Justice League: I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League (Paperback)

by Keith Giffen (Author), J.M. DeMatteis (Author)

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist
Played strictly for laughs, this refreshingly irreverent title features a goofier version of the straitlaced Justice League. In it, such second-string superheroes as the Blue Beetle, Mary Marvel, and the Elongated Man behave decidedly unheroically, squabble among themselves, and parody genre cliches. In this story arc, buffoonish Booster Gold inadvertently uses a mystic artifact to send the heroes to a hellish dimension full of comical demons. They escape, but to a parallel universe in which they encounter their evil doubles. Giffen and J. M. DeMatteis' droll script is the main attraction, and Kevin McGuire's low-key, unadorned art captures the tone perfectly. Hard-core comics fans, especially those who dislike the dark and gritty approach the genre has taken in recent years, may best appreciate this spoof of superheroes, the protagonists of which have long inhabited their own little corner of the DC universe. Given recent developments in the company's somber, no-fooling-around titles that saw several of these characters meet grim fates, this may be this team's final outing, at least as figures of fun. Gordon Flagg
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Product Details

• Reading level: Young Adult
  
• Paperback: 144 pages
• Publisher: DC Comics (December 1, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1401204783
• ISBN-13: 978-1401204785
• Product Dimensions: 10.1 x 6.6 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #471,606 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Return of the Super Buddies, August 11, 2008

By	E. David Swan (South Euclid, Ohio USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm a big Keith Giffen fan and in a previous review of Formerly Known as the Justice League I gave it five stars. I Can't Believe it's not the Justice League picks right up where Formerly left off with the Super Buddies hurling rapid fire insults at each other. There are two new additions to the team including Power Girl and Guy Gardner. After reading `I Can't Believe' I FINALLY understand Guy Gardner. I always disliked the character with his ever changing powers and belligerent attitude. In `I Can't Believe' he is written as a complete and total jerk and I love it. I think it says a lot about the skill of the writers here that they were capable of making me enjoy one of my least favorite characters in DC comics.

Power Girl is an interesting subject. Originally created as a typical angry grrrrrrrl, her creators gave her perhaps the largest breasts in the DC universe and a strategically placed oval to display them. No one has ever explored the psychology behind a strong female character wearing a costume designed to maximize the display of her breasts. Of course when you get down to it her attitude and attire were created by Gerry Conway which makes one wonder what fantasies Mr. Conway was expressing. Power Girl is a good addition to the team but not nearly as fun as Gardner.

If I had a complaint about this book it would be the endless bickering among the characters. Guy bickers with Power Girl, Sue bickers with Max, Booster Gold bickers with Blue Beetle and on and one. I know this is the main joke of the series, to see established characters fighting like children, but it grew old after awhile. About halfway though the book I was ready for the witty insults to end so we could move on to the next joke.

These semi-parody JLA books are a blast to read and so far both books have been stellar although a bit repetitive. Next on my list is Justice League International.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars I liked it, August 31, 2006

By	Josh Pelfrey "Rocketboy13" (North Port, FL, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

While I did not read its predacessor "formally the justice league" I had no trouble following the joke behind this. Like most comics I enjoy this book contains characters that are under used and under appreciated on the whole, and they are funny. I am disappointed only by the fact that three of the main characters in this, Sue Dinby, Blue Beetle, and Max Lord are all now dead. And others have gone into space (Guy), joined the justice League (power girl), gone a little crazy (Elongated man), or have devolved into the most hateable super hero ever (Booster Gold).
This is the last time any of these characters will be able to be funny, and that is a little disappointing. I want there to be more to this series. Discovering this comic was like discovering an old television series that was canceled before its time, you watch the episodes, you like them and then your left wanting more.

4 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not as good as Formerly Known As..., March 20, 2006

By	Azrael Myst "Azmyst" (Male', Maldives) - See all my reviews

After reading Formerly Known as the Justice League I was expecting something as refreshingly funny and original in this but was disappointed. It is funny (at times) but not nearly as funny as it could have been. Not bad for a final outing since the events in Infitine Crisis really played havoc with these characters. Guess we will never get to hear another BWAHHAHAHAHAH in a comic again for some time. Sad.