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Word Balloon Summer Roundup – Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti

Next up in our "Summer Roundup" of John Siuntres’ Word Balloon podcast, John catches up with comics power couple Amanda Conner and Jimmy Palmiotti. The conversation covers Jimmy’s upcoming Punisher work, their successful collaborations on Power Girl and Harley Quinn, and their tips on how to run a successful Kickstarter campaign.

On the subject of Power Girl, Conner recalled how editor Steve Wacker convinced her to draw an arc of JSA: Classified with Geoff Johns by pitching the character as “The Pro’s more well-adjusted sister.” That take won her over, and over time Power Girl became one of her favorite DC characters.

Conner explained that her involvement in the Power Girl ongoing series came about after repeated artist changes left the title in limbo. After overhearing Palmiotti’s frustrations, she offered to step in for six issues—ultimately staying through issue #12 because of how much fun she was having. The duo later pitched a follow-up series, tentatively titled Power Girl #13, but DC passed on the idea.

Instead, Palmiotti and Conner made Power Girl a recurring presence in their Harley Quinn stories, often joking that Harley and Kara were “the World’s Finest team-up readers never knew they needed.” They added that they still hope to revisit the character someday, with Harley along for the ride, under the great title World’s Okayest—perhaps reigniting DC’s interest.

Go check out the full interview!

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Word Balloon Summer Roundup – James Robinson

Next up in our "Summer Roundup" of John Siuntres’ Word Balloon podcast, John catches up with writer James Robinson. They discuss his new Kickstarter comic Rogues Kingdom and its companion novella Singular Pair, his recent Dark Horse projects Los Monstruos and Welcome to the Maynard, and a wide-ranging career retrospective touching on Justice League, Fantastic Four, Nick Fury, Superman, Wonder Woman, The Golden Age, Earth 2, Starman, the Stargirl TV series, and even his work in film with League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and Comic Book Villains.

Robinson confirmed that he and artist Tony Harris are developing a four-part Black Label Starman miniseries. He stressed that Jack Knight will not be pulled out of retirement; instead, the story will act as a flashback set between Starman #28 and #29. It revisits a moment when Jack meets an elderly Japanese man who wishes to return home, leading Jack on a trip to Japan that quickly spirals into horror and danger. Robinson explained that writing the series requires careful research into his own past work, as it captures a younger Jack while staying fully consistent with the continuity of the original run.

He also reflected on the Stargirl television series, revealing that there were once serious plans for a spinoff. The proposed series would have centered on the Shade stepping into a leadership role with a new version of Infinity, Inc., featuring Jade, Obsidian, and Nuklon, with Sandy Hawkins also set to appear. Robinson described it as “tragic” that the spinoff never came to life, believing it could have been brilliant, but admitted that the opportunity ultimately slipped away.

Go listen to the full episode!

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Word Balloon Summer Roundup – Jerry Ordway

Next up in our "Summer Roundup" of John Siuntres’ Word Balloon podcast, John sits down with legendary writer-artist Jerry Ordway. They cover his work on New History of the DC Universe #1, All-Star Squadron, Infinity, Inc., and The Power of Shazam!, He also shares his thoughts on The Fantastic Four: First Steps and co-creating Cat Grant—who recently appeared in the new Superman movie—and reflects on decades of experiences in the industry.

One of the highlights of the interview comes when Ordway discusses one of the greatest rewards of working in comics: meeting the creators who came before him. Through All-Star Squadron, he had the chance to connect with legends like Jerry Siegel, Martin Nodell, and others whose characters he was now drawing. For Ordway, those encounters gave him both a sense of history and continuity within the medium.

He recalled how surprised some of those older creators were that he was so familiar with their work—Ordway never stopped being a fan, even as a pro. In turn, he was stunned to discover that artists he admired, such as Gil Kane, knew and respected his work. At the mid-1980s San Diego Comic-Con, Ordway had a particularly memorable moment while signing alongside Jerry Siegel and Julie Schwartz. He asked Siegel to autograph an issue of All-Star Squadron he had drawn, featuring a Superman cover. Not only did Siegel sign it, but he also praised Ordway’s version of Superman. The two remained in touch for years afterward through letters.

Ordway also shared memories of later encounters, including a dinner held during the filming of Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman in honor of Jerry and Joanne Siegel. He noted that Siegel continued to follow the Superman books closely, with editor Mike Carlin often sending him updates so he wouldn’t be blindsided by major storylines such as The Death of Superman. Despite his long-standing disputes with DC as a company, Siegel remained supportive of the creators carrying on Superman’s legacy—something Ordway considered especially meaningful.

