JLA: Heaven's Ladder [Paperback]

Mark Waid (Author), Brian Hitch (Illustrator), Paul Neary (Illustrator), Ken Lopez (Illustrator), Laura Depuy (Colorist)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2000

JLA: Heaven's Ladder [Paperback] Mark Waid (Author), Brian Hitch (Illustrator), Paul Neary (Illustrator), Ken Lopez (Illustrator), Laura Depuy (Colorist) Publisher: DC Comics (September 1, 2000) Paperback: 72 pages

Product Details

• Paperback: 72 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (September 1, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1563897539
• ISBN-13: 978-1563897535
• Product Dimensions: 13.4 x 9.9 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,468,758 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #27 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Comics & Graphic Novels > Publishers > DC Comics

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Where do Gods go when they die?, April 13, 2004

By 

R. SHARIFF "rayhans1282" (Jamaica, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: JLA: Heaven's Ladder (Paperback)

This is the question that begins the book. A race of superhuman and superintelligent beings have arrived and have captured earth along with a bunch of other universes to form a bead of universes. This entire race is about to die in a few days but since they are like most races, they do not know abour life after death. Therefore, they decide to abduct different planets in order to pry into the different belief systems and using that data construct a makeshift ladder to heaven. And they acquire this data by placing a disguised agent admist each population. And like any advanced society, there is dissension, and there is another group of these superbeings who feel that being so superior, they should not be delving into the lower populace. That's the story in a nutshell but I am leaving out details and the ending...as if the readers can't figure it out. Anyways, the story is truly unique and I for one enjoyed it. There is action but there is also a little hint of philosophy thrown in by Mark Waid, which is that irrgardless of the caliber of advancements, every culture has a common struggle with the afterlife...if there is one. It was a nice change of pace from typical JLA stories, eventhough in some degrees it did encompass typical JLA elements (i.e. dying races, abducted planets, aliens, earth-saving, etc.)

The art on this book is beautiful and flawless and is accentuated by the oversized format. Some of the splash-pages (very large splash-pages in this case) are worthy of being made into posters. All in all, it is an excellent read and worth getting. Highly recommended.

2.0 out of 5 stars Great art.....that's it!, September 27, 2010

By 

S. Penrose (Small Town, OH) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: JLA: Heaven's Ladder (Paperback)

Wow! What amazing art. Everyone should flip through this if they get the chance. They shouldn't however read it. Mark Waid, who I really enjoy, writes a meaningless story in which he plays with the ideas of the afterlife in the DC Universe. However, everyone reading this knows there is nothing at stake if they can follow the complex and drivel filled plot. It seems like Waid just wanted to tell what certain heroes believe in, which doesn't have any effect on anything. Like I said, the art by Bryan Hitch is drop dead gorgeous especially on the oversized pages. So, a 5 for art and -1 for story averages out to a overall grade of 2. Sorry.

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best JLA stories, and coolest comics, EVER., December 17, 2009

By 

Perry Beider (Silver Spring, MD United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: JLA: Heaven's Ladder (Paperback)

I can't believe that there are people here giving this book less than four stars. The story has: a jaw-dropping science fiction concept as its premise--the kind that brings back the sense of wonder you had when you first read comics (or science fiction, or anything imaginative) as a kid; creative uses of the heroes' powers; MANY terrific character moments; intriguing discussions of religion and philosophy; and a great presentation of heroism as a matter of moral courage, not just physical strength. Excuse me, but what else could you want from a JLA story??

Confusing? Well, yeah, there's a plot twist here and there. That's called keeping the story interesting. Too long?? You gotta be kidding...

At least everyone agrees that the art is amazing. That much is absolutely true.

If you have any interest in JLA, imaginative super-hero comics in general, or even just the possibilities of the "graphic novel" form, I HIGHLY recommend this book.