The Secrets and Details of Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee
Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee: A Behind-the-Scenes Look at the Epic Comic Book Series
If you are a fan of comic books, superheroes, or art, you have probably heard of Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee, a stunning collection that showcases the original pencil work of one of the most acclaimed artists in the industry. But what is this collection exactly and why is it so special? In this article, we will explore the story behind this masterpiece, from its conception to its reception, and reveal some of the secrets and details that make it a must-have for any comic book lover.
Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee
Introduction
Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee is a hardcover edition that collects issues 1-12 of Justice League, a comic book series that was launched in 2011 as part of DC Comics' reboot initiative called The New 52. The series features a new origin story for the Justice League, a team of iconic superheroes that includes Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg. The series was written by Geoff Johns, one of the most prolific and influential writers in comics, and illustrated by Jim Lee, one of the most popular and respected artists in comics. The collection presents Jim Lee's artwork as never before seen-in his original pencils-without any inks or colors. This allows readers to appreciate his amazing skills and techniques, as well as to see how he created each page and panel from scratch.
The collection offers several benefits for comic book fans. First, it provides a thrilling and engaging story that reimagines the origins of the Justice League in a modern and dynamic way. Second, it showcases some of the most iconic characters and villains in comics history, such as Darkseid, Superman's archenemy. Third, it reveals some of the creative process and collaboration between Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, two legends in comics. Fourth, it gives a rare opportunity to see Jim Lee's pencil work in its purest form, without any alterations or enhancements. Fifth, it includes a foreword by Jim Lee, an introduction by Geoff Johns, and a sketch gallery by Jim Lee, which add more insight and value to the collection.
The Story of Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee
The New 52 Era and the Rebirth of the Justice League
In 2011, DC Comics decided to reboot its entire universe and relaunch its flagship titles with new #1 issues. This was done to attract new readers, simplify the continuity, and revitalize the characters. The initiative was called The New 52, as it featured 52 monthly titles that spanned different genres and themes. One of the most anticipated and important titles was Justice League, which was assigned to Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, two of the biggest names in comics.
Geoff Johns had been writing for DC Comics since 1999, and had worked on several titles such as Green Lantern, Flash, Superman, and Teen Titans. He had also been involved in various events and crossovers, such as Infinite Crisis, Blackest Night, and Flashpoint. He had a reputation for being a master storyteller who could balance action, drama, humor, and emotion, as well as for being a fanboy who respected the history and legacy of the characters. Jim Lee had been drawing for DC Comics since 2005, after he sold his own company WildStorm to DC. He had worked on titles such as Batman, Superman, and All Star Batman and Robin. He had also been the co-publisher of DC Comics since 2010, along with Dan DiDio. He had a reputation for being a superstar artist who could draw stunning and dynamic scenes, as well as for being a visionary who could reinvent and modernize the characters.
The two creators had a mutual respect and admiration for each other, and had collaborated before on projects such as Superman: For Tomorrow and Batman: Hush Unwrapped. They decided to work together on Justice League, as they saw it as a challenge and an opportunity to create something epic and memorable. They wanted to tell a new origin story for the Justice League that would introduce the characters to a new generation of readers, as well as to celebrate their history and legacy. They also wanted to make the story accessible and fun, without being too dark or grim.
The story they came up with was set five years in the past, when superheroes were new and feared by the world. A series of strange attacks by alien creatures forces Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Flash, Aquaman, and Cyborg to team up for the first time, despite their differences and distrust. They soon discover that the attacks are part of a larger invasion plan by Darkseid, a tyrannical warlord from another dimension called Apokolips. The heroes have to overcome their personal issues and learn to work together as a team, in order to stop Darkseid from conquering Earth. Along the way, they also have to deal with the public's reaction to their existence, as well as with other threats such as Lex Luthor, Pandora, and the Secret Society of Super-Villains.
The Artistic Process and the Pencil Work of Jim Lee
and many others. He is also known for his versatility and adaptability, as he can draw different genres and styles, from superheroes to sci-fi to horror to fantasy.
Jim Lee's artistic process involves several steps. First, he reads the script and makes notes and sketches of his ideas. Second, he does some research and reference for the characters and the settings, using books, magazines, photos, movies, or online sources. Third, he draws the thumbnails or rough layouts of each page and panel, using pencils or digital tools. Fourth, he pencils the final artwork on large sheets of paper, using a blue pencil for the initial sketch and a regular pencil for the final details. Fifth, he scans his pencil work and sends it to his inker and colorist, who add the finishing touches to his drawings.
Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee presents Jim Lee's pencil work as it is, without any inks or colors. This allows readers to see how he created each page and panel from scratch, and to appreciate his amazing skills and techniques. Some of the things that readers can notice are:
How he uses perspective and composition to create depth and dynamism in his scenes.
How he uses anatomy and proportions to create realistic and expressive characters.
How he uses shading and cross-hatching to create contrast and texture in his drawings.
How he uses gestures and facial expressions to convey emotion and personality in his characters.
How he uses backgrounds and environments to create mood and atmosphere in his scenes.
How he uses action lines and sound effects to create movement and impact in his scenes.
Some of the highlights and details of his pencil work that are revealed in this collection are:
The iconic cover of Justice League #1, which features the seven main heroes in a striking pose.
The splash page of Justice League #3, which shows Wonder Woman lifting a tank over her head.
The double-page spread of Justice League #4, which shows the heroes fighting Darkseid's parademons in Metropolis.
The splash page of Justice League #5, which shows Darkseid's face looming over the heroes.
The double-page spread of Justice League #6, which shows the heroes battling Darkseid in a cosmic showdown.
The splash page of Justice League #9, which shows Aquaman summoning a giant shark to attack his enemies.
The double-page spread of Justice League #12, which shows Superman and Wonder Woman kissing for the first time.
The Reception and the Legacy of Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee
Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee was released in May 2017, as a celebration of the 25th anniversary of Image Comics, the company that Jim Lee co-founded with other artists in 1992. The collection received positive reviews from critics and fans alike, who praised Jim Lee's artwork and Geoff Johns' story. The collection also sold well, reaching #2 on The New York Times Best Seller list for hardcover graphic books.
The series that the collection is based on was also a huge success when it was first published from 2011 to 2012. The series was one of the best-selling titles of The New 52 initiative, with each issue selling over 100,000 copies. The series also won several awards, such as the Diamond Gem Award for Comic Book of the Year in 2011 and 2012, and the Stan Lee Award for Best Ongoing Series in 2012.
The series also influenced other media adaptations of the Justice League, such as movies, games, and animated shows. For example:
The 2017 live-action movie Justice League, directed by Zack Snyder (and later re-released as Zack Snyder's Justice League in 2021), was partly inspired by the series, featuring Darkseid as the main villain and Cyborg as one of the main heroes.
The 2013 video game Injustice: Gods Among Us, developed by NetherRealm Studios, featured character designs and costumes based on Jim Lee's artwork.
The 2016 animated movie Justice League vs. Teen Titans, directed by Sam Liu, featured a scene where the Justice League fights Darkseid's parademons, similar to the series.
The series also stands out among other Justice League stories and comic book collections, as it offers a fresh and exciting take on the origins and adventures of the world's greatest heroes, as well as a behind-the-scenes look at the artistic process and collaboration of two legends in comics, Geoff Johns and Jim Lee.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee is a stunning collection that showcases the original pencil work of one of the most acclaimed artists in the industry, Jim Lee. The collection presents the story of the Justice League's new origin, written by Geoff Johns, as never before seen-in Jim Lee's original pencils-without any inks or colors. The collection offers several benefits for comic book fans, such as:
A thrilling and engaging story that reimagines the origins of the Justice League in a modern and dynamic way.
A showcase of some of the most iconic characters and villains in comics history, such as Darkseid, Superman's archenemy.
A glimpse into the creative process and collaboration between Geoff Johns and Jim Lee, two legends in comics.
A rare opportunity to see Jim Lee's pencil work in its purest form, without any alterations or enhancements.
A foreword by Jim Lee, an introduction by Geoff Johns, and a sketch gallery by Jim Lee, which add more insight and value to the collection.
If you are a fan of comic books, superheroes, or art, you should definitely buy or read Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee, as it is a masterpiece that will inspire and entertain you for years to come.
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee:
Where can I buy or read Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee?
You can buy or read Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee from various online or physical retailers, such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Comixology, DC Comics, or your local comic book store. You can also borrow it from your local library or from a friend.
What is the difference between Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee and Justice League: Origin?
Justice League: Origin is another collection that collects issues 1-6 of Justice League, but with Jim Lee's artwork inked by Scott Williams and colored by Alex Sinclair. Justice League Unwrapped by Jim Lee collects issues 1-12 of Justice League, but with Jim Lee's artwork in his original pencils only. Both collections have the same story written by Geoff Johns.
What are some other collections that feature Jim Lee's artwork?
Some other collections that feature Jim Lee's artwork are:
Batman: Hush Unwrapped, which collects issues 608-619 of Batman, written by Jeph Loeb and penciled by Jim Lee.
Suicide Squad by Jim Lee Unwrapped, which collects issues 1-8 of Suicide Squad Rebirth, written by Rob Williams and penciled by Jim Lee.
X-Men: Mutant Genesis 2.0, which collects issues 1-7 of X-Men, written by Chris Claremont and penciled by Jim Lee.
The WildStorm: A Celebration of 25 Years, which collects various stories from WildStorm titles, such as WildC.A.T.s, Gen, The Authority, and Planetary, written and drawn by various creators, including Jim Lee.
Who are some other artists who have drawn the Justice League?
Some other artists who have drawn the Justice League are:
Curt Swan, who drew the Justice League in the Silver Age era.
Dick Dillin, who drew the Justice League in the Bronze Age era.
George Perez, who drew the Justice League in the Post-Crisis era.
Rebirth era.
Jason Fabok, who drew the Justice League in the Darkseid War and Justice League vs. Suicide Squad events.
Jorge Jimenez, who drew the Justice League in the No Justice and Doom War events.
What are some other collections that feature Geoff Johns' writing?
Some other collections that feature Geoff Johns' writing are:
Green Lantern by Geoff Johns Omnibus, which collects his entire run on Green Lantern, from Rebirth to The New 52.
Aquaman by Geoff Johns Omnibus, which collects his run on Aquaman during The New 52.
Batman: Earth One, which collects his reimagining of Batman's origin in an alternate reality.
Doomsday Clock, which collects his sequel to Watchmen, featuring a crossover between the DC Universe and the Watchmen Universe.
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