Listen to both Part 1 and Part 2 of the interview with Jerry Ordway.

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Todd McFarlane Thanks Roy Thomas and Infinity, Inc.

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ComicBook.com recently shared a video on Instagram (that turns into and ad) where Todd McFarlane reflected on the early days of his career. With his 40th wedding anniversary approaching, McFarlane reflected that none of it would have been possible without landing his first big comics job on Infinity, Inc.—thanks to Roy Thomas.

McFarlane started on Infinity, Inc. #14, where he began penciling stories about the Justice Society's legacy. That opportunity set him on the path to The Incredible Hulk, Amazing Spider-Man, and eventually creating Spawn and co-founding Image Comics.

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Word Balloon Summer Roundup – Jeremy Adams

Next up in our "Summer Roundup" of John Siuntres’ Word Balloon podcast, John has a conversation with writer Jeremy Adams about his work on Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, Flash Gordon, and his thoughts on the new Superman movie.

He discussed weaving Dan Garrett and the Golden Age, Blue Beetle mythos into his Green Lantern run—an idea he personally pushed for. Not only does he have a deep affection for the Blue Beetle, but he also wanted to create stronger connective tissue across DC’s history. Adams pointed out that Silver Scarab’s original design was based on Garrett, so tying him into the Nth metal storyline provided a natural link between Hawkman lore, the Reach, and the scarab legacy.

In Adams’ story, Dan Garrett is discovered at a Reach outpost, where he’s been experimented on, and his scarab manifests as a full suit of Nth metal armor. This raises big questions: Did Garrett die and return? Was he revived? Or has he always played a hidden role in the scarab’s history? Adams teased that future conflicts could emerge once Ted Kord, Jaime Reyes, or even Garrett’s newly resurrected sidekick Sparky learn of his return.

Adams also shared his fondness for classic heroes like Jay Garrick and The Ray, recalling a WWII-set issue of The Flash he wrote. For him, spotlighting overlooked Golden Age and Charlton-era characters—whether it’s Dan Garrett, Crimson Avenger, or others—is both a thrill as a fan and a joy as a storyteller.

Check out the full interview for more from Jeremy Adams.

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Word Balloon Summer Roundup - Beau Smith

Next up in our "Summer Roundup" of John Siuntres’ Word Balloon podcast, John has a conversation with Beau Smith about his character Wynonna Earp's adventures in comics and on television, the new Superman movie, his run on Guy Gardner: Warrior, and his work on Batman/Wildcat and Catwoman/Wildcat.

During the interview, Smith revealed that after completing Batman/Wildcat and Catwoman/Wildcat, he and Chuck Dixon had plans for a third miniseries: Robin/Wildcat. Unfortunately, the project never came to life due to editorial shake-ups at DC, as new editors prioritized their own titles and creative teams.

The story would have explored a mentor–student dynamic between Tim Drake and Ted Grant, with Wildcat serving as a rough-around-the-edges “bad uncle.” Not corrupt, but the kind of uncle who encourages a little mischief—like sneaking a beer at a family reunion. Over the course of the series, Robin would have absorbed some of Wildcat’s street-fighting grit and no-nonsense attitude. The finale would see Robin back alongside Batman, where Bruce would notice Tim’s sharpened efficiency in combat—a subtle but clear mark of Wildcat’s influence.

The full interview pairs well with "JSA in the '90s" spotlight episode on Wildcat.

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Word Balloon Summer Roundup - Alex Ross

Next up in our "Summer Roundup" of John Siuntres’ Word Balloon podcast, John sits down with legendary artist Alex Ross. Their wide-ranging conversation covers Ross’s current exhibit at the Dunn Museum in Libertyville, IL, the role of AI in art, Superman’s first appearance entering the public domain, as well as his work on Marvels, The Terminator: Burning Earth, and Earth X—and how that series influenced Marvel’s Eternals and The Fantastic Four: First Steps films. Ross also shared his thoughts on the recent Superman movie.

Ross praised James Gunn’s writing for the film, noting that each character is given a meaningful role in the story. He singled out Mister Terrific as the breakout star, calling him inspiring, entertaining, and predicting audiences will see much more of him in the future.

