Revisionist History; Secret Origins 31, Starring The Justice Society of America Review

 

The Challenge for writer and fan Roy Thomas is putting an end to the Justice Society of America. With the landmark Crisis on Infinite Earths series, a single Earth, a single timeline and reality was written. Legend has it that some writers found it confining. I would argue that that may have been the case for Thomas and The Golden-Age portion of the DC Universe. All-Star Squadron was left without Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman and Green Arrow, and their associated, connecting characters. Power Girl had to be re-imagined. Robin and The Huntress were erased along with The Golden-Age versions of Batman and Catwoman. Fury had to be re-imagined. Green Arrow and Speedy were no longer members of the Seven Soldiers of Victory or Laws Legionnaires. The Justice Society was trapped in a Ragnarok loop to preserve the universe. All-Star Squadron came to an end and replaced with the Young All-Stars title. Infinity, Inc. may have come to a close around the same time as well. 

Roy Thomas re-imagines the origin of the Justice Society of America, post-Crisis. Michael Bair, Bob Downs and Carl Gafford handle the art, with Jean Simek lettering. Mark Waid edits.

The story is pretty much similar to DC Special 29, from 1977. Without Batman, The Flash and Green Lantern head off to Glasgow. Superman does not make an eleventh-hour save. The significant difference is that FDR is in fact killed by a Valkyrie. The Spectre goes into the afterlife to plead for his return to lead the country, nay, even the world through the second great war. That's really the centerpiece of the story. Jim Corrigan pleading for the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and the comparison to Moses that FDR did not survive into the "Promised Land".

What really comes out is that The Spectre and Dr. Fate could easily eliminate Hitler and the Nazi threat, just the two of them. Add Green Lantern, Hourman and possibly The Flash, and the Axis powers might be stopped in its tracks. Hawkman, The Atom and The Sandman are pretty good in hand-to-hand, or espionage agents. Unfortunately, fictional characters, comic book characters can't fix or solve real-world problems. They're stuck fitting into a reality. Which is an explanation for Hitler diverting from invading England. 

It's a great story. Thomas updates it well. Bair's art is thrilling, providing a number of individual character poses. The opening splash page appears somewhat weak, but the end page splash is pretty decent.

Over all, Secret Origins 31, featuring The Secret Origin of The Justice Society of America earns four stars.  

Our Heroes at War; DC Special 29, The Untold Origin of The Justice Society Review

Kudos to Paul Levitz. Thirty-seven years after their first appearance in All-Star Comics 3, Winter 1940, Levitz reveals the secret origin of comics' first superhero team. Their debut appearance was made up of dinner conversation. The team gathered and shared solo adventures. This origin story accomplishes a few things. Primarily, it explains why Hitler did not invade England during World War II. Secondly, it provides an action-packed origin story for the Justice Society, including Superman and Batman. This story takes place prior to Wonder Woman's debut, as well as a number of other Golden-Age heroes.

Levitz establishes that President Roosevelt attempts to keep his promise not to enter the war - unless of course the United States is attacked. That would occur almost a year after these events of November 1940. That's when Agent Smythe carrying an important message from Intrepid, Sir William Stephenson, imploring the Commander-in-Chief to aid the British against the Nazi Reich. FDR's solution is to use "Mystery Men", costumed superheroes - basically civilians - in covert operations.

Smythe contacts Batman, The Flash and Green Lantern and sends them off to Glasgow. Dr. Fate observes as the trio is captured and moved to Hitler's Berlin, where he is about to make an example of them. Fate and Hourman rush to the rescue. Fate also summons The Atom, Hawkman and Sandman. Ultimately, The Spectre and Superman make an appearance. The heroes end up fighting Valkyries. The Atom even saves FDR from a "fatal" Valkyrie blast. He quips that it's impossible to split The Atom. Little do he know...

Joe Staton, Bob Layton and Anthony Tollin pack the punch for Levitz's bombastic script. Bill Morse's lettering is superb - even in newsprint, which is finicky and fickle.

The opening and ending splash pages are a treat. This is definitely for Justice Society and die-hard comic-book-y fans. Readers that enjoy Dr. Fate, The Spectre and Superman fighting Valkyries and Nazis. It's definitely wonky.

As such, The Untold Origin of The Justice Society in DC Special 29 earns five stars.

     
 

Hello, Darkness, My Old Friend... JSA: The Liberty File 2 Review

Elseworlds. A Jolley Roger Production.

1942. World War II. "Chaz" McNider, The Owl, was wounded in the explosive conflict in the previous issue. He's recuperating in hospital. There's a comment from Rex Tyler, The Clock, that McNider's codename should have been something more personal than "The Owl", being that he's such a horndog, ladies' man. McNider's convalescence is cut short by The Scarecrow, an incredibly creepy and horrific Nazi "cleaner". The Scarecrow murders McNider, then murders The Bat and The Clock's contact. During the ensuing chase and conflict. Terry Sloane's paramour is gunned down as well. Just as he was about to propose. 

Sloane revives his "fair play" costume of Mr. Terrific and joins The Bat and The Clock. They manage to overcome The Scarecrow. The trail of the Nazi Übermensch leads back to Africa. There, Bruce Wayne uses the vital piece of information to sway the alien "super man" to the Allies side. The tide of the war does turn, against Hitler and Germany.

Dan Jolley's story is definitely for fans of the Justice Society as well as the Elseworlds concept - DC's version of "What if...?" Jolley's story is also for more mature readers, and not for the squeamish. Definitely not an all-ages book. Your mileage may vary on that. Jolley does a fine job of misdirection and creating a surprise conclusion that is definitely genuine and thrilling. Tony Harris, with Ray Snyder and Matt Hollingsworth on art creates a very dark and moody atmosphere, perfect for the period piece. Tyler makes a comment about Bruce Wayne's disguises changing his hair color. It seems confusing and kind of falls flat with the shadows and dark tone of the art. Ken Lopez's lettering is enjoyable as it changes from narration to sound effects.

Overall, it's a thrilling alternate version of familiar characters. JSA: The Liberty File earns four stars.

Through the Glass More Darkly - JSA: The Liberty File Review

Elseworlds. A Jolly Roger Production.

1942. World War II. The Joker is re-imagined as Jack, The Grin. He's an underworld figure that has come upon a vital Nazi communique. He's hidden it and is in the market to sell it to the highest bidder. The Nazi's want him for it. The Allies want him for it. The Bat has been assigned to work with The Clock and The Owl. We're jumping right in, into the story as it unfolds. Apparently, Ted Grant, The Cat is dead. The Bat typically works alone. Trust issues. Charles McNider, The Owl (we might recognize him in another reality as Dr. Mid-Nite), is quite the ladies' man, or maybe, a bird dog. He jokes that he's compensating for his blindness. Rex Tyler, The Clock, is the strong man. Not so much with finesse or subtlety, like The Bat. The trio follow The Grin's trail to Africa. Until reconnecting with The Bat, Jack has been suffering from amnesia.

"Chaz" contacts singer Dinah Drake, The Canary for information on where to find Jack. They do. The three manage to get their hands on the important information. It could turn the tide of the war!

Dan Jolley story is definitely for mature readers. This is not an all-ages book. Which is the only downfall. It has everything else. Jack is written very violent and blood thirsty. The reality really doesn't seem to matter; The Joker is written as incredibly violent. It's almost gratuitous. More and more, Batman comes off as deranged and unhinged, rather than focused and determined. Tony Harris on art with Ray Snyder and Matt Hollingsworth just adds to the sinister bent of the story. Ken Lopez's lettering is enjoyable for The Bat's narration and the prompts that move the story along and the pacing.

Your mileage may vary, based on the dark grisly tone.

JSA: The Liberty File 1 earns four stars.