The Team Leader of The JLA

[Mia]

I'm not that familiar with the nuts and bolts of the JLA, but I was wondering if someone could tell me who is the 'boss' or who has the final say when it comes to decisions? Does everyone have get a vote, or is it Superman?

[Adem]

Does everyone have get a vote, or is it Superman?

From what I've seen everyone gets to vote. Usually it is easy matters where most of the JLA agree on so it is majority rule.

[Carl Orr]

It's Batman. When Batman says it's final, it's final.

[seaflower]

Superman is the chairman...Batman seems to take over the leadership when the JLA are in the field and need a mastermind to arrange battle station. Plus he is the bankroll. John is the spine...been in every incarnation of the JLA and according to some books Wonder Woman seems to be the soul of the team.

[onenatv]

When did Superman became Chairman? I read the JLA showcase and the flash was the chairman. When did he stepped down?

[handOFfate]

Unlike the JSA, I don't think the role of chairman in JLA means much. I don't even remember the last time I saw a definite chairman. The JLA vote on their decisions.

[Carl Orr]

The JLA vote on their decisions.

And then Batman has the final say.

[Lightbend]

It's a sort of rotating chairmanship. Superman is considered the chairman by the public at large-he's the public face. But, because it's usually an odd-numbered membership, they vote on matters.

[Kirayoshi]

I think Supes was the semi-official chairman during the Morrison-Waid period. IIRC he had officially 'disbanded' the League briefly in one issue--mainly to outwit the android Amazo. The Atom's idea: if Amazo was programmed to automatically duplicate the powers of all members of the League, then the fastest way to defeat him was to remove the League, thereby removing his powers. Don't laugh, it worked!

[Agentum]

Martian Manhunter is important to, communications and so.

The speaksman seems to be Superman often.

[geordiesteve]

I think it's like the Camelot of old from Arthurian legend, they all sit at a round table, each with their own symbol on the back, so they all have equal power. Yes, some of them are better at specific bits than others, and some of the younger members will defer to the more senior or go with the flow, but I think the idea was there is no official head of the table.

[Agentum]

But King Arthur was the king.

[PatrickG]

The JLA has no "leader". It does have a chairman who presides over the meetings but I think anyone else who's served that role knows that in groups, presidents often have less power than the average member to influence policy except on a few key points.

Basically, Superman was the spokesman for the Waid/Morrison era. Batman, J'Onn, Aquaman and Wonder Woman seemed to have major leadership clout as well.

[YoungG03]

Superman was like the representation of the team.........While Aquaman and Wonder Woman were advisors. But I can see MM being the leader.

But overall Batman did what he wanted to and the team follwed

[JulianPerez]

Unlike the Avengers, who have a definite "General" figure in the person of Captain America, the Justice Leaguers have no definite "chairperson." The position rotates. In fact, there have been occasions where "Snapper" Carr, the League mascot, has been "chairman." All of them have the potential to be leader, with the exception of Green Arrow, who is very well liked but is usually seen as a crank.

The purpose of the Chairman, the story implies, is to take care of things like making sure everybody takes their turn sweeping out the teleporters and who brings which covered dish to the League Potluck.

Occasionally, when there is no evil menace, the League dips into their Mailbag to find unusual cases, though they haven't done this very recently.

One great JLA chairperson was Zatanna, at least under Gerry Conway. She bossed SUPERMAN around. What a tough cookie! It would be very interesting to see Zatanna as leader. Perhaps someone very un-Captain America-ish would be interesting: what about Elongated Man?

[mohammedali]

And then Batman has the final say.
I thought Batman would tell them what to vote for, everyone votes like they're told to, THEN Batman would have the final say.

Mohammed Ali

[xionice]

cuz he's the Godd@mn Batman??????????

[Patriot07]

When did Superman became Chairman? I read the JLA showcase and the flash was the chairman. When did he stepped down?

That came out in '61. That same Flash isn't even alive anymore.

[Michael P]

Superman is seen as the first among equals, Batman is usually the one who comes up with the plan to pull their asses out of the fire, and J'onn coordinates telepathically in battle, but there's no real "leader."