The conversation also touched on the use of Ross’s iconic Kingdom Come Superman design in the movie. While Ross confirmed the suit’s emblem is indeed his, he revealed he has not received compensation for its use, despite raising the issue. He stressed that Gunn likely has no involvement in how these decisions are handled but voiced frustration that creators are often excluded from the process and denied even a one-time payment.

Check out both Part One and Part Two of the interview.

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DC Previews: Mr. Terrific: Year One #4, The Flash #24, and Justice League Unlimited #10

DC has released previews for the comics arriving this Wednesday, August 27, 2025, and it looks to be an exciting week. Mister Terrific’s origin story continues to unfold, The Flash features both Shade and Eclipso, and Justice League Unlimited showcases Darkseid’s Legion.

Mr. Terrific: Year One #4 Writer: Al Letson Artist: Valentine De Landro

The Flash #24 Writer: Si Spurrier Artist: Vasco Georgiev

Justice League Unlimited #10 Writer: Mark Waid Artist: Dan Mora

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Word Balloon Summer Roundup - Tim Sheridan

This summer, John Siuntres has been busy on Word Balloon, the comic book conversation show, chatting with a wide range of creators. Over the next few days, we’ll be spotlighting the episodes that touch on the Justice Society of America and DC’s Golden Age. John is always a thoughtful interviewer, and the rest of the episodes are well worth a listen for any fan of the medium.

First up, Tim Sheridan returned to the show to cover a wide range of topics, from his love of Star Trek and writing the Lower Decks comic, to his DC animation work on Superman: Man of Tomorrow, Batman: The Long Halloween, and Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Trilogy. He also reflected on writing the Eisner-winning series Alan Scott: The Green Lantern and contributing to the anthology DC Pride 2025.

Sheridan spoke about how, for years, Alan Scott was easy to dismiss as a hero who “had everything.” From the outside, Alan appeared perfect—confident, privileged, and flawless. But beneath that image was a hidden struggle, a “tragic secret” that, in his time, would have been seen as criminal. Sheridan explained that this duality—seeming like the ideal man while privately carrying a heavy burden—gives Alan Scott a vital depth and humanity.

He credited James Tynion IV and DC for embracing this layered interpretation and giving him the chance to explore it further. For fans who wonder why Alan’s story matters, Sheridan emphasized that these revelations don’t diminish his place in the DC pantheon—they enhance it. They make Alan not only a more complex and tragic figure, but also a foundational hero who stands proudly alongside Superman and Batman.

Go check out the full interview!

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New Justice Society Presents Episode Showcases Wildcat!

This week, Justice Society Presents released a new episode of “JSA in the ’90s” where hosts Irredeemable Shag and Stella put the spotlight on Ted Grant—Wildcat himself. The discussion covers a wide range of his ’90s appearances, including:

Armageddon Inferno (1992) – Return from Ragnarok

Justice Society of America (1992) – JSA return

Justice League Europe (1989) #48-50 – JLE /JSA crossover

Showcase ‘94 (1994) #8 – Yolanda's Funeral

Zero Hour (1994) – Rapid aging by Extant

Guy Gardner: Warrior (1992) #29, 35-42 – Supporting character in Warriors

Showcase ‘96 (1996) #11 – Wildcat's origin

Robin (1993) #31 – Robin team-up

JLA (1997) #28-31 – Nine lives revealed

JSA (1999) #10 – Wildcat spotlight

The main focus of the episode, however, is on the two miniseries Batman/Wildcat (1997) and Catwoman/Wildcat (1998) both written by Chuck Dixon and Beau Smith, with pencils by Sergio Cariello, inks by Art Thibert and Tom Palmer, and striking covers by Brian Stelfreeze.

Funny, insightful, and packed with nostalgia, the episode also makes you think, what might have happened if Dixon and Smith had been given the chance to launch a full Wildcat ongoing series?

If you’re looking for Wildcat stories beyond the ’90s, check out our recommended reading from his appearance in the Hall of Justice mural in Superman.

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DC Preview: Justice League Red #1

DC has unveiled a preview of Justice League Red #1, the new series from Saladin Ahmed and Clayton Henry, hitting shelves this Wednesday. The spotlight is on former JSA member Red Tornado, who now leads a top-secret special ops team. Alongside him are fellow JSA-connected heroes Power Girl and Red Canary, joined by Cyborg, Deadman, and Green Lantern Simon Baz, making for an intriguing lineup.

