Rest In Peace Damage

JSA All-Stars #7
Written by Matthew Sturges
Art by Freddie Williams II
Co-Feature by Jen Van Meter
Art by Travis Moore

 

The main story focuses on Judomaster – a character who really hasn’t had a lot of focus. She is dealing with the death of Damage during Blackest Night – I liked it although it didn’t seem to be that different from the letter sent from beyond the grave stories told in comics past. It was great to see former Titans at Damage’s funeral – because DC seems to have forgotten that Damage was also a Titans at one point. I loved seeing Argent too! The Liberty Belle and Hourman back-up goes along with its Indiana Jones like themes – pretty good stuff.

Japanese Mythology Versus The JSA

Justice Society of America #28
Written by Jerry Ordway
Art by Ordway

I liked this part much better then the first part of this little fill-in arc. Maybe cause I find Japanese Mythology quite interesting and Ordway used it quite nicely in this. Atom Smasher and Stargirl’s relationship is a little strange. How old is he supposed to be? I also liked that Ordway avoided saying that the bomb being dropped was inevitable and couldn’t be avoided and all the usual right-wing propaganda about Hiroshima. We did a shitty thing people, let’s admit that and move on. But anyways, this was an enjoyable issue but I am looking forward to seeing how everything goes when the new creative team takes over next issue.

Decade-Long Run Comes To An End

Justice Society of America #26
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

What a sweet finale for Geoff Johns on this book. We spend a day with the JSA as they celebrate Stargirl’s birthday. It was really great, I liked all the flashbacks and character moments. Eaglesham drew Jay Garrick like he was a donkey or something…it was odd…but it didn’t hurt anything. Starman waves to the reader and says thank everyone and I smiled. There were some hilarious Starman moments in this issue, especially when he got Stargirl stuff from the laundry for her birthday. We are teased with the idea that Stargirl was going to have her braces taken off, which I wish they went through with. This was really a great way to wrap up John’s decade long run in a very positive way. I really enjoyed it. I think John’s run on JSA is going to be remembered as one of the great all-time comic book runs on a title in history, similar to Wolfman and the Titans. He will be missed on this title.

Adventures In The Rock Of Eternity

Justice Society of America #24
Written by Geoff Johns, Jerry Ordway, and Matthew Sturges
Art by Ordway and Fernando Pasarin

It’s more of this Black Adam story this issue and while it was good before, I think I am finally truly enjoying it. I appreciated the reference to “Power of Shazam” as well as how cool the rock of eternity really is. That is something that really hasn’t been explored thoroughly before. The Origins and Omen back up was by future series writer, Matthew Sturges, and so far, I like him on this book. IF I can judge it by this back up, the future of the JSA looks rather interesting. I was sad to hear Johns was leaving, but after the Gog storyline was so long and well….only okay…I think maybe it is time for him to move on. And why is Mary Marvel switching between her Final Crisis look and her Countdown look all of a sudden? Is that just a mistake.

The JSA is Back!

Justice Society of America #23
Written by Geoff Johns and Jerry Ordway
Art by Ordway

Now this is more like it! After a year of the overly-long Alex Ross Kingdom come crap, we finally get back to good old JSA story telling. Sadly, this is Johns’s final arc on this book. Isis returns to life and is not so sweet and nice as she once was. I hope that that is a ruse and she will go back to her old ways. She was such a good influence on Black Adam before. But for now, I like that she has gone rogue. The JSA has to decide who is on the team after the events prior, and I am sad to see that Starman and Amazing Man are likely to be leaving. Although, that may or may not  be the case as the final roster is not decided this issue. I liked that Billy Batson still hasn’t shared his secret identity with the JSA. That is so awesome, because in the post-Meltzer DCU it seems like everyone knows everyone. It is refreshing that Billy has waited this long. Anyways, it looks like were back to the basics with the JSA, and I couldn’t be happier to be back.

JSA 7 – 19

Justice Society of America #7
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

I am glad to be reviewing this series again as it is just so full of goodness I want to scream in happiness. This issue deals with the aftermath of Nathan Heywood becoming Citizen Steel. I do think it is kinda rude how the JSA kinda forces the whole super hero thing upon Nathan but all in all this was an uplifting yet sad story of a man who has lost the ability to feel and lost his family. Starman’s moments are of course fantastic as is the teamwork of the JSA.

Justice Society of America #8
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Fernando Pasarin

I barely even noticed Eaglesham wasn’t the artist the art and story was so good this issue. This issue dealt with the character of Liberty Belle and really got into the psyche of her character…dealing with her parents and her love for Hourman. The whole thing with not throwing away something just because it has a crack in it was perfect. Tremendous issue.