Most of the original team considered Flash (Barry Allen) the leader, but even then, it was a much looser group dynamic than, say, the Avengers or the X-Men.

[seaflower]

If you want to see an example of leadership within the JLA..please read these quotes from JLA #27

Clark Kent: "That means I can give you orders, doesn't it?"
Bruce Wayne: "Of course it does. And I encourage you to start, if only to see how far your authority stretches."

Clark Kent: "Frankly, I think you should know that these constant adolescent displays of independence are getting tiresome. Your peevishness is starting to have an adverse effect on the team."
Bruce Wayne: "Hh. I almost thought you were serious."
Clark Kent: "I've been practicing."
Bruce Wayne: "This chairmanship is going to your head. What next? Another roundup of all the world's nuclear bombs?"
J'onn: "Waiter, I think we might take a look at that menu, after all."

[JulianPerez]

If you want to see an example of leadership within the JLA..please read these quotes from JLA #27

Clark Kent: "That means I can give you orders, doesn't it?"
Bruce Wayne: "Of course it does. And I encourage you to start, if only to see how far your authority stretches."

Clark Kent: "Frankly, I think you should know that these constant adolescent displays of independence are getting tiresome. Your peevishness is starting to have an adverse effect on the team."
Bruce Wayne: "Hh. I almost thought you were serious."
Clark Kent: "I've been practicing."
Bruce Wayne: "This chairmanship is going to your head. What next? Another roundup of all the world's nuclear bombs?"
J'onn: "Waiter, I think we might take a look at that menu, after all."

I think Batman was written out of character here. Batman is a tactician and planner, and he has an understanding of "group power."

Kurt Busiek understood the character of Batman best in his recent JLA arc, where he had Batman make unilateral decisions sometimes without consulting the others, such as for instance, to direct the wrath of the Qwardian Void Hound onto the CSA Earth. But even there, he worked with J'onn and other Leaguers in a plan, and further, he wasn't entirely in the wrong. While sending the Void Hound after the CSA Earth without consulting the others was a callous choice, it wasn't one that it is hard to disagree with.

Some writers, Morrison especially in the initial "CSA" story, tend to use Batman's characterization as a "cheat:" have Batman be against that thing the other Leaguers are for. Just to point out the "other side." Often what that means is, Batman defends an indefensible position, which is not fair to him.

[seaflower]

I think Batman was written out of character here. Batman is a tactician and planner, and he has an understanding of "group power."

Kurt Busiek understood the character of Batman best in his recent JLA arc, where he had Batman make unilateral decisions sometimes without consulting the others, such as for instance, to direct the wrath of the Qwardian Void Hound onto the CSA Earth. But even there, he worked with J'onn and other Leaguers in a plan, and further, he wasn't entirely in the wrong. While sending the Void Hound after the CSA Earth without consulting the others was a callous choice, it wasn't one that it is hard to disagree with.

Some writers, Morrison especially in the initial "CSA" story, tend to use Batman's characterization as a "cheat:" have Batman be against that thing the other Leaguers are for. Just to point out the "other side." Often what that means is, Batman defends an indefensible position, which is not fair to him.

Actually both qutoes are meant to be funny and are just poking fun at the leadership dynamics within the JLA between the two friends

This is all said in some restaurant in Japan and from the looks of the art is said in good nature banter way...

[YoungG03]

Batman is real funny. I still cant believe he said to Supes "The last time U inspired anyone was when you was dead."


Superman a strong guy to that. And there was another quote bout Superman being lucky Bats hadn't found his krptonite ring....Does Superman ever get over on Bats?

[Augusto]

Superman a strong guy to that. And there was another quote bout Superman being lucky Bats hadn't found his krptonite ring....Does Superman ever get over on Bats?

Superman is very respectful of every superhero. And there is no point in arguing with Batman.

I really enjoyed Superman/Batman 1 when they meet in the cemetary and Superman startles Batmanhttp://www.smileyhut.com/happy/happy2.gif (http://www.smileyhut.com)