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JLA (Original Trades)
Justice League: Midsummer's Nightmare
Something is wrong with DC's classic heroes. Each has forgotten the life in which he or she wore a flamboyant costume and protected the weak with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men. Even stranger, ordinary people everywhere are gaining their own powers in an insidious plan to cultivate Earth's population as a race of super-soldiers. Graphic novel format.
116 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 1996
About the author
Mark Waid
3,464 books1,138 followersMark Waid (born March 21, 1962 in Hueytown, Alabama) is an American comic book writer. He is best known for his eight-year run as writer of the DC Comics' title The Flash, as well as his scripting of the limited series Kingdom Come and Superman: Birthright, and his work on Marvel Comics' Captain America.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews
July 3, 2022
This was so good omg!
JLers are living different lives and they are happy when one of them notices something is wrong as the whole planet seems to have gotten supoer powers minus them and then we see the reality has been sort of changed and slowly the team gathers together after regaining memories and we see the man behind it aka "Dr Destiny" but its someone else actually and we learn his motives and all and the team having to fight him and in the process learning why the world needs a JL..
This was excellent and just shows how well the JL works together and I love the way the 7 come together and the new villain is pretty cool, motives well defined and all, Waid does well to show these heroes as fallible but also ones who will get up and make us wanna be better and he relishes in that along with the artists who bring their A-game to the series. I really like the way the writer shows J'onn and why he is the heart of the team! <3
JLers are living different lives and they are happy when one of them notices something is wrong as the whole planet seems to have gotten supoer powers minus them and then we see the reality has been sort of changed and slowly the team gathers together after regaining memories and we see the man behind it aka "Dr Destiny" but its someone else actually and we learn his motives and all and the team having to fight him and in the process learning why the world needs a JL..
This was excellent and just shows how well the JL works together and I love the way the 7 come together and the new villain is pretty cool, motives well defined and all, Waid does well to show these heroes as fallible but also ones who will get up and make us wanna be better and he relishes in that along with the artists who bring their A-game to the series. I really like the way the writer shows J'onn and why he is the heart of the team! <3
September 2, 2023
A cheesy and enjoyable Justice League reboot that does a pretty good job at establishing the characters for newcomers. It creates a decent baseline for the dynamics to come, but doesn’t dish out the character building equally. Despite being far from perfect, it sprinkles in good moments and generally manages to keep the read interesting.
July 27, 2017
This book is introduced by Grant Morrison, who states this is a very good and important and influential volume. His opinion obviously is more informed than mine, so be aware that I may be way off base in my lack of being impressed. The story is yet another re-boot and re-introduction, with the team re-discovering themselves and each other. The plot plodded in places, and I found the antagonist utterly unconvincing. There are some good bits and nice panels, but overall I can't say that it was better than just okay. The art is just okay, too; some sections seem blurry and rushed and lack detail. Even though it's 1996, the fact that Arthur, Clark (except when he has a terrible pony-tail), and Diana (except when she has a weird Medusa-thing going on) all have the exact same hair style (I'm not kidding; check out page 84) seems over the top to me. It's not a terrible book, but not really worth expending much effort to seek out.
July 15, 2022
Prólogo de la famosa JLA de Morrison, dejando atrás los tiempos de comedia de Giffen y compañía, con una alineación entre segundones y flojos terceros y más problemas internos que externos esta historia reune nuevamente a los siete magníficos.
La historia es buena pero no está bien contada y definitivamente está mal dibujada, hay expresiones faciales abominables, se nota que no fue fácil el trabajo para dos guionistas y dos dibujantes. La confusión secuencial es notoria... Una pena tan flojo comienzo para una mini era dorada que se avecinaba.
La historia es buena pero no está bien contada y definitivamente está mal dibujada, hay expresiones faciales abominables, se nota que no fue fácil el trabajo para dos guionistas y dos dibujantes. La confusión secuencial es notoria... Una pena tan flojo comienzo para una mini era dorada que se avecinaba.
June 14, 2019
more like 2.5 but it was pretty meh
January 24, 2023
RESUMO DA ÓPERA: Se o universo é mental, qual o problema de viver sonhando?
Estes pesadelos, tecidos por Fabian Nicieza e Mark Waid, tem um objetivo bem claro. Criar uma desculpa para reunir a formação mais icônica da Liga da Justiça. Logo após este arco, começa a genial fase escrita por Grant Morrison. Na trama, os sete heróis estão presos em um sonho sem fim, onde se esqueceram de quem eram. Clark Kent vive uma vida agitada de repórter, Bruce Wayne comanda a fundação Wayne, canalizando alguns milhões de seus pais (vivos) para projetos sociais. Diana Prince é professora de jovens meninas, Arthur Curry trabalha, em vão, em prol do meio ambiente, Wally West confisca gibis de seus alunos e Kyle Rayner os desenha. Estas seis pessoas são algumas das poucas que ainda não manifestaram a "faísca genética” que despertou super-poderes na maior parte da população. Aos poucos, todos se lembram de suas vidas reais, através de imagens gatilho. Um planeta explodindo, um colar de pérolas arrebentando. Quando reunidos, vão em busca de seu captor psíquico.
