The formation of superhero teams makes perfect sense in comic books. The goal of the heroes is to protect the innocent and to vanquish evil. A superhero is only able to do so much on their own. As the evil threats grow, the heroes need to increase their numbers in order to continue to save innocent lives.
In the "New 52," it was the threat of Darkseid and his attack against the world that lead to the creation of the Justice League. Batman soon found himself meeting Green Lantern, Superman and Flash followed by Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Cyborg. It was their combined might and skills that lead to Darkseid's defeat. Continuing to fight as a team was a logical decision.
In the five years they've existed, apparently they haven't been too open to expanding their roster. There were a couple attempts and the team decided they could only trust each other to be members of the team. Despite the UN's attempt and failure with the Justice League International, there is a new Justice League team forming. Steve Trevor's involvement suggests this is another government formed team possibly with A.R.G.U.S. invovled. The roster has some interesting choices but most makes sense in their own way. Looking at each member shows how they will be an asset to the new team.
== TEASER ==Steve Trevor
If the Justice League had an actual eighth member it would be Steve Trevor. He has been the only one outside the team the members have communicated with. He's the only one that knows more about them than others. Trevor's had the most contact with them and knows some of their secrets. If anyone could be in charge of a new team with the League's blessings, it would be Steve.
Besides just having contact with the team and having a crush on Wonder Woman, there is more to Trevor. He was a member of Team 7, which we'll be finding out more about in the coming months. Originally Team 7 consisted of members with special abilities aside from their military training. I was hoping that Trevor could possibly have some extra abilities when it was first revealed he was part of the team. His recent capture by the League's enemy, Graves, gave him the opportunity to use them but he didn't show any signs of them.
Trevor has also been busy, standing up to Constantine and the unofficial Justice League Dark as he tries to maintain the safety of the world from magical forces. His involvement with A.R.G.U.S., the agency created to fight superhuman threats, makes him the right person to be involved with a new team. Rrevor most likely had the idea of a new team cooking since JUSTICE LEAGUE #8.
Vibe
Who is Vibe? Why should he be on the team? The addition of Vibe may come as a surprise to some. He had a short-lived career in the pre-New 52 comics and was killed in action as a member of the Justice League.
Vibe is young and most likely eager. His power to create vibrations and cause destruction could be useful in a battle. Having him on the team could also be a way to keep an eye on him and make sure he is steered in the right path.
Because Vibe hasn't been too active in the New 52 so far, he could remain a bit of an unknown among villains. There's also the fact that he was a skilled breakdancer and likely could use his moves and agility in combat or stealth situations.
There was a mention of Vibe aside from his appearance in the Free Comic Book Day issue. We'll have to wait and see how much of his backstory has changed or remains the same to determine why he's part of the team. He does appear to provide some firepower they could use.
Catwoman
Isn't she a thief? Didn't she recently escape police custody and was a suspect in the murder of her friend?
One of Catwoman's advantages is her association with Batman. Of course the Dark Knight would vouch for her. He would see being part of the Justice League as a possible way to redeem herself and could keep her out of trouble. Catwoman may be a thief but a lot of what she does is for the thrill and excitement. Of course being in the League will lead to exciting times.
Besides her hand to hand fighting skills, Catwoman also has a way of getting in wherever she needs to go. Her skills as a thief allow her the stealth that could be essential if this team plans on taking on less missions involving sheer brute strength. There may be times when the team needs to do things behind the scenes. They may need to get to places without a huge public
There's also the possibility that she might not have too much of a choice. Her participation could be a way to clear her of certain charges looming over her head. It wouldn't be the first we've seen characters blackmailed into joining teams. Catwoman isn't someone that can be especially tamed. There's got to be some big reason for her to be on the team. Even if she was being blackmailed, she'd find a way around that.
Martian Manhunter
Previously in the New 52, Martian Manhunter was part of Stormwatch. He just recently quit and wiped the memories of his teammates. He felt his time with the team was at an end and they didn't need him anymore.
We also saw that he has had contact the Justice League before. It didn't go too well. Afterwards he was seen still keeping tabs on the team. He told himself, "They're not prepared." Prepared for what?
J'onn will be an asset to the team. Although his recent behavior will ensure everyone better stay on their toes to make sure he doesn't wipe their memories when he feels his time is up. How he gets involved will be the important part. Will he seek Trevor out and be the one to push for this team or is Steve somehow staying in touch with him?
