While there are many rumors going around of a new Justice League movie attempting to go into production next year from Warner Bros., there is one new Justice League DC will confirm the existence of next year. Yesterday at Fan Expo Canada, DC announced a brand new Justice League comic series, at the DC Entertainment-All Access Sunday panel, set for release in 2013 (likely part of the 4th wave of the New 52 in January), titled Justice League of America. This new Justice League title will run alongside the current Justice League comic, and share its author, Geoff Johns. Accompanying Johns will be artist David Finch, who is likely to leave Batman: The Dark Knight with it’s fate in the air.

“This is a very different kind of team book,” says Geoff Johns. “On first glance, people might think the heroes of the Justice League of America stand in the shadows of Superman, Wonder Woman and the rest of the Justice League, but Green Arrow, Katana, Martian Manhunter, the new Green Lantern, Stargirl, Vibe, Hawkman, and Catwoman thrive in the shadows. They’re underdogs who have everything to prove and something to lose. They’re a team of unlikely heroes who will help one another discover they’re as A-List as anybody — yes, even Vibe. Though getting there won’t be easy. Why they’re formed, why each member joins, what they’re after and who the society of villains is they’re trying to take apart will all be clear in the first issue when it hits early 2013. David and I are really focused on delving deep into what it’s like to not be a member of the big seven and why, sometimes, the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.”

Considering the cast and title, this team is much more likely to be government affiliated, after Justice League International didn’t work out and the main Justice League of the New 52 has proven itself hardly under the control of the US government, despite their connection through Col. Trevor and A.R.G.U.S. Considering Green Arrow’s actions in the main Justice League title, and Martian Manhunter’s in Stormwatch, not to mention Steve Trevor hiding in the promotional art below, it is safe to say this League won’t at least be without its government connections. Still, other members of the team seem a little more confusing in their presence. Stargirl, who was created by Geoff Johns, is no real surprise considering Johns is writing the book and the avatar of his deceased sister, Courtney, has yet to make an appearance elsewhere. But Catwoman is a non-powered thief/criminal and Katana is not American (she’s Japanese), so these make unlikely candidates for an American affiliated super team. Baz, the new Arab-American Green Lantern set to appear in Green Lantern #0 next month, is also a Johns creation, though we know little of him. It shall certainly be interesting to see his role in the new on-going series, as he is unlikely to take over the main Green Lantern title or any of it’s spin-offs. Also, with Rob Liefeld now off The Savage Hawkman, this might soon be the only series featuring the winged warrior. But perhaps the most surprising member of the new League is, without a doubt, Vibe. Vibe, or Paco Ramone, is a goofy little character who first appeared in Justice League of America Annual #2, back in October of 1984, and was created by Gerry Conway and Chuck Patton. He was part of the Detroit era of the Justice League, was once the leader of a street gang known as the Los Lobos, and has been referred to by comic artist George Perez as a “ethnic stereotype” of Puerto Rican-Americans. In truth the character was often a joke of the Justice League for most fans, much like G’nort and Snapper Carr. Yet oddly, Geoff Johns has always admitted a fondness for the character, including him in Blackest Night and joking of making a Vibe: Rebirth series with Ethan Van Sciver for April Fools back in 2009, Geoff had already even stated his intentions to introduce him into the New 52 as part of the third storyline of Justice League. This will certainly be an interesting team.