My predictions for the new JLA series.

Brad Meltzer and artist Ed Benes will be launching the new Justice League of America title this summer. Meltzer has stated that the new lineup will consist of 10 members from the above image as well as one member not listed. Since this statement, Meltzer has also confirmed that Batman, Superman, and Wonder Woman will definately be included on the lineup of this new league. This leaves seven open roster spots and one wild card pick to even out DC's flagship team. This raises the question, "Who should be included on this new team? What sort of characters will make the Justice League relevant and popular with new audiences?" Here are my picks in no order.

1. Mr. Terrific - Terry Sloan, also known as Mr. Terrific II has been being groomed by DC for prime time for years. On the JLU cartoon, he replaced Martian Manhunter as the heart of the league and head of the team's watchtower. DC is desperate for strong black charcters that can stand on their own. While he is a legacy character, Mr. Terrific doesn't have that 'almost but not quite feel' that other characters like Steel tend to have. I'm so sick of the Martian Manhunter (who would fit much better on the JSA) lets follow the lead of the JLU and stick Terry Sloan on center stage.


2. The Flash - Lets not kid ourselves. Wally will be back. Bart will be back. Jay will survive. Barry will be back? I'm not sure which one it will be, but every Justice League incarnation needs a really fast guy with a quick wit. My pick is on Wally to return as a middleman between the old and new generations of the league. He has the stand up qualities of his uncle but with none of the dark secrets.

3. Elongated Man - Meltzer, you screwed Ralph Dibny up. In the most recent preview of 52, we see a picture of poor Elognated Man about to kill himself. The same man whose nose used to twitch comically when there was a mystery abound. That's just sad. I've got a feeling 52 will add some depth and redemption to a character that really was a poor man's plastic man before all this sadness hit his life. Give Ralph a new sense of purpose for making the world a better place, a possible love interest on the team, and a few nods to his old 'bwahaha' days and I'll be happy. Plus, I can't stand Plastic Man.

4. Hawkgirl - Again, DC seems to be modeling much of the changes in the DCU after the success of the JLU cartoon. Hawkgirl has her own solo series that can be sure to get a boost from being on the new JLA lineup. She complements Wonder Woman without seeming like too much of a copy and rounds out the team in terms of sheer power.

5. Booster Gold - DC's star of 52, I'm 99% certain BG will be on the new lineup. But expect him to have undergone a major transformation during the course of the OYL jump. Booster Gold, the replacement Kyle Rayner. New 'tude, new costume, new respect among heroes of the DCU. Still even with all the new emphasis on Booster's new role, he will act like an immature dick from time to time *Giffen fans breathe a sigh of relief*

6. Captain Atom - Narrowly edging out Firestorm and Waverider as, 'guy on the team you don't want to be next to when he is injured because he will explode' Captain Atom gets a spot on the new JLA. Because every super team needs a guy whose name starts with Captain. "Hey, it's the Captain! Where's the Captain! I can't believe that blast knocked over the Captain!" Leads for some very dramatic exclamations. Plus, he's shiny. The wildstorm series featuring Captain Atom is selling pretty well and bringing some new fans into the Captain's world. Consider his expertise on time travel, his character development in the Batman/Superman series, and his awesome name... you've got a solid addition to the team.

7. Zatanna - Trust me, she'll be on the new team. Meltzer loves to play up the 'classic league' and with Elongated Man on there, you can be damn sure there will be some 'keaps sdrawkcab' on the team. Somebody on the JLA neads to be able to deal with magical threats and she's much more interesting to look at than Dr. Fate. Her Morrison mini-series was popular. She'll be on the new team.

8. The Atom - Wait, where is he? Oh there he is. He's small. He turns into an atom sized man. Whoo! Expect lots of scenrios like "How are we going to get through this tiny keyhole??" for the Atom to fill the spot for. He'll round out the classic team line up too. I hope they get him his own tiny chair. Maybe I should give him a break. His ex-wife is eclipso after all.

WILDCARD pick:
Catwoman: As Selina Kyle. Yeah I know it's not her OYL. She will be back in time for the JLA series. Just wait and see.