Written by Gerry Conway
Art by Don Heck; Brett Breeding & ‘Friends;’ Ben Oda; & Carl Gafford
Cover Art by George Pérez
SUMMARY:
Published for May 1982 by DC Comics, it’s entitled “Star Fall.” The League line-up consists of Batman; the Atom; Wonder Woman; Zatanna Zatara; Red Tornado; and Katar Hol’s Hawkman. Cameos include Superman; Aquaman; Green Arrow; Black Canary; the Flash; Elongated Man; and Firestorm. Making repairs outside the orbiting JLA satellite, Batman is rendered unconscious by a malfunctioning power conduit. With the satellite’s air supply compromised, Hawkman utilizes the League’s emergency signal. The responding Leaguers stabilize their satellite HQ, as a rescue mission commences re: a missing Batman.
Attacked by a massive and heavily-armed starship inside a force field, the League fights back. Aboard the mysterious starship, five Leaguers find the Dark Knight has mutated into an alien werewolf. As the standing Leaguer, Hawkman must play a running defense against this Bat-wolf. The truth of the starship’s ancient mission is revealed.
REVIEW:
Though the Super-Friends-like story is routine, this comic is still a vintage read for 1980’s Justice League fans. Writer Gerry Conway delivers a kid-friendly formula where the League members all make vital contributions. More so, Conway plausibly conveys why Batman’s alien mutation physically outmatches five Leaguers.
Even better is that the art team’s visuals (including a spot-on cover image) are top-caliber for that era. Accordingly, the production quality of Justice League of America # 202 makes it an entertaining addition to any comic collection.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a single-page “JLA Mail Room” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
