***Contains Spoilers***
The final stretch of Keith Giffen’s Justice League International (#26-63) was an uneven ride that struggled to keep its charm intact. Following the adventures of the ragtag JLI/JLA team—including Blue Beetle, Booster Gold, Fire, Ice, and others—the book navigated a comedic tone while attempting to balance cosmic threats, team shakeups, and the satirical absurdities Giffen and DeMatteis became known for. This era marked the end of Giffen’s time with the title, culminating in the “Breakdowns” storyline, which brought his run to a close.
What worked for me? General Glory, hands down. His over-the-top parody of Captain America was laugh-out-loud funny, with his long-winded, eye-rolling war stories stealing the show. I also really liked J’onn J’onzz in this series, which is rare for me. Giffen and DeMatteis’ take on him as a reluctant team dad, complete with stress-eating Oreos, felt relatable—especially as a parent to three kids (ages seven, five, and two at the time of reading). His dynamic with the team added depth to the humor, making him one of the few characters that grew on me over time.
I also appreciated the bold choice to make Blue Beetle out of shape during the “Breakdowns” arc. It was a refreshing, humanizing development for a character often played for laughs, though it’s a shame this era didn’t capitalize on its potential. The series’ lighter tone offered a nice change of pace from typical superhero melodrama, especially when it leaned into the absurdity of the premise. However, when stretched across so many issues, the humor started to feel repetitive, losing its charm with each new punchline that overstayed its welcome.
The biggest letdown, though, was the team shakeups. Orion and Lightray, brought in as replacements, were barely there and felt shoehorned in rather than developed as part of the larger team dynamic. Meanwhile, Guy Gardner’s Green Lantern and Batman’s brief presence felt disconnected from the stronger personalities in the group, which diluted some of the early magic the series had. Ultimately, the rotating roster lost some of the spark that made the original lineup special.
“Breakdowns” itself, while better than I’d been led to believe by the reviews I read, was a mixed bag. It felt like Giffen and DeMatteis were trying to thread too many needles as they wrapped things up. The humor still worked in spots, but the pacing felt sluggish, and the emotional beats didn’t always land.
In the end, I liked this run well enough, but it’s not something I’d revisit. It overstayed its welcome and became a chore to finish, even though the creative team’s unique comedic voice deserves credit. I’d give it 2 stars—an enjoyable read in parts but ultimately too uneven to recommend revisiting.
Feature Image Justice League America #30 cover art by Joe Rubinstein and Kevin Maguire