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JSA Related November 2025 DC Comics Solicitations

DC’s November 2025 solicitations are packed: Jeff Lemire kicks off JSA Year One in JSA #13, while the holidays get a wild twist in I Saw Ma Hunkel Kissing Santa Claus #1. The Birds of Prey dive into the digital nightmare of the Unreality with Inque on their side, and Scott Snyder’s multiversal brawl heats up in DC K.O. #2, joined by Joshua Williamson’s Knightfight #1 where Batman battles future Batmen in Gotham-as-arena. Over in the Justice League corner, Unlimited piles on apocalyptic threats and Red sets Red Tornado on a collision course with Black Adam. Elseworlds fans get Scarecrow’s rise in The Bat-Man: Second Knight #2 and Zod’s endgame in Gotham by Gaslight: A League for Justice #5. Rounding things out are reprints like Justice League of America #21 (the first JLA/JSA team-up!) and Batman #47 (the Joe Chill reveal), plus collections galore, including Mark Waid’s New History of the DC Universe, the Eclipso-fueled Flash: Bad Moon Rising, and the massive Young Justice Omnibus Vol. 2.

JSA #13 Written by JEFF LEMIRE Art by GAVIN GUIDRY Cover by DAVE JOHNSON Variant cover by JORGE CORONA $3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 11/5/25 The first days of the JSA are explored as we see the formation of the world’s first super-team! “JSA Year One” starts here!

DC’S I SAW MA HUNKEL KISSING SANTA CLAUS #1 Written by ASHLEY ALLEN, NATHAN CAYANAN, STEVE ORLANDO, JADZIA AXELROD, DAVE BAKER, MARLY HALPERN-GLASER, SEBASTIAN BADER, and ASH PADILLA Art by BRUNO ABDIAS, MICHAEL SHELFER, RILEY ROSSMO, HANNAH TEMPLER, NICOLE GOUX, and ANTHONY MARQUES Cover by CHRISSIE ZULLO Variant cover by TK $3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 11/26/25 Ah, the holidays. A time for joy and togetherness, presents and carols…and emotions, drama, and chaos galore. Join our merry gang of heroes and villains as they navigate the highs and lows of holiday romance. Supergirl kicks off her winter vacation with a blind date! Galaxy tries (and fails) to clear her superhero-ing schedule to spend Hanukkah with her sweetheart! And so much more! Warm up your winter with this collection of heartwarming and heart-racing tales coming to shelves this holiday season!

BIRDS OF PREY #27 Written by KELLY THOMPSON Art by SAMI BASRI Cover by ANNIE WU Variant covers by CHRISTIAN WARD, SERG ACUÑA, and FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA $3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 11/5/25 The Shadow Army’s plan to turn virtual violence into real-world bloodshed is closer to coming true than anyone realizes. And the line between game and reality shatters as the Birds enter the Unreality. Armed with the ultimate disguises and with the wildly unpredictable Inque now on their side, can the Birds of Prey stop the ultimate game over before it’s too late?

DC K.O. #2 Written by SCOTT SNYDER Art and cover by JAVI FERNÁNDEZ 1:25 variant cover by ARIEL COLON Darkseid variant cover by VASCO GEORGIEV Bracket variant cover by DAN MORA Foil variant cover by JAVI FERNANDEZ Face-Off variant cover by BEN OLIVER AEW Cameo variant cover by DAN MORA $5.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 11/26/25 The tournament is in full swing. Heroes have fallen. Darkseid is near. The 32 champions have been chosen, and now they must compete to earn the Heart of Apokolips. The first challenge? Battling across a deadly arena to acquire new weapons of war. The greatest powers of the DC Universe are up for grabs, and whoever holds them will advance to the next level. Superman has his doubts that the Justice League is doing the right thing, but there are others who have no problem killing to get what they want…

DC K.O. KNIGHTFIGHT #1 Written by JOSHUA WILLIAMSON Art and cover by DAN MORA Variant covers by JONBOY MEYERS, KAARE ANDREWS, and FABRIZIO DE TOMMASO $3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 11/5/25 Experience Batman’s epic journey during the explosive DC K.O. event! The Dark Knight is forced to take a different path in the tournament for the Heart of Apokolips—one that has turned Gotham into a deadly arena where Batman must battle against the Batmen of the future! Who are these Batmen? Stay tuned to find out! Get ready for the greatest fight of Batman’s life in this over-the-top crossover miniseries!

