This is not a one-time thing
Those who attended the San Diego Comic-Con the weekend before last were treated to the first trailer of "Justice League". It was scheduled for release on November 17, 2017, and DC Comics fans couldn't wait for it. Right? Not exactly. By now, many have seen the trailer. Not a few noticed the change of tone. Could Zack Snyder learn a thing or two from the Marvel Cinematic Universe? Yes and no.
Snyder's "Justice League" may have been the talk of the Comic-Con, but it would be back to Marvel afterwards. "Doctor Strange" will hit the theaters three months from now, but there's something else. The director knew "Justice League of America" (JLA). This superhero team first appeared in 1960, its original members consisted of Aquaman, Batman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Superman, and Wonder Woman. The roster changed through the years, all of whom were superheroes from the DC Universe. Geoff Johns and Jim Lee relaunched the Justice League in 2011, where Cyborg would replace Martian Manhunter on the roster. It earned raves for a number of reasons. Johns and Lee depicted an uneasy alliance, where no one wants to be a team player. They were aware of how the public was terrified of them. And it was hard to distinguish one place from the other. This would remind fans of gritty Gotham.
We're not working with fire-breathing monsters
"Justice League: Origin" opened with the first meeting between Batman and Green Lantern. Johns and Lee peppered their conversation with sarcasm, often alluding to the fact that Bruce Wayne was the only one without any extraordinary powers. But Batman could identify with Green Lantern. He also turned out to the one who could bring these superheroes together.
Green Lantern couldn't accept the fact that he wasn't the only guardian in the universe. Superman doesn't fancy working with anyone. Wonder Woman kept on looking for a fight. Aquaman, the former ruler of Atlantis, looked at the other superheroes as his subjects. And the Cyborg had conflicting issues with his old man. The Flash don't mind the company, but his mind seemed to be elsewhere. But a portal from another realm was opened. Mankind was threatened with mysterious monsters. And the superheroes met Darkseid for the first time.
DC Comics fans were disappointed that the celluloid version of the Justice League won't include the Green Lantern. His presence kept the readers on the edge of their seats, unable to guess how the alliance would turn out. A common villain lured them, and it won't be Darkseid. Johns and Lee knew their literature and mythology, with the mere mention of Steppenwolf. Hermann Hesse might have another bout of depression, but this might mean that DC Comics would deserve serious attention. Another chapter revealed the Phantom Strange and Pandora. They have a chance meeting, and it would intrigue readers. A familiar Greek tragedy? Maybe.
"Justice League: Origin" would show the superheroes butting heads with their foes one too many, and Snyder might have liked it. Tension was in the air when they banded for the first time, even during an earnest tribute to the US president. The Flash was perceptive of it, so he thought of the Super Seven. It would reflect their individualistic nature. But it won't be a one-time thing.