A primeira questão que a trama parece levantar é “O pesadelo dos poderosos é que todos sejam como ele", os heróis debatem rapidamente o assunto, mas logo concluem que milhões de pessoas poderosas do dia pra noite só pode resultar no caos, mesmo que eles não tenham o direito de decidir quem é poderoso ou não.
especialmente quando entra em cena o Caçador de Marte. J’onn J'onzz está vivendo isolado em uma instalação do governo. O marciano sonha que ainda está em seu planeta, com sua esposa e filha. Quando os outros heróis o acordam ele se enfurece “Não é real” eles dizem, lembrando ‘Para o homem que tem tudo’ de Alan Moore, mas aqui a resposta é diferente: “Para vocês, talvez.” Para o marciano, com seus vastos poderes psíquicos, a mente é apenas uma extensão do corpo,e vice-versa. A empatia do povo marciano transbordava o indivíduo, transbordava os inóspitos desertos de seu planeta. No fim J’onzz cede ao clamor de seus colegas. “Sei que vocês precisam de mim. E como sempre… aceito minha responsabilidade.”
Acordar do pesadelo então é perceber que a população mundial inteira ter porte de raio-laser não resolve problema nenhum, mas talvez a cooperação sim.
Estes pesadelos, tecidos por Fabian Nicieza e Mark Waid, tem um objetivo bem claro. Criar uma desculpa para reunir a formação mais icônica da Liga da Justiça. Logo após este arco, começa a genial fase escrita por Grant Morrison. Na trama, os sete heróis estão presos em um sonho sem fim, onde se esqueceram de quem eram. Clark Kent vive uma vida agitada de repórter, Bruce Wayne comanda a fundação Wayne, canalizando alguns milhões de seus pais (vivos) para projetos sociais. Diana Prince é professora de jovens meninas, Arthur Curry trabalha, em vão, em prol do meio ambiente, Wally West confisca gibis de seus alunos e Kyle Rayner os desenha. Estas seis pessoas são algumas das poucas que ainda não manifestaram a "faísca genética” que despertou super-poderes na maior parte da população. Aos poucos, todos se lembram de suas vidas reais, através de imagens gatilho. Um planeta explodindo, um colar de pérolas arrebentando. Quando reunidos, vão em busca de seu captor psíquico.
A primeira questão que a trama parece levantar é “O pesadelo dos poderosos é que todos sejam como ele", os heróis debatem rapidamente o assunto, mas logo concluem que milhões de pessoas poderosas do dia pra noite só pode resultar no caos, mesmo que eles não tenham o direito de decidir quem é poderoso ou não.
especialmente quando entra em cena o Caçador de Marte. J’onn J'onzz está vivendo isolado em uma instalação do governo. O marciano sonha que ainda está em seu planeta, com sua esposa e filha. Quando os outros heróis o acordam ele se enfurece “Não é real” eles dizem, lembrando ‘Para o homem que tem tudo’ de Alan Moore, mas aqui a resposta é diferente: “Para vocês, talvez.” Para o marciano, com seus vastos poderes psíquicos, a mente é apenas uma extensão do corpo,e vice-versa. A empatia do povo marciano transbordava o indivíduo, transbordava os inóspitos desertos de seu planeta. No fim J’onzz cede ao clamor de seus colegas. “Sei que vocês precisam de mim. E como sempre… aceito minha responsabilidade.”
Acordar do pesadelo então é perceber que a população mundial inteira ter porte de raio-laser não resolve problema nenhum, mas talvez a cooperação sim.
April 8, 2021
Good enough soft reboot of the Justice League, slightly marred by some info dumps at the end, some not great art, and a ridiculous villain that--as far as I know--was never used again (Know Man? Really? Did a 5 year old come up with that one?).
June 20, 2019
A solid but not spectacular relaunch for the Justice League at the end of the “JLA/JLE/JLI” era. As a soft reboot it doesn’t invalidate the previous run, but does focus on the team’s classic lineup. While I wasn’t overwhelmed, the story does check the correct boxes as it unfolds and should be enjoyable enough for League fans. 3 1/2 stars.
May 25, 2017
La introducción de Grant Morrison asegura que esta historia será un parteaguas para la época moderna del género de superhéroes.
Y en mi opinión estaba en lo correcto.
No sólo me limito al valor histórico de la miniserie que establecería una de las encarnaciones más representativas de la Justice League; también destaco los valores imperecederos de la historia que tan atinadamente supieron tejer Waid y Nicieza.
Leer un restablecimiento de los elementos fundamentales del género para sacarlo de una etapa "perdida" se siente demasiado actual en este momento de la industria.
Ya no son esos ayeres, ni esos universos. Pero qué bonito es poder leer con una sonrisa en el rostro.
Y en mi opinión estaba en lo correcto.
No sólo me limito al valor histórico de la miniserie que establecería una de las encarnaciones más representativas de la Justice League; también destaco los valores imperecederos de la historia que tan atinadamente supieron tejer Waid y Nicieza.
Leer un restablecimiento de los elementos fundamentales del género para sacarlo de una etapa "perdida" se siente demasiado actual en este momento de la industria.
