The Watchtower

The meeting room of the Justice League was large and expansive, with a massive round table complete with six chairs surrounding it. As of right now, all those chairs were empty, save for three.

J'onn J'onzz, the Manhunter from Mars, spoke first. “We haven't much time to waste. If the League is going to be restructured, we need to move as soon as possible.”

“We're missing a good portion of our usual strength.” Clark Kent, Superman. Krypton's Last Son and perhaps the most venerated hero on Earth. “Diana and Arthur both have concerns of their own, and Kyle...”

“You can say it, Clark--Kyle's dead.” The third man present, the only native-born Terran. Bruce Wayne, the Batman. To some, an urban legend. To others, a frightening reality.

“Wally's an obvious choice,” said Superman.

“Assuming he wants to return,” said the Batman. “The League isn't something everyone wants to be part of.”

“Are you referring to Wally or yourself?” asked Superman.

The Batman paused momentarily, elbows on the armrests of his chair, his hands interlocked and his index fingers resting against his lips. He considered Superman's words, considered his own dealings in Gotham, and finally opened his mouth to speak.

“I'll stay.”

“Thank you, Bruce,” said the Martian Manhunter. “Your presence here means a great deal to the League. If not for you, we might still be under Despero's thrall.”

The Martian turned to the Kryptonian. “What about you, Clark? Have you made a decision?”

Superman nodded. “I'm staying, too. Although between events in Metropolis and another investigation Bruce and I are conducting, I won't be able to commit to a leadership role again.”

“We have a fine leader as it is,” said the Batman, looking at J'onn.

“Are you sure?” asked the Martian Manhunter. “The League hasn't exactly prospered under my leadership.”

“You did the best you could,” said Superman. “You kept the League together through a very difficult time.”

“Then as leader, I believe we should go with a twelve-slot roster,” said the Martian Manhunter.

“Twelve's a big number,” said the Batman.

“So are the threats we face,” said the Martian Manhunter.

“I'm in agreement with J'onn, actually,” said Superman. “Not all twelve members will go on every mission.”

“Smaller teams for smaller missions based on their skills.” The Batman offered a slight nod. “It's a good plan, let's go with it.”

“In that case, we have a big question to answer,” said the Martian Manhunter. A telepathic command brought up a holographic display of those who recently assisted the League against Tala and Despero as well as any other heroes associated with the team.

“Who makes the cut?” asked J'onn.

	The World's Greatest Superheroes! NEW BEGINNINGS
JLA #49 April, Year Six	by Dino Pollard

MARTIAN MANHUNTER	SUPERMAN	THE BATMAN	THE FLASH	ARSENAL

Keystone City

The patrons and tellers all crouched on their knees, bent over with their hands on their heads. Five men circled around, each of them holding a shotgun, each of them wearing a rubber Halloween mask.

“Everyone just be calm and you'll be outta here without a scratch,” said a man in a Freddy Krueger mask. “Your money's insured, it'll be back in your accounts before you know it. So no one try to be a hero, okay?”

“Hey, you sure this is a smart idea?” asked a guy in a Batman mask. “Doesn't this town have some sort of local superhero?”

“Yeah, but last I saw, he was busy tearing up Metropolis,” said Freddy. “He's probably got a lot more to worry about than some bank robbers.” He called out to one of the men behind the counter. “How's it going over there?”

The man in a Ghostface mask looked up from looting the teller drawers. “Doing good so far.”

“Beautiful,” said Freddy.

“The money's really insured, right?” asked a man in a devil mask. “They're not gonna lose everything, right?”

“Their money's fine,” said the fifth man, who wore a Michael Myers mask. “The government gives them a refund, we get some extra scratch, and these people have a story they can tell at parties for the rest of their lives. It's a win-win all around.”

A red arrow cut through the air, striking Michael in the shoulder. “Argh, what the crap?”

“Not only that, but I get to kick some bank-robber ass,” said Arsenal, dropping from the ceiling, suspended by a jump-line that disconnected once he landed on the ground. He raised the bow again, pulling back on the string. “And then, you guys get to meet your future husbands in the joint. So yeah, wins all around.”

