The new Superman movie introduced the Justice Gang, who are financed and led by Maxwell Lord. This team is based on the DC Comics team called Justice League International, which remains one of the most beloved iterations of the superhero team. The team formed as a group of misfits after the main three heroes left, including the departure of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Soon, Lord took control of the group thanks to his financial pullings, and for most of his time with the team, he was not the villain that many DC fans know today. He also had some of the strangest lineups of any Justice League team.
Here is a look at the best members of Justice League International, ranked from the coolest to the lamest, and their importance in the history of this unique DC Comics team.
10) Martian Manhunter
Martian Manhunter was the one big-league Justice League member who stuck with Justice League International throughout its run, including working hand-in-hand with Maxwell Lord. Of course, J’onn J’onzz was also the most powerful member of the team, and as far as fans are concerned, likely the one with the highest coolness factor. J’onn was a member of the Justice League of America before the JLI formed. He remained even after some original members, like Batman and Wonder Woman, left before Lord arrived. J’onn even stuck around to the end and was there to offer Max some advice before departing for an extended break from being a superhero.
9) Black Canary
Black Canary was one of the Justice League members to carry over when the team first reorganized. However, while she lasted longer than Batman, she wasn’t around for long after Maxwell Lord took an interest in and control of the team. While Canary is a loyal Justice League member, she does not always play well with others, and that includes someone like Lord. However, this is Black Canary, and anyone who has followed her time in DC Comics, especially alongside the Birds of Prey, knows she will always rank high in coolness factor, especially compared to the members of the Justice League International.
8) Fire
Fire is a Brazilian superhero named Beatriz Bonilla da Costa. While she began her life as a beach model, showgirl, and stage performer, she ultimately became a spy for her country. This led to her becoming a superhero when she was exposed to an explosion, which gave her fire-based powers. She was part of the Global Guardians, but when the UN chose to fund the Justice League International instead, she joined that team with her teammate, Ice. To her credit, Ice served as a Justice League International member longer than anyone else, and this included leaving the team for a brief period after Ice’s death.
7) Big Barda
While Big Barda and Mister Miracle are mostly a package deal, it is Barda who ranks higher than her husband on the coolness level. Miracle is often a little anxious and neurotic, and his wife is a strong, powerful woman who brought out the best in him. This is especially impressive since she was bred in a lab and raised to be a member of the deadly Female Furies for Darkseid before escaping and finding love with Scott. As one of the New Gods, she is also one of the most powerful members to have ever served with Justice League International, and she even forced their hand, making them accompany her to Apokolips to rescue Scott at one time.
6) Mister Miracle
Mister Miracle was one of the early members of the Justice League International before Maxwell Lord took over the group. This was when Batman led the team, and Mister Miracle stuck around for a time after Max took over. While Mister Miracle was seemingly a lesser hero, he gained in his coolness factor when he and his wife, Big Barda, began appearing together, delivering one of DC Comics’ best storylines and developing into one of the best romantic couples in comic book history. Big Barda even forced the Justice League International to accompany her to Apokolips to save Mister Miracle’s life.
5) Maxima
Maxima was an interesting choice to join Justice League International. She was previously best known as an alien who arrived on Earth and offered Superman the chance to father babies with her. When Superman rejected the offer, she was furious and lashed out at the Man of Steel. Later, she joined Justice League International after they saved her planet of Almerac from Starbreaker. However, she was never trustworthy, but was highly entertaining when she often made bluntly honest comments to Guy Gardner, Blue Beetle, and Booster Gold. The lack of a filter on her mouth made her a fan favorite in her time with JLI.
4) Ice
Before joining Justice League International, Ice was a member of the Global Guardians, but when the UN defunded that team, she and her friend Fire joined the JLI. Ice is a Norwegian superhero who developed cryokinetic abilities as a child. She had a tragic childhood when her grandfather attempted to use her for criminal activities, and she froze him to death before going on the run. She found a way to redeem herself with the Global Guardians and JLI. She was also a great match for her friend Fire, who was outgoing and impulsive, while Ice was also innocent and mostly wholesome.
3) Blue Beetle (Ted Kord)
The original Blue Beetle was one of the most prominent members of Justice League International. He was Booster Gold’s best friend, which was never a good thing, and he also seemed to have some problems of his own, particularly concerning his own self-perception, including his lack of confidence and body positivity. He was easily the least secure member of the team. If Ted Kord had one positive aspect, it was that he was often the comedic member of the team, although he was also mostly self-deprecating. By the time he left JLI, his health was not as good, and he mostly retired due to a heart condition.
2) Booster Gold
For much of his existence in DC Comics, Booster Gold was the worst. He is from the year 2442 and came back in time with information about events that had occurred in the past. He then set out to become a hero, using the information about events to arrive at just the right times to save people. His only goal in life was to become popular. When Maxwell Lord took over as the financer and leader of the group, he suggested that Booster Gold join. It was there that he became close friends with Ted Kord’s Blue Beetle, where the two of them got the JLI in more trouble than they helped them get out of. Feeling disrespected by his teammates, he quit and formed a new team called the Conglomerate, which worked with sponsors to generate revenue.
1) Guy Gardner
Easily, the lamest member of Mawelll Lord’s Justice League International was Guy Gardner. It seemed that throughout his tenure as a team member, he consistently argued about how he was the leader and was not hesitant to tell everyone how great he was. The Green Lantern would also brag about his powers to supervillains before getting beaten down and needing his team to bail him out. He was also cocky enough to stand up and tell off Superman, while demanding that everyone else respect him. Yes, Guy Gardner is a powerful member of the Green Lantern Corps, but he is also someone who has the respect of almost no one in the DC Comics universe.
Who was your favorite member of Justice League International in DC Comics? Let us know your favorite member in the comments below.
