Written by John Ostrander
Art by Val Semeiks; Prentis Rollins; John Kalisz; Heroic Age; & Ken Lopez
Cover Art by Val Semeiks; Prentis Rollins; & John Kalisz
Role Call: Green Lantern (Hal Jordan); Black Canary (Dinah Laurel Lance); Green Arrow (Oliver Queen); Atom (Ray Palmer); Aquaman; Flash (Barry Allen); & Martian Manhunter (J’onn J’onzz).
SUMMARY:
Published by DC Comics for July 2001, the 40-page opener for this seven-part mini-series is entitled “The Justice League is Dead!” Narrated in part by TV news journalist, Tully Reed, the series’ continuity extends from 1998’s Justice League: Year One twelve-part maxi-series. It’s publicly revealed by Reed that the still-rookie Justice League (JLA) was evidently killed in action by the Justice Society’s (JSA) old foe, Wotan, in a lethal test of their heroism.
Yet, the League’s narrow escape is scorned by the veteran JSA for some impetuous decision-making. There’s also brewing animosity between mother-and-daughter Black Canaries. Covertly egging both sides on, the mind-warping Wotan gladly pits the JLA vs. the JSA on an isolated Caribbean island where its volcanic destruction is imminent.
Note: Included is a retroactive explanation re: how the Golden Age Hawkman & Hawkgirl joined the JLA.
REVIEW:
Considering the creative talent assembled, unsurprisingly, it’s a stellar effort. Capably deploying his large cast, writer John Ostrander devises an enticing storyline that pits one resentful generation vs. another, including mother vs. daughter Black Canaries. Well-played dialogue exchanges between the JLA and JSA plausibly depict these Silver Age icons expressing human nature rather than merely serving as talking cardboard. Ostrander also throws in some logical plot twists, so not everything is left a foregone conclusion.
Most effectively, the art squad delivers high-caliber work (including a spot-on cover image). As of this writing, this mini-series inexplicably hasn’t been collected by DC Comics as a trade paperback. Yet, JLA: Incarnations # 1 alone proves this intriguing series is definitely worth re-discovery.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The last page is a promo message to Justice League fans from DC Comics Assistant Editor Steve Wacker. Included are black-and-white sneak peeks at the covers for JLA: Incarnations # 2 and # 3.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars
