Justice Society of America 1 Dual Review
The new Justice Society of America book is exactly what I was hoping for in the new Justice League, which failed to deliver. In the pages of the first book, not only is the new team assembled, but new characters are introduced and other characters are given beautifully succinct blurbs that sum them up perfectly. Geoff Johns is truly the king of the team book.
There are some obscure references to a World War III serving as the catalyst for the new Society’s formation, and it’s difficult to tell whether the book is referring to the Infinite Crisis, or to some event that occurred over the missing year that not only has yet to be revealed, but also has yet to be referenced in any other books.
I’m pleased by the new lineup; it’s not all that far away from the previous JSA, but they’ve brought back a few older characters and, as I mentioned earlier, introduced some new ones. Speaking of new characters, am I the only person who didn’t know that Ma Hunkel actually had some kind of powers that she could pass down to her granddaughter? I always thought that the whole “Red Tornado” bit was just a gag. And when did Hourman and Liberty Belle get married? Did it happen in the old JSA series in one of the issues I missed?
Not only does this book introduce the new team and new characters, but it also starts two separate plot lines. The first deals with Mr. America, and the reasons why someone has decided to kill his entire family, and what the JSA can do in response. The other is a more personal line, dealing with Wildcat’s increasing isolationism in the face of all these young whippersnappers that he’s trained over the years. This characterization of Wildcat isn’t one I’m all that familiar with, since every guest appearance he makes (Birds of Prey and Catwoman to name a few) depicts him as the wise old master who’s always there to assist his progeny, and takes real joy out of doing so.
And the book includes teasers for the next few plotlines, including the return of Kal-L. Ooh, mysterious. Me like. I’m pleased to say that the new Justice Society of America book is a real treat, and one that I’m going to look forward to in the months ahead.
Knightwingbk's Review:
I've never read a JSA comic or trade in my life. Not one. Now I realize that this was probably a mistake, because Geoff Johns is such a strong writer, and wrote a lot of the more recent JSA stories as well as this one. The Society is restarting, after their success in World War III, an event that has not happened yet in 52, but now I'm sure will happen, since it is referenced here about 3 times. What did I like most about this comic? We have the team assembled in the first issue. You hear me Brad Meltzer? Sure, a lot of the members are returning, but they still managed to set up the new ones and start a mystery in one issue. We have the same cliché pictures on the table, but its done in 5 pages. As the return members gather the new recruits, we see another hero, Mr. America embark to find his family's killer. At the end of the issue he lands on the JSA's doorstep to warn them of bigger dangers that he discovered. Maxine Hunkle, the granddaughter of the original Red Tornado, is a hyperactive college student that does not stop talking. Liberty Belle is married to Hourman, and they are so in love that they recite their anniversaries to each other in their spare time. The new Starman shows up as well, and he is... eccentric, to say the least. Geoff Johns is a very good writer, one of the best, and I picked up this issue based off of his work in Green Lantern and Teen Titans. If you like his writing, pick up this book and give it a try. It's a number 1, so it's an easy jumping on point. I will be sticking around for this series, I'm hooked, no reservations here like there was on Flash.
Dale Eaglesham's art is great. I'm still more of a fan of his work on Green Lantern (Kyle Rayner's series) than his Villains United stuff, but that may have more to do with nostalgia, but it felt a little more detailed there. His work here in Justice Society, is a blend of both, and I am pretty pleased with it. I think you will be too. Everyone looks muscled, the girls look hot, and the action is kinetic. He fits the book, what can I say. B+
So you give it an A? B? What. Good review.
Eh, I'm not a fan of the letter grade thing for reviews. Either I like something, or I don't. This, I liked.
Fair enough, and simple. Still good review.
I wrote a review for this, its on the forum still. I gave it an A.
Do you give it two capes up, up, and away?
Read this a couple of days ago, I gotta say, I was disappointed. For those that were reading Johns' arcs on JSA before this one, you'll know what I am talking about. I just couldn't get into this thing, oh sure Mr. America crashing through the ceiling and Wildcat having a ,well you know, was neat but, it is nowhere near as intense and engrossing as Geoff's previous run on JSA. I did like the artwork though, I will say that. For now I'll keep reading but Johns' better kick it up a notch or two.