Justice League Dark


Justice League Dark, or JLD, is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team made their debut in Justice League Dark #1. The team features some of the more supernatural characters in the DC Universe, handling mystical threats and situations deemed outside the scope of the traditional Justice League. Similarly to the Justice League title, the team features well-known characters such as John Constantine, Zatanna, Doctor Fate, and Wonder Woman while also bringing exposure to lesser-known supernatural characters. Two animated films were produced based on the team: Justice League Dark and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War.

Publication history

The New 52

Justice League Dark was announced on May 31, 2011, as a First Wave title of The New 52. The title and team was created by Peter Milligan, with art by Mikel Janín. The title launched on September 28, 2011. The title brought several of DC Comics' occult and offbeat characters, something which had been a trait of sister imprint Vertigo, back into the main DC Universe following Vertigo's editorial change to publish purely new, creator-owned content.
The Search for Swamp Thing, a three part miniseries released between June and August 2011 which led up to The New 52 relaunch, and followed the events of the Brightest Day maxiseries, follows John Constantine's search for the resurrected Alec Holland as the new Swamp Thing, involving the cooperation of Batman, Zatanna and Superman. In addition, the Flashpoint: Secret Seven miniseries, written by Milligan as part of the "Flashpoint" crossover story line, included the Enchantress and Shade, the Changing Man and introduced the character Mindwarp in the lead-up to the start of the series.
Peter Milligan stated in an interview that he got the job for the book from his work on the 2011 Flashpoint: Secret Seven miniseries, and that he hoped to write something "emotionally dark" set in the DC Universe, comparing his characters to detectives, who struggle to cope with the things they see and have to do. The initial anticipation for this title has been good, with critics celebrating the fact that DC are willing to bring back some of the darker elements which had moved over to Vertigo in the 1990s.
The opening story line involves the Enchantress' defeat of the Justice League, leading to the necessity of a more supernatural team to assist in these events, and detailing how they have come together. There is also a minor crossover story with I...Vampire. From issue #9, Sweet Tooth and Animal Man writer Jeff Lemire became the principal writer on the series. In his first story arc, Justice League Dark took residence in their new base, at the House of Mystery, and have started to show their links with the wider DC Universe, dealing with Steve Trevor and A.R.G.U.S.
In August 2013, it was announced that J. M. DeMatteis would take over as series writer from Lemire in November 2013, after a solo issue by Ray Fawkes in October. The series ended publication in March 2015.

[New Justice] (2018–2021)

In March 2018, a new volume of Justice League Dark was announced. Spinning out of the "Justice League: No Justice" story line, the title debuted in July 2018, written by James Tynion IV and drawn by Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, and Brad Anderson. The team features Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Man-Bat, and Detective Chimp, and is led by Wonder Woman. Additional magical characters from the DC Universe appeared in the series, like John Constantine and Doctor Fate, although initially not as members of the League.

[Infinite Frontier] (2021–2023)

The second volume ran regularly for 29 issues from July 2018 to February 2021. The team would continue to appear as a back-up feature in the mainline Justice League series from issue #59 in May 2021 to issue #71 in March 2022 with guest appearances throughout issues #72 to 74.

[Dawn of DC] (2023–2024)

In the Knight Terrors story arc of 2023, the team members find themselves falling victim to the spells of Insomnia, becoming trapped by him within his Knightmare Realm. Remaining awake through the chaos, Zatanna and Robotman team up to defend the unconscious Detective Chimp against Insomnia's Sleepless Knights, and the Sleeping Queen. The third volume of the Justice Society of America included supporting appearances from the Justice League Dark, with Deadman and Madame Xanadu returning to the team. The series also introduces a predecessor to the Justice League Dark known as the 'Justice Society Dark', consisting of Zatara and the escape artist Thaddeus Brown.

Overview

Headquarters

In the original run by Peter Milligan, the Justice League Dark team first operated out of the House of Mystery, first owned by John Constantine. Due to the nature of the house and his manipulations, the team could be called at any time by Constantine until its acquisition by Zatanna. In the second series onward, the team's headquarters is changed to the Dark Quarters, located half a mile underneath the Hall of Justice and built upon Wonder Woman's request of spearheading an official division of the Justice League dedicated to dealing with mystical threats.

