Justice League Dark

The Justice League Dark, or JLD, is a fictional superhero team appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. First appearing in "Justice League Dark" #1 (September 2011), the Justice League Dark originally featured John Constantine, Madame Xanadu, Deadman, Shade: The Changing Man, and Zatanna. The team consists of the more supernatural members of the DC Universe, handling situations deemed outside the scope of the traditional Justice League.
Publication history.
"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 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 storyline, included Enchantress and Shade 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 are willing to bring back some of the darker elements which had moved over to Vertigo in the 1990s.
The opening storyline involves 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, "Sweet Tooth" and "Animal Man" writer Jeff Lemire became the principal writer on the series. In his first story arc, the 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.
In March 2018, a new volume of "Justice League Dark" was announced. Spinning out of the "Justice League: No Justice" storyline, 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 were also expected to appear in the series.
Members.
Volume 1.
Early in the run, Peter Milligan stated that he was, "ruling no-one out" for future appearances, amid speculation that both the Ragman and the Spectre may feature in future comics. However, writer Jeff Lemire did not include either during the series, having added Black Orchid and Frankenstein, among others, to the team.
All members joined in issue #1 unless otherwise noted.
Volume 2/Backup feature in Justice League Vol 4.
A different line-up was announced for DC Rebirth:
Other versions.
Futures End.
From a possible future, the roster consists of Zatanna, Etrigan, Cassandra Craft, Black Orchid, Nightmare Nurse, Madame Xanadu, Frankenstein, John Constantine, Amethyst, Blue Devil, Deadman, and Andrew Bennett.
DC Bombshells.
Several former Suicide Squad members formed a new team. This roster consists of Zatanna, John Constantine, Raven, Enchantress, Killer Croc, and Ravager.
Flashpoint Timeline.
Prior to the Justice League Dark from the New 52, there was similar version of the team called the Secret Seven in the Flashpoint Timeline. The team consists of Shade, the Changing Man; Abra Kadabra, Amethyst, Enchantress, Mindwarp, Raven, Zatanna, Black Orchid, Klarion, Miss X, Simon Magus, Stiletto, and Trigon.
Sorcerer Kings.
A storyline in Superman/Batman shows a possible future version of the Justice League that consists of some supernatural members. The team includes a future Batman, Scream Queen, Traci 13, Klarion and Teekel; Stanley and his Monster; Aquaman, and Etrigan.
Earth 13.
Introduced in The Multiversity, a Justice League team from Earth 13 is similar to Justice League Dark. The team consists of Etrigan, Annataz, Deadman, Enchantress, Fate, Hellblazer, Ragman, Swamp-Man, and Witchboy.
Countdown to Adventure.
On Earth-33, the League of Shamans is a similar team to Justice League Dark. The team consists of Bat-Mage, Super-Mage, Green Lantern, Black Bird, Terra, Lady Flash, The Shade, and Kara Zor-El.
Future State.
From a possible future, the team consists of John Constantine, Zatanna, Madame Xanadu, Doctor Fate (Khalid Nassour), and Detective Chimp, the latter becoming the new host to Etrigan. They together fight Merlin.
Collected editions.
The series has been collected into the following trade paperbacks:
Volume 1 (New 52 series).
Other collections "Justice League Dark" when the series is part of crossover.
In other media.
Film.
Animated.
In June 2016, it was revealed that an animated Justice League Dark film was in development as the next film in the DC Universe Animated Original Movies series. In July 2016, the film was announced at the 2016 San Diego Comic-Con International and both John Constantine and Swamp Thing are confirmed to appear respectively. Batman, Zatanna, Deadman, Etrigan the Demon and Black Orchid will also be appearing as members of the team. The film was given the release window of Fall 2016. A sneak peek, with interviews by some of the creators, was provided as a special feature for the DVD and Blu-ray release of ". The film was digitally released on January 24, 2017 and it was released on DVD and Blu-ray on February 7, 2017. In the film, Batman and Constantine recruit Zatanna, Boston Brand / Deadman, Jason Blood / Etrigan the Demon, and Alec Holland / Swamp Thing to fight against a supernatural threat later revealed to be conducted by Doctor Destiny.
At the 2019 San Diego Comic Con a sequel titled " was announced and has been released in 2020. In the film, the remaining heroes and villains of Earth following Darkseid's successful conquest of Earth team up to finally end Darkseid's war.
Live-action.
Rumors in November 2012 suggested that Guillermo del Toro was working on a Justice League Dark film titled "Heaven Sent". It would feature Deadman, the Spectre, Swamp Thing, John Constantine, Phantom Stranger, Zatanna, Zatara, Sargon the Sorcerer, and Etrigan the Demon. Del Toro later confirmed in January 2013 that he was working on such a film, with the working title, "Dark Universe", and was hiring a screenwriter. Del Toro revealed Swamp Thing, Constantine, The Spectre, Deadman, Zatanna and Zatara were characters in the story.
In March 2013, del Toro gave an update on the film at WonderCon 2013, while talking about his film "Pacific Rim". He revealed that the story bible was complete and he hoped to start the screenplay soon. Production would begin after his next project, "Crimson Peak". The film's story would center around John Constantine recruiting Swamp Thing, Etrigan the Demon, Deadman, Spectre, and Zatanna. The film would not be an origin story, with each character already established and elements of their backstory coming into play throughout the film. Del Toro also revealed that Floronic Man would be in the film. In May 2013, del Toro revealed that his script featured Constantine, Swamp Thing, Madame Xanadu, Deadman and Zatanna as the team, with other "in the mix". He also revealed that he was still waiting for the go-ahead from Warner Bros. Pictures. Del Toro revealed in July 2013 that he hoped that the DC Extended Universe, which started with "Man of Steel", would become as cohesive as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and he added that if there was any correlation to that universe and this film, he would honor it.
In October 2013, del Toro stated he felt his film would be able to coexist with the television series, "Constantine" and reiterated that the film was still active and in the writing process. In July 2014, del Toro once again stated he was working on the film, and stated it would be independent from the universe established with "Man of Steel", saying, "DC and Warners have been very clear that they are trying to keep [this film and "Sandman"] separate so when the time comes they can unite them, once they know they’re quantifiable." Del Toro also added that his Constantine would not adhere to the continuity established in the television series, but he would consider incorporating elements from it, and even think about casting the same actor (Matt Ryan). In November 2014, del Toro confirmed that the script was complete and handed it in to Warner Bros. to be reviewed. In December 2014, he hinted that the film would be part of the DC Extended Universe.
In April 2015, del Toro said the script revision has been handed in and if there was availability in his schedule, he would direct it; if not, "somebody else will do it... [The film] needs to fall into the plan of the shared universe." In June 2015, the film was confirmed to still be in development at Warner Bros., with some of their other Vertigo Comics film adaptions moving to New Line Cinema. "The Hollywood Reporter" stated that del Toro was no longer attached to the project. In July 2016, Swamp Thing test footage was released directed by Joseph Kahn. In August 2016, it was announced that Doug Liman would direct the film with del Toro and Scott Rudin producing and Michael Gilio writing, with the film being titled "Dark Universe". By May 2017, Liman left the film to focus on directing "Chaos Walking". At the San Diego Comic-Con in July 2017, the film's title was announced to be "Justice League Dark". In January 2020, Deadline reported that Warner Media and Bad Robot are working to create a Justice League Dark universe in film and TV.