslon opts to operate as a consultant and "behind-the-scenes", rejecting the use of the Doctor Fate moniker. He later leaves the team in issue #24 of the second series with intents of retiring but is killed in action while helping the team battle Upside-Down Man.[44] |
| Man-Bat | Justice League Dark (2011) #1 | A gifted scientist whose formula while researching a cure to deafness causes him to turn into a bat-like hybrid or a giant bat while gaining an addiction to his serum. A former adversary of Batman, he is recruited by Wonder Woman for a chance of rehabilitation in the second formation. Some-time after freeing Khalid Nassour and his ascension as Doctor Fate, Langstrom acted as his assistant and partner until he was killed inDetective Comics #1050. |
| Mary Marvel | Wonder Woman (2023-) #11 | A heroine and contemporary of Shazam whom was first empowered by her foster brother before ultimately being patroned by six Greek goddesses. She joins the team prior to the events ofAbsolute Power. |
| Mindwarp | Justice League Dark (2011) #3 | A supernatural being recruited by Madame Xanadu introduced in issue #3[45] and left in issue #5.[46] He is killed inTrinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #15 by Felix Faust andNick Necro during testing of Project Thaumaton.[47] |
| Nightmare Nurse | Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger #9 | A demonic healer capable of healing even the most grievous mystical or supernatural wounds and with a past history with Constantine. She is recruited to the team to help fight Blight during "Forever Evil". |
| Randhir Singh | Justice League Dark 2021 Annual #1 (2021) | ASouth Asian psychic and long-time friend of Jason Blood with experience of the supernatural. Imprisoned during Merlin's campaign to control magic on Earth, he joins forces with the JLD for a time. |
| Ragman | Justice League #61 (2021) | Jewish vigilante and book store own who bears the Suit of Souls, a magical rag suit capable of absorbing the souls of evil people, appropriating their skills, and grants supernatural powers. Joins the second team formation to help Zatanna and the team in the battle Merlin. |
| Raven | Dark Crisis: The Deadly Green #1 | A half-demon sorceress and heroic daughter of cosmic demon,Trigon. Following the supposed deaths of founders Zatanna and Wonder Woman, she is recruited by John Constantine and Doctor Fate to help stop the Great Darkness and is a part-time member following Justice League Unlimited iniative although she acts mainly as a member of the Titans. |
| Shade, the Changing Man | Justice League Dark (2011) #1 | A hero with the power to warp reality. He is tasked with bringing the team together at the behest of Madame Xanadu.[9] Shade leaves the team in issue #8 after losing control of the M-Vest.[10] |
| Shazam! | Wonder Woman (2023-) #11 | A teenaged hero empowered by amagical wizard to transform into an adult with powers derived from gods and a Champion of Magic. He joins the team prior to the events ofAbsolute Power. |
| Swamp Thing (Levi Kamei) | Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #4 (2022) | TheSouth Asian successor of Alec Holland as the Swamp Thing and elemental guardian of nature. A gifted scientist with expansive knowledge of botany and chemistry, he joins the team to help JLD stop the Great Darkness. He is a present member following the creation of the Justice League Unlimited initiative. |
| Timothy Hunter | Justice League Dark #11 (September, 2012) | A boy-sorcerer destined to unlock the Books of Magic, he is brought into JLD under protection in the first formation. |
| Note:Bold indicate current member status. "Major and re-occurring" denotes characters whom appeared in at least two of theJustice League Dark titles. | ||
| Character | First appearance |
|---|---|
| Anton Arcane | Swamp Thing #2 (January 1973) |
| Arion (Sapphire Knight) | Warlord #55 (March,1982) |
| Blight | Justice League Dark #24 (December, 2013) |
| Cain | TheHouse of Mystery #175 (July–August 1968) |
| Doctor Destiny | Justice League of America #5 (June 1961). |
| Drakul Karfang | JLA: A League of One (January, 2001) |
| Eclipso | House of Secrets #61 (1963) |
| Enchantress | Strange Adventures #187 (April 1966) |
| Felix Faust | Justice League of America #10 (1962) |
| Hecate | Wonder Woman Vol 4 #37 (February, 2015) |
| Merlin | New Comics #3 (February, 1936) |
| Mordru | Adventure Comics #369 (June 1968) |
| Nick Necro | Justice League Dark #12 (2012) |
| Nabu | More Fun Comics #67 (1940) |
| Upside-Down Man | Justice League Dark #1 (September, 2018) |
| Xanadoth | Superman #23 (September, 2020) |
| Zonzu / Yuga Khan | New Gods Vol #17 (June, 1990) |
| Injustice League Dark | |
| Circe | Wonder Woman #37 (September/October 1949) |
| Floronic Man | The Flash #245 (November 1976) |
| Klarion the Witch Boy & Teekl | The Demon #7 (March 1973) |
| Papa Midnite | Hellblazer #1 |
| Solomon Grundy | All-American Comics #61 |
| Lords of Order (Nabu's group) | |
| Brother Pattern (Hoku) | Justice League Dark #8 (April, 2019) |
| Count Control (Dalphi) | |
| Lord Structure (Myrath) | |
| Sister Symmetry (Cyra) | |
Justice League Dark appear in films set in theDC Animated Movie Universe, consisting ofZatanna,Deadman,Etrigan the Demon, andBlack Orchid.[55][56][57][58][59]
Rumors in November 2012 suggested thatGuillermo del Toro was working on a Justice League Dark film titledHeaven Sent. It would feature Deadman, the Spectre, the Swamp Thing, John Constantine, thePhantom Stranger, Zatanna,Zatara,Sargon the Sorcerer, and Etrigan.[60] Del Toro later confirmed in January 2013 that he was working on such a film, with theworking title,Dark Universe, and was hiring a screenwriter. Del Toro revealed the Swamp Thing, Constantine, the Spectre, Deadman, Zatanna and Zatara were characters in the story.[61]
In March 2013, del Toro gave an update on the film atWonderCon 2013, while talking about his filmPacific Rim. He revealed that the story bible was complete and he hoped to start the screenplay soon. Production would begin after his next project,Crimson Peak. The film's story would center around John Constantine recruiting the Swamp Thing, Etrigan, Deadman, the Spectre, and Zatanna. The film would not be an origin story, with each character already established and elements of their backstory coming into play throughout the film.[62] Del Toro also revealed that theFloronic Man would be in the film.[63] In May 2013, del Toro revealed that his script featured Constantine, the Swamp Thing,Madame Xanadu, Deadman and Zatanna as the team, with others "in the mix". He also revealed that he was still waiting for the go-ahead fromWarner Bros. Pictures.[64] Del Toro revealed in July 2013 that he hoped that theDC Extended Universe, which started withMan of Steel, would become as cohesive as theMarvel Cinematic Universe, and he added that if there was any correlation to that universe and this film, he would honor it.[65]
In October 2013, del Toro stated he felt his film would be able to coexist with the television seriesConstantine and reiterated that the film was still active and in the writing process.[66] In July 2014, del Toro once again stated he was working on the film, and stated it would be independent from the universe established withMan of Steel, saying, "DC and Warners have been very clear that they are trying to keep [this film andSandman] separate so when the time comes they can unite them, once they know they’re quantifiable." Del Toro also added that his Constantine would not adhere to the continuity established in the television series, but he would consider incorporating elements from it, and even think about casting the same actor (Matt Ryan).[67][68] In November 2014, del Toro confirmed that the script was complete and handed it in to Warner Bros. to be reviewed.[69] In December 2014, he hinted that the film would be part of the DC Extended Universe.[70]
In April 2015, del Toro said the script revision has been handed in and if there was availability in his schedule, he would direct it; if not, "somebody else will do it... [The film] needs to fall into the plan of the shared universe."[71] In June 2015, the film was confirmed to still be in development at Warner Bros., with some of their other Vertigo Comics film adaptions moving toNew Line Cinema.The Hollywood Reporter stated that del Toro was no longer attached to the project.[72] In July 2016,Swamp Thing test footage was released directed byJoseph Kahn.[73] In August 2016, it was announced thatDoug Liman would direct the film with del Toro andScott Rudin producing andMichael Gilio writing, with the film being titledDark Universe.[74][75] By May 2017, Liman left the film to focus on directingChaos Walking.[76] At San Diego Comic-Con in July 2017, the film's title was announced to beJustice League Dark.[77] In January 2020, Deadline reported that WarnerMedia andBad Robot are working to create a Justice League Dark universe in film and TV. The initiative has stalled by 2023.
{{cite book}}:|last3= has generic name (help)In April 2020,Duster was one of three Bad Robot projects announced for the yet-to-launch HBO Max, along withThe Shining offshootOverlook and a Justice League Dark project. The latter two have since been scrapped...
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