Ya no son esos ayeres, ni esos universos. Pero qué bonito es poder leer con una sonrisa en el rostro.
Want to read
December 16, 2014Tomo 0 de la Liga de la Justicia. Libro que sirve de precuela a la JLA de Morrison.
July 28, 2019
THIS is what the Justice League was always meant to be. Pay attention. In this story, the team are banded together by common cause, and finally, common love.
September 10, 2022
Justice League: A Midsummer's Nightmare tells another formation myth of the Justice League. In its introduction, Grant Morrison praises this story as being highly influential, not the least because of its refreshingly colorful visual and more lighthearted tone. I can fully concur, the story is very good fun that invokes DC's happier times.
The reader is introduced to a world where genetic sparks (as they are called) frequently generate waves of new super-powered humans (not dissimilar to Marvel's mutants). We are introduced to numerous of our heroes in their alter egos. There is something quite off here, though. Maybe it's because I'm really no expert when it comes to the DC universe, but I enjoyed the experience that I couldn't quite put my finger on the problem. Admittedly, I didn't even recognize the comic book artist to be Green Lantern. So I thought Clark was thoroughly shaken by the sudden appearance of all these metahumans. Mrs. Prince and Wally West are both teaching at school; there is something not quite right here, either (especially the latter's nightmares). What was really bizarre, though, was Arthur Curry working at a fishing company (for environmental concerns or not)?! And what's with Bruce's parents being back, while the entrance to the Batcave not being where he remembered it to be? And don't even get me started on the people on Mars...
The situation was confusing, but I have to say that I wasn't fully invested. To be honest, other than the allusions towards Dr. Destiny, which immediately had me interested, I was actively waiting for something more exciting to happen. Things much improved with the second issue, though. Bruce and Clark somehow snap out of things, more or less just like this (the creator of dreams really didn't do a very good job there). They team up to get the others, Clark is to approach Diana while Bruce is going to talk to Arthur. The story explicitly acknowledges how it's a bit convenient that only two names showed up on the computer, though it's of course to hide the fact that others won't make an appearance. Anyway, when Bruce shows Arthur where he belongs—Into the aquarium!, that's when I first very much enjoyed this. The artwork of Superman flying off the balcony, moon in the background and the costume shining through, that was truly awesome. As was the shiny armor of the villain whose name was only to be revealed later.
Well, I reveal it now: it's Know Man. Seriously, that's what he is called. It's even given in this 80s heavy metal logo artwork. It was so silly, I loved it. He was originally a prehistoric man. A member of the Controllers granted him immortality (and probably some advanced intelligence), so he ended up spending his time gaining knowledge. To be prepared for... some unnamed threat? He kind of lost me there.
In fact, I think the story didn't quite make up its mind about what the illusions were meant to be. Are their dreams (like for Bruce or Martian Manhunter)? Nightmares (Wally or Arthur)? A haze to be freed off (Clark)? Basically normal life under some stress (Diana or Kyle)? Was it a world they always wanted, where they all could be normal? And what about the empowerment of all these others, was the purpose to prepare them for upcoming threats when the existing heroes couldn't be trusted? In this case, why not let the heroes join forces with an all-powerful humanity? Is it because of all the social upheaval that ensued?
When it comes to action sequences, the comic is unfortunately lacking, too. The mostly unnamed foes are not exactly thrilling. There is the one instance when Wonder Woman faces the student of hers, who then admits that she was told she would be turned to normal again (she had some monster appearance) if she killed the heroes. Makes you wonder about the motives of all the other rampaging metahumans. In the end, it doesn't really matter because they are all sidelined by one well-placed telepathic blast of the Martian Manhunter. There is another dream sequences that has their superpowers spiced up, but that's again resolved too quickly to make any lasting impressions. When eventually the team decides to stay together since it showed that this way they can accomplish great things, it makes you wonder how previous events proved this point.
I'm much too negative here. I dearly enjoyed the visual approach and to some extent even the simple plot. It just feels as if it's too rough around the edges. For instance, there is talk of moral issues—why don't the heroes bring justice to humanity (the issue of agency and free will) and what gives them the right to deprive others of their powers—but they remain mostly unexplored. In the beginning, the subplot of the comic book writer promised great potential, put it's not pursued any further, either (other than the minor detail of Kyle's mind offering the place where Dr. Destiny is held).
This should have been better.
Rating: 2.5/5
The reader is introduced to a world where genetic sparks (as they are called) frequently generate waves of new super-powered humans (not dissimilar to Marvel's mutants). We are introduced to numerous of our heroes in their alter egos. There is something quite off here, though. Maybe it's because I'm really no expert when it comes to the DC universe, but I enjoyed the experience that I couldn't quite put my finger on the problem. Admittedly, I didn't even recognize the comic book artist to be Green Lantern. So I thought Clark was thoroughly shaken by the sudden appearance of all these metahumans. Mrs. Prince and Wally West are both teaching at school; there is something not quite right here, either (especially the latter's nightmares). What was really bizarre, though, was Arthur Curry working at a fishing company (for environmental concerns or not)?! And what's with Bruce's parents being back, while the entrance to the Batcave not being where he remembered it to be? And don't even get me started on the people on Mars...