“SHOOT HIM!” shouted Michael.

The other three men opened fire with their shotguns and Arsenal leaped for cover behind a desk. “Hey, no fair using shotguns when I've got a bow and arrow!” He folded up his bow, affixing it to its holding spot behind his back. His hands went to the holsters strapped to his thighs, drawing the energy blasters he kept there.

Arsenal leaned forward and put all his weight on his feet. He sprung up, flipping in the air and bringing his guns forward, firing non-lethal energy charges at the gunmen. Devil and Freddy both lost their shotguns and another blast struck them both in the chest.

Roy Harper landed right behind Batman and pointed the gun at his head. “I know Batman. Batman's a friend of mine... kind of. And you, sir...” He raised the gun and pistol-whipped the thief. “You're no Batman.”

SHK

The sound of a shotgun being cocked was unmistakable and Arsenal kicked himself for forgetting the fifth guy. Ghostface held the shotgun to the hero's head, smiling beneath the white and black rubber. “Nice speech. Maybe it can go on your headstone.”

Arsenal felt a gust of wind and smiled. Ghostface was surprised to find that the shotgun was now gone. He turned around and saw the Flash standing behind him. At the speedster's feet was the shotgun, completely disassembled. Before Ghostface could react, Arsenal head-butted him, knocking him unconscious.

“I was wondering if you were even going to show up,” said Arsenal.

The Flash jerked his thumb towards the exit. “Let's go. We need to have a talk.”

The Watchtower

“Jade,” said the Martian Manhunter.

“She came in handy during the fight against Tala,” said Superman. “She's also been doing this for a while and the team could use a Green Lantern.”

“She's a good pick,” said the Batman.

“If Diana's not available, we need someone who can fill her shoes,” said Superman. “Barda seems logical.”

“If you want Barda, I imagine Scott comes with, which is fine by me,” said the Batman. “The question is, will they want to join?”

“I wonder...” said J'onn.

“About what?” asked Superman.

“Both Aztek and Zauriel said something big is coming, and Despero's recent display of power seems to confirm that this is just the beginning,” said J'onn. “The New Gods here could be a confirmation of that.”

“Speaking of Aztek, what about him?” asked Superman.

“He came in handy against Tala as well as Blaze and Satanus,” said J'onn.

“But how much do we really know about him?” asked the Batman.

“If I know you, you've probably already worked up a background check,” said Superman with a smirk.

“Actually, I have,” said the Batman. “He hasn't been active in Vanity for very long, but he has done some good work there. I'm more worried about this Q Foundation that gave him his powers. There's not much I was able to dig up on them.”

“I have to admit I'm a little surprised and disappointed in you, Bruce,” said Superman, a smile on both his and the Martian Manhunter's face.

“I just haven't been at it long enough,” said the Batman. “I'll find out more, I promise you that much.”

“I don't think it's something we should be very concerned about at the moment,” said J'onn. “I believe Aztek has proven himself and I'd like to offer him a slot.”

“The three of us, Jade, Flash, Aztek, Barda and Miracle,” said the Batman. That leaves four slots open.”

“What about Jefferson?” asked the Martian Manhunter.

“No,” said the Batman.

“Why not?” asked Superman. “You know him better than us, Bruce. Why wouldn't you vouch for him?”

“Actually, I do vouch for him, he's an old friend, a trusted ally and a good man,” said the Batman. “But I want him somewhere else.”

“And would you care to share this with the rest of us?” asked the Martian Manhunter.

“It's important,” said the Batman. “I think we have enough brawn on the team, though. We could use a bit more stealth.”

“Roy?” asked Superman.

“Funny that the people you've suggested have either shot you with an arrow or pummeled you into the ground,” said the Batman. “You must be a glutton for punishment.”

“Obviously you've met my wife,” said Superman with a chuckle.

Keystone City

“Me in the Justice League, huh?” asked Roy. “I dunno, those are some pretty big shoes to fill, man.”

“You've earned it, I wouldn't be surprised if they offered you a slot,” said Wally.