Baz - New Green Lantern
Baz is another wild card. Something is going down in the GREEN LANTERN comics and we're supposed to be seeing the death of a Lantern. While we could speculate on which GL from Earth is dying, we won't do that here.
If you're going to form a new Justice League team, it makes perfect sense to get a Green Lantern on board. The question is, where does his allegiances lie? If we're seeing a new Green Lantern being added to the Corps now, right when the Guardians are plotting to take them down, you have to wonder if they had anything to do with his being appointed. Also, how will he be convinced to join a team on Earth when he has the power to fly through space?
Looking at that final image in the Free Comic Book Day issue (below), you have to wonder what this team is going to stand for.
Stargirl
Many felt that Catwoman on the team was a surprise but Stargirl is another. This is a character whose history and origin is tied to some older characters.
Stargirl first gained a Cosmic Belt from Pat Dugan, who was dating her mom. She was later given a Star Rod by Jack Knight. These other characters haven't been seen or mentioned in the New 52. It'll be interesting to see what her origin is now and how much will remain the same.
If she's still 16, it's pretty impressive that she would be included on the Justice League and not another team of younger heroes first, such as the Teen Titans. This is quite a jump for a young hero that apparently hasn't had any time in the spotlight before this.
A lot depends on how the team will be sanctioned. The "of America" part of the name makes you think they will be a public team. Some of the choices are suspect. Having an underaged hero would surely raise some eyebrows.
Katana
Katana has been a member of the Birds of Prey. But she hasn't exactly been the most stable member. After spending time fighting the Yakuza after they killed her husband, she became a member of Black Canary's Birds of Prey team. She claims her husband's soul is contained in the blade of her sword and spends time talking to him/it. Katana is also known for not exactly holding back when facing enemies.
This is continuing to make the inclusion of some members to this new team a little uncertain. Again, depending on the nature of the team, whether it's public or covert, having a killer on the team doesn't seem like the best idea in terms of public relations.
Perhaps Trevor will find a way to control her better. Perhaps his resources could promise her the closure she might crave.
Hawkman
What has Hawkman been up to in the New 52? There have been several versions of Hawkman over the years but we've been seeing the Carter Hall version. He has the Nth Metal in his body and has been trying to find out more about it. He's also had visions of a female that looked familiar but he couldn't place her name. He was also told some answers would lie on the planet Thanagar.
Hawkman is another wildcard for the team. He hasn't shown any signs of wanting to be a teamplayer or even a public superhero. Due to his savage nature (it's in the title of his comic), this could lead to some more instability on the team. Hawkman has often had difficulty holding his anger in check. Why he's being brought onto the team remains to be seen.
Green Arrow
Green Arrow has been dying to be part of the team. He made it more than obvious how much it means to him and the rest of the League kept shutting him out. Steve Trevor did talk to him after his numerous attempts to insert himself onto the team. He told Steve that he knows them and that they aren't superheroes but instead, they're like him. He feels the League needs a social conscience. He feels he could do more with a team than he currently is. He wants to prove that he really has changed.
What's interesting about this conversation is Steve makes it clear they won't ask him or anyone to be part of the team. So where exactly does that leave this upcoming roster?
Steve told Green Arrow that because he knows how to navigate and conquer the corporate world and can manipulate politics and people, he had a team that would be good for him. He had another team that could use a social conscience. Apparently this will be that team.
It was in that final image in the Free Comic Book Day issue set in "the near future" that we see what appears to be a conflict between the Justice League and the Justice League of America. It has to do with the Trinity War and the item Pandora liberated from the fabled Pandora's Box that was in the custody of A.R.G.U.S. These two teams, along with a few others, will be fighting each other.
We have to wait to see what events lead up to that and why the two teams are not working together. Steve Trevor recently underwent a great amount of torture and apparently died because of his association with the League. Obviously he gets better but has that experience left a sour taste in his mouth? Could he be forming this team to stand by his side and to work against the League?
At first the team appeared to have a lot of potential. It still does but also contains several unstable elements. If it's Trevor or Martian Manhunter leading and controlling this team, they're going to have their hands full.
Tony Guerrero is the Editor-in-Chief of Comic Vine. You can follow him on Twitter @GManFromHeck. He wonders if someday we'll have a Comic Vine International or a Comic Vine Dark...