Justice Society of America #9
Written by Geoff Johns Art by Dale Eaglesham

While this was another fantastic issue, the last page reveal did not really excite me much; considering I am not a fan of Alex Ross or Kingdom Come but I trust Johns will do something good with the Superman of Earth-22. Oh and Johns knows how to utilize each member of a superhero team like no other writer in comics.

Justice Society of America #10
Written by Geoff Johns Art by Dale Eaglesham

I like that one has to not even read Kingdom Come to understand this as Kingdom Come is recapped throughout the issue. I am digging this even though I wish this series wasn’t so Alex Ross-influenced.

Justice Society of America #11
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

I am getting exicted for all these new members! In this issue alone we get Superman of Earth-22 (who I like the contrast between his perception of New Earth and the Earth-2 Superman’s perception), Judomaster, and Mr. America. I wonder why Judomaster is so different from her appearances in Birds of Prey though. I am pretty sure she spoke English there.

Justice Society of America #12
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

Nice! I am always excited for new members and this issue was packed full of ’em. Amazing Man – making the original a hero of the civil rights movement was brilliant and the new one helping out in New Orleans after Katrina was brilliant as well. Lightning – You have to wonder why Black Lightning has these daughters he never mentions. It is unclear in this issue – but aren’t Black Lightning and his wife still divorced. Visually Lightning is cool as hell though. Lance is probably the least exciting of the bunch – I mean his Lance arm is cool but the whole no costume thing kinda kills it. I like that he is Roosevelt’s Great Grandson though. Roosevelt you could say is a found of the JSA. I don’t know how I feel about Lance mentioning there are 300 other metahumans in the military because I don’t really like the idea that metahumans are extremely common. It takes away from their specialty.

Justice Society of America #13
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

This was another good issue but it was a little more Kingdom Come-Centric then I would have liked and not enough JSA action. I like that Jakeem Thunder is crushing on Lightning. They would make a great couple!

Justice Society of America #14
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

This is the kind of issue that shows how well Johns writes teams. Not only does all twenty-something members get a word in in this issue, but they are all utilized well in the fight scene.

Justice Society of America #15
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

The fight with the false Gog continues this issue with great character moments sprinkled in – such as Lightning’s aggression over not being able to drive a car to Citizen Steel’s declaration of his “thing”- the art and writing in this issue was fantastic. The upcoming preview was cool but didn’t get me as excited as the first issue’s one did.

Justice Society of America #16
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Fernando Pasarin

I can’t tell if Gog is bluffing or not, but he does have the creepiest yet warmest smile of any giant gods I know (:
Pasarin is the perfect subsitute for Eaglesham, their work is so similar.I hope Damage’s face isn’t fixed for good. I like his current costume.

Justice Society of America #17
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Fernando Pasarin

Awww I really like Gog! I like his smile and his kindness. I still get the feeling he can’t be trusted but he is at least fooling me into thinking he could be a good guy. Another fantastic issue. I hope Starman isn’t permanently cured, he is a lot more interesting as a loon.

Justice Society of America #18
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

I am excited for next issue as we get a look at the Earth-2 Michael Holt in this issue. Hawkman is right…it might be a good idea to let them stay as trees but no I do not think he should be allowed to just kill them. I get the feeling that Gog’s “miracles” are not really blessings at all.

Justice Society of America #19
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham

At first I thought that Johns had gone to the cliche we are going to fight eachother over something completely stupid thing but luckily he saved itself by Alan Scott declaring the JSA doesn’t fight itself. Awesome. I didn’t want Johns going all Winick on us all of a sudden. Anyways, another fine issue but this is Gog thing is dragging out a little long. I am more excited about the Power Girl stuff and look forward to next issue. Oh and it’s great to see Black Adam back.

JSA Classified 27 – 39

JSA Classified #27
Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Gordon Purcell

Well, that was okay. It was a Wildcat story….nothing to get too excited about. Art was okay too. Altogether just kinda….okay.

JSA Classified #28
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Steve Uy

This was a really neat Jakeem Thunder story….one does have to wonder why he doesn’t just help anyone with the genie’s seeming limitless powers and this story perfectly explains why. I liked this alot…even though the art was a little too manga for my tastes.
JSA Classified #29
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Alex Sanchez

The story wasn’t bad here…I always like secret government stuff. But….the art was distractingly bad. I mean look at Wildcat in this book, he looks monsterous and so do all the heroes in this. I don’t think Sanchez is suited for the JSA.

JSA Classified #30
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Alex Sanchez

Okay…the story is fine. But the art is even worse this issue! Ahhh I can’t stand it. Check out the beginning where they are out of costume, you can’t tell who is who! Some of the worst art I have ever seen.

