Justice League Dark, or JLD, is a superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. The team made their debut in Justice League Dark #1 (September 2011). The team features some of the more supernatural characters in the DC Universe, handling mystical threats and situations deemed outside the scope of the traditional Justice League. Similarly to the Justice League title, the team features well-known characters such as John Constantine, Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Doctor Fate, and Wonder Woman while also bringing exposure to lesser-known supernatural characters. Two animated films were produced based on the team: Justice League Dark (2017) and Justice League Dark: Apokolips War (2020).
Publication history The New 52 Justice League Dark was announced on May 31, 2011, as a First Wave title of The New 52. The title and team was created by Peter Milligan, with art by Mikel Janín. The title launched on September 28, 2011. The title brought several of DC Comics' occult and offbeat characters, something which had been a trait of sister imprint Vertigo, back into the main DC Universe following Vertigo's editorial change to publish purely new, creator-owned content.
The Search for Swamp Thing, a three part miniseries released between June and August 2011 which led up to The New 52 relaunch, and followed the events of the Brightest Day maxiseries, follows John Constantine's search for the resurrected Alec Holland as the new Swamp Thing, involving the cooperation of Batman, Zatanna, and Superman. In addition, the Flashpoint: Secret Seven miniseries, written by Milligan as part of the "Flashpoint" crossover story line, included the Enchantress and Shade, the Changing Man and introduced the character Mindwarp in the lead-up to the start of the series.
Peter Milligan stated in an interview that he got the job for the book from his work on the 2011 Flashpoint: Secret Seven miniseries, and that he hoped to write something "emotionally dark" set in the DC Universe, comparing his characters to detectives, who struggle to cope with the things they see and have to do. The initial anticipation for this title has been good, with critics celebrating the fact that DC was willing to bring back some of the darker elements which had moved over to Vertigo in the 1990s.
The opening story line involves the Enchantress' defeat of the Justice League, leading to the necessity of a more supernatural team to assist in these events, and detailing how they have come together. There is also a minor crossover story with I...Vampire. From issue #9, Jeff Lemire became the principal writer on the series. In his first story arc, Justice League Dark took residence in their new base, at the House of Mystery, and have started to show their links with the wider DC Universe, dealing with Steve Trevor and A.R.G.U.S.
In August 2013, it was announced that J. M. DeMatteis would take over as series writer from Lemire in November 2013, after a solo issue by Ray Fawkes in October. The series ended publication in March 2015.
New Justice (2018–2021) In March 2018, a new volume of Justice League Dark was announced. Spinning out of the "Justice League: No Justice" story line, the title debuted in July 2018, written by James Tynion IV and drawn by Alvaro Martinez, Raul Fernandez, and Brad Anderson. The team features Zatanna, Swamp Thing, Man-Bat, and Detective Chimp, and is led by Wonder Woman. Additional magical characters from the DC Universe appeared in the series, like John Constantine and Doctor Fate, although initially not as members of the League.JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK VOL. 1: THE LAST AGE OF MAGIC
Infinite Frontier (2021–2023) The second volume ran regularly for 29 issues from July 2018 to February 2021. The team would continue to appear as a back-up feature in the mainline Justice League series from issue #59 in May 2021 to issue #71 in March 2022 with guest appearances throughout issues #72 to 74.
