Black Canary in Deck-Building Expansion

Cryptozoic is the publisher of the popular DC Comics Deck Building Game!

At the latest Gen Con, the company announced the release of their first expansion set: Heroes Unite.  Where the original game allowed gamers to play as the seven heroes from the New 52 Justice League, the new set introduces a different, somewhat surprising lineup.

Now players can have fun with Shazam!, Nightwing, Batgirl, Hawkman, Booster Gold, Red Tornado, and Black Canary.

Bleeding Cool broke the news on their site with some interesting details.  And being Bleeding Cool, they got half the story months ago and jumped to a wrong conclusion.  They originally thought this lineup was a new Justice League International.

I don't know why they would be, but this lineup would make a really fun team to read.  Nightwing and Batgirl are Batman surrogates.  Shazam! is your Superman.  Black Canary, Hawkman, and Red Tornado represent the iconic satellite era.  And Booster Gold… is popular, I guess.

JLI Cover by Kevin Maguire

In support of Kevin Maguire, the latest DC Comics talent to get shafted by the company (and his own writer!), I'm posting this cover to Justice League International #8.

Cover to Justice League International #8 (1987), art by Kevin Maguire.

I don't have the same love for this era of the League that a lot of fans have, and personally, I think this Black Canary costume is so atrociously, unspeakably hideous-looking that I'm surprised it wasn't designed for the New 52.  But Maguire is a real talent, always capable of infusing his work with humor, whimsy, and the right dose of action.  C'mon, this is just a classic picture!

Despite not feeling the nostalgic hunger for the creators on the upcoming Justice League 3000, I figured I would read the first issue out of curiosity.  But for DC to kick Maguire off because his work wasn't "dark and gritty" enough?  For the love of God, DC, why did you put him on the book in the first place?!!  You want a dark and gritty future Justice League book?  Then why would you hire the creative team most famous for doing exactly the opposite of that?!!  No sale for me--not now.

Good luck on your Brian Bendis-written X-Men book, Kevin!  I'm sure you're better off over there.