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNLIMITED #13 Written by MARK WAID Art and cover by DAN MORA Variant covers by MARCOS MARTÍN, LENIL FRANCIS YU, JEFF SPOKES, and SALVADOR LARROCA $3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 11/26/25 The Earth opens up to swallow the JLU! Parademons swarm the Watchtower! The Time Trapper lies near-dead at Metamorpho’s feet?! Any one of these things is catastrophic, but all three simultaneously? Can Armageddon be far behind?

JUSTICE LEAGUE RED #4 Written by SALADIN AHMED Art and cover by CLAYTON HENRY Variant cover by DAVID BALDEÓN $3.99 US | 32 pages | Variant $4.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 11/19/25 The confrontation with Red Tornado can wait no longer: Cyborg, Power Girl, Green Lantern Simon Baz, and Red Canary have taken part in one too many missions where they didn’t have all the facts. But Reddy’s wound up too: his sacrifices have paid off, and he knows the variable that needs to be eliminated to save Earth from being remade in the image of Apokolips. But there isn’t enough computing power in the galaxy to predict what will happen when JLR goes after Black Adam!

BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT – A LEAGUE FOR JUSTICE #5 Written by ANDY DIGGLE Art and cover by LEANDRO FERNÁNDEZ Variant covers by ASHLEY WOOD and FREDDIE WILLIAMS II $4.99 US | 40 pages | Variant $5.99 US (card stock) ON SALE 11/12/25 It’s a race against time as the League for Justice unravels Zod’s sinister world-ending plans! But as the death of all of humanity approaches, our heroes will need more help…will the warrior women of the lost Amazon civilization aid them in their time of need? Or is all hope lost?

THE BAT-MAN: SECOND KNIGHT #2 Written by DAN JURGENS Art and cover by MIKE PERKINS Variant covers by MARC ASPINALL and NIMIT MALAVIA $6.99 US | 48 pages | 2 of 3 | Prestige Plus | 8 1/2″ x 10 7/8″ (all covers are card stock) ON SALE 11/19/25 The Scarecrow emerges in Gotham City, and fear consumes the streets! And now that he has the murderous Hangman to do his bidding, the stage is set for Scarecrow’s next grand act. With terror and psychosis at a fever pitch across Gotham, the Bat-Man struggles to tame the city without destroying his personal life as Bruce Wayne…leading him to make a fateful decision about his relationship with Julie Madison…

REPRINTS

JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #21 FACSIMILE EDITION Written by GARDNER FOX Art and cover by MIKE SEKOWSKY Foil variant cover by MIKE SEKOWSKY ($6.99 US) $3.99 US | 36 pages ON SALE 11/12/25 “Crisis on Earth-One!” Witness history in the making as the Justice League of America teams up with the legendary Justice Society of America for the very first time! The two titanic teams will need all the muscle they can muster to take down the combined criminal cohorts of two Earths—the Crime Champions!

BATMAN #47 FACSIMILE EDITION Written by BILL FINGER, TED ROSEN, and HENRY BOLTINOFF Art by BOB KANE, RAYMOND PERRY, and HENRY BOLTINOFF Cover by BOB KANE Foil variant cover by BOB KANE ($7.99 US) Blank sketch cover ($5.99) $4.99 US | 52 pages ON SALE 11/19/25 The Caped Crusader takes on a crooked prison warden, matches wits once more with the villainous Catwoman, and at long last learns the name of his parents’ killer! What will happen when Bruce Wayne finally stands face-to-face with Joe Chill? Be there as Batman closes the book on his most personal case ever!

TRADE PAPERBACKS AND COLLECTIONS

NEW HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE Written by MARK WAID Art by TODD NAUCK, JERRY ORDWAY, BRAD WALKER, MICHAEL ALLRED, DAN JURGENS, DOUG MAHNKE, TONY S. DANIEL, and HAYDEN SHERMAN Cover by CHRIS SAMNEE $29.99 US | 208 pages | 6 5/8″ x 10 3/16″ | Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1-79950-540-2 ON SALE 1/13/26 Writer Mark Waid (Justice League Unlimited, Kingdom Come) and some of DC’s greatest artists—Todd Nauck, Jerry Ordway, Brad Walker, Michael Allred, Dan Jurgens, Norm Rapmund, Doug Mahnke, Tony S. Daniel, and Hayden Sherman—tell the spellbinding story of the DCU from its very beginning all the way to its end! Through the narration of Barry Allen, experience the Golden Age of heroes and the rise of the Justice Society; witness the debuts of Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman as today’s DCU takes shape; and discover how an array of crises reshapes reality itself as DC’s heroes protect the past, present, and far-flung future! Reprinting the complete four-issue miniseries, along with timelines, variant covers, and more, New History of the DC Universe is a must-read!

