See Shaq And Charles Barkley Team With The Justice League

Yeah, this sounds like an unusual team-up, but it’s part of a promotional comic to hype next month’s NBA All-Star Game. Going by the rather unwieldy title The Justice League Goes Inside the NBA All Star 2015, the comic will be available for free in New York City comic shops and online at nba.com and bleacherreport.com.

More from Comics

The Hollywood Reporter got an early look at the whole thing, and the story is kind of endearing in a corny, “I can’t believe this is happening” sort of way. TNT announcers and former NBA stars Shaquille O’Neal, Charles Barkley and Kenny Smith, along with colleague Ernie Johnson, have their own All-Star competition, pairing with different members of the Justice League to see who can get from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn to Madison Square Garden in Manhattan (not coincidentally, the two arenas hosting the All-Star festivities) the fastest.

Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman and the Flash all end up participating, though the race gets interrupted by accidents that require the super heroes to take action. Also Shaq, who you might remember once played Steel in one of the more cringe-worthy super hero movies I can remember, since he’s apparently strong enough to lift cars.

DC writer Brian Buccellato does a nice job capturing the real voices of the TNT personalities, even getting Barkley to say his trademark “turrible.” The whole thing has kind of a no harm, no foul vibe, which is appropriate. And if you can’t guess who wins, well …

Look for this tomorrow or just head right to THR to read the whole thing now.

More from Bam Smack Pow

Home/Comics