The situation was confusing, but I have to say that I wasn't fully invested. To be honest, other than the allusions towards Dr. Destiny, which immediately had me interested, I was actively waiting for something more exciting to happen. Things much improved with the second issue, though. Bruce and Clark somehow snap out of things, more or less just like this (the creator of dreams really didn't do a very good job there). They team up to get the others, Clark is to approach Diana while Bruce is going to talk to Arthur. The story explicitly acknowledges how it's a bit convenient that only two names showed up on the computer, though it's of course to hide the fact that others won't make an appearance. Anyway, when Bruce shows Arthur where he belongs—Into the aquarium!, that's when I first very much enjoyed this. The artwork of Superman flying off the balcony, moon in the background and the costume shining through, that was truly awesome. As was the shiny armor of the villain whose name was only to be revealed later.
Well, I reveal it now: it's Know Man. Seriously, that's what he is called. It's even given in this 80s heavy metal logo artwork. It was so silly, I loved it. He was originally a prehistoric man. A member of the Controllers granted him immortality (and probably some advanced intelligence), so he ended up spending his time gaining knowledge. To be prepared for... some unnamed threat? He kind of lost me there.
In fact, I think the story didn't quite make up its mind about what the illusions were meant to be. Are their dreams (like for Bruce or Martian Manhunter)? Nightmares (Wally or Arthur)? A haze to be freed off (Clark)? Basically normal life under some stress (Diana or Kyle)? Was it a world they always wanted, where they all could be normal? And what about the empowerment of all these others, was the purpose to prepare them for upcoming threats when the existing heroes couldn't be trusted? In this case, why not let the heroes join forces with an all-powerful humanity? Is it because of all the social upheaval that ensued?
When it comes to action sequences, the comic is unfortunately lacking, too. The mostly unnamed foes are not exactly thrilling. There is the one instance when Wonder Woman faces the student of hers, who then admits that she was told she would be turned to normal again (she had some monster appearance) if she killed the heroes. Makes you wonder about the motives of all the other rampaging metahumans. In the end, it doesn't really matter because they are all sidelined by one well-placed telepathic blast of the Martian Manhunter. There is another dream sequences that has their superpowers spiced up, but that's again resolved too quickly to make any lasting impressions. When eventually the team decides to stay together since it showed that this way they can accomplish great things, it makes you wonder how previous events proved this point.
I'm much too negative here. I dearly enjoyed the visual approach and to some extent even the simple plot. It just feels as if it's too rough around the edges. For instance, there is talk of moral issues—why don't the heroes bring justice to humanity (the issue of agency and free will) and what gives them the right to deprive others of their powers—but they remain mostly unexplored. In the beginning, the subplot of the comic book writer promised great potential, put it's not pursued any further, either (other than the minor detail of Kyle's mind offering the place where Dr. Destiny is held).
This should have been better.
Rating: 2.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 5, 2015
Reseña de Sergio Robla para Zona Negativa:
http://www.zonanegativa.com/jla-pesad...
Una nueva generación de héroes ha aparecido en el Universo DC. Sus integrantes ya se cuentan por millones, pero hay algo que no cuadra. Nadie, absolutamente nadie, se acuerda de sus predecesores, ni siquiera ellos mismos. ¿Quién está detrás de la amnesia de Superman, Batman y compañía? Y, lo más importante, ¿quién detendrá lo que puede ser una amenaza de proporciones épicas?
De la importancia de este cómic en la historia editorial de DC Comics es difícil decir algo que no haya mencionado ya Grant Morrison en el acertado prólogo de este tomo. Quizá yo no tuve un punto de vista tan optimista, o tan radical, respecto a la forma de escribir cómics de entonces, pero lo que sí es cierto es que los cómics de superhéroes en general y los de la Liga de la Justicia en particular habían perdido su rumbo.
Su relanzamiento tras Legends, que en realidad fue la primera “Liga nueva” tras Crisis, fue refrescante, inmejorable. Aprovechando la ocasión brindada por la unión de Tierras en Crisis en Tierras infinitas se dejó a un lado a los “Siete Grandes” y el grupo fue formado por héroes que, originalmente, pertenecían a distintas Tierras. Esto ayudó a dar una visión sólida e integrada del nuevo Universo DC. Esta fue la famosa serie escrita por Keith Giffen y J.M. DeMatteis, con dibujos en un principio del expresivo Kevin Maguire. Él éxito de su fórmula, de género superheroico con mucho humor, propició que sus autores se quedasen durante cinco años y que apareciesen después un buen puñado de spin-offs para tratar de paliar su ausencia. Pero por desgracia no siguieron ni el tono ni calidad de la serie precedente, y explotaron el peor lado de los años 90 en títulos como Justice League Task Force o Extreme Justice.
