JLA: Trial by Fire [Paperback]

Joe Kelly (Author)

Book Description

Series: Jla (Justice League of America) (Graphic Novels)

The Justice League of America comprises the greatest heroes the world has ever seen: Batman, Superman, the Flash, Martian Manhunter, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and the Green Lantern. Now the JLA's epic adventures continue! The President is in a coma, world leaders that usually can't agree a single thing in common are suddenly agreeing and die-hard criminals are seeing the error of their ways...there's definitely something strange going on. The Martian Manhunter attempts to probe every mind on the planet to find the mysterious entity responsible and gets a huge backlash in return. It's time to call in the JLA.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Joe Kelly is one of comics' most prolific writers, with highly acclaimed runs on Daredevil, Deadpool and X-Men to his credit. Doug Mahnke has pencilled Superman: Man of Steel and is now the regular artist on JLA. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 140120242X
• ISBN-13: 978-1401202422
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 0.3 x 10.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #951,912 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of my all-time favorite JLA stories., October 15, 2004

By 

R. SHARIFF "rayhans1282" (Jamaica, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: JLA: Trial by Fire (Paperback)

This book collects the 6 part issue of JLA: Trial by Fire. It is Joe Kelly's final run on the JLA for the near future. In that respect Joe Kelly manages to leave on a very high note.

The story begins with criminals all-over the world going regretful of their actions. KKK members douse themselves on fire, Joker and Two-Face demand the death sentence for their actions and even President Luthor is left in a coma by a telepath, an ancient breed of Martian known as the Burning Maritan. At the same time we get a look at how the Martian Manhunter, Jo'nn Jonz has overcome his fear with fire and has taken a temporary leave of the JLA to spend time with his teacher/lover, ex-villain Scorch. JLA decides to cut Jo'nn's vacation in order to have his assist with the telepath case. That's all I'm gonna say about the story because anything else would be a spoiler. Let's just say that a good hero goes bad....really really bad and the savior of the JLA and the World is the most-unexpected of heroes.

This story shows Joe Kelly in his top form. The story is very cleverly written. In addition it contains small commentaries that really makes you feel the urgency of the heroes and the enjoyment of the antagonist, i.e. "Somewhere Superman has just said his first real curse word in years, that has to count for something" and "Batman teleported out before I could gut him, slippery devil". The art team of Mahnke and Nguyen is also in stellar form, every splash pages, every panel exudes energy.

I have to say that I truly enjoyed this book and it is among my favorite JLA stories, along with Grant Morrison's first JLA story, New World Order, Mark Waid's Tower of Babble and Joe Kelly's the Obsidian Age. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with this book. I am personally saddened to see Joe Kelly go from JLA since, I really enjoyed his stories. But the good news is that he leaves us with one of his best works.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A good, solid superhero story, February 2, 2005

By 

Kurt A. Johnson (North-Central Illinois, USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: JLA: Trial by Fire (Paperback)

With the whole world going mad, the Justice League of America must move fast to find out what is going on. A rogue telepath is tinkering with the Earth, taking away people's freedom of thought, but who is it? This ordeal will drive the JLA into a battle with one of their own members, a battle they cannot win. But, Batman has an ace up his sleeve; there is one person who can do it...if he can just remember how.

Overall, I found this to be a very good graphic novel. The illustration work is very good (except for they way The Atom was drawn), and the story is absolutely gripping. I'm not sure I would have thought of the bad guy as quite as invincible as he is painted herein, but setting that aside, you do get to see very good graphic novel, fighting for their very existence. So, if you like a good, solid superhero story, then this is the book for you. My eleven-year-old son and I both enjoyed this book, and highly recommend it to you.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not since the first Galactus story, January 2, 2005

By 

Doug62 (Arnold, MD United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: JLA: Trial by Fire (Paperback)

have I enjoyed a story this much about a superhero team fighting to take down a single globe threatening villain. I enjoyed it very much and I will seek out more stories by Joe Kelly. All the characters are tangibly pushed to the edge.