Members

Typically consisting of supernatural-related heroes of the DC Universe, the team's original creative direction involved minimal contact with the mainstream Justice League, operating in secrecy. First organized by Madame Xanadu to prevent a horrific future, the first iteration's reoccurring conflict involved various rivalries and problems concerning team dynamics, especially those stemmed from Constantine's leadership including coercion and manipulation. In the second iteration founded by Wonder Woman, the team is cast as an official Justice League-sponsored subsect dedicated to handling mystical matters. Among its re-occurring conflict includes Wonder Woman's navigating the difficulties of mystical matters, Zatanna's reluctance in a role leadership, and the team's relationship with the reluctant mystical community of the DC Universe.

Other versions

In other media

Television

  • Justice League Dark was scheduled to appear in an episode of Constantine prior to its cancellation.
  • Justice League Dark was planned to appear in Swamp Thing and star in a spin-off series prior to the former's cancellation.
  • In January 2020, Warner Media and Bad Robot were working to create a Justice League Dark universe in film and television. In April 2020, a television series centered on the Justice League Dark characters was moving forward for HBO Max, with J. J. Abrams and Ben Stephenson serving as executive producers. It was no longer moving forward by February 2023.

Film

Animated

Justice League Dark appear in films set in the DC Animated Movie Universe, consisting of Zatanna, Deadman, Etrigan the Demon, and Black Orchid.

Live action

Rumors in November 2012 suggested that Guillermo del Toro was working on a Justice League Dark film titled Heaven Sent. It would feature Deadman, the Spectre, the Swamp Thing, John Constantine, the Phantom Stranger, Zatanna, Zatara, Sargon the Sorcerer, and Etrigan. Del Toro later confirmed in January 2013 that he was working on such a film, with the working title, Dark Universe, and was hiring a screenwriter. Del Toro revealed the Swamp Thing, Constantine, the Spectre, Deadman, Zatanna and Zatara were characters in the story.
In March 2013, del Toro gave an update on the film at WonderCon 2013, while talking about his film Pacific Rim. He revealed that the story bible was complete and he hoped to start the screenplay soon. Production would begin after his next project, Crimson Peak. The film's story would center around John Constantine recruiting the Swamp Thing, Etrigan, Deadman, the Spectre, and Zatanna. The film would not be an origin story, with each character already established and elements of their backstory coming into play throughout the film. Del Toro also revealed that the Floronic Man would be in the film. In May 2013, del Toro revealed that his script featured Constantine, the Swamp Thing, Madame Xanadu, Deadman and Zatanna as the team, with others "in the mix". He also revealed that he was still waiting for the go-ahead from Warner Bros. Pictures. Del Toro revealed in July 2013 that he hoped that the DC Extended Universe, which started with Man of Steel, would become as cohesive as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he added that if there was any correlation to that universe and this film, he would honor it.
In October 2013, del Toro stated he felt his film would be able to coexist with the television series Constantine and reiterated that the film was still active and in the writing process. In July 2014, del Toro once again stated he was working on the film, and stated it would be independent from the universe established with Man of Steel, saying, "DC and Warners have been very clear that they are trying to keep separate so when the time comes they can unite them, once they know they’re quantifiable." Del Toro also added that his Constantine would not adhere to the continuity established in the television series, but he would consider incorporating elements from it, and even think about casting the same actor. In November 2014, del Toro confirmed that the script was complete and handed it in to Warner Bros. to be reviewed. In December 2014, he hinted that the film would be part of the DC Extended Universe.
In April 2015, del Toro said the script revision has been handed in and if there was availability in his schedule, he would direct it; if not, "somebody else will do it... needs to fall into the plan of the shared universe." In June 2015, the film was confirmed to still be in development at Warner Bros., with some of their other Vertigo Comics film adaptions moving to New Line Cinema. The Hollywood Reporter stated that del Toro was no longer attached to the project. In July 2016, Swamp Thing test footage was released directed by Joseph Kahn. In August 2016, it was announced that Doug Liman would direct the film with del Toro and Scott Rudin producing and Michael Gilio writing, with the film being titled Dark Universe. By May 2017, Liman left the film to focus on directing Chaos Walking. At San Diego Comic-Con in July 2017, the film's title was announced to be Justice League Dark. In January 2020, Deadline reported that WarnerMedia and Bad Robot are working to create a Justice League Dark universe in film and TV. The initiative has stalled by 2023.

Video games