Why does the JLA style itself the Justice League Of AMERICA?

[Fantasyartist]

Why does the JLA style itself the Justice League of AMERICA when several of its leading members are clearly not US citizens or are aliens(Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Hawkman/Hawkgirl, Martian Manhunter)?
Others( Batman, Plastic Man, Green Arrow, Black Canary) clearly are Americans (by naturalization if not by birth) but doesn't the group's very title tend to prejudice its ability to act with governments that are neither US allies( such as the UK and its NATO partners and Israel)-the majority of the world's governments.
By contrast the JLA's Marvel counterparts-the Avengers-sensibly downgrade nationalism by styling themselves "Earth's Mightiest Heroes".
Given that overt anti-US sentiment is at its highest(and not just in the Arab or Islamic world) since the Vietnam War, I think this issue needs to be clarified(see my criticism of "Truth, Justice and the AMERICAN way" in the "Superman" section of this MB last year).!

Terry

[roach]

I dont think it has anything to do with them being citizens but where the team is based

[Harlekin]

That's what they called themselves when they first formed, which is when the majority of their team was American or at least gave the impression of being so. It's a tradition thing. You'll also found the majority of the stories have characters refer to them as the Justice League, without a denomination.

[roach]

why does this need to be clarified....is anti american sentiment high in the DC universe???

[Cyrusbales]

It does seem they are gearing more towards the "Justice League" and leaving out the america element, with the cartoons etc, to show a better national face in the media.

[Harlekin]

If it resembles the real world in some way, then there's definitely a present anti-American sentiment. It doesn't really pertain to the Justice League though, because anyone that hates Superman would so because he's Superman, not because he 'aligns' himself with America. Same with the other heroes.

[Tropico]

Originally Posted by Fantasyartist

doesn't the group's very title tend to prejudice its ability to act with governments that are neither US allies( such as the UK and its NATO partners and Israel)-the majority of the world's governments?

No.

[CLARKY]

Originally Posted by Fantasyartist

Why does the JLA style itself the Justice League of AMERICA when several of its leading members are clearly not US citizens or are aliens(Superman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Hawkman/Hawkgirl, Martian Manhunter)?
Others( Batman, Plastic Man, Green Arrow, Black Canary) clearly are Americans (by naturalization if not by birth) but doesn't the group's very title tend to prejudice its ability to act with governments that are neither US allies( such as the UK and its NATO partners and Israel)-the majority of the world's governments.
By contrast the JLA's Marvel counterparts-the Avengers-sensibly downgrade nationalism by styling themselves "Earth's Mightiest Heroes".
Given that overt anti-US sentiment is at its highest(and not just in the Arab or Islamic world) since the Vietnam War, I think this issue needs to be clarified(see my criticism of "Truth, Justice and the AMERICAN way" in the "Superman" section of this MB last year).!
Terry

Yeah, that is something thats bug me. But I don't judge the situation from a pro-american or anti-american point of view. I think they should called themselves the Justice League and not the JLA because, they are not all american as you stated, because they are not based in america, well, they are now, (!), and mostly because the super team of supreme beings defending earth and sometimes the universe, shouldn't be entitled to one country. The avengers, in the marvel universe, are american and I would understand that the term "america" suits them better, yet they called themselves the earth mightiest heroes (as you've stated) but for the Justice League, THE league defending earth and all ... ? ... No I think it should disappear.

Hey harlekin, I'm not dreaming, am I ? Your avvy is John Hannibal Smith, isn't it ? Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

[Kitsune]

You know that in some countries they burn Superman toys to protest American policies.

[The Question]

It was meant to pay tribute to the Justice Society, who, back in the dayd of WWII, identified themselves solely as American (there were British and Russian superhumans who fought in the war as well). The League calling themselves The Justice League of America isn't them supporting one country over any others. It's paying tribute to the people who inspired them.

[Darthphere]

Who the **** cares?

"Oh you're going to save me from this forest fire? Thank you!....wait you're with the Justice League of America? No thank you, I would rather burn to death."

[Cyrusbales]

Originally Posted by Darthphere

Who the **** cares?

"Oh you're going to save me from this forest fire? Thank you!....wait you're with the Justice League of America? No thank you, I would rather burn to death."

Tell that to people who blow themselves up for those ideals....

[Harlekin]

Originally Posted by CLARKY

Hey harlekin, I'm not dreaming, am I ? Your avvy is John Hannibal Smith, isn't it ? Sweeeeeeeeeeeet!

