DC is trying to diversify its heroes, to me, re-inventing the wheel. This was already accomplished 44 years ago with the Global Guardians! One of my absolute favorite super teams never had a title. Super Friends #7 (1977) not only introduced the Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna, but also these international heroes. The storyline went to issue #9 with art by Ramona Fradon. There were diverse heroes introduced in the animated series, The All-New Super Friends Hour (1977-1978); Apache Chief, Black Vulcan, replacing Black Lightning?, El Dorado, and Samurai.
The character of Samurai appeared in comics form with Super Powers #2 (1986). Kirkman introduced his version, Guardians of the Globe, in Invincible #7 (2003). This team had two six issue series, Guarding the Globe, in 2010 and 2012. The Global Guardians also appeared in Super Friends #45-46 (1981). Their features and origins were sprinkled throughout the series. The issue where they became a team was DC Comics Presents #46 (1982). It featured art by Alex Saviuk.
They were the brainchild of E. Nelson Bridwell, if you have read any comic book written by him, they were informative as well as action packed. He was well known at DC as a “continuity cop”, DC needs another Bridwell, and he invented the Kryptonian language. Bridwell co-created the goofy superhero team, the Inferior Five, in Showcase #62 (1966).
Also, there was the mysterious group of heroes in their title, Secret Six #1 (1968). The founding members include Seraph, Chaim Lavon, a school teacher and the guardian of Israel given biblical super powers. He was featured in Super Friends #38 (1980). Bushmaster, Bernal Rojas, was the hero of Venezuela, he had a Cyber-Suit that had the powers of reptiles. Olympian, Aristides Demetrios, a hero who had super powers from the Golden Fleece. There was another Olympian, Achilles Warkiller, who was in Wonder Woman.
Daniel Cormac is the Irish hero, Jack O’Lantern, who carries a magic lantern gifted by a fairy giving him a number of powers. He had a back up story in Super Friends #44 (1981). The Zulu warrior, M’Bulaze from South Africa, becomes the hero Impala who had super speed and leaping. Izumi Yasunari is a solar physicist who has energy powers as Rising Sun. From Denmark, is Ulla Paske, known as The Little Mermaid. I wonder if there is a name change if she returns to comics.
She can transform her legs into a fish tail. There is also Godiva, Dorcas Leigh, who protects England. She can use her hair for a number of powers beyond Medusa of the Inhumans. They are an international group of different ethnicities and genders so DC doesn’t need to replace heroes or bring in new versions. These are just some of the members of the Global Guardians, more were added in other comics, but they were led by Doctor Mist, Nommo Balewa is an immortal wizard. He appeared in the Constantine episode, “A Feast of Friends” (2014).
The team was an organization that were approved by the UN and headquartered in The Dome in Paris. They didn’t need to sign the Sokovia Accords. The only two break out stars were Brazil’s Green Fury, Beatriz da Costa, and from Norway, Sigrid Nansen, known as Icemaiden. They took the names Fire and Ice and joined the team in Justice League International #12 (1988). The Global Guardians was corrupted by a super villain called Queen Bee to fight against the Justice League. Slowly, the team members were all killed or lost powers in Justice League Quarterly #17 (1994).
I think there just wasn’t a direction for the Global Guardians. The DC Multiverse is just in flux, dead characters are alive, so it is time to bring back the Global Guardians and give them their own series. Since there is so much magic going on with Doctor Mist and his enemies, the past team could have been duplicated or kept in some kind of magical stasis. Doctor Mist could transport the members from their deaths and put in duplicates. To distinguish themselves from the Justice League, the Global Guardians could be a mysterious organization to handle unusual threats. Group members can show up in individual titles or team books like what was intended with their first appearance. I would like one-shots featuring each hero with their origin, let's re-activate the Global Guardians DC Comics!
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