Today under a large tent that spared us the trauma of the sun’s vindictive rays, KIA and DC Entertainment gathered a group of journalists and fans to show them the final vehicle in their yearlong collaboration: the Justice League Sorrento. Part of DC’s ongoing “We Can Be Heroes” Project, the idea was to build customized, one-of-a-kind vehicular art pieces each dedicated to the famed superheroes on the Justice League (Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman and Cyborg). Inside the previous 7 vehicles were laid out in full glory, each one accompanied by a lifesize statue of its respective superhero. The cars are all impressive, engorged and lowered KIA’s tricked out by the inimitable artists over at West Coast Customs — there was the Batman Optima, the Flash Forte Koup, the Wonder Woman Sportage, the Superman Optima Hybrid, Green Lantern Soul, the Aquaman Rio and the Cyborg Forte 5-door. The cars all featured a slew of custom modifications including vented air scoops, widened fenders with lowered coilover suspensions, enlarged 20” rims and copious LED lighting everywhere. The interiors were swathed out in perforated leather and suede, with colorways matching that of their respective heroes. Extra points went to the Cyborg Forte’s JL Audio soundsystem, and Batman’s Optima decked out with throwing stars in the dashboard and signature Batman signal HID headlamps.

The vehicle of the day, the Justice League Sorento, was unveiled by Jim Lee himself, the legendary artist of such titles as Punisher War Journal and Uncanny X-Men during their halcyon years in the 1980s. Lee went on to become one of the main artists that launched the gamechanging Image Comics, and is now DC Entertainment Co-Publisher. “This project has been challenging and rewarding for me as an artist and Kia has been a terrific partner,” Lee said as he prepared to pull the curtain from the shrouded vehicle. Then when the silver blanket was yanked, Lee went to the back of the Sorento and finished the last panel live with a drawing of a chiseled Batman. “It was a lot of fun to finish the last car in front of the live audience,” said Lee afterwards. “And I think anyone that visits the exhibit this week will really enjoy seeing all eight cars together.” The 7-seater Justice League Sorento features custom seating dedicated one to each member of the Justice League, with embroidered headrests to let you know who sits where (little surprise Cyborg got shafted with the crappiest seat). The full-size SUV also features comic strips from the team woven throughout the interior and bold, headturning hand-drawn murals on either side.

For anyone interested, the Justice League Sorento and over 50 other original pieces of artwork are being auctioned for the next 9 days on eBay as part of the “We Can Be Heroes” Project (enter bids HERE). So far $2.3 million have been raised for the project, with all proceeds benefiting charities that fight the hunger crisis in the Horn of Africa. If you’re at Comic-Con, the cars will all be displayed all weekend at the Interactive Zone at Petco Park in San Diego, next to the convention.