Roy Thomas and Rich Buckler's story picks up from the next moment from the end of the previous issue. It is the morning of December 7th, 1941, "... a day that will live in infamy!" The historic Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The Atom and Hawkman, founding members of the Justice Society are leaving FDR and the White House with Dr. Mid-Nite, Johnny Quick, Liberty Belle, Plastic Man and Robotman. They're being sent off to the West Coast to prevent further Japanese attacks.
This issue is actually jam-packed!
Leaving the White House, the All-Stars come across looters taking advantage of the day's confusion and hysteria! Boom! Stopped!
On their flight west, Hawkman suggests that they reveal their identities to one another in order to build trust and camaraderie. Over the next four pages - one panel per hero - each one reveals the briefest of Secret Origins!
And then, Degaton monologues! He waxes egotistical and reveals his whole plan to Sir Justin and Danette Reilly!
The story is a veritable dump of information! Degaton catches everyone up on his many plots, leading to this current plan to divide and conquer! If he alone isn't a pure, devious genius, he's assembled a crew fitting and worthy: Grundy, Professor Zodiac, Sky Pirate and Wotan! Degaton even gets a Fact File page! This is Degaton's third attempt at world domination.
Len Wein is to be complimented for guiding Roy Thomas, Rich Buckler and Jerry Ordway in how this issue and story unfurls. Carl Gafford provides brighter, more optimistic colors and John Costanza's lettering is less muddy and obscured. Still, newsprint is newsprint. There is an editorial page devoted to more detailed history.
While the exposition and monologuing could be a drawback, it doesn't really slow or bog down the story. It just adds to the drama and intensity. Your mileage may vary on that. There is a nationalism and patriotic vibe that seems quaint, dated and somewhat corny to modern post-Vietnam cynicism.
All Star Squadron 2 earns five stars.
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