Written by Roy Thomas
Art by Mike Clark; Arvell Jones; Vince Colletta; Dann Thomas; Carl Gafford; & David Cody Weiss
Cover Art by (Uncredited)
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for November 1985, this Crisis on Infinite Earths tie-in depicts Earth-S’s devious Mr. Mind on Earth-Two in 1942. Recruiting the monstrous Oom into his Monster Society of Evil, Mr. Mind reveals his latest scheme. With much of the All-Squadron ominously missing, Dr. Fate and a powerless Hourman search Manhattan for clues, only to find the Monster Society holding Hawkgirl hostage inside JSA headquarters. Mr. Mind explains his odd arrival on Earth-Two.
Teenage sidekick Sandy’s timely arrival gives the battered All-Stars a second chance, but Dr. Fate is taken captive into another dimension by Oom. A thrashed Hourman, Hawkgirl, and Sandy desperately need some All-Star firepower. Elsewhere, on Earth-S, an irrate Captain Marvel is ready to pounce upon stranded All-Stars Liberty Belle, Johnny Quick, and Green Lantern (who remembers him all too well from All-Star Squadron # 36-37).
REVIEW:
After the dynamite (and double-sized) Issue # 50 (a Crisis cross-over) splintering the team into different storylines, this initial follow-up is something of a letdown. Still, assembling the long-forgotten Mr. Who; Oom; Nyola; and Ramulus (the original villainous Nightshade) as a makeshift team is a fun idea from writer Roy Thomas. He makes it believable that the suddenly short-handed All-Stars (even with Doctor Fate) are no match for them. Mr. Mind’s flashback (echoing Harbinger’s recent Crisis-related visit to Earth-Two) pitches some nice bits of comedy relief. Anchored by terrific artwork, All-Star Squadron # 51 is relatively worthwhile for long-time fans. However, Issue # 52, which pits Captain Marvel and three All-Stars against the Anti-Monitor’s shadow demons is really a far better read.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In addition to a single-page “Meanwhile …” column, there’s a two-page “All-Star Squadroom” letters-and-answers column. A full-page recreation of Jack Burnley’s Golden Age cover for All-Star Comics # 13 is included.
BRIAN’S 10-STAR RATING: 6½ Stars
Note: Issue # 53 (the finale of this three-part Crisis-related Earth-S cross-over) pits Earth-Two’s Man of Steel vs. the Monster Society.