Dawn of DC (2023–2024) In the 2023 storyline Knight Terrors, the team members fall victim to the spells of Insomnia, becoming trapped within his Knightmare Realm. Remaining awake through the chaos, Zatanna and Robotman team up to defend the unconscious Detective Chimp against Insomnia's Sleepless Knights and the Sleeping Queen. The third volume of the Justice Society of America included supporting appearances from the Justice League Dark, with Deadman and Madame Xanadu returning to the team. The series also introduces a predecessor to the Justice League Dark known as the Justice Society Dark, consisting of Zatara and Thaddeus Brown.Justice Society of America (vol. 2) #2 (2023)
Collected editions
New 52 (2011–2016) Title Page count Material collected Publication date ISBN Ref Justice League Dark Vol. 1: In the Dark 144 Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #1–6 October 10th, 2012 Justice League Dark Vol. 2: The Books of Magic 224 Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #0, 7–13 July 10th, 2013 Justice League Dark Vol. 3: The Death of Magic 192 Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #14–21 January 29th, 2014 Justice League Dark Vol. 4: The Rebirth of Evil 208 Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #22–29 August 20th, 2014 Forever Evil: Blight 400 Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #24–29; Constantine #9–12; Trinity of Sin: Pandora #6–9; Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger #14–17 September 24, 2014 Justice League Dark Vol. 5: Paradise Lost 160 Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #30–34; Justice League Dark: Futures End #1 February 25th, 2015 Justice League Dark Vol. 6: Lost in Forever 176 Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #35–40; Justice League Dark Annual #2 August 26th, 2015 Justice League Dark: The New 52 Omnibus 1624 Justice League Dark (vol. 1) #0–40; Justice League Dark Annual #1–2; Justice League Dark: Futures End #1; Constantine #5, #9–12; I, Vampire #7–8; Justice League #22–23; Justice League of America #6–7; The New 52: Free Comic Book Day Special Edition #1; Trinity of Sin: Pandora #1–3, #6–9; Trinity of Sin: Phantom Stranger #11, #14–17; November 9, 2021
DC Rebirth (2016–2017) Title Page count Material collected Publication date ISBN Ref Wonder Woman and Justice League Dark: The Witching Hour 160 Wonder Woman (vol. 5) #56–57; Wonder Woman/Justice League Dark: The Witching Hour #1; Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #4; Justice League Dark/Wonder Woman: The Witching Hour #1 May 1st, 2019
New Justice (2018–2021) Title Page count Material collected Publication date ISBN Ref Justice League Dark Vol. 1: The Last Age of Magic 160 Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #1–3, 5–6 March 6th, 2019 Justice League Dark Vol. 2: Lords of Order 184 Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #8–12; Justice League Dark Annual #1 October 16th, 2019 Justice League Dark Vol. 3: The Witching War 144 Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #14–19 May 12th, 2020 Justice League Dark Vol. 4: A Costly Trick of Magic 216 Justice League Dark (vol. 2) #20–28 January 26th, 2021 Future State: Justice League 296 Future State: Justice League #1–2; Future State: Justice League Dark #1–2; Future State: Aquaman #1–2; Future State: Green Lantern #1–2; Future State: The Flash #1–2 June 22nd, 2021 Justice League: Endless Winter 232 Justice League: Endless Winter #1–2; The Flash #767; Superman: Endless Winter Special #1; Aquaman #66; Justice League #58; Teen Titans: Endless Winter Special #1; Justice League Dark #29; Black Adam: Endless Winter Special #1 November 16th, 2021 Justice League Dark: The Great Wickedness 184 Justice League Dark 2021 Annual #1; material from Justice League (vol. 4) #59–71 July 19th, 2022
Overview
Headquarters In the original run by Peter Milligan, the Justice League Dark team first operated out of the House of Mystery, first owned by John Constantine. Due to the nature of the house and his manipulations, the team could be called at any time by Constantine until its acquisition by Zatanna. In the second series onward, the team's headquarters is changed to the Dark Quarters, located half a mile underneath the Hall of Justice and built upon Wonder Woman's request of spearheading an official division of the Justice League dedicated to dealing with mystical threats.
Members Typically consisting of supernatural-related heroes of the DC Universe, the team's original creative direction involved minimal contact with the mainstream Justice League, operating in secrecy. First organized by Madame Xanadu to prevent a horrific future, the first iteration's reoccurring conflict involved various rivalries and problems concerning team dynamics, especially those stemmed from Constantine's leadership including coercion and manipulation. In the second iteration founded by Wonder Woman, the team is cast as an official Justice League-sponsored subgroup dedicated to handling mystical matters. Among its re-occurring conflict includes Wonder Woman's navigating the difficulties of mystical matters, Zatanna's reluctance in a role leadership, and the team's relationship with the reluctant mystical community of the DC Universe.