THE FLASH VOL. 4: BAD MOON RISING Written by SIMON SPURRIER and ALEX PAKNADEL Art by VASCO GEORGIEV and DANIEL BAYLISS Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO $19.99 US | 176 pages | 6 5/8″ x 10 3/16″ | Softcover | ISBN: 978-1-79950-311-8 ON SALE 12/23/25 An army of Wally Wests stands against a reborn Eclipso! Using his new powers gained after the Justice League’s battle with Darkseid, the Flash splits himself into hundreds of “temps,” spreading himself thinner and thinner in the battle against Eclipso, who has assembled an army—including Flash’s own Rogues—and taken control of the moon in his quest to replace Darkseid as the ultimate evil. But Eclipso isn’t the only one attempting to fill the void left by Darkseid’s death… Collects The Flash #20-25 and The Flash: Bad Moon Rising Special #1.

YOUNG JUSTICE OMNIBUS VOL. 2 Written by PETER DAVID and more Art by TODD NAUCK and more Cover by TODD NAUCK $125.00 | 1200 pages | 8 1/8″ x 12 1/4″ | Hardcover | ISBN: 978-1-79950-627-0 ON SALE 1/20/26 What would the world be like if Young Justice never existed?! Can the team make the leap from crime-fighters to reality TV stars?! And will the positivity of youth prevail over the tyrannical threat of Darkseid?! Superboy, Robin, Impulse, Wonder Girl, and more will face world-shaking threats and hilarious hijinks (filled with epic battles, teen drama, and wild humor) in this celebrated grand conclusion to YJ! Collects Young Justice #20-55; Young Justice: Our Worlds at War #1; Spyboy/Young Justice #1-3; Impulse #77, #85; Superboy #91, #99; Titans/Young Justice: Graduation Day #1-3; stories from JLA/JSA: Secret Files & Origins #1 and Teen Titans #50; and an extensive gallery of never-before-seen art!

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The Spectre Gets the Spotlight In an Upcoming JSA Story Arc.

Get ready! Jeff Lemire shared some news on Threads:

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Breaking Down the Hall of Justice Mural in Superman, Part 26: Conclusions

It’s clear that James Gunn and DC Studios took their time selecting interesting—and often obscure—characters for the Hall of Justice mural. Many of these heroes have roots in real-world history or folklore, while others are linked through shared backstories or long-running connections in DC Comics lore. The result is a mural that not only spans decades of publishing history, but also visually reinforces how intertwined these characters are.

As I worked through each entry, I compiled all the recommended readings for every character to see which series featured the most mural heroes. Here’s how the numbers shook out:

All-Star Squadron (1981) — Covers 10 mural heroes across its 70-issue run (11 if you count Hugo Danner in the Young All-Stars sister series)

Amazing-Man

Black Pirate

Liberty Belle

Miss Liberty

Phantom Lady

Sandman

Silent Knight

Super-Chief

TNT & Dyna-Mite

Wildcat

Justice League of America (1960) — Covers 8 mural heroes in its massive 273-issue run

Black Pirate

Bulletman & Bulletgirl

Miss Liberty

Phantom Lady

Sandman

Vibe

Wildcat

Zatara

Starman (1994) — Covers 5 mural heroes in 89 issues

Amazing-Man

Black Pirate

Bulletman & Bulletgirl

Phantom Lady

Sandman

Madame Xanadu (2008) — Covers 3 mural heroes in only 29 issues

Madame Xanadu

Sandman

Zatara

James Gunn has made it clear that if a script isn’t strong enough, the project won’t move forward—so even though these characters now officially exist in the DCU, there’s no guarantee we’ll see them on screen. Some may never appear beyond references or cameos. But that’s part of the fun: the mural isn’t just decoration—it’s world-building in plain sight.

For anyone who’s missed earlier installments, here’s the full breakdown of the Hall of Justice mural so far:

Part 1: Notes on the first half of the mural

Part 2: Sister Symmetry / Madame Xanadu / Nimue Inwudu

Part 3: Silent Knight / Brian Kent / Hawkman

Part 4: Exoristos

Part 5: Jon Valor, The Black Pirate

Part 6: Miss Liberty / Bess Lynn

Part 7: Whip Whirlwind / Max Mercury / Quicksilver / Maxwell Crandall / etc.

