Bryan Hitch grew up watching "Super Friends," and every issue of his New 52 "Justice League of America" run over the past year was a love letter to the iconic animated TV series. His passion for the world's greatest heroes must have been obvious to Dan DiDio and Jim Lee, too, as DC Comics' braintrust tapped Hitch to write the flagship "Justice League" ongoing series as part of the "Rebirth" era, which launched this week with the introductory one-shot he also illustrated, "Justice League: Rebirth" #1, to be followed July 20 by a new "Justice League" #1, illustrated by series artist Tony S. Daniel.

Banded together from 77 years of continuity, the new Justice League roster features an updated version of the classic lineup with pre-New 52 Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman front and center. Barry Allen returns as The Flash and Aquaman is there too, but Cyborg replaces Martian Manhunter like he did in the New 52, and there is not one but two Green Lanterns: Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz.

Hitch shared his thoughts on the new lineup with CBR News and talked extensively about the implications of the original Superman joining the Justice League of America, as well as the changes that the two new Green Lanterns make to the team dynamic. The celebrated comic book creator also teased the importance of Wonder Woman and Aquaman's friendship to the series and that while he has no immediate plans for the Legion of Doom, if he can find the right story, he would love to tell it. As for the Watchmen... You'll have to read on to find out.

CBR News: Lois has a line in the first issue that, for me, sums up the series: "It wouldn't be much of a Justice League without a Superman." I know there have been some great runs with the world's greatest heroes without Superman before but, honestly, if you are writing a series with the big guns, Superman has to be front and center. Beyond his obvious superpowers, what does the Man of Steel bring to the Watchtower?

Bryan Hitch: In this case, years of experience the other one didn't have. It's also a new dynamic for the team as, though he looks exactly the same, it's not exactly the same man they knew. When it comes down it too, those obvious super powers change the nature of what the team can and can't do. In the first arc alone, Superman is needed because there's something only he would have even a possible chance of surviving and that none of the others could have pulled off. Strong as she is, even Wonder Woman couldn't have done it and there's a question of whether even the Green Lanterns' power rings would have been capable. It was a job for Superman and that level of thinking shouldn't be seen as an aside, it's a key part of the group dynamic and why it wouldn't be much of a Justice League without him.

Beyond his years of experience, are there other major differences between the original Superman now living and operating in the DCU and the New 52 Superman that recently died in the pages of "Superman" #52? Will you be exploring those differences in "Justice League"?

There are differences, yes. There are obvious ones, like him having a family and completely different life experiences. His parents lived longer than the New 52 Superman's did; he died and was resurrected, he fought different versions of familiar villains. He's also been in the background for years, watching them. He knows them, they don't know him and that's a new relationship to explore. All of this is rich material to explore.

Lois and Jon are featured in your first issue. Will we continue to see Clark's family in "Justice League" or will they be reserved for his solo books "Superman" and "Action Comics"?

Oh, they'll certainly be there, especially Lois. That's his trinity now. It's a fundamental shift in the understanding of the character. We're all used to his hugely altruistic ideals and heroism, his selfless acts, that 'big blue boy scout' label. There's also been a suggestion that he's a hard character to empathize with. I disagree with that but what this situation with Lois and Jon does is change why he saves the world. It's not just about selfless and general heroism. He's saving it for them to live in. To a degree they are refugees in this world, the second time for Kal-El but to boil those incredible acts of heroism down to making the world safer for his family is something we can all understand. It effectively makes him much, much more human and sets him a step back from that messianic idea that's unfortunately pervaded his mythology in recent years.

Do you enjoying writing the family dynamic?

Yes, very much. We have a large family so it's easy to understand and there's emotion to it you need to underscore all the big stuff. Without that it's just noise.

Batman is keen to have Superman join the Justice League -- but it's Batman, so there's always a reason. In "Justice League: Rebirth" #1, the Dark Knight tells Cyborg and Flash: "I want him close until we can figure out what's really happening." While we get a new Superman with Rebirth, Batman never changes, which I think is a good thing. What is it about Batman's Batman-y ways that makes him so important to the Justice League?

He's a connective tissue. It's easy to say because he's so damn cool and that's certainly true, he is but it's obviously more than that. He's very, very smart and looks at the world differently. That same mind that helps make him the world's finest detective allows him to see connections and patterns the others don't. He's the ultimate out-of-the-box thinker and for that alone he'd be earning his place on the team but in pretty much any fight, one way or another, you'd put your money on The Batman. Plus, he's pretty damn cool. [Laughs]

I enjoy your take and understanding of Wonder Woman. She's almost vulnerable in this issue and needs to be consoled by Aquaman, which is a characteristic that we rarely see with Diana. Is this a short-term change as a result of Superman's death in her character or will you continue to explore her emotional state as well as her physical prowess?

She's upset and angry and that's certainly where we find her in "Justice League: Rebirth." She's got a very Amazonian way of dealing with that anger though as you'll see. She's very pragmatic, too, and brought up as a warrior and princess so I do think she's probably a little reserved in her outward emotions. I think her drive is forward looking, not somebody who will be buried under her feelings of loss, no matter how acute. She's not Batman by any means, but a level of control, self-control, toward her emotions. That said, her Superman is dead and whilst there is another Superman around that looks like him, it's not the one she has feelings for the same way. Respect, certainly, but what you might take from Rebirth is the close bond between her and Aquaman. Both are royalty, both connected by history -- myth to us, history to them. They are very close friends and that's a genuine relationship to play with.

RELATED: "Green Lanterns" Core: Who Are Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz?

As you pointed out in "Justice League: Rebirth" #1 both of the new Green Lanterns, Simon Baz and Jessica Cruz, have a bumpy past with Earth's first and last line of defense: "You know the League arrested me once...?" "That's okay, Simon, I once tried to kill them..." For those only familiar with Hal Jordan, what makes Simon and Jess worthy of serving as members of the Justice League?

Hal trusted them enough to introduce them to the League but most importantly, trusted them with his beat. They've got the Earth to police and that's not something you give to inept bunglers. You give that sort of trust to people you believe will rise to all the challenges that represents. There's a prophecy about Simon and he's already proved his capability with the ring and Jessica has plenty of experience with the team but they are both rookies as Green Lanterns and Justice Leaguers and that again gives the group dynamic a fresh flavor.

Their personalities too offer a fresh voice on the page. They have their own dynamic as partners but that also affects the wider team. Simon has trouble feeling like he belongs anywhere and Jessica has barely overcome her anxiety problems. Right now she can't form solid constructs so her green light is more raw and emotional.

In the wider team, Flash and Green Lantern have been something of a double act and that will continue here but it may take a slightly different turn now. The fact that the team has two new rookies also means Cyborg isn't the rookie anymore and that changes things for him too.

There are some awesome splash pages in this issue. As writer and artist, do you purposefully serve up some big action scenes for you to deliver as an artist or does the pacing come organically from the storytelling?

It always comes from storytelling, from the beats and rhythms so it's fully driven by story, never by what I want to draw. I want to draw the best story I can so I've always tried never to work to any limitations I felt I had as an artist and just work harder to be better at the stuff that didn't come naturally. That's probably why "Ultimates" was so hard, it had everything I felt I didn't like or wasn't good at in it and mostly at my own suggestion!

I almost hate having to draw so-called 'iconic imagery' as it takes so long to get it right! It's by far the hardest thing to nail. Here the story just seemed to yell for a few of them and it came together unusually easily.

Is there a character that you are enjoying drawing the most and what is it about him or her that you like best? And are there any characters that you feel you don't quite have figured out yet?

Well, "JLA" served as a great warm up for this and I've only had to draw Rebirth. A raft of amazing artists is drawing all of the other "Justice League" issues. Having the new Green Lanterns gave me something new to get to grips with as a writer but as I've been polishing the dialogue for the final edit, they've just popped wonderfully to life and are proving to be a joy, especially in how they work with the others. In terms of having written and drawn "JLA" and then "Rebirth," I honestly couldn't pick a favorite. I do love these guys. They're why I work in comics at all so getting to play with them at this level is just a daily pleasure.

The Reaper is a great supervillain. Will he/she/it continue to be featured in this opening arc or are other supervillains coming?

That isn't the end of The Reapers. They aren't in the opening arc but they do have a purpose in the larger plans. There's something they answer to and that's all I'm going to say.

[Laughs] OK. What can you tease about your opening arc?

It's pretty massive. We have world building to do for the larger arc but it's new villains, new ideas, the end of the world, the annihilation of humankind and the League pushed to extremes like never before. And in the second issue...

I like new villains as much as anyone, but when are we going to see the Legion of Doom?

As soon as I think of a story for them that fits the plan and will blow everybody away with it's total awesomeness.

Yes. I like it. And when are we going to see the Watchmen...?

Well now, that is the question isn't it?

"Justice League: Rebirth" #1 by Bryan Hitch is available now.