RECOMMENDED JSA READING, 2

[MattBrady]

by Troy Brownfield

Head over here for part one, and then, let’s continue with . . .

Sandman Mystery Theatre #1-70 (’93-’99): One of the great retcon series of all time, SMT covers the noirish adventures of Wesley Dodds. Though continuity tweaks abound, the strength of the series lies with the strong writing of Matt Wagner and Stephen T. Seagle and the terrific relationship between Dodds and his future wife Dian. The villains are extremely disturbing, the guest-stars (like Hourman) are treated almost mythically, and there really wasn’t anything else quite like it. The ultimate fate of Wesley later tied into the Big Return. That begins with . . .

The Justice Society Returns! (1999): The fifth week event consisted of an enormous amount of issues, but it’s now safely collected in trade form. For the sake of completeness, the individual issues were: bookends All-Star Comics #1 and #2; Smash Comics #1 (featuring Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite, with art by Stephen Sadowski); Star-Spangled Comics #1 (featuring Sandman and Star-Spangled Kid); National Comics #1 (featuring Mr. Terrific and The Flash); Sensation Comics #1 (with Wonder Woman and Hawkgirl); Adventure Comics #1 (Starman and The Atom); All-American Comics #1 (Green Lantern and Johnny Thunder); and Thrilling Comics #1 (Hawkman and Wildcat). The individual chapters were, in most cases, scribed by writers that had an association with the modern version of the character at that time (Tom Peyer for Hourman, Mark Waid for The Flash, Ron Marz for Green Lantern, James Robinson for Starman, Geoff Johns for Star-Spangled Kid, etc.). Robinson and Goyer wrote the two book-ends. My favorite is definitely Smash Comics #1; Hourman and Dr. Mid-Nite were a great team, and the use of Hootie was brilliant.

JSA #1-81 (1999-2006): The revival that succeeded against all odds, JSA took the team into contention as both a sales and creative force. Launched under the team of Starman co-writers James Robinson and David Goyer, the book immediately established a new major antagonist for the team (a rather familiar “dark lord”) and reintroduced Dr. Fate. Though epic in intention, the first arc operates on a rather personal scale for the team. In fact, this would become a hallmark of the book. Many of the team’s adventures would involve the defense of their legacy, protecting the heroic tradition, or tackling problems that were deemed “theirs” (Obsidian, the Khandaq situation) or unfinished business (Extant).

With the pending publication of “Ghost Stories”, the entire run of this series will have been collected.

The editions are:
JSA Vol. 1: Justice Be Done
JSA Vol. 2: Darkness Falls
JSA Vol. 3: Return of Hawkman
JSA Vol. 4: Fair Play
JSA Vol. 5: Stealing Thunder
JSA Vol. 6: Savage Times
JSA Vol. 7: Princes of Darkness
JSA Vol. 8: Black Reign
JSA Vol. 9: Lost
JSA Vol. 10: Black Vengeance
JSA Vol. 11: Mixed Signals
JSA Vol. 12: Ghost Stories

Robinson departed after the initial arc, and was replaced as co-writer by Geoff Johns. Johns and Goyer plunged headlong into addressing many fan concerns and desires, particularly the rather convoluted fate of Hawkman. The pair managed to integrate a number of takes on the character into a whole that not only satisfied many readers, but proved strong enough to allow the launch of a separate Hawkman title.

Frankly, one of the more interesting notions in the writing is how Johns and the other writers became stewards of the legacy in their own right. Though Obsidian arrived as villain in the second volume, storylines continued and played out in such a way that the writers were able to convey a measure of redemption upon the character after the events of Princes of Darkness. That rehabilitation has stuck, as Obsidian has gone on to be a positive presence in both the ongoing Manhunter title and the new Justice Society of America.

The consistent matter of appeal in this series rests in the strong writing of Johns (who becomes the sole writer after Goyer departs) and his partners and their effort to distinguish the JSA from other teams in terms of philosophy, family, and action. JSA’s saga is one that spans generations, and allows readers of all ages to find their own “identifier” character. It’s an approach that not quite present in any other series, and all the talents involved played to it quite effectively.

Offshoot titles that tie-in directly to the main series included: JSA: Our Worlds at War, an event driven one-shot in which the “new” Freedom Fighters group for the first time as an expanded JSA battles the Imperiex invasion; and JLA/JSA: Virtue & Vice, a hardcover special that pits the two teams against two major foes, with stellar art by Carlos Pacheco.

My personal favorite arc of the series may be Princes of Darkness, largely because of the multiple levels of payoff involved. Also, Air Wave’s speech at the outset of #49 is a sterling example of acknowledging that super-heroics are a dangerous business. So many events unfold as this story barrels forward, it’s hard to recall them all. By the end, the team stands triumphant and redefined. Definitely a good time.

Hawkman: Hawkman hadn’t had a series of any significant duration for years, so it was a pleasant surprise that the version spun-off from the JSA reintro has endured. Playing to the more mythological and savage interpretations of the character, the ongoing continued the plot-points from JSA involving the strained relationship of constantly reincarnated lovers Hawkman and Hawkgirl. As things rocketed toward Infinite Crisis, second writing team Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray told some great action tales, particularly a big tease that involved the revamped Golden Eagle. After IC, the book became Hawkgirl during the One Year Later event. I would recommend much of the regular series, though the recent issues haven’t been my thing.

Hourman: This short-lived series featured the android Hourman III and his pal, Snapper Carr. This one was largely distinguished by great art by Rags Morales and decent level of humor. Though I hated the initial portrayal of Rick Tyler (Hourman II) in the series, writer Tom Peyer eventually set up his cure and return to Hourman status. The android Hourman took part in the terrific JSA #65 and 66, wherein a major wrong from Zero Hour is partially righted.

JSA Classified: This ongoing companion series has the luxury of spotlighting individuals, past moments, or in one memorable case, villains. The first arc sets up Power Girl’s substantial role in Infinite Crisis, and the second arc is a nice look at the Injustice Society. I also enjoyed the two-parter that pitted Hourman I & II against Bane; Tony Bedard did a solid job of paralleling the drug and adrenaline addiction metaphors.

Infinite Crisis #1-7: While the JSA proper doesn’t have a huge issue to issue role, mainly important points are visited upon. Power Girl is prominent throughout, the Earth-2 Superman has a huge role (and recalls the Earth-2 Batman in a critical scene), the fate of Earth-2 Wonder Woman is revisited, Mr. Terrific II engages in an interesting theological discussion with Zauriel, and the Freedom Fighters are soundly thrashed, leading to Damage’s current status in issue one of Justice Society of America.

Also Worth Checking Out:

JSA: The Liberty Files: These Elseworlds minis are now collected in one trade. Spinning the JSA as more espionage-driven government ops, we see some really clever incarnations of the team (and other DCUers). Notable for the surprising twists and cool takes on various characters , this is a nice addition to the library of the big fan.

The DC Comics Encyclopedia: Released by reference powerhouse DK, this plays as a companion to their Ultimate Guide series and functions as a de facto Who’s Who. It includes tremendous art and breakdowns of categories like Famous Team-Ups and Greatest Battles. Essential for any huge DC fan.

Manhunter: Though the issue to issue action has little to do with the JSA, Kate was recently revealed as a legacy. I’m guessing we see her pop up in the current “The Next Age” arc before it’s all through.

All-Star Companion I & II: The Companion series by TwoMorrows are unbelievably well-executed tomes of comic history. These two volumes benefit heavily from the close involvement of Roy Thomas, and include observations of his as well as pieces that he’s done for Alter Ego. The first volume focuses largely on the original All-Star run, while the second lets Thomas do an issue-by-issue examination of All-Star Squadron. The promised third volume will apparently include features on the ‘70s All-Star revival and Young All-Stars, among others. If you consider yourself a student of comic history, the Companion line is an absolute must.

Justice League Unlimited: Yeah, the superb animated series is the League’s story, but guest-appearances by JSAers abound. Mr. Terrific and Stargirl get a lot of play, as do All-Star Squadron/Seven Soldiers of Victory mainstays Vigilante and Shining Knight. And of course, you can’t overlook Wildcat (perfectly voiced by Dennis Farina), which looks at his relationship with the younger heroes of the world, particularly, Black Canary and Green Arrow. Roulette, from JSA shows up as well.

So hey, big list. When you’ve been around for 60 years, you tend to have big lists. While it’s not an exhaustive, and it skips a few minis and such, this is the course of study that you should follow to get your unofficial degree in Justice Sociology. Still, you don’t need to delve into any of this to enjoy the immensely accessible new series . . . but why wouldn’t you? Enjoy!

Troy Brownfield writes a lot of stuff for Newsarama. His toddler son readily identifies Batman, but seems to think that his Wonder Woman action figure is supposed to be Mama. “But son,” Troy says, “Wonder Woman is taller.”

[OcCaM]

That all-star companion v2 may have to rest on my shelves soon.

All-Star Squadron remains tied with New Teen Titans as the best DC title ever! Ok, maybe the Legion back in the Darkness Saga era time, splits a 3-way tie.

[ElijahSnowFan]

Originally Posted by OcCaM

That all-star companion v2 may have to rest on my shelves soon.

All-Star Squadron remains tied with New Teen Titans as the best DC title ever! Ok, maybe the Legion back in the Darkness Saga era time, splits a 3-way tie.

as you can see by my sig, i like three-ways.

[JDooley]

These articles are so great. Any hope of Super Articulate coming back?

[whitemarkd]

Originally Posted by OcCaM

All-Star Squadron remains tied with New Teen Titans as the best DC title ever! Ok, maybe the Legion back in the Darkness Saga era time, splits a 3-way tie.

I agree on all three, but especially All-Star Squadron, the only series of any significan length that I had complete as a kid. One of the first things I did when I got back into comics after 15 years was buy a full run on ebay (then I bought Infinity Inc., which I quit before it finished, and Young All-Stars, which I had never read).

It was so wonderful to discover, when I got back into comics a couple years ago, that the JSA had their own series, and I'm thrilled that it continues still (albeit under a slightly different name). Now, if only those Luthor brats will stop sullying the proud name of Infinity Inc...

[CodeGuy]

I'm glad Justice League Unlimited was mentioned. There was a lot of good JSA stuff in that. The Wildcat episode was great, and the Lex/Flash brain switch episode had a great Mr. Terrific moment.

[Street Carp]

I love Virtue and Vice so much. The story was great, the art was beautiful, and the choice of villains was perfect! I highly recommend it.

(ian)

[DoctorTom]

Hmm, still no love for the Spectre in the articles. He should easily have shown up in the recommended reading - he was one of the founding members of the JSA, after all. The Fleisher material from the '70's was collected in a trade and established some of the outrageousness of his punishments that was used later with the character. The John Ostrander run was excellent throughout (and he was even allowed to let Jim Corrigan 'retire' and go to heaven at the end!) and also included the introduction of the modern Mr. Terrific in one of the story arcs. Opinion's mixed on the Hal Jordan Spectre - personally I think it fell in the 'it seemed like a good idea at the time' category. It worked better when he was a guest star in other series than for carrying a series himself. It seems like they're getting back on track using Crispus Allen.

[kingofcities]

GREAT articles Troy. If I may add my own two cents, anyone looking to start from the beginning of the more recent JSA incarnation needs to hunt down (if it isn't in a trade or something) the first JSA Secret Files. It came out prior to issue #1 of the Robinson/Goyer relaunch. It's more like a zero issue than anything. Not only is it the catalyst for the modern JSA book but it also has the death of a major Golden-Age hero. Sad story but great comic.

[Andy E. Nystrom]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

by Troy Brownfield

The DC Comics Encyclopedia: Released by reference powerhouse DK, this plays as a companion to their Ultimate Guide series and functions as a de facto Who’s Who. It includes tremendous art and breakdowns of categories like Famous Team-Ups and Greatest Battles. Essential for any huge DC fan.

As much as I've enjoyed reading this article, and while this book is certainly one of the prettiest hardcovers in my collection, there's no way that a book with this many errors and inconsistencies can be considered "essential". Hank and Don Hall are both cited as being Hawk, some Legion members only have the then current continuity listed as their first appearance while others list the true first appearance as well (I prefer the latter approach myself), etc. The word "essential" these days has two connotations: "must have" or "complete" (i.e. what Marvel's Essential series is attempting). Both the errors and the inconsistencies knock it out of the first category for me and inconsistencies in the way data is handled pretty much knocks it out of the second category for me as well.

Again, I enjoyed most of the article, but when I see a deluxe hardcover book which was frankly not edited at a professional level deemed Essential, I have to comment. For a much better job of editing data, see the current Marvel Handbooks or the non-DK Marvel Encyclopedias; errors there tend to be along the lines of "was so and so a member of a team that's more obscure than the Champions". You won't find any JSA info, but you won't find yourself going "Hey wait a minute!" so often either.

--Andy EN

[Lord Ice]

Great articles, but no mention of the Ostrander/Mandrake Spectre? Not only was it the best series of the 90's (that wasn't called Sandman ), it introduced the current Mister Terrific.

[rwe1138]

Originally Posted by kingofcities

GREAT articles Troy. If I may add my own two cents, anyone looking to start from the beginning of the more recent JSA incarnation needs to hunt down (if it isn't in a trade or something) the first JSA Secret Files. It came out prior to issue #1 of the Robinson/Goyer relaunch. It's more like a zero issue than anything. Not only is it the catalyst for the modern JSA book but it also has the death of a major Golden-Age hero. Sad story but great comic.

I'm pretty sure it's collected in the first trade, Justice Be Done.

[rwe1138]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

Hourman: This short-lived series featured the android Hourman III and his pal, Snapper Carr. This one was largely distinguished by great art by Rags Morales and decent level of humor. Though I hated the initial portrayal of Rick Tyler (Hourman II) in the series, writer Tom Peyer eventually set up his cure and return to Hourman status. The android Hourman took part in the terrific JSA #65 and 66, wherein a major wrong from Zero Hour is partially righted.
JSA: The Liberty Files: These Elseworlds minis are now collected in one trade. Spinning the JSA as more espionage-driven government ops, we see some really clever incarnations of the team (and other DCUers). Notable for the surprising twists and cool takes on various characters , this is a nice addition to the library of the big fan.
Manhunter: Though the issue to issue action has little to do with the JSA, Kate was recently revealed as a legacy. I’m guessing we see her pop up in the current “The Next Age” arc before it’s all through.

I highly recommend all of these. I hunted down all 25 issues of Hourman, and it was well worth it. Great series. Liberty files is an incredible GA Elseworlds, second only to The Golden Age. And Manhunter is my favorite monthly book currently published. Although I seem to recall an interview where Geoff states she won't be showing up in JSoA.

[EvilErnie13]

Originally Posted by MattBrady

JSA Classified: ...The first arc sets up Power Girl’s substantial role in Infinite Crisis...

Infinite Crisis #1-7: While the JSA proper doesn’t have a huge issue to issue role, mainly important points are visited upon. Power Girl is prominent throughout...

When was Power Girl substantial? I saw her talk to E-2 Superman and then she got held back in the final fight. I guess women didn't do too much in Infinite Crisis, what with Wonder Woman "supporting" Batman and Power Girl being held back from the big fight.

**This is where the fanboys tell me all the things she really did in Infinite Crisis and how she was extremely important. Go ahead, make me a believer.

[O.J. Flow]

"Justice Sociology."
Classic.
As up to speed as I am on a lot of this stuff, I still feel like an undergrad.

[kingofcities]

Originally Posted by rwe1138

I'm pretty sure it's collected in the first trade, Justice Be Done.

Excellent. I don't own any of the JSA trades (I have all the issues) so I didn't know. It was a pretty important story so I figured I'd give it a shout.

[EvilErnie13]

Originally Posted by DoctorTom

Hmm, still no love for the Spectre in the articles.

The Spectre has taken a whole different form since his JSA days. I think that a nod should have been made, but The Spectre is a bigger concept than the JSA since he is God's vengeance.

Side Note: Plus, I think they need a more current and thorough DC Comics Encyclopedia.

[Troy Brownfield]

Originally Posted by JDooley

These articles are so great. Any hope of Super Articulate coming back?

Thanks!

As for Super-Articulate, we've got a great new one cooking. Jim Beard, The Rev and I are doing a jam/debate piece wherein we ask the question "What are the definitive action figure versions of these [17] characters?" We took 8 from DC, 8 from Marvel, and comic/figure mainstay Spawn, and we break down which figures, in our estimation(s), are the best for each. Should be fun, and discussion-provoking.

Just a note on the Spectre series: it's nice to see so many people mention it. Frankly, it just wasn't on my big list, and I agree in hindsight that it should probably have been included. There were a number of things that I didn't include that were at least fun, or tertiary (like the Dr. Fate series, The Shade mini, the Vigilante mini, the '70s Sandman series that ties into JSA, the Black Canary solo series, Armageddon: Inferno, Secret Origins, the All-Stars mini, the Strange Adventures mini, etc.). What it came down to is what I would immediately think of in terms of what you would need to read to get the big, big JSA picture.

As to whether or not "recommended" is a proper title . . . well, these are things that I recommend that you read if you're interested. It needs no further analysis than that.

[Troy Brownfield]

Originally Posted by EvilErnie13

Side Note: Plus, I think they need a more current and thorough DC Comics Encyclopedia.

My understanding is that one is coming. DK updates their guides pretty regularly; there have already been 3 versions of the X-Men guide, and 2 each for Superman and Batman that I can recall right now. DC themselves admitted that THEY even forgot to include obvious choices in the first volume, like Hush.

[ThatNickGuy]

What? No love for Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E.? For shame.

Considering the success of both Georff Johns AND the Star Spangled Kid, I'm surprised that DC hasn't thought of collecting that series in some trades. Or trade, as I'm not sure how long the run lasted.

[Rawkingbird]

Man, that Our Worlds At War special is one of my favorite single issue comic stories ever - it's just so full of old-school butt kicking with such a huge cast.

Virtue and Vice feels a bit slight, but the art is fabulous and there are some great character beats in it. I demand that DC make a poster out of the last page of it.

[EvilErnie13]

Originally Posted by Troy Brownfield

My understanding is that one is coming. DK updates their guides pretty regularly; there have already been 3 versions of the X-Men guide, and 2 each for Superman and Batman that I can recall right now. DC themselves admitted that THEY even forgot to include obvious choices in the first volume, like Hush.

Thanks for the info. I would have bought the DC Encyclopedia, but then DC announced Infinite Crisis and I knew that meant the DC Encyclopedia would become obsolete. Not to mention, I haven't seen one in print since Infinite Crisis came out.

[Ravager]

Originally Posted by Rawkingbird

Man, that Our Worlds At War special is one of my favorite single issue comic stories ever - it's just so full of old-school butt kicking with such a huge cast.

Virtue and Vice feels a bit slight, but the art is fabulous and there are some great character beats in it. I demand that DC make a poster out of the last page of it.

I love it Virtue and Vice too. I demand that they make a poster of the double page spread battle charge near the end.

[BamaRainbow]

Originally Posted by ThatNickGuy

What? No love for Stars & S.T.R.I.P.E.? For shame.

Considering the success of both Georff Johns AND the Star Spangled Kid, I'm surprised that DC hasn't thought of collecting that series in some trades. Or trade, as I'm not sure how long the run lasted.

That was covered in Part One of this thread:

Stars and S.T.R.I.P.E. #0-14: Geoff Johns wrote this one, a forerunner for his JSA run. It has solid art and fun stories and should have enjoyed a longer berth. Still, it was another component that helped get that JSA ball rolling.

Even had the cover of issue #1 alongside it.

[Disco Cookie]

I always knew I was a JSA fan but never realised how much until I read these two reading lists and realised how many things on here I own...like all of them...