En 1996 toda la línea de Justice League fue cancelada, pero lejos de dejar el concepto en barbecho unos cuantos guionistas se hicieron cargo de la nada sencilla misión de revitalizarlo, estando tan quemado como estaba. Por fin un cómic reuniría a los “Siete” en un solo grupo, por primera vez desde los tiempos pre-Crisis, y era el momento perfecto para hacerlo bien o definitivamente olvidarnos del tema. Pero el principal responsable de este regreso fue Mark Waid, que venía de escribir Kingdom Come, todo un alegato a la situación de los cómics en esos años, a todo lo que se había perdido, y a todo lo que él creía que debía ser. Así que darle vía libre para reunir de nuevo a los mayores héroes de DC no podían ser sino buenas noticias. De todos modos no se puede decir que arriesgase mucho a la hora de hacerlo, se alió con Fabian Nicieza y juntos escribieron esta JLA: Pesadilla de verano que reuniría a este grupo de héroes de nuevo por primera vez.
Por supuesto a esta miniserie siguió la aclamada etapa del grupo titulada simplemente JLA, que escribió Grant Morrison, que Planeta DeAgostini publicó en un voluminoso tomo y que ECC Ediciones se dispone ahora a publicar en cuatro partes en su línea de Grandes autores. De este modo JLA: Pesadilla de verano no es una “precuela”, palabro que se refiere a historias que, creadas posteriormente de otras, se sitúan cronológicamente antes que las primeras. Se trata de un prólogo con todas las de la ley, aunque desconozco si argumentalmente fue algo que coordinaron Waid y Morrison o simplemente el escocés retomó los cabos sueltos de JLA: Pesadilla de verano.
Y es curioso, porque la resolución “a medias” de esta historia recuerda mucho a la de The Multiversity, y de nuevo desconozco si es algo buscado o solamente casualidad por el hecho de que ambos cómics buscan ser el principio de algo mayor. Porque de eso trata JLA: Pesadilla de verano: de mostrar quiénes son estos héroes y demostrar, tanto a sí mismos como a nosotros los lectores, que es necesario que estén unidos. Waid y Nicieza encuentran una excusa perfecta para esto en su nada sutil argumento: por un lado toda la humanidad conseguirá superpoderes (sí, Waid también formó parte del equipo creativo de 52), y por otro los superhéroes protagonistas olvidarán quiénes eran, sumergidos en nuevas vidas que, mejores o no, les alejan de la que solían tener y, por extensión, de sus antiguas identidades superheroicas.
Como cualquier lector medianamente experimentado imaginará, los héroes deberán recordar quiénes son y qué les motiva para enfrentarse a la misteriosa amenaza que se cierne sobre la humanidad. Precisamente este hecho pondrá a cada uno de los personajes bajo el foco central y hará que les conozcamos bien individualmente antes de conocerles como grupo, lo cual es idóneo de cara a este planeado relanzamiento. Pero este es un cómic de superhéroes, no de arte y ensayo, y aunque tiene su componente psicológico es eminentemente de acción. El título original, “Midsummer’s Nightmare”, hace referencia a la obra de Shakespeare “Midsummer’s Night Dream”, “El sueño de una noche de verano”, y aunque argumentalmente no tiene nada que ver es un guiño a uno de los principales villanos de la historia, el Doctor Destiny, con poder sobre los sueños y la realidad. Pero pronto nos daremos cuenta de que hay algo más tras la extraña situación que atraviesa el planeta, y que la presencia de Destiny puede ser solamente la punta del iceberg.
No podemos hablar de uno de los mejores trabajos de Waid, pero sí contiene muchas de sus virtudes: gran caracterización, excelente tempo, un adecuado desarrollo del argumento sin descuidar los rasgos más íntimos de los personajes. Se aprecia la urgencia con que la miniserie fue realizada para que la nueva serie mensual JLA debutase a su término, incluso la presencia de más de un dibujante en una historia tan breve parece señalar en esa dirección, pero el resultado dadas las circunstancias es notable. Lo mejor, sin duda, el mencionado cambio de mentalidad con el que Waid quiere romper el estilo que impoeraba por entonces, ese deseo de recuperar la grandeza de los cómics de superhéroes y salir de esa oscura monotonía en la que estaban sumergidos. JLA: Pesadilla de verano nos recuerda por qué los miembros de la JLA son más que gente con poderes, por qué importan y, por encima de todo, nos recuerda qué es lo que nos gusta de estos cómics: la maravilla, la luminosidad, la esperanza que dan. La portada del tomo recopilatorio y de los cómics que lo componen, por cierto, son de Kevin Maguire, alguien que sabe muy bien transmitir esas ideas.
La proliferación de títulos relacionados con la Liga de la Justicia en un principio disimuló la realidad de que la calidad escaseaba, cegados como estábamos con la cantidad, pero a la larga fue evidente que necesitábamos un borrón y cuenta nueva, replantearnos qué era lo que queríamos de esta cabecera. Morrison escribiría esa versión entre clásica y novedosa que sería su JLA, y esta JLA: Pesadilla de verano sería su punto de partida.
http://www.zonanegativa.com/jla-pesad...
Una nueva generación de héroes ha aparecido en el Universo DC. Sus integrantes ya se cuentan por millones, pero hay algo que no cuadra. Nadie, absolutamente nadie, se acuerda de sus predecesores, ni siquiera ellos mismos. ¿Quién está detrás de la amnesia de Superman, Batman y compañía? Y, lo más importante, ¿quién detendrá lo que puede ser una amenaza de proporciones épicas?