“As long as it's not because they need a stand-in for Ollie,” said Roy. “What about you? You gonna go back to the League?”

“I haven't decided yet,” said Wally. “After what happened to Kyle, I don't think the League is the best place for me.”

“That why you're sporting the new threads?” asked Roy.

Wally looked down at his costume—dark red and silver. He shrugged. “Just felt right.”

“Hey, suit yourself, man,” said Roy. “Just don't start moping around. Dick's been kind of morose over the past few months and I don't need it from you, too.”

“It's nothing like that,” said Wally.

“So what is it like?” asked Roy.

“I don't want to talk about it, Roy. I'm just going through my own thing right now, okay?”

“Okay, no problem,” said Roy. “Okay, so say they offer me a slot. If I go, will you come with?”

“If you're there, sure,” said Wally. “So you're going to accept an offer?”

“Maybe,” said Roy. “Just as long as no one expects me to change my name to 'Red Arrow' or something equally lame.”

“Says the guy who once called himself Speedy.”

“That's my point, I'm sick of lame-ass codenames,” said Roy. “But Arsenal? That's bad ass, man.”

The Watchtower

“So that's that,” said Nightwing. “You've heard what I have to say, now how do you all feel about it?”

“I'm a little worried, to be honest,” said Supergirl. “How do you know you can trust this guy?”

“That's easy—I don't,” said Nightwing. “But this might be a chance to go after the people who fall through the cracks, the ones who fall beneath the JLA's radar and the ones the government won't send Task Force X after.”

“What the hell, I'm game,” said Shift.

“Kara?” asked Nightwing, turning to the statuesque blond alien who bore the sigil of the House of El.

“I'm in,” she said with a sigh. “Mostly to keep an eye on this guy. I don't know how much we can trust him.”

“Whatever gets you onboard,” said Nightwing. He turned to the third man in the room. “That just leaves you, Lightning.”

Jefferson Pierce thought about what Nightwing had said. He also thought about the brief conversation he had with the Batman before the Dark Knight went into his conference with Superman and the Martian Manhunter.

“Okay,” said Black Lightning. “You want me, Nightwing? You got me.”

“...and Roy makes nine,” said Superman.

“We need another thinker,” said the Batman. “The Atom?”

The Martian Manhunter shook his head. “Ray said he wants to focus on his research for now. He said he'd be available in an advisory capacity, however.”

“My vote goes for Steel,” said Superman.

“I'll second that,” said the Batman.

“Then Steel makes ten,” said J'onn. “We still have two more slots open and given the recent events with Neron, we'll need someone with knowledge of the supernatural—how about Zatanna?”

“She's already left,” said the Batman. “Said she had other matters to deal with at the moment.”

“Who else should we ask?” asked Superman. “Dr. Fate?”

As if on cue, a bright crackle of energy appeared in the conference room. Once the energy subsided, standing before the three heroes was an angel with pale skin and golden armor and by his side was a Native American man, his hair long and his bare chest covered with tattoos.

“Zauriel?” asked J'onn.

“Hope we haven't missed the recruitment drive,” said Zauriel, removing the golden helmet.

“And who's this?” asked the Batman.

“I'm called Manitou Raven,” said the Native American.

“And why are you here?” asked the Batman.

“Because I brought him,” said Zauriel.

“But why are you here?” asked J'onn of the angel. “You said you were returning to Heaven.”

“I tried,” said Zauriel. “Unfortunately, turns out Tala... corrupted me. I can't get past the gates. For better or worse, I'm stuck here on Earth. And I want to do my part to help you against the coming threat.”

“I fail to see what any of this has to do with this man,” said the Batman.

“I know a little of what's coming,” said Manitou Raven. “I have a feeling my experience will come in handy.”

“We do need someone with knowledge of the supernatural,” said J'onn via a telepathic link between himself, the Batman and Superman.

“That doesn't mean we just sign up the first person who walks through the door,” said the Batman. “This is all very convenient and I don't trust it.”

“You don't trust anyone, Bruce,” said Superman.

“And it's kept me alive so far,” said the Batman.

