JLA: Earth 2 (Comics) | Review

What happens when good always triumphs becomes a cosmic law? Writer Grant Morrison (JLA: Rock of Ages, JLA: World War III) and artist Frank Quitely (Batman and Robin: Batman Reborn, New X-Men: E is for Extinction) explored this question back in 2000 with JLA: Earth 2, a graphic novel that flips superhero morality on its head.

This isn't your standard Justice League saves the day story. This is about balance, inevitability and what happens when you try to impose order on a universe designed for chaos. The concept alone makes this a must-read for multiverse storytelling and Crime Syndicate fans.

Morrison wrote this during his celebrated JLA run, the one that brought DC's heaviest hitters back to prominence. Frank Quitely handled the art and this collaboration laid early groundwork for their later partnership on All-Star Superman. The book reintroduced the Crime Syndicate as their evil counterparts from an antimatter universe.

The story kicks off when a passenger plane crashes on Earth but something's wrong. Everyone onboard is already dead, hearts positioned on the right side, money featuring Benedict Arnold. The Justice League traces the anomaly to a heroic Lex Luthor from an antimatter universe.

Alexander Luthor escaped his world to recruit the JLA against Crime Syndicate of Amerika: Ultraman, Owlman, Superwoman, Power Ring and Johnny Quick. These aren't simple evil twins but cosmic opposites ruling a planet where corruption is natural, Ku Klux Klan operates airlines and Benedict Arnold is celebrated as a patriot.

Morrison takes the mirror universe concept to philosophical extremes. On our Earth, good eventually triumphs. On theirs, evil must prevail because the antimatter universe operates on opposite principles. Trying to break this balance creates catastrophic consequences.

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Flash and Green Lantern travel to this alternate reality with Alexander, confident they can overthrow tyranny. They trap the Crime Syndicate on the moon and begin fixing society, establishing justice but here's where Morrison's genius shines through the traditional superhero framework.

The antimatter Earth rejects their heroism at every turn because the universe itself operates on opposite principles. Citizens don't want saving, every attempt at justice crumbles. Meanwhile, the Crime Syndicate escapes to the JLA's Earth, facing the same cosmic problem in reverse.

Owlman can't find satisfaction in his vendetta because Thomas Wayne is already dead. Their villainy lacks impact in a universe where good eventually wins. Morrison introduces Brainiac as a puppet master, orchestrating a collision between both Earths that would destroy everything and evolve him into god-level intelligence.

The philosophical weight hits hard when you realize what Morrison's arguing about heroism. Can the Justice League accept defeat where their values are cosmically invalid? Should they impose their morality on a world that rejects it? Morrison doesn't provide easy answers.

Batman works with Police Chief Thomas Wayne, the antimatter version of his father who survived while Bruce died in Crime Alley. This alternate Thomas blamed his son for the tragedy, who became Owlman out of revenge. These inversions examine how environment shapes identity and creates fundamentally different people.

Superwoman is simultaneously Wonder Woman's counterpart and journalist Lois Lane. Ultraman gains power from Anti-Kryptonite rather than losing it. Every detail reinforces the antimatter concept, creating a world that's genuinely alien despite familiar faces and names.

The resolution respects the story's internal logic instead of giving readers the expected superhero triumph. The Justice League can't win on Earth-2 because justice isn't meant to prevail there. The Crime Syndicate can't conquer Earth-1 because villainy is destined to fail.

The ending involves sacrifice, clever problem-solving and acceptance that some battles can't be won through force. Morrison argues heroism means more when cosmic forces don't guarantee success. The twist isn't that good can't triumph in an evil universe but imposing one cosmic order on another creates existential catastrophe.

Frank Quitely's illustrations elevate Morrison's high-concept script into visual poetry. His delicate linework gives every character weight and presence, handling both the familiar Justice League and their twisted counterparts with equal attention to detail and craftsmanship.

Quitely excels at subtle visual storytelling that newer artists often miss in favor of spectacle. Background details matter: KKK airlines, Arnold-faced currency, propaganda celebrating corruption. His layouts balance explosive action with quieter character moments throughout.

Morrison writes with his characteristic blend of playful intelligence and philosophical weight. The dialogue crackles with distinct personality: Ultraman's arrogance, Owlman's coldness, Alexander Luthor's desperation. Morrison injects humor without undermining stakes, like news commentary that reads both satirical and chilling.

Pacing moves efficiently across 96 pages without wasting panels on unnecessary exposition. Morrison establishes the antimatter Earth, deploys both teams to opposite universes, reveals Brainiac's scheme and builds to a climax. Each scene serves multiple purposes.

JLA: Earth 2 remains essential reading for Justice League fans and anyone interested in multiverse storytelling. Morrison and Quitely deliver a story that respects superhero conventions while interrogating their assumptions. The graphic novel established the Crime Syndicate interpretation used throughout the 2000s.

The book works as both thrilling adventure and thought experiment without sacrificing entertainment for ideas. Readers seeking straightforward hero-beats-villain plotting might find the ending unsatisfying but that's the point Morrison's making about heroism.

This connects to Morrison's broader JLA run but functions as standalone for new readers. The graphic novel assumes basic familiarity with Justice League members but explains everything else. For completists, this fits into Morrison's larger DC work including Final Crisis and The Multiversity, which explores multiverse concepts.

JLA: Earth 2 proves superhero comics can deliver both spectacle and substance. Morrison and Quitely created something that entertains on first read and rewards revisits. Whether you're studying Morrison's DC mythology or just want a damn good story, this delivers impact.

You can read JLA: Earth 2 in physical form as a standalone graphic novel or hardcover, available at local comic-book shops, popular bookstores and major online retailers. Digital editions are accessible for readers across Amaozn Kindle, ComiXology and DC Universe Infinite platforms, so you can read it on tablet, phone or desktop.