JLA ran from 1997 to 2000 (issues #1–41), published by DC Comics, with art primarily by Howard Porter, and it was the book that made Morrison a mainstream superstar — not just a critical darling of the Vertigo crowd but the writer of DC’s flagship team title.
Morrison’s approach was simple and revolutionary: treat the Justice League members as the modern equivalents of the Greek gods. Superman is Apollo; Batman is Hades; Wonder Woman is Athena; the Flash is Hermes. The threats they face are correspondingly mythic: alien invaders who can outthink the world’s smartest heroes, parallel-universe conquerors, a sentient star that threatens to devour the solar system, angels from Heaven who declare war on Earth.
The run begins with “New World Order,” in which the Hyperclan — a group of apparent superheroes who are actually White Martians — defeat the Justice League and take over the world, only to be exposed and defeated by Batman working alone. The message is quintessentially Morrison: the gods are powerful, but it is the mortal among them — the one who succeeds through intelligence and will rather than superpowers — who saves the day.
Collecting JLA (Morrison run)
Key issues: #1 (1997), #15 (Rock of Ages), #36–41 (World War III).
Market values:
- JLA #1, NM: $10–$30
- Complete Morrison run #1–41: $80–$200
- Deluxe editions (4 volumes): $25–$40 each
- Trade paperback collections: $15–$20 each