Yes, yes is it. Thanks for noticing.

[Darthphere]

Originally Posted by Cyrusbales

Tell that to people who blow themselves up for those ideals....

How about I don't and keep on believing comic books are part of a fictional world.

[Cyrusbales]

Originally Posted by Darthphere

How about I don't and keep on believing comic books are part of a fictional world.

[Eros]

whats wrong with the america part, most of their activities take place in america, they have an embassy in the american capital, nearly all the members are either born or raised in America, the greatest country on any earth.

[fifthfiend]

The JLA thing happened back when America was the shining beacon of freedom and prosperity for the whole world so it wasn't weird to see a bunch of non-Americans pretty much saying hey, America is pretty awesome, we're totally proud to be members of America's Justice League cause Americans are some pretty great dudes who are all about justice and things. We live in the era of sucky awful "**** you, pay me" America so it doesn't make sense to us but for people who grew up when like FDR or Eisenhower or Kennedy were President it was pretty much like of course, who doesn't think America is totally great?

I mean unless you were a black person, but you know, aside from that.

[Memphis Slim]

Originally Posted by Eros

whats wrong with the america part, most of their activities take place in america, they have an embassy in the american capital, nearly all the members are either born or raised in America, the greatest country on any earth.

Haters.....that's all.

Everything you just listed is the the reason for that. I don't understand the hatred for this country. Everybody is trying to sneak in illegally. It feeds half the world. It protects most of the planet. Let something bad happen to some nation and guess who they always ask to intervene. US!

This thread is just hatin' too.

[Memphis Slim]

Originally Posted by Cyrusbales

Tell that to people who blow themselves up for those ideals....

They can have at it.

[Red Mask]

There is nothing wrong with calling themselves the JLA. It's been that way for decades and it works. Don't let the real world creep into this popular title. Besides, what good is it to say they're international? They aren't, okay? So Superman rushes to some unlikely earthquake disaster overseas. That doesn't mean he lives in other countries. Most of the time we'll see the members living in America. And the writers have lived in America, so they're more familiar with that culture.

First the G.I.Joe name, now this? JLA is fine.

[Mee]

I wanna see the Justice League of Turkey.

[CConn]

Originally Posted by Cyrusbales

Tell that to people who blow themselves up for those ideals....

The only thing I'd tell those people is "you're ****ing insane."

[Aristotle]

Originally Posted by Memphis Slim

I don't understand the hatred for this country.

Probably because you've never been anywhere else.

Originally Posted by Memphis Slim

Everybody is trying to sneak in illegally.

Yes. Because the US has pillaged and plundered the entire developing world. So the thinking is, "maybe if I go to where all the stolen, ill-gotten wealth is, I can get in on some of that action!" How stupid of them.

Originally Posted by Memphis Slim

It feeds half the world.

No, it really doesn't. We actually withhold food from half the world. And when we do provide aid, it's in paltry, unsustainable ways, to perpetuate the dependency on US supply. Meanwhile, we cause most of the economic disparity between developing world and developed world, and we sponsor most of the wars in the world.

Originally Posted by Memphis Slim

It protects most of the planet.

The hundreds of thousands of Iraqi civilian casualties must feel very protected. The people of Guatemala, disenfranchised and ruled by a US-imposed dictator must feel very protected. The people of Iraq, ruled for years by a US-imposed dictator named Saddam Hussein, must have felt very protected. The people of Iran, also ruled for years by a US-imposed dictator, must feel very protected. The Palestinian people, oppressed by the US-backed IDF, must feel very protected. The Israeli people, living in fear because of a US-fueled conflict, must feel very protected. Here's a hint: I've spoken with numerous representatives of all of those demographics: THEY DON'T FEEL PROTECTED.

Originally Posted by Memphis Slim

Let something bad happen to some nation and guess who they always ask to intervene. US!

Yes, because the something bad that happens? It's usually caused by us. Or nature. One of the two. And besides, when one nation has stolen and cheated away most of the world's wealth, who else would it make sense to ask for a little help?

[Spike_x1]

Holy crap, we agree.

[Hush]

I thinks its called JLA cause the comic ws written in america and the fictional book you are arguing politics over is indeed just that fictional. I mean it just has a nice ring to it as well and i say leave it or if you rather not see the title then dont pick it up or simply color over the title with black marker.