Back-Up Feature - The Origin of the JSA; 52, Week Forty-Nine Review

 

52 may have been an attempt to ride the wave of 24. The FOX political thriller starring Keifer Sutherland was a weekly series with events that occurred in real-time. What that meant was the fifty-minute drama contained fifty-minutes of action, adventure and suspense. there were no time gaps. Typically, there's a jump, usually over the boring stuff. 24 contained no boring stuff. Every second, every moment was jam-packed with something. The series occurred over a single twenty-four-hour period. That single day was rolled out over twenty-four weeks. 52 was a single story - an EVENT! - that rolled out every Wednesday for a full year!

Week Forty-Nine, as the series winds down to its conclusion, finds the Justice Society in China trying to rescue Black Adam from captivity. When Adam finally is free, he has nothing but vengeance in mind and heart. Elsewhere, Doc Magnus unleashes his Metal Men on Chang Tzu. He's been developing a new Metal Man for the vile creature. After destroying Chang Tzu, Magnus helps Professor Morrow, creator of The Red Tornado, escape. 

Following the main story is a two-page back-up featuring an abbreviated origin of the Justice Society. Written by Mark Waid, with art by Don Kramer, inks by Michael Bair and colors by Alex Singlair, the spread highlights the landmark first superhero team, leaping out of the mists to fight Nazis and turn the tide of WWII. Later, they are summoned out of retirement by the Justice League. As time passes, the legacy of the JSA continues, with new heroes taking up the mantle and baton of the original, older heroes. The feature ends with a roll call and Essential Storylines.  It's an enjoyable piece.

Your mileage may vary on the main story of 52. The cover, posing Doc Magnus as Bond, firing Metal Men bullets is simply eye candy. It would make a great wall poster. The back-up feature on the JSA is well worth the price of admission.

From April 11th, 2007, 52: Week Forty-Nine, "Eve of Destruction" earns four stars.