Part 8: Super-Chief / Saganowahna / Flying Stag

Part 9: El Diablo / Lazarus Lane

Part 10: Hugo Danner

Part 11: Ghost of Flanders / Rip Graves

Part 12: The Sandman / Wesley Dodds

Part 13: Amazing-Man / William Everett Sr.

Part 14: Zatara / Giovanni “John” Zatara

Part 15: Notes on the second half of the mural

Part 16: Liberty Belle / Elizabeth “Libby” Lawrence-Chambers

Part 17: Bulletman / James “Jim” Barr & Bulletgirl / Susan Kent-Barr

Part 18: TNT / Thomas “Tex” N. Thomas & Dyna-Mite / Daniel Dunbar

Part 19: Phantom Lady / Sandra Knight

Part 20: Atomic Knight / Gardner Grayle

Part 21: Freedom Beast / Dominic Mndawe

Part 22: Wildcat / Ted Grant

Part 23: Vibe / Francisco “Paco” “Cisco” Ramon

Part 24: Gunfire / Andrew Van Horn

Part 25: Maxwell Lord

From Golden Age icons to ‘90s deep cuts, the Hall of Justice mural is both a love letter to DC’s history and a hint at its cinematic future. Whether these characters step into the spotlight or remain hidden in the background, their inclusion makes the DCU feel bigger, stranger, and more alive. And that’s exactly how it should be.

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Breaking Down the Hall of Justice Mural in Superman, Part 25: Maxwell Lord

Created by Keith Giffen, J.M. DeMatteis, and Kevin Maguire, Maxwell Lord began as a charismatic entrepreneur who helped form the Justice League International (JLI). Secretly manipulated by the alien computer intelligence Kilg%re, Max pushed the JLI toward becoming a global peacekeeping force—a scheme Kilg%re hoped to use for world domination. Eventually freed from Kilg%re’s control (with help from New God Metron), Max retained his political connections and influence.

During the Invasion! crossover, Max’s latent metagene activated, granting him limited mind control. For a time, his mind was even downloaded into the robotic body of Lord Havok, continuing his schemes through cybernetic means. However, Infinite Crisis rewrote this history, erasing the cyborg era and re-establishing Max as fully human all along. More importantly, the event reframed his motivations—cementing his deep distrust and outright distaste for metahumans as the driving force behind everything he’d done. In this version, Max sees superheroes not as protectors but as dangerous, unchecked weapons that must be controlled or eliminated.

Following the retcon, Max emerged as a master manipulator within the government agency Checkmate, secretly undermining the superhero community. His machinations culminated in the murder of Ted Kord (Blue Beetle) and the mental domination of Superman—forcing Wonder Woman to kill him on live television to save countless lives.

Resurrected in Brightest Day, Max wiped the world’s memory of his existence and set out to consolidate power again, positioning himself as the ultimate “man behind the curtain” in DC’s political and metahuman landscape.

Group Affiliations: Checkmate, Justice League

Speculation: Max’s appearance in the DCU could lean into his corporate front and political manipulation, echoing his JLI-era charm before revealing his true metahuman agenda. With his post-Infinite Crisis motivations, he could emerge as a Lex Luthor-like antagonist—but with the added danger of mind control.

First Appearance: Justice League (1987) #1

Recommended Reading:

Justice League (1987) – JLI leadership.

Justice League Europe (1989) – Expanded to Europe.

JLA: Incarnations (2001) #6 – Revisiting the era.

JLA Classified (2005) #4–9 – Return of the classic team

Formerly Known as the Justice League (2003) – Another return.

Countdown to Infinite Crisis #1 (2005) – Ted Kord’s murder.

OMAC Project (2005) – Superman control plot.

Superman: Sacrifice (2005) – Wonder Woman’s fateful decision.

Infinite Crisis (2005) – Retcons history, reframes motivations.

Booster Gold (2007)#6-9 – Booster Gold's attempt to save Blue Beetle

Brightest Day (2010) #0, 3, 7, 24 – Resurrection and new schemes.

Justice League: Generation Lost (2010) – Ties into Brightest Day.

OMAC (2011) - New 52 stories

Justice League vs. Suicide Squad (2017) – Power plays continue.

Wonder Woman (2016) #759–769, Annual #1 – Modern confrontation.

