I’ve really been enjoying JSA All-Stars for a while now: it may not be about to revolutionise the comic book medium, but it’s been a source of fun and exciting super hero action, and is a good read for it. I decided, thus, to take a look at the latest issue of the series, and see how it stands up under the reviewer’s microscope.
It’s the conclusion of a JLA/JSA cross-over, and everyone has turned up for a big fight. How nice.
Or – “April Showers Bring May Flowers, But Mayflowers Only Bring Religious Dissidents…”
Man, it has been a LOOOONG month of May. The comics industry seems intent on moving to $3.99 price points, The Eleventh Doctor got hit on, and Scarlett Johanssen looks great in skintight stretch fabrics. In any case, since another month has come and gone, and it’s a three-day weekend for many in the United States we’ve got time to look at a couple dozen things that have come out in recent weeks, Rapid-Fire Style!
In this issue: Travel back to the Victorian Era and see what makes Batman tick. Plus, Rodrigo breaks hearts, The Ultimates are new, yet again, and JSA – ALL THE WAY!
Show Notes after the Jump!
Or – “There Are Old Pilots And Bold Pilots, But Few Old, Bold Pilots…”
I saw recently that a clinical study proved that January 25th is the most depressing day of the entire year, scientifically and unequivocally. While I don’t disagree with that sentiment (especially as it regards the attendance of employees in Midwestern United States call centers) I find it fascinating that somebody actually got paid to try and figure out something that silly and (let’s be honest, here) banal. Still and all, it’s the kind of story that you read and go, “Yeah, I can see that.” Thus, to ease your slowly-receding ennui (and Stephen’s not-so-slowly receding hairline) I give you another batch of coverage of comics you might have read, but forgot to laugh at the first time… Rapid-Fire Style!
Or – “Where’s My Santa On The Shaver, Dammit?”
Sometimes the holidays turn into a blur of food and family and spectacle, like the Roman Empire right before the Dark Ages. When that happens, it’s good to have Rapid Fire Reviews: Reading the comics, so you don’t have to!
If you were disappointed by the image of Hawkman in the upcoming Smallville: Absolute Justice movie, you might just change your mind after seeing the trailer the CW is running that gives you a sneak peek of a couple more characters, including Sandman and Atom.
DC released a sneak peek at the cover to JSA All-Stars #2 by Freddie E. Williams.
Geoff Johns announced during the Smallville panel that he is writing an episode called Society that introduces the Justice Society of America to the Smallville universe.
Also announced during the panel is word that Allison Mack and Tom Welling will both direct episodes this season. And as we hinted at the other day, Clark Kent will don the Superman suit in the season’s debut episode. The producers do want the series to go to a 10th season, and are hoping the shows move to Friday night will help that.The appearance of Zod, played by Callum Blue, will help that as well.
The panel members also said they read all the blogs that talk about the shows – even when the talk is “mean”. Hello everyone from Smallville, take a look around, we have more Smallville stuff here too. Perhaps you might get Erica Durance to stop by and say hello…
Or – “When Did Kobra Turn Into A Hot Chick???”
Waaaay back in the 1970′s, DC was experimenting with odd bits of comic production, including a series for The Joker, the Secret Society of Super-Villains series, and launching Kobra, the story of two brothers (Jeffrey and Jason Burr) who shared a psionic link, one of whom happened to be a master criminal with a thing for snakeskin. Though Jason was murdered by Jeffrey, and Jeffrey then murdered by Black Adam, Kobra The Organization soldiers on, with their latest activities putting them on a collision course with the original super-team. Five bucks on the bunch with Power Girl and Flash…
Geoff Johns made it official with his announcement that he is leaving Justice Society of America after issue #26.
The JSA to me represents everything good about life, work and superheroes. In life, generations past, present and future all provide different viewpoints. There can be something magical when it’s past from grandfather to father to son or from mother to daughter or son to grandfather. There’s nothing more important than family – and family means a lot more than just blood relatives. That’s what my very first book, STARS & S.T.R.I.P.E., was about and that’s what JSA, and life, is about.
So why am I leaving?
I have more stories to tell, and the characters are endless, but thatÂ’s also true for the DC Universe. IÂ’m ready to move on to some other challenges like returning to THE FLASH and SUPERMAN: SECRET ORIGIN. And I am also obsessed with making sure that GREEN LANTERN, BLACKEST NIGHT and everything around it is the absolute best it can possibly be. Â…and thatÂ’s only part of 2009. There are some new projects on the horizon.
Geoff is doing a heck of a lot of work in the DCU right now – it’s almost like you can’t pick up a DC title without seeing his name on the cover. With the hype building for Blackest Night, it’s probably a good idea that Johns pulls back and focuses on the core titles. The Thy Kingdom Come storyline has been okay, but it’s also dragged on for some time, so maybe it is time for a rest. Besides, he didn’t say he wouldn’t ever write JSA again, so there is always a chance for return.
What Gog Giveth, Gog Taketh Away
What happens if you don’t do what a god tells you to do? That’s what the members of the Justice Society of America are about to find out as Gog makes a demand that not everyone is comfortable with.
