COMIC-CON INTERNATIONAL: JLA/JSA PANEL

SAN DIEGO -- Grant Morrison is returning to the Justice League, writing the first arc of a new title, JLA: Classified, it was announced by editor Mike Carlin Thursday at the JLA/JSA panel at Comic-Con International.

While JLA will have a new regular team of Kurt Busiek and Ron Garney, JLA: Classified with feature the rotating teams that JLA has had for the past two years.

"This will be set in any era the writer wants," Carlin said. "This is the place where you can do your JLA Satellite era story. We'll be covering all the bases and hopefully we'll be picking top guys."

The new book is also where Gail Simone's JLA story will probably wind up. The story is penciled by Jose Garcia-Lopez and inked by Klaus Janson. "Oddly enough, they haven't worked together in 30 years," Carlin said of the art team.

Also targeted for the book is a Dan Slott/Dan Jurgens story, featuring a new character and an old character.

And the I Can't Believe It's Not the Justice League story, by J.M. DeMatteis, Keith Giffen and Kevin Maguire, might also end up in JLA: Classified. According to Carlin, Maguire has penciled three issues so far. "Kevin is not an artist you can rush," Carlin said.

In other notes from the panel:

* Geoff Johns said a JLA/JSA crossover wouldn't happen until next year, but December will see JSA/JSA as the team of today is paired with the team of yesterday. Alex Ross is providing covers.

* Johns also noted he's seen the first episode of Cartoon Network's Justice League Unlimited and was pleased with number of JSA characters appear in at least cameos. "They had Mr. Terrific? And his costume looks the same? That's wild," Johns said.

(Look for more from Johns in The Continuum's coverage of his panel).

* Justice League Elite writer Joe Kelly said the new maxi-series allows him to explore darker themes and underground elements he couldn't in the regular JLA book.

* The Crime Syndicate appears in Busiek's first arc, which spins out of JLA/Avengers.

* Carlin called JLA #107 a "breath-catching" issue.

* Kelly said his Space Ghost project will launch in November.