It has been 20 years since Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman showed what they consider to be the most important traits in heroes, and more specifically, in members of the Justice League. In 2006, the title JLA ended after 125 issues when the team fell apart. Green Arrow was fighting Batman when the Key released all of Arrow’s inhibitions and hatred for Batman. By this time, Green Arrow, Batman, and Black Canary were all that was left of the team, with Manitou Dawn helping them. By the end of the battle, Batman declared the Justice League to be dead, and that led to “Infinite Crisis.” By the end of that story, it was time for the Justice League to start anew.
On August 23, 2006, Justice League of America #1 by Brad Meltzer and Ed Benes was released, and it was up to Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman to choose who they would recruit for the new team. This is how they made their decision.
Justice League of America #1 had Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman agree that they were the ones who broke the Justice League, and they should be the ones to put the team back together. This is when they began to pick who they wanted as heroes to join the new team, and it said so much about their characters and what they see in a hero and a teammate. The first person Batman chose was Captain Marvel. Wonder Woman believed Batman felt he could control him, and Superman felt he hadn’t even reached his full potential yet.
The next name Batman chose was Red Tornado. Superman said he was dead, but Wonder Woman said that he always returns from the dead and he will be back soon. They even called on Doctor Will Magnus to help put the robot hero back together again. However, this didn’t look possible since he was in the astral plane with Deadman and had no intention of returning.
Up next was Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern. Superman said he was still the best. Batman wasn’t sure as he pointed out Kyle Rayner and John Stewart. Wonder Woman suggested a contest for the three of them to see who proved worthy enough. That showed a huge difference between the three heroes, as Superman picked his favorite, Batman questioned it, and Wonder Woman wanted only the best.
Wonder Woman rejected Nightwing. Batman and Superman rejected Supergirl, although Wonder Woman wanted her. They weren’t sure about Flash, with Superman considering Wally West and Batman wanting Bart Allen. Wonder Woman didn’t care as long as they had a speedster. All three heroes voted yes on inviting Power Girl. There was a break with Red Arrow talking to Hal Jordan, and another with Black Lightning. Red Tornado returned in a new body, and then it was back to the Trinity making their decisions. Green Lantern and Black Canary chose Red Arrow, and Green Arrow gave his blessing.
Batman wanted Mr. Terrific even though he was the chairman of the Justice Society. Superman didn’t like raiding other teams, but Wonder Woman also wanted him. All three agreed on Ray Palmer’s Atom. Wonder Woman and Batman didn’t want Vixen. When Batman shot down Hawkman, whom Wonder Woman wanted as the Justice League’s tank, Superman mentioned that Batman only voted for people he trusts. Batman then said that Wonder Woman only voted for tactical reasons, and Superman just wanted nice people. That is where the line was drawn.
The entire reasoning of the three heroes makes sense just by knowing who they are. Batman can’t work with anyone he doesn’t trust. It doesn’t matter how good a fighter someone is; if Batman doesn’t trust them, he doesn’t want them on the team. Trust issues have destroyed the Justice League more than once. When the League chose to mind-wipe Batman after altering Dr. Light’s brain, it severed his trust in them for years. He won’t team with someone he doesn’t trust completely.
Wonder Woman was raised on an island of mighty warriors. She was taught to be at the peak of her skills and abilities at all times. This is why she isn’t sure about Captain Marvel since, in reality, Billy Batson is still just a kid. She doesn’t vote for Nightwing, even if he was trained by Batman, because he is not a true warrior. Wonder Woman wants a team that can beat any enemy, at any time, with the best tactical advantage from top to bottom.
Superman votes for the nice heroes. He wants people on the team that he likes, heroes that he knows are genuinely good guys, and heroes that he knows will always do the right thing. Superman is the best of them all, and he just wants to reward kindness. That is how he wants to put the Justice League together.
Of course, none of this matters because by the time the first story in the new series ends, the team ends up choosing itself as heroes to team up to fight in different battles that converge on each other, with Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman realizing their opinions are only part of the equation. This version of the Justice League ends up featuring Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Black Lightning, Hal Jordan’s Green Lantern, Hawkgirl, Red Arrow, Red Tornado, and Vixen.
