Justice League of America Annual #1 2017 NM-

Justice League of America Annual #1, published by DC Comics in November 2017 (despite the 2018 cover date), is a self-contained story that reveals the secret reason Lobo is a member of the JLA: his deep affection for space dolphins. The issue is written by Steve Orlando and features art by Kelley Jones. 

Storyline Overview

The story, which is essentially a "buddy cop" movie in comic form, pairs Lobo and Black Canary on an interstellar mission. 

• The Mission: Lobo, who only Batman knew the truth about, recruits Black Canary for a mission into deep space to stop a villain who is hunting and committing genocide against a rare species of space dolphins.
• The Conflict: Black Canary is initially a reluctant participant, shocked and often disgusted by Lobo's violent methods and the ridiculous nature of the mission. The core of the story is the dynamic between the two characters and the reveal of Lobo's soft spot for the "pure" dolphins, a character detail that dates back to the character's appearance in Justice League International in the late 80s.
• The Outcome: Lobo's secret is fully exposed, adding depth (and some dark humor) to his otherwise one-dimensional, violent character in the main series. 

Key Credits

• Writer: Steve Orlando.
• Artist: Kelley Jones (penciller/inker).
• Characters: Primarily features Lobo and Black Canary, with a villain hunting space dolphins.