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It ’s no surprise thatBatmanis typically the unrelenting member of theJustice League . Just because Bruce is serious though , does n’t stand for he does n’t have a sense of humor , and he once used it to brutal effect againstHawkman .
In the wake of the epicCrisis on Infinite EarthsDC was exquisite on invigorate many of its Graeco-Roman properties , include Justice League . To this end , 1987 saw the debut ofJustice League International . To keep their properties as compartmentalized and separate as possible , the only two classic Justice League members ab initio allow on the team were Batman and Martian Manhunter . Everyone else was either a fresh character like Booster Gold , or an underutilized character that DC wanted to find way for , such as Blue Beetle and Black Canary . Though they undoubtedly had their serious here and now , this irregular group of heroes brought a more comedic tactile sensation to the DC Universe … and the most surprising laugh came from the Dark Knight himself .
Related : Hawkman ’s Son Became Batman ’s Darkest Protege ( And break in His One linguistic rule )
Justice League International # 19by Keith Giffin , JM DeMatteis , Kevin Maguire , and Joe Rubinstein saw the new League in a bit of a bind . After Black Canary lay off the meter and a few other heroes were off doing important employment in place , the squad was left short - staff . Though Lobo wanted to join , a battle with Guy Gardnergave other members of the squad doubts , including Batman . On the urging of Maxwell Lord , Bruce tried to call in a few favour from honest-to-god booster . Superman turned membership down , saying he ’s too busy . Desperate , Batman turns to Hawkman and Hawkgirl . Though Hawkgirl was excited and uncoerced to join , her husband was more skeptical . He lay claim that Justice League International was a bunch of jokers . Batman counter that he does n’t tell jokes . Reluctantly , Hawkman agreed to join , but only if there were no jokes . Batman leaves , but deliver his most devastating jest of all time , " Lighten up a small , will you ? My god– You ’re positively grim ! "
While Batman ’s reputation as an sheer reefer in the clay vary depending on the writer , he ’s not half as bad as Hawkman . Carter Hall is the definition of straight - tied and no - nonsense , take his office as a superhero and warrior far more seriously than almost any other DC Hero . It ’s no wonder that he did n’t last in Justice League International for very long believe their goofier joke . Batman ’s insult here picture that Hawkman ’s even too serious for him . Though the minute is screaming , it also works to answer fan criticism of the serial .
Justice League International may be well - loved now , but its sillier pure tone had pile of critics when it was released in 1987 . This was the epoch ofThe Dark Knight ReturnsandWatchmen . A Holy Writ where heroes actually have fun being hero sandwich was almost more transgressive than the grim and granulose superhero deconstruction which were spread like wildfire at the prison term . In a way , Batman say " Lighten up , " feels likeJustice League International’screative squad venting their thwarting . Both serious and silly have their station in comical books , and no one embodies that better than Batman . TheJustice LeagueandBatmanshould be allow to snap jokes just likeHawkmanis free to scowl and brood .
Next : How WW84 ’s Maxwell Lord Wormed His Way Into the Justice League