De la importancia de este cómic en la historia editorial de DC Comics es difícil decir algo que no haya mencionado ya Grant Morrison en el acertado prólogo de este tomo. Quizá yo no tuve un punto de vista tan optimista, o tan radical, respecto a la forma de escribir cómics de entonces, pero lo que sí es cierto es que los cómics de superhéroes en general y los de la Liga de la Justicia en particular habían perdido su rumbo.
Su relanzamiento tras Legends, que en realidad fue la primera “Liga nueva” tras Crisis, fue refrescante, inmejorable. Aprovechando la ocasión brindada por la unión de Tierras en Crisis en Tierras infinitas se dejó a un lado a los “Siete Grandes” y el grupo fue formado por héroes que, originalmente, pertenecían a distintas Tierras. Esto ayudó a dar una visión sólida e integrada del nuevo Universo DC. Esta fue la famosa serie escrita por Keith Giffen y J.M. DeMatteis, con dibujos en un principio del expresivo Kevin Maguire. Él éxito de su fórmula, de género superheroico con mucho humor, propició que sus autores se quedasen durante cinco años y que apareciesen después un buen puñado de spin-offs para tratar de paliar su ausencia. Pero por desgracia no siguieron ni el tono ni calidad de la serie precedente, y explotaron el peor lado de los años 90 en títulos como Justice League Task Force o Extreme Justice.
En 1996 toda la línea de Justice League fue cancelada, pero lejos de dejar el concepto en barbecho unos cuantos guionistas se hicieron cargo de la nada sencilla misión de revitalizarlo, estando tan quemado como estaba. Por fin un cómic reuniría a los “Siete” en un solo grupo, por primera vez desde los tiempos pre-Crisis, y era el momento perfecto para hacerlo bien o definitivamente olvidarnos del tema. Pero el principal responsable de este regreso fue Mark Waid, que venía de escribir Kingdom Come, todo un alegato a la situación de los cómics en esos años, a todo lo que se había perdido, y a todo lo que él creía que debía ser. Así que darle vía libre para reunir de nuevo a los mayores héroes de DC no podían ser sino buenas noticias. De todos modos no se puede decir que arriesgase mucho a la hora de hacerlo, se alió con Fabian Nicieza y juntos escribieron esta JLA: Pesadilla de verano que reuniría a este grupo de héroes de nuevo por primera vez.
Por supuesto a esta miniserie siguió la aclamada etapa del grupo titulada simplemente JLA, que escribió Grant Morrison, que Planeta DeAgostini publicó en un voluminoso tomo y que ECC Ediciones se dispone ahora a publicar en cuatro partes en su línea de Grandes autores. De este modo JLA: Pesadilla de verano no es una “precuela”, palabro que se refiere a historias que, creadas posteriormente de otras, se sitúan cronológicamente antes que las primeras. Se trata de un prólogo con todas las de la ley, aunque desconozco si argumentalmente fue algo que coordinaron Waid y Morrison o simplemente el escocés retomó los cabos sueltos de JLA: Pesadilla de verano.
Y es curioso, porque la resolución “a medias” de esta historia recuerda mucho a la de The Multiversity, y de nuevo desconozco si es algo buscado o solamente casualidad por el hecho de que ambos cómics buscan ser el principio de algo mayor. Porque de eso trata JLA: Pesadilla de verano: de mostrar quiénes son estos héroes y demostrar, tanto a sí mismos como a nosotros los lectores, que es necesario que estén unidos. Waid y Nicieza encuentran una excusa perfecta para esto en su nada sutil argumento: por un lado toda la humanidad conseguirá superpoderes (sí, Waid también formó parte del equipo creativo de 52), y por otro los superhéroes protagonistas olvidarán quiénes eran, sumergidos en nuevas vidas que, mejores o no, les alejan de la que solían tener y, por extensión, de sus antiguas identidades superheroicas.
Como cualquier lector medianamente experimentado imaginará, los héroes deberán recordar quiénes son y qué les motiva para enfrentarse a la misteriosa amenaza que se cierne sobre la humanidad. Precisamente este hecho pondrá a cada uno de los personajes bajo el foco central y hará que les conozcamos bien individualmente antes de conocerles como grupo, lo cual es idóneo de cara a este planeado relanzamiento. Pero este es un cómic de superhéroes, no de arte y ensayo, y aunque tiene su componente psicológico es eminentemente de acción. El título original, “Midsummer’s Nightmare”, hace referencia a la obra de Shakespeare “Midsummer’s Night Dream”, “El sueño de una noche de verano”, y aunque argumentalmente no tiene nada que ver es un guiño a uno de los principales villanos de la historia, el Doctor Destiny, con poder sobre los sueños y la realidad. Pero pronto nos daremos cuenta de que hay algo más tras la extraña situación que atraviesa el planeta, y que la presencia de Destiny puede ser solamente la punta del iceberg.
