JLA: Earth 2 (JLA (DC Comics Unnumbered Paperback)) [Paperback]

Grant Morrison (Author)

Book Description

Release date: October 1, 2000 | Series: JLA (DC Comics Unnumbered Paperback)

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?

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Writer Grant Morrison is known for his innovative work on comics from the graphic novel ARKHAM ASYLUM to acclaimed runs on ANIMAL MAN and DOOM PATROL, as well as his subversive creatorowned titles such as THE INVISIBLES, SEAGUY and WE3. He has also written best-selling runs on JLA, SEVEN SOLDIERS OF VICTORY and New X-Men and recently helped to reinvent the DC Universe in ALL STAR SUPERMAN, 52 and BATMAN.

Product Details

• Paperback: 96 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (October 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563896311
• ISBN-13: 978-1563896316
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.4 x 10.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (51 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #235,876 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 43 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A '60's concept revisited for a new millennium December 26, 1999

By Stephen Richmond VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

The concept of parallel worlds is in no ways new to speculative literature. Indeed, DC Comics introduced this idea in the famous "Flash of Two Worlds" story decades ago, but then came the equally renown (infamous?) "Crisis on Infinite Earths" in the mid-eighties and DC's parallel worlds mess was cleaned up, more or less. But now it's back; this time lightly veiled as an "anti-matter universe". This, the first hardcover JLA graphic novel, is an enjoyable tale for longtime DC fanboys and will cause little problem for those less familiar with the JLA and its also decades-long history. The villains here will look familiar, being the anti-matter universe (where everything is the opposite of the regular universe) counterparts of the JLA's "big guns": Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash, and Green Lantern as reflected in Ultraman; Owlman, Superwoman, Johnny Quick, and Power Ring. Grant Morrison with his usual mastery portrays the antithetical characters with wit and a bit more maturity than would be expected in a monthly four-color comic. Superwoman, apparently more of a dominatrix, is supposedly involved with Ultraman, but has Owlman as well on the side. Johnny Quick seems to have some sort of drug addiction which evinces itself in truly bizarre ways as it passes through his Speed Force. Power Ring, depicted with a very spiffy costume and spiky haircut, seems a tad schizophrenic and somewhat controlled by, rather than controlling his magic ring. Alexander Luthor, a hero in the antimatter universe, is also portrayed superbly with essentially the same personality as his "Earth 2" (his phrase for the DC Universe best known and home to Superman and the JLA), but neatly converted from villainy to heroism. Amazon has a great price for this sure-to-be a collector's item. Again, a fun read for fanboys and first-timers alike.

19 of 25 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully drawn, but it's the same-old same-old February 17, 2000

By A Customer

Format:Hardcover

There's no denying that this long story is spectacularly drawn (the artwork recalls the clean, beautiful lines of the French artist Moebius), and there's also no denying that Grant Morrison can tell a story very effectively and intelligently. But I for one am sick to death of seeing the old DC stories of the Sixties retold with these morbid sadistic spins put on them: to some extent, the "dark mirroring" of the Justice League by the Crime Syndicate seems a comment on Morrison's own "dark mirroring" of the classic Garnder Fox/Mike Sekowsky _Justice League_ stories that inspired this work, "Crisis on Earth-Three" and "The Most Dangerous Earth of All." Must we have to see, time and time again, these sadistic versions of old JLA foes set in contrast to the innocence of the old stories. I feel like Morrison and Alan Moore just keep re-echoing the same old tired points they made earlier before: that there was a darkness hiding behind the sunniness of the comics of the Sixties, that life is really bitter, etc. Let's see something new for once, and also something less fashionably dark.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars One of Morrison's best superhero stories October 9, 2006

By N. Durham HALL OF FAMETOP 1000 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

When it comes to Grant Morrison, he's the Alan Moore of the modern age. He breathed new life into the X-Men for Marvel, as well as Animal Man and Doom Patrol for DC/Vertigo, and of course, JLA for DC. Earth 2 finds Morrison once again writing DC's superteam as Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, the Flash, Green Lantern, Aquaman, and the Martian Manhunter get their world rocked when Alexander Luthor makes a visit. On his alternate world, he's the only hero, and the JLA's evil alter-egos, the Crime Syndicate of Amerika, have total control. In response to Luthor's pleas, Supes, Bats, Wonder Woman, Flash, and Green Lantern plan to overthrow the evil empire, but as they soon find out, things aren't so easily done in this alternate world. Morrison has taken the classic pre-Crisis Earth 2 world and used it brilliantly here, making Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Johnny Quick, and Power Ring some of the most evil and coloful villains you'll ever see. Morrison's longtime partner in crime Frank Quitely provides his usual superb art here, so longtime Morrison fans know what to expect here. All in all, Earth 2 is one of, if not the, best JLA yarns you'll ever check out, and it's easily one of Morrison's best superhero stories.