Written by Paul Levitz
Art by Joe Staton; Joe Giella; Joe Orlando; Adrienne Roy; & Todd Klein
Cover Art by Joe Staton & Joe Giella
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Be It Ever So Deadly …,” it was published by DC Comics for July-August 1978. On DC’s Earth-Two, a critically wounded Wildcat is watched over in a hospital ICU by Green Lantern Alan Scott; Jay Garrick’s Flash; & Power Girl. Retrieving a freeze ray device from JSA Headquarters, the Huntress (Helena Wayne) is ambushed by the jealous Golden Age villainess sharing the same alias.
Her co-conspirators – Thorn and the Sportsmaster simultaneously target Jay’s wife, Joan, which sends the Flash and Power Girl into action against them. Green Lantern may be Helena’s sole hope of rescue, as the freeze ray might medically save Wildcat’s life.
“Elsewhere,” in an Ancient Egypt-like realm, Doctor Fate and Hawkman are forced to stand before the grim Master Summoner.
REVIEW:
Writer Paul Levitz’s scripting delivers a vintage 1970’s Justice Society adventure. Notably, Wildcat’s medical dilemma is well-balanced by two exciting sub-plots. Helena Wayne’s team-up with Green Lantern also really clicks, as the original Huntress makes a surprisingly formidable opponent — even when facing a formidable 2-on-1 handicap.
However, Levitz is let down at times by occasionally rudimentary artwork, including the inexplicable sight of middle-aged Joan Garrick as a young blonde (as if she is far closer to Helena’s twenty-something age). Even if this issue’s visuals don’t age well, All-Star Comics # 73 at least remains a solid read as all-ages DC entertainment.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In addition to the “All Star Comments” letters-and-answers column, there is a single-page “Daily Planet” news-and-notes column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
