Beware What You Wish For

Back in the Good Old Days, there was the Justice League Interntional...and it was good. SO good. It consisted of a couple of veterans like J'onn J'onnz and Batman, and for a while, Black Canary, but the bulk of its membership was filled by second and third stringers, who nevertheless in some intangible fashion, made themselves the stuff of legends.



And yet, in the fashion of practically ALL of the various incarnations of the Justice League, its membership roster remained fairly fluid. Heroes came and went, or served temporarily. But for the most part, there was a fairly solid core membership, and with only a few exceptions, they managed to get along and work together.

You could usually count on Batman, if he wasn't there ALL the time, he was at least around. Martian Manhunter of course was THE mainstay of the group, and probably its heart. There was usually a Flash, some heavy hitters and some more individual talents. You could also pretty much bank on having a Green Lantern in residence. At this particular point in time, the Green Lantern just happened to be Guy Gardner.

Since this was at the height of his brain-damaged buffoonery, Guy was perceived to be something of a trial...a burden if you will...by his fellow Justice Leaguers. So, whenever Hal Jordan decided to drop by for a visit, they usually all fell over themselves in drooling over him.

But exactly WHY were they all so happy to see Hal show up? Granted, working with Guy could be something of a chore, but he always did come through in the end, and was remarkable reliable, once you got past the pissing and moaning. However, with the exceptions of J'onn and Batman, none of the others had really had any experience working with Hal. I find it rather significant, that it was almost always Blue Beetle or Fire that were the most enthusiastic about Hal.

Little did they know, that Hal Jordan was every bit as egotistical as Guy Gardner. Hal was just a whole lot better and exercising his considerable charm, the effects of which, could be quite insidious. It wasn't until later on, when the intoxication of being in his presence had worn off, that they would blink and realize they'd just been conned.

Certainly things didn't go that particularly smoothly once he had joined the European branch of the Justice League, he managed to piss off quite a number of members. After he had beaten Guy and taken his ring, he didn't stay around and join the regular League either, all he really accomplished was to deprive the League of one of their heavy hitters. Fortunately for them, Guy did managed to get a hold of Sinestro's yellow ring, and make his triumphant return. The League did not necessarily see this as a GOOD thing...but it was.

Now of course, Hal is going to run away with Ollie and form his own Justice League. And what an interesting bunch he has picked to work with! Batwoman, Supergirl, Mikaal and Congorilla just to name a few. Hal wants to be more "proactive" which is all well and good, but quite frankly, I think that this is just a way for he and Ollie to hang out together, and bust a few heads.

Not that there is anything wrong with that. But it is a little interesting to me that none of those eager young heroes who so wanted to have Hal in the club are included. Granted,a whole lot of them are dead, or have moved onto other occupations. But, still...

Be careful what you wish for.