JSA Classified #31
Written by Arvid Nelson
Art by Alex Sanchez

Okay why did that little girl look evil at the end of this? Okay the plot is a little rudiculous but the art is even worse. I really hope DC never put this guy on another book.

JSA Classified #32
Written by Junior Thomas
Art by Staz Johnson

Well this was an interesting start to this arc. Apparently the starheart has taken form as Jade, or something looks like Jade. Vandal Savage being the villain and dealing with Alan’s loss of Jade I suppose makes this a spiritual sequel to the first arc one year later of this book.

JSA Classified #33
Written by Junior Thomas
Art by Staz Johnson and Mike Norton

As sweet and touching this issue was, there is a huge flaw in it. Alan Scott has a WIFE! He is not alone, he has a son and a wife….why is he not spending Christmas with them. It kinda took me out of what was a pretty nice Alan Scott story.

JSA Classified #34
Written by James Peaty
Art by Freddie Williams II

That was a good Hourman story…I always like it when the series focuses on someone other then Alan Scott, Wildcat, and Mr. Terrific…which is rare. Liberty Belle and Hourman make a great couple. Although I wish she wasn’t made a damsel-in-distress in this. She IS a superhero too.

JSA Classified #35
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Ramon Perez

Now this is more like it. A story that isn’t boring and/or cliche. I liked the whole contrasting modern Wildcat to Wildcat during the Golden Age. And I am really happy to see Catwoman appear in this. I think Alan Scott’s comments to Ted were a little out of line though. The art is superb as well although it took getting used to.

JSA Classified #36
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Ramon Perez

Seemed like not much happened this issue….but it was still good. We got some Wildcat being a bad ass and a flashback to his first meeting with the Fiddler.

JSA Classified #37
Written by B. Clay Moore
Art by Ramon Perez

This concludes the Wildcat arc, and I must say this one was the best so far in terms of Wildcat arcs. I especially liked the flashback to Green Lantern asking Wildcat to be in the JSA and how all the flashbacks were done to look like they could have been drawn during the Golden Age.

JSA Classified #38
Written by Mike W. Barr
Art by Shawn Martinbrough

This was an enjoyable story. I am not so much a fan of boxing, so I did not expect to enjoy it as much as I did. It deals with someone stealing the abilities of famous boxers and leaving them in an almost vegetative state. Very interesting stuff.

JSA Classified #39
Written by Mike W. Barr
Art by Shawn Martinbrough

In this final issue, Wildcat is brought back by Alan Scott – using some kind of power I did not know he had, I will have to look that up and then goes to beat the crap out of the bad guys. Works for me. I am sad to see this series go, but I still felt like JLA Classified it never really reached its potential and should have focused more on stories of the JSA then individual members.

Nightwing 134 – 142

Nightwing #134
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jamal Ingle

Hmmm…this was an interesting set up for the mystery of the new Vigilante. It isn’t someone who knows Dick and Nightwing are one and the same but it seems like it is someone who has dealt with Nightwing in the past. I am glad to see Dick isn’t sporting the rudiculous hair dough he had when Bruce Jones was on the title. Anyways, I liked this issue but I am wondering if I am really going to care when the Vigilante’s identity is going to be revealed.

Nightwing #135
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Now this was a good issue. I liked show it showed Dick’s glass half full view of the world and how that makes him different then Batman and the Vigilante. I liked it especially because I see things the same way as Dick (But I haven’t experience evil in the way Dick has so Dick is definitely a stronger person then I am). The art was good too, especially for fill-in.

Nightwing #136
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Um kinda confused by this. Do Eddie and Liu work for the HIVE? What is the new Vigilante’s connection to Adrian Chase? And why do they want Dick Grayson’s DNA, do they think he’s a metahuman? Hopefully we will get answers next issue.Nightwing #137
Written by Marv Wolfman
Art by Jon Bosco

Damn…a cliffhanger. Wolfman is leaving this book and writing a Vigilante Series…I will pick it up but geez that’s a big cliffhanger just to leave people hanging. Anyways, I loved the 321 days and the missing years between the end of the Teen Titans and the beginning of the New Teen Titans….I totally get the timeline now. But anyways, Wolfman’s run was decent, better then Jone’s run. I look forward to see what Tomasi does with this book. Oh and the last page of this issue was awesome!

Nightwing #138
Written by Fabian Nicieza Art by Don Kramer

DC’s go to fill-in guy Nicieza tackles this issue of Nightwing, part 2 of the batbook crossover “Ressurection of Ra’s Al Ghul”. It was okay….this crossover is just okay. Nothing too exciting to write home about. I like Ra’s Al Ghul but he isn’t my favorite Bat-villain (Not even close) so nothing here really excites me. It it is totally in character for Nightwing to try to save the villain’s lives though I liked that. Oh and Nightwing using a teleporter is too easy and lame for a Bat-book.