No podemos hablar de uno de los mejores trabajos de Waid, pero sí contiene muchas de sus virtudes: gran caracterización, excelente tempo, un adecuado desarrollo del argumento sin descuidar los rasgos más íntimos de los personajes. Se aprecia la urgencia con que la miniserie fue realizada para que la nueva serie mensual JLA debutase a su término, incluso la presencia de más de un dibujante en una historia tan breve parece señalar en esa dirección, pero el resultado dadas las circunstancias es notable. Lo mejor, sin duda, el mencionado cambio de mentalidad con el que Waid quiere romper el estilo que impoeraba por entonces, ese deseo de recuperar la grandeza de los cómics de superhéroes y salir de esa oscura monotonía en la que estaban sumergidos. JLA: Pesadilla de verano nos recuerda por qué los miembros de la JLA son más que gente con poderes, por qué importan y, por encima de todo, nos recuerda qué es lo que nos gusta de estos cómics: la maravilla, la luminosidad, la esperanza que dan. La portada del tomo recopilatorio y de los cómics que lo componen, por cierto, son de Kevin Maguire, alguien que sabe muy bien transmitir esas ideas.
La proliferación de títulos relacionados con la Liga de la Justicia en un principio disimuló la realidad de que la calidad escaseaba, cegados como estábamos con la cantidad, pero a la larga fue evidente que necesitábamos un borrón y cuenta nueva, replantearnos qué era lo que queríamos de esta cabecera. Morrison escribiría esa versión entre clásica y novedosa que sería su JLA, y esta JLA: Pesadilla de verano sería su punto de partida.
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February 27, 2020In 1996, the Justice League was a mess. Their three titles weren’t selling well and they had members no one really cared about; shouldn’t JLA be a flagship title? Enter this three-issue miniseries. Mark Waid and Fabian Nicieza essentially reboot the franchise here, telling a story that reconfigures the team to feature its original seven members (substitute Barry Allen with Wally West and Hal Jordan with Kyle Rayner). This set the stage for a new JLA series spearheaded by Grant Morrison and later helmed by Waid. I was ready to dive into those books when I read about this one and figured I’d give it a shot first. So does it make me excited for what’s next?
Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of team books. I love these characters, but stick them all together in a story and I’m usually unimpressed. JLA stories are fun, sure, and this one is fairly fun. As Morrison suggests in his introduction, Midsummer’s Nightmare was a deliberate attempt to move away from grim ‘n’ gritty to more Silver Age sensibilities. Waid was the perfect match, then, and the story could easily have been conceived in the 60’s: the original seven find themselves dreaming in a world where they’re some of the only ones without superpowers. Problem is, they don’t remember their superhero histories at first. It plays out basically how you expect, and by the end the team is back together, ready for issue one of JLA. The story has it’s moments, though it doesn’t really stand out. I appreciate the relatively lighter tone Waid and Nicieza aim for. They clearly love these characters, and the interactions are the best part. However, when it comes to the last issue, full of exposition and fighting, I’m bored. It’s standard JLA stuff and I can’t really get excited about it.
I hope I like the main JLA series. I’ve heard great things about Morrison and Waid’s runs, and if this story is any indication, I’ll at least have some sort of fun with them.
Honestly, I’m not a huge fan of team books. I love these characters, but stick them all together in a story and I’m usually unimpressed. JLA stories are fun, sure, and this one is fairly fun. As Morrison suggests in his introduction, Midsummer’s Nightmare was a deliberate attempt to move away from grim ‘n’ gritty to more Silver Age sensibilities. Waid was the perfect match, then, and the story could easily have been conceived in the 60’s: the original seven find themselves dreaming in a world where they’re some of the only ones without superpowers. Problem is, they don’t remember their superhero histories at first. It plays out basically how you expect, and by the end the team is back together, ready for issue one of JLA. The story has it’s moments, though it doesn’t really stand out. I appreciate the relatively lighter tone Waid and Nicieza aim for. They clearly love these characters, and the interactions are the best part. However, when it comes to the last issue, full of exposition and fighting, I’m bored. It’s standard JLA stuff and I can’t really get excited about it.
I hope I like the main JLA series. I’ve heard great things about Morrison and Waid’s runs, and if this story is any indication, I’ll at least have some sort of fun with them.
March 22, 2020
An interesting idea: superheroes and "normal" people have their roles swapped. The heroes are now a part of a powerless minority and the rest of the world has superpowers. Add in some amnesia and you have a set-up for an interesting story. And in the beginning... yeah, I was engaged. But, by the end, it seemed a little hard to follow. I'm admittedly not familiar with the villains that were center stage, but I've read comics with unfamiliar villains before and been able to follow effortlessly. It really depends on writing and storytelling and this... just kinda seemed rushed by the end. And... not gonna lie... I really can't take anything seriously with Super-Fabio. I tried. Really. But... wow, that was an interesting time in Superman's history.
August 2, 2023
This book was a great quick read. The Justice League are basically all sent into a dream state where they do not know that they are super heroes and most of the book is spent on them discovering their powers which I enjoyed. Turns out the big baddie in this book was Know Man who was trying to create a planet full of super heroes to face a larger threat that he foresaw. Unfortunately for him, the JLA stopped him and now that threat is making its way toward Earth. As someone who does not read a lot of JLA, this was very easy to get through with very little confusion.
