Written by Paul Kuppenberg
Art by Chuck Patton; Romeo Tanghal; John Costanza; & Tony Tollin
Cover Art by George Pérez
SUMMARY:
Entitled “All the Elements of Disaster,” it was published by DC Comics for August 1983. This issue’s League line-up consists of Zatanna Zatara; Superman; Elongated Man; Firestorm; Wonder Woman; Aquaman; Red Tornado; & Hawkman. A mysterious energy emanating from the ruins of Atlantis sends Aquaman to the League for help. In Metropolis, a rancid bag lady is transformed into an Earth elemental. A Los Angeles movie producer becomes a water creature elemental. A Midway City construction worker is changed into an air elemental.
Dividing their forces, team leader Zatanna sends Hawkman & Red Tornado unsuccessfully to Midway City. Elongated Man, Zatanna, & Firestorm fare no better against the Earth elemental, as do Superman, Aquaman,& Wonder Woman in the Pacific Ocean vs. the sea elemental. While the League regroups, the ancient sorcerer, Daanuth, intends to restore Atlantis under his diabolical command.
Note: Despite their presence on the cover, Black Canary, Green Arrow, and the Atom don’t appear in this issue.
REVIEW:
Playing out a JLA storytelling cliché (i.e. separating the team into smaller squads), writer Paul Kuppenberg works some magic with this issue. Not only does the spot-on artwork anchor the story well, Kuppenberg’s script is an excellent tool to showcase the League’s teamwork. The last page even delivers an amusing last panel. Though Justice League of America # 217 isn’t memorable, the issue is still an entertaining read that should satisfy any JLA fan.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
In addition to Dick Giordano’s “Meanwhile …” column, there is a two-page “JLA Mail Room” letters-and-answers column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
