Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Dale Eaglesham, Ruy José, & Jeromy Cox
Cover Art by Alex Ross, Dale Eaglesham, & Ruy José
SUMMARY:
Entitled “The Next Age, Chapter Four,” DC Comics released this issue for May 2007. Three battles are currently in progress. In Brooklyn, Wildcat (Ted Grant) and his teenage were-cat son, Tom Bronson, savagely tag-team against an equally brutal Vandal Savage. Father and son must resort to old-school tactics to overpower Savage. Later on, Wildcat introduces his newly-discovered heir to life at the JSA’s Battery Park HQ.
In Blue Valley, Nebraska, the JSA: Stargirl, Cyclone, Power Girl, Flash, & Starman defends Stargirl’s family from attack from Nazi-like forces. In Philadelphia, more of the JSA: Green Lantern, Liberty Belle II, Hourman II, Damage, & Hawkman contend with Captain Nazi’s attack squad. Damage is chastised by Rick Tyler (Hourman II) for his recklessness that nearly kills Jesse Chambers (Liberty Belle II). Both of these battles rage on until the nefarious opposition is overpowered.
Meanwhile, as a hint towards an imminent Justice League crossover, a time-lost Dream Girl is seen as Doctor Destiny’s captive.
Notes: Ross, Eaglesham, & José also conjured up a variant cover depicting Jesse Quick/Liberty Belle caught in Damage’s explosive blast. Near the end of this issue, a two-page spread spells out the current JSA as: Wildcats I and III, Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Flash (Jay Garrick), Hawkman, Power Girl, Dr. Mid-Nite III, Mr. Terrific II, Damage, Ma Hunkel, Stargirl, Hourman II, Liberty Belle II, Sandy Hawkins’ Sandman, Obsidian, the Legion’s Starman, and Cyclone.
REVIEW:
Meant for DC’s avid JSA fanbase, this issue’s entire creative team is on its game. While the enormous JSA roster is hard to keep track of, writer Geoff Johns does solid work traversing three ongoing battle sequences. The potential risk, however, is that Johns’ ambitious style (juggling so many characters all at once) might overwhelm casual readