The Justice Foundation, Explained

WARNING: The following article contains spoilers for Justice League of America #29, by Steve Orlando and Hugo Petrus, on sale now.

In the finale of Justice League of America, Steve Orlando and Hugo Petrus introduced the next step in the evolution of the superhero. Being a superhero isn't just about fighting villains, it's about making the world a better place and effecting real change with the powers and resources at their disposal. Now punching bad guys is just one half of the equation, and the superhero think tank known as the Justice Foundation is the other.

What will these heroes be doing if they aren't fighting? By their own admission, they'll be working to invent new technology, develop advanced medicines, and propose concepts that can actually change the world. They are giving back to the people, and superheroing will never be the same again.

So, we know what the Justice Foundation's mission is -- but who are they? Let's break it down.

The Evolution of the Justice League

The Justice League of America is no more, but it's not because the team broke up. Batman's public-facing group has evolved and discovered they can do more than ever thought possible. They've turned Mount Justice into a center for innovation and inspiration for an all-new generation of heroes, and though the fight for justice will still be fought, the Foundation will avoid doing it with their fists.

Some of them, like Frost and the Atom, are scientists first and foremost. Caitlin Snow never wanted to be a superhero, and she spent most of her career seeing her powers as a curse. Now, it's an opportunity to give hope to others and concentrate on using her brain alongside her abilities. Ryan Choi only became the Atom in order to help find his mentor Ray Palmer, and now that he's fulfilled that mission, he feels comfortable finally getting back to the work that matters.

The Ray and Aztek have routinely focused their efforts on helping the community over saving the world. Unsatisfied with the way the Justice League of America can help on a local level, these two can now direct their amazing powers toward helping everyday people live better lives. Instead of being called away to punch some people, Nayeli Constant can focus her attention on the people she has sworn to protect, and Ray Terrill can be where he feels most needed.

Vixen and Black Canary, meanwhile, will guide these heroes in accomplishing their new mission. And though he was never a superhero, Xenos is there too, ready to put his talents as a weapons engineer and architect to good use for once. He's wanted to do good on the second chance the team gave him, and now there's nothing stopping him from achieving his full potential.

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Welcome the New Recruits

The team is made up of more than just old Justice League of America members. From the start, writer Steve Orlando has made it a point to bring in heroes from his previous works to be part of this amazing endeavor. Each has become interconnected within the world Orlando has built, and they bring something new to the group that will hopefully help to bring about real progress.

Hailing from Orlando's work on Supergirl, Strange Visitor and Insight have now become full fledged heroes. Sharon Vance was manipulated by Director Bones into attacking Supergirl, but now she is here to offer her services as pure electromagnetic energy. Who knows? With her help, these heroes may be able to create alternate fuel sources.

Insight, meanwhile, is a reformed criminal who specializes in data theft and manipulation. He gained his own supersuit and became an instrumental part in the downfall of Bones. Using his abilities for the greater good could help the Justice Foundation establish new means of data storage and better methods of digital security.

Once a horribly stereotypical character, Extrano has been reborn and featured in Orlando's work on Midnighter and Apollo and Midnighter as something of a magical consultant. The worlds of magic have long been kept secret from the mortal world, but with Gregorio's help, they may finally be able to put it to some good use. Imagine the innovation magic could bring to the equation when partnered with science.

There is also Dominic Mndawe, the Freedom Beast, whose own foundation serves as something of an inspiration for the Justice Foundation. Earlier in this run on Justice League of America, it was revealed that he has refocused his efforts on using his abilities to communicate with animals and merge beings together to effect real change in animal rights and other applications. It's clear that Caitlin Snow was inspired by his work.

However, this isn't just a group of Orlando's favorite characters together on one page, each of them were given extraordinary gifts, but they have been manipulated or misguided in their use before. Now they are putting their heads, and their powers together in order to do the right thing for the most people.

We Are All the Justice Foundation

What truly sets this group apart from any other superhero team is that the we are all members of the team. The Justice League of America opened up their doors to the public to show the world that everyone can be part of the conversation. This group won't be insulated from the outside world like so many superhero comics feel, they will be working with scientists and doctors to make their dream a reality. They are also recruiting from outside the superhero community.

Lorraine Bedy, a regular non-powered woman has been chosen to sit on the board of directors. She previously stopped Prometheus when he attacked the Sanctuary and tried to seed discourse between the team and the public. Lorraine proved that not all heroes wear capes, and they should be part of the conversation too. It's a great message for this book to end on, because that truth is what truly inspires people.