“I vouch for him,” said Zauriel. “Isn't that enough?”

“How did you—?” began J'onn.

“I'm an angel, I can see into your souls,” said Zauriel. “I know what you guys were talking about. And I know you need not only my help, but Raven's as well. So what do you think?”

Far beyond the surface of the moon, far beyond the planet Earth, far beyond the universe. Yet extremely close to it at the same time. In a space between life and death, is a darkness indescribable. Here in this darkness, the night reaches far and touches everything.

But then a light pierced the veil of the black night.

 ...a green light.

NEXT:  Blackest Night

HALL OF JUSTICE

It took some time to get to this point, but here we are. The Justice League is back, with a twelve-member roster. So I thought I would take this moment to talk about why I chose each of these guys.

MARTIAN MANHUNTER – This guy is Mr. Justice League. He's been there through almost every incarnation. He's the guy who held it all together after JLA/Avengers and he's the guy I knew had to be here.

SUPERMAN – You can't have the world's greatest superhero team without the world's greatest superhero, it's as simple as that.

BATMAN – Again, like with Superman, the JLA is supposed to be DC's big guns. That means you've gotta have the two biggest DC characters—Superman and Batman. They're the first superheroes and they'll always be two of my favorites.

THE FLASH – I wanted to try to keep as many of the big seven as I could, and Wally's a favorite of mine. Plus, dealing with the fall-out after Kyle's death is something that gives me some character to work with.

JADE – I needed a Green Lantern and I didn't want to use John Stewart or Guy Gardner. Alan Scott would actually have been my first choice, but I didn't want to step on Bertram's toes. So I went with Jade, who I've always liked. Although what does the ending of this issue mean...?

AZTEK – Anyone who knows me knows I'm a big fan of Grant Morrison, and his run on Aztek, The Ultimate Man with Mark Millar was some great, old-fashioned superheroics. I was a little disappointed that he didn't get much of a spotlight during Morrison's JLA run, so I decided to bring him back.

ZAURIEL – Like with Aztek, another one of Morrison's characters. This guy was just flat-out awesome during Morrison's run.

ARSENAL – I wanted an archer. Ollie's obviously dead and I didn't want to step on Jae's toes with Connor Hawke, so I decided to go with Roy, who's a fun guy to write and it's about time he graduated to the big leagues. But there's no Red Arrow over here—he's just Arsenal. Hell, in Roy's own words, it's a better name.

STEEL – Easily in my top ten list of favorite DC characters. I've used Steel in some capacity in almost every single DC fanfic I've ever written. So why not use him in this one as well?

BIG BARDA – Originally I had planned to use Wonder Woman. But when talking it over with Matt, I saw how far-reaching and in-depth his plans for Diana were and I didn't want to risk messing with those. So I thought it would be better to bring in another warrior woman. At first I was at a loss until I reread Morrison's run and discovered Barda all over again. She's every bit as tough as Diana and she fits into my far-reaching plots far more than Diana ever would have.

MR. MIRACLE – Scott here was a last-minute addition. Originally, I had planned to include the Atom and Red Tornado in this roster, but the more I thought about it, the more I realized I wasn't very familiar with them and I didn't have much for them to do. With Scott, it ties into the same far-reaching plots as Barda and also, it allows for some fun interaction between the couple.

MANITOU RAVEN – Like Mr. Miracle, a last-minute replacement. I scratched my head over who else to use and I settled on Raven. I've actually never read a comic with him before, but reading up on him struck my interest and I discovered he could fit into my plans really well. Yes, I know, if using a magical character why not go with Zatanna and her fishnets? And I considered it. But I figured I'd have more fun with Raven since he's a blank slate at JLU and Zatanna fans will get to see her in action over in Subculture's Hellblazer title.

So there you have it, the reasons behind the cast and expect some pretty big things on the horizon to menace this new team.

As for Nightwing, Supergirl, Shift and Black Lightning? Be sure to read Outsiders #1 when it comes out.

And with that, I will leave you with this preview of “Blackest Night.” Hope it gets you interested in JLA #50: