Justice League Unlimited #17
Scheduled to arrive in stores: March 25, 2026
Cover date: May 2026
“Justice League Unlimited”
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Clayton Henry
Cover: Dan Mora
Variant Cover: Bruno Redondo, Brian Bolland, Kevin Wada, and Stephen Byrne
Woman’s History Variant Cover: Lesley ‘Leirix’ Li
Justice League Virgin Variant and a Dan Mora Corner Box Spot Foil Virgin Variant
Reviewed by: JP Rocha
While the story takes place in the time immediately after the end of “DC K.O. #6”, the issue actually starts 72 hours later. Lex Luthor, Giganta, and Starro intervene in a hostage situation in Bialya, claiming the authority of the Justice League.
Cutting back in time to the Justice League Watchtower, Blue Beetle and Red Tornado are watching the Earth reconstruct itself and returning to its pre-tournament form.
Meanwhile, Air Wave, Mr. Terrific, and Kid Flash witness the expansion of the Omega Rift that initially appeared as a tear after the “defeat of Darkseid” during the events of the All In Special. Too late to react, the rift explodes in a “KRAKOOM” as the heroes and the villains that participated in the tournament return. All except one.
Batman, Wonder Woman, and Captain Atom reveal the results of the tournament. It was bittersweet. Yes the tournament is over and Superman was victorious in saving the Universe, but the fight with Darkseid is still ahead but even worse Superman is lost.
That is not all that is wrong, as the debrief is interrupted by Red Tornado announcing that there has been a mistake in the prisoner transfer back to their proper correction facilities. It seems that while 99 percent of the prisoners have been returned, some are unaccounted for.
It seems that Girder and Tar Pit are loose and rampaging in Keystone City, but as Kid Flash, Air Wave, and Startgirl engage they realize that they are not the threat. And it seems that maybe the Justice League was quick to judge their former villains in a time of crisis.
To address this Batman takes Wonder Woman (The Wisdom of Athena) and The Captain (The Wisdom of Solomon) into the Phantom Zone where the prisoners were kept during the world ending event. There they met up with Mon-el to discuss the potential “full and unconditional amnesty” for the prisoners.
Story – 4: “Justice League Unlimited” resumes its place as DC flagship book. Issue #17 picks up after the events of “DC K.O.”. We see that the apocalyptic events are reversing, and with it even the decisions of the League. While the fate of both Superman and Darkseid is unknown, it is known that they are both somewhere out there and that they will both be back. Unfortunately, in the case of Darkseid, the events of DC K.O. was just a “prequel to the real fight ahead”.
Art – 4: The art is exceptional, Clayton Henry should be on an ongoing book. There are two great double page splashes. The first is the newest members of the League making the save reveal in Bialya, as they crash through a wall. The second double splash page is the Krakoom explosion of the Omega Rift marking the return of the characters from the tournament lead by Lobo!
Cover Art – 4: The main cover is a Dan Mora group shot, as DC Moves out of “DC K.O.” and into “DC Next Level”. Front and center is Lex Luthor in his battle suit, but what makes the cover is Lobo.
There are variant covers by Bruno Redondo, Brian Bolland, Kevin Wada, and Stephen Byrne.
The Bruno Redondo variant spotlights Booster Gold and Blue Beetle. The cover is aping the family portraits of the late 1980s and early 90s, complete with the after image.
The Brian Bolland cover features Metamorpho. Exactly what Metamorpho is doing is anyone’s guess but Superman and Batman seem interested.
The Kevin Wada Variant spotlights Wonder Woman. Also featured is the Ryan Choi Atom who fits in the palm of Wonder Woman’s hand. Diana is well rendered and well colored.
The Stephen Byrne cover is a cute cover of Green Lantern and Star Sapphire, sitting on a shared floating bench-construct as they look down on the Earth from the Thermosphere.
There is also special monthly variants:
A Woman’s History Month Variant by Lesley ‘Leirix’ Li. Second month in a row that Vixen has been spotlighted in a monthly variant special. Li’s style is cartoony and very good.
There is also a Justice League Symbol Virgin Variant, and a Dan Mora Cover Box Foil Virgin Variant. This is the Justice League Unlimited Cover Box, which features Wonder Woman and Red Tornado.
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