Justice Society 50-54

Justice Society of America #50
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Tom Derenick, Howard Chaykin, George Perez, Freddie Williams II, and Scott Koblish

So Martha Kent designed the Superman costume? I am pretty sure that flys in the face of continuity. Also I am pretty sure Alan Scott was in retirement when Hal got the ring right? Does DC not have editors? That being said it is always cool to see how the modern heroes knew about the Justice Society growing up which is what the first part of this anniversary issue focuses on. The secon story has something to do with Per Degaton traveling between universes. The third is the JSA vs. the House on Un-American Activities in the fifties being retold, and then finally the modern day JSA sets up shop in Monument Point just as Jay Garrick is sworn in as mayor. I really liked how Guggenheim threaded all of these stories together and it all lead up to certain events in the modern story. This issue mattered and that is so important in serial storytelling.

Justice Society of America #51
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Tom Derenick

At one point in this issue it says Jay Garrick is the first superhero to be elected to office. That is not true I know at least Green Arrow became mayor of Star City but maybe the person didn’t know. Anyways Lightning makes it out of the after life okay and alive and there is a touching moment between her and Doctor Fate. Also, Jay Garrick kicks into gear as the Mayor of Monument Point and we get hints that there is a strange history behind the city that I am excited to find out about. Derenick draws the shit out of this book and does a wonderful job. I sometimes feel his facial expressinos always seem menacing though when the story doesn’t call for it.

Justice Society of America #52
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Tom Derenick

This was another good issue. Mr. Terrific finds out the man who took away his intelligence is a deranged original Mr. Terrific fan kind of like the same guys who complain whenever a hero is replaced meanwhile the JSA and the Challengers of the Unknown go deep underground Monument Point to learn about its ancient mysteries. I enjoyed it.

 

 

Justice Society of America #53
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Jerry Ordway

Wow Jerry Ordway sure is a breath of fresh air. Why can’t he be the book’s regular artist? He is perfect for the JSA and while I have liked what Derenick has done lately he really only draws menacing facial expressions even on the good guys. This was a fun issue where the JSA accidentally release a God who draws his power from metahumans. I can’t believe this is the penultimate issue of this series though.

 

Justice Society of America #54
Written by Marc Guggenheim
Art by Jerry Ordway

 

Damn…just damn. This was clearly not Guggenheim’s plan to have a rushed ending to this arc and have Alan Scott sacrifice his life so quickly and without much fanfare. The fact of the matter is that the true JSA Villain is Dan fucking Didio who has no respect for the DC Universe and has publicly complained about the JSA “being old” in interviews. He is responsible for the awful New 52 and I am so glad the real JSA will be coming back soon. I wonder how much will remain in continuity but I have to say Guggenheim’s run could have been great but it was cut off too soon.

Death in the DCU

Green Lantern (Volume 4) #43
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Doug Mahnke

If this issue doesn’t get you excited for Blackest Night the nothing will. This was an excellent issue detailing the history of the Black Hand, the murder of his family, and suicide and then his rise from the dead as the first Black Lantern and embodiment of the Black Lantern Corps. Mahnke’s are is as gorgeous as ever and I think he may be my favorite artist at DC for event books. I love the DC Universe and its continuity and it was so exciting to see Mahnke draw all the heroic deaths over the years. My only complaint is story-wise, why the fuck no mention that Kyle was basically the entire Green Lantern Corps for a decade! It’s just another example of DC favoring silver age old-fuck heroes. Oh and fuck Didio by the way and his stupid ass DC nation column about the Justice League. Am I being a little mean with this review? Sorry. Let’s go back to the positives, this was an amazing issue that brings us right into what will hopefully be the greatest event DC has had in a long time.

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.