The Pickled Fickle Finger of Fate! JSA: All Stars 3 "Challenging Fate" Review

Once again, The Spectre draws back the curtain on another member of the Justice Society of America. The Spirit of Redemption is acting more like The Phantom Stranger or Rod Serling, host and presenter. This time, we see Hector Hall, son of Carter and Shiera Hall, one-time Silver Scarab of Infinity, Inc., now, the latest iteration of Dr. Fate.

In Salem, MA, Hector walks into a bar where he finds Nabu. Usually, Nabu is confined to the helmet of Fate. Yet, he steps out for... a beer and some peanuts. Hector is older from his Infinity, Inc. days. As the latest Dr. Fate, he is able to look around the room and see each person's ultimate... fate, how they will die and when. Both in a booth in the bar and the Tower of Fate, Nabu presents Hector with his own fate! In conflict with his father, Carter (or Katar, it's somewhat convoluted.) The original fate of Cater and Shiera is that they meet their end from Hath-Set time and time again. Yet what Nabu presents is that Hector is destined to be the end of his parents. It's a destiny that Hector will not accept and vows to change. He vows to make a future of his own.

The art by Kitson and Kalisz is nice, but it just comes down to a couple of talking heads. The story is predominantly conversation, with an interlude of action. Domestic conflict between father and son. It seems to amount to navel-gazing. 

The back-up story by Darwyn Cooke is enjoyable simply for Darwyn Cooke. He brings a horrific take to the master sorcerer. And a bit of wit and whimsy. The banter between Kent and Inza is Nick and Nora inspired. It's a fun story.

Once again, this issue and these stories are stand-alone and do not seem connected to the main narrative. They don't seem to be advancing the story set-up in the first issue. It seems that the point of the mini-series is to spotlight the legacy characters in solo stories with a comparison to the originals. These two stories are fine asides. Unfortunately, there's no Injustice Gang, there's no mortal adversary, no thread other than The Spectre.

"Challenging Fate", JSA: All Stars 3, by Geoff Johns and David Goyer leaves something to be desired. It earns three stars.

Fluff Piece JSA: All Stars 2 "Flying High" Review

 

Wow. Just... wow.

With Jay Garrick, Alan Scott, Carter Hall and Ted Grant along with The Spectre captives of "Legacy", each member of the Justice Society of America was given forty-eight hours to pull themselves together and reconcile the past the face the challenge of the present for a brighter future. That was what The Spectre told the team. It was somewhat vague if it was the actual The Spectre or Legacy posing as The Spectre.

Here, The Spirit of Redemption pulls back the curtain on Kendra Saunders. Granddaughter of Speed Saunders, great-niece of Shiera Saunders, the original Golden-Age Hawkgirl. Quickly and smoothly recapping her origin, The Spectre launches into her adventure. Rescuing her grandfather from a militia armed with anthrax that they intend to unleash on Seattle. Kendra quickly, however roughly, dispatches the militia members and rescues her grandfather. Afterward she pays a visit on a little girl that turns out to be her daughter. Pregnant at fifteen, Kendra gave Mia up for adoption. 

The Reunion seems to be healing and cleansing for Kendra. However, this is a stand-alone story that in no way connects to the main narrative. It's a fine, touching story. It's got action and great art by Phil Winslade. But that's it. 

The back-up story by Loeb and Sale is equally enjoyable. It's a hoot of hilarity. Carter helps Midway City's finest capture a trio of bank robbers. He plays cards with the police commissioner. He's late for dinner and has to warm up Shiera's cold shoulder. Still, there is absotively no connection to the previous issue.

It's all a very nice piece of filler. It's a fluff piece.

Hawkgirl in "Flying High" and Hawkman in "The Same Thing Happens Every Night" are enjoyable stories, individually and together. 

JSA: All Stars 2 earns three stars.

For Those That Follow... JSA: All Stars 1 "Legacy" Review

 

David Goyer and Geoff Johns present the Justice Society of America facing Legacy!

The Spectre pulls back the curtain. Sand is escorting The Icicle on a military transport to prison in Florida. Solomon Grundy rips open a side of the plane. Freed, The Icicle cushions the planes crash landing. The rest of the Injustice Gang is on hand, greeted by the Justice Society. The battle engages! It's all very dramatic and somewhat posing and posturing. Very quickly The Flash, Green Lantern, Hawkman and Wildcat are transported out of the battle by the bad guys. Sand is immobilized! Returning to their Manhattan headquarters, they try to deduce what the device is that paralyzed Sand and kidnapped four of their members.

The cover is awesome.

Sal Velluto's art, with Bob Almond inks and John Kalisz colors is just the very definition of eye-candy. Ken Lopez's lettering has each character's voice down and dialogue, roll call and effects are unique.

Legacy himself is pretty much a mystery and cypher at this point. Somewhat hollow and shallow. The cliffhanger sets up the master plan that will undoubtedly unfold as the story progresses.

JSA: All Stars 1, "Legacy" earns four stars.

A Veritable Treasure Trove of Invaluable Information! The All-Star Comics Illustrated Index Review!

Murray R. Ward's All-Star Comics Illustrated Index spotlighting the Justice Society of America was definitely one ambitious undertaking! A few words of his own, followed by a few words from Roy Thomas, then headlong into a veritable definitive Who's Who of the Justice Society. Secret Origins, notable adventures and appearances. All of this is a post-Crisis on Infinite Earths wrap to the Golden-Age era, Earth-2 and the classic Justice Society. Crisis on Infinite Earths erased the Golden-Age era Superman family, Batman family, Wonder Woman family and Aquaman. The sliding timeline meant that the Justice Society had already formed without these heroes. Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman were now part of the Justice League. And Wonder Woman wasn't even a founding member of the Justice League! Black Canary was a founding member of the League, and Diana joined later.

So gone were Superman, Batman and Robin, Helena Wayne as The Huntress and Wonder Woman. 

Starting with DC Special 29, from August-September of 1977, which featured the Secret Origin of the team, this illustrated index features a breakdown of the first four issues of All-Star Comics. The highlight being All Star Comics 3 from Winter 1940, the very first appearance of the classic line-up of the Justice Society.

It's incredibly detailed and researched. Very informative. Unfortunately, it also seemed to be short-lived and cancelled.

For what it is, a first issue and launch of a series it earns five stars.