"Welcome to my Fortress of Solitude."

You know, every now and then, a comic book title comes along that just does everything right. One of those rare titles is Justice, a 12-issue limited series by Alex Ross and his two talented collaborators, Jim Krueger (writer) and Doug Braithwaite (layout artist).

Although the series is often referred to as a nod to the old Super Friends animated series (a childhood favorite of Ross's), I've found it to be much more of a "love letter" to the Justice League comic books of the 70's...which I (like Ross) also grew-up reading.

As great as the story is on its own merits, I think the unapologetic nostalgia (with the infusion of Ross's trademark grace and grandeur) is the element I've enjoyed the most about the series. For anyone who's even a casual fan of DC Comics characters, this is the perfect series to pick up. It's not tied to any of the ongoing continuity of the rest of the DC line, so there's no learning curve or knowledge gap to struggle with. Whether you track down the back issues or wait for the trade paperback collection, put it on your shopping list.

As I wrap up the gush-fest, let me leave you with a double-page spread from the latest issue, Justice #7 (on sale now!). I present to you: The classic Fortress of Solitude (click on image to enlarge):

Absolutely breathtaking stuff. For those who like to routinely mock the "lame" comics of twenty, thirty or forty years ago, images like will hopefully give them at least a glimpse of the wonder and mythic grandeur we experienced reading those long-ago adventures.

Thanks to Alex Ross, Jim Krueger and Doug Braithwaite for capturing that lightning in a bottle.

Comments

[Tom Richmond]

Hey! Isn't that Tyrannosaur supposed to be in the Batcave??? If they are going to borrow momentos from other lairs, where's the giant penny??

Love the blog!

[Mark Engblom]

Thanks, Tom! Glad you like it. Other visitors should be sure to click on Tom's name, which'll take you to Tom's entertaining blog. He's a MAD magazine cartoonist, and there's lots of great "behind the curtain" stuff to check out there.

As for the T-Rex in Superman's cave, it would be interesting to see which of the two had a T-Rex first. Yeah, Batman had quite a jump on Superman in the secret headquarters department, but it's not clear to me when the Batcave T-Rex was first established.

Whatever the case, at least Batman doesn't have a full-sized ocean liner hanging from his ceiling. So there.

[Tom Richmond]

I guess no secret headquarters is complete without a dinosaur. The dinosaur is from a story in Batman #36, 1947 entitled "Dinosaur Island". I got that off the internet, BTW... my geekdom doens't run that deep!

[Mark Engblom]

Uhh...I beg to differ, my friend. I've seen your art studio, after all.

Your geekdom runs PLENTY deep, pally boy!

Uh...as does mine, by the way.

[Tom Richmond]

Well, okay. I do have a full blown batsuit in my studio, and my light table turns on via a bust of Shakespere with a swtich hidden under a hinged head... geek level confirmed.