Nightwing #139
Written by Fabian Nicieza Art by Don Kramer

This is part 6 of the Ressurection of Ra’s Al Ghul crossover, and I did like this a lot. Although it was more a Robin story then a Nightwing story it was good to see Nightwing’s thoughts on what Robin has been through. You can’t blame Robin for wanting to bring his friends and family back but I think he made the right choice in the end.

Nightwing #140
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

Peter Tomasi’s first issue of his Nightwing run was a real treat. I have never read any of the former editor’s stuff (I think?) and he is really good. This blows Bruce Jones and Marv Wolfman out of the park. Of course, Morales’s amazing art helps as well. I love the characterization of the bat family and the idea of Nightwing building his base in a museum he is now the curator of. This was just awesome! The only problem I had is he always refers to himself as Richard, not Dick, in this issue. Huh?

Nightwing #141
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

Tomasi is quickly turning this into one of DC’s best monthly books and that is an amazing turn around from what it was before. Tomasi takes the time this issue to show what is going on with Nightwing’s relationships with different people in the DCU including the Flash and Batman. Tomasi knows how to use the DCU effectively and doesn’t forget that the JSA operate out of New York as well. Awesome! All writers should follow Tomasi when it comes to utilizing the shared universe concept.

Nightwing #142
Written by Peter Tomasi
Art by Rags Morales

With three great issues, Tomasi has proven himself as a great writer for Nightwing. This issue was full of awesomeness with the art and the story perfectly awesome. Robin and Nightwing’s brotherly relationship was great to see and it is always nice to see Ma Hunkel! Tomasi better be on this book for a long time to come. I don’t know that I care for the use of Talia so soon but o well, that’s only one problem in a book of awesomeness.

Justice Society 3 – 5

Justice Society of America #3
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham and Ruy Jose

Eaflesham’s art is perfect for this series. I just can not get enough of it. There were so many great moments in this issue. From Cyclone finally finding her new costume (although Alex Ross’s cover drawing of it is horrible), to the massacre of the Heywood Family, to the end where it is revealed that Wildcat’s illegitamate son is some kind of werecat. I wonder how that happened?

Justice Society of America #4
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham and Ruy Jose

The conclusion to the first arc of this series was just fantastic. A lof of great moments and foreshadowing of what is to come. It looks like no one knows how Tom Grant ended up a were-cat but hopefully we will find out soon. I like how Johns writes the thoughts of the characters to give some insight into who each of them really are. This is the best team book that DC is putting out right now.

Justice Society of America #5
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Fernando Pasarin

 

This is the second part of the JLA/JSA crossover that began here. It is so awesome to see these two teams work together. I loved all the moments of this issue as well. Cyclone and Red Tornado’s conversation, Batman and Starman together. Oh and Superman’s revelation that he knew the Legion when they were kids was great. Highly recommended. I don’t have much else to say, just that it was great.

A Meeting Between Father And Son

Justice Society of America #2
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham and Art Thibert

This issue was just as great as the first! So hats off to Geoff Johns for hitting another one out of the park! I really enjoyed this issue. The art is fantastic and the moments between the characters were great. Starman is interesting, even though I haven’t read Kingdom Come in years and barely remember it. It is amazing how each of Geoff’s books have totally different feels to it. You really can not say that about most writers. I think one of the best parts about this issue was the moments between Wildcat and his newly discovered son. I absolutely loved how it wasn’t the typical long lost son meets his father moment. Wildcat’s son makes it clear he could care less that his father wasn’t around as a kid and he completely understands why. That is awesome! It was so afraid it was going to be the classic why were you not around, I hate you type thing.

The Old Guys Are Back, And Better Than Ever

Justice Society of America #1
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham and Art Thibert

Yes, this series is as good as everyone has been saying. In fact, it was better than I expected. Geoff Johns knows how to write teams books. Especailly considering this and Teen Titans are the best teams books on the market right now…and he writes both. He manages to incorporate into the first issue of this new JSA series while at the same time leaving it accessible to new readers. That is what Geoff Johns does best, continuity without confusion. I ate up every moment of it. Cyclone and Starman are two new characters and I love them both already. Having a mentally unstable superhero like Starman on the team is great and the fact that he looks nothing like he acts makes it so much better. The old JSA series was great and this one looks like it will end up bring just as great if not better. Oh and the art is fantastic as well. Highly Recommended.