Next up: Part 26: Conclusion

[newearth2]

Breaking Down the Hall of Justice Mural in Superman, Part 24: Gunfire / Andrew Van Horn

Gunfire was created by Len Wein and Steve Erwin. Born from DC’s gloriously over-the-top 1990s Bloodlines crossover, Andrew Van Horn was a corporate heir with a conscience—often clashing with his weapons-manufacturing father, Gunther, over more ethical business practices. His life changed when the alien parasite Venev, one of the seven Bloodlines aliens, came to Earth seeking to feed on human spinal fluid. The parasites, each inspired by one of the seven deadly sins, could either kill their victims outright or awaken dormant metahuman powers.

Venev infiltrated Van Horn Industries while tracking Deathstroke, killing Gunther Van Horn in the process. Arriving at the office, Andrew was attacked and partially drained, triggering his metagene. Disoriented but alive, he pursued the killer, initially mistaking Deathstroke for the culprit. Their brief clash revealed Andrew’s new ability to agitate the molecules of any object, causing it to explode on contact. Realizing they had a common enemy, Gunfire and Deathstroke joined forces to take down Venev.

Drawn by his psychic link to the aliens, Andrew later joined other “New Bloods” in the final battle against the Taker, a monstrous fusion of the Bloodlines parasites. With the aliens destroyed, Gunfire embarked on a solo career, battling terrorist cells, dismantling illegal weapons networks, and eventually facing his resurrected father—now the deranged New Blood supervillain Ragnarok.

Gunfire later joined the Blood Pack, a team composed entirely of New Bloods, losing both hands in a fight with Prometheus. Post-Rebirth, he was among the heroes at Sanctuary in Heroes in Crisis, becoming one of Wally West’s accidental victims before being rescued through time travel.

Group Affiliations: Blood Pack

Speculation: Gunfire is pure ‘90s—big armor, bigger explosions, and a crossover event origin. He would fit in perfectly on Peacemaker. Plus, the Bloodlines aliens' spinal-fluid-draining tongues bear a striking resemblance to the Butterfly aliens from Peacemaker. Could the Butterflies be a a sly DCU re-imagining of the Bloodlines aliens?

First Appearance: Deathstroke the Terminator Annual #2

Recommended Reading:

Deathstroke the Terminator (1991) Annual #2 – Origin story, Bloodlines debut.

Bloodlines (1993) – Event that ran through the Annuals

Showcase ‘94 (1994) #1–2 – Solo missions.

Gunfire (1994) – Ongoing series.

Faces of Evil: Prometheus (2009) #1 – Major injury.

Heroes in Crisis (2019) – Death at Sanctuary.

The Flash (1959) #771, Annual #1, 795–796 – Time travel rescue.

Next up: Part 25: Maxwell Lord

[newearth2]

Breaking Down the Hall of Justice Mural in Superman, Part 23: Vibe / Francisco “Paco” “Cisco” Ramon

Created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton, Paco Ramon started as a Detroit street gang leader and gifted break-dancer with latent metahuman sonic powers. When the Justice League relocated to Detroit, Paco impressed Vixen and Steel enough to earn an invitation to join, taking the name Vibe. His flashy style and attitude often masked feelings of inadequacy among more experienced heroes.

In the Pre-Flashpoint continuity, Vibe died heroically while defending the League from Professor Ivo’s androids. His brother Armando briefly became the hero Reverb. Post-Flashpoint, Cisco Ramon’s origin was revamped: caught in the event horizon of a Boom Tube during Darkseid’s first invasion, he gained vibrational powers capable of disrupting interdimensional breaches. As an A.R.G.U.S. operative and Justice League of America member, he became a key metahuman asset.

Group Affiliations: Los Lobos, Justice League of America, A.R.G.U.S.

Speculation: The mural’s costuming hints at an ‘80s-inspired Detroit League Vibe—breakdancing, attitude, and all—rather than the scientist from TV’s The Flash.

First Appearance: Justice League of America (1960) Annual #2

Recommended Reading:

Justice League of America (1960) #233–261, Annual #2–3 – Detroit era.

Legends (1986) – Event tie-in.

Justice League Quarterly (1991) #1 – Introducing Reverb.

JLA: Incarnations (2001) #5 – History of the era.

JLA: Classified (2005) #22–25 – Modern revisit.

Justice League of America (2013) #1–7 – Post-Flashpoint reboot.

Justice League of America’s Vibe (2013) – Solo series.

Next up: Part 24: Gunfire / Andrew Van Horn