March 29, 2020
Il volume raccoglie la mini che lanciò successivamente la JLA di Morrison e Porter.
Waid e Nicieza scrivono una buona storia, ben articolata e dove ognuno dei 7 protagonisti ha il suo spazio e viene trattato nel modo corretto. I disegni sono di Johnson e Robertson e nell'insieme sono di alto livello. Il volume si presenta bene.
Quindi le 3 stelle ci stanno tutte, mezza in più per i ricordi che ho rileggendola.
Waid e Nicieza scrivono una buona storia, ben articolata e dove ognuno dei 7 protagonisti ha il suo spazio e viene trattato nel modo corretto. I disegni sono di Johnson e Robertson e nell'insieme sono di alto livello. Il volume si presenta bene.
Quindi le 3 stelle ci stanno tutte, mezza in più per i ricordi che ho rileggendola.
February 21, 2021
A very imaginative tale. I expect no less from Mark Waid and Fabian Nicieza. The art is typical of that mid-nineties style. Blocky and heavily lined. This story loosely influenced the Justice League cartoon in parts. It’s easy to read and not as densely written as a Grant Morrison JL tale. This one took me by surprise. I hope one day we get this exact lineup including Kyle and Wally on a team again. Exceptional and I highly recommend it.
February 3, 2023
I mean it's fun. It kinda hits all the right notes for a soft reboot to fast track the "big 7" back into the Justice League after years of absence. The idea of a dream bringing everyone together is cool and using Doctor Destiny is the key to my heart but Know Man is lame. And having read the first arc of JLA right before this - it's immediately apparent that Waid - though he gets the characters and can create chemistry between them, can't WRITE like Morrison can.
May 30, 2020
Mark Waid and Fabian Nicieza bring together the big guns of the DC Universe to form a new Justice League gorgeously illustrated by Jeff Johnson and Darick Robertson. This miniseries sets the stage for a resurgence of the JLA as the World's Greatest Super-Heroes! Very enjoyable exploration of the various psyches and personalities of the Leaguers and why they would make a good team.
January 1, 2022
The beginning of one of my favorite versions of the Justice League. Back when this mini-series was first published it was a rebirth of sorts. A new era for the Justice League, bringing together iconic heroes for a new generation, to face threats too big for any single one of them to defeat. This was a great way to begin this chapter of the story of the justice League.
November 10, 2022
Not quite as good as I remembered it being from when I read it the first time when it came out in the 90s, but still a very solid, very enjoyable introduction to the team that was about to become Grant Morrison’s JLA.
October 18, 2017
3,0
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December 7, 2019
Does the job, but would've benefited from more pages so things don't feel so rushed.
November 1, 2021
Shakespeare horked DC's script!
Excellent!
Excellent!
August 18, 2022
The first issue was a mess. The third issue had a weird ending with the villain that felt unresolved and half-baked.
May 14, 2023
I was really excited seeing Destiny on the first page. Then all my energy went downhill from there. Nothing really special, actually. But it's not like it was bad either. "Soft reboot" sounds right.
September 25, 2023
*shrug* I expected more tbh! And this is so nitpicky, BUT the descriptions of each of the 7 at the end of the book turned me SO OFF I almost bumped it down to a 2 star rating
March 22, 2021
Oh nostalgia, reminds me of some of the old JLA cartoons I grew up with. Writer knows his material and characters well.
October 18, 2014
In the late 80s and early 90s, Justice League was THE joke. But as the decade continued and the series expanded to three titles with memberships consisting of B-, C-, and even D-grade characters, Justice League became A joke. Then in late 1996, DC Comics restarted the series featuring “The Magnificent Seven” A-listers helmed by Grant Morrison.
"A Midsummer’s Nightmare” was the intro series that kickstarted the new monthly title, this one written by Mark Waid who also brought along Marvel-mainstay Fabian Nicieza, featured the reality-warping powers of Dr. Destiny and introduced the new threat Know-Man who give superhuman powers to everyone on earth, except for the would-be Justice Leaguers.
The first two issues play with the cliches of an amnesia storyline and maintain an element of fun as the Leaguers slowly remember themselves and re-assemble. Unfortunately, the third issue is mostly the typical good-guy vs bad-guy slugfest with a lot of heroic posturing and too many open-ended and inconsequential questions regarding Know-Man. The team comes together at the end, which is all that matters. Nonetheless, a fun read with good artwork.
"A Midsummer’s Nightmare” was the intro series that kickstarted the new monthly title, this one written by Mark Waid who also brought along Marvel-mainstay Fabian Nicieza, featured the reality-warping powers of Dr. Destiny and introduced the new threat Know-Man who give superhuman powers to everyone on earth, except for the would-be Justice Leaguers.
The first two issues play with the cliches of an amnesia storyline and maintain an element of fun as the Leaguers slowly remember themselves and re-assemble. Unfortunately, the third issue is mostly the typical good-guy vs bad-guy slugfest with a lot of heroic posturing and too many open-ended and inconsequential questions regarding Know-Man. The team comes together at the end, which is all that matters. Nonetheless, a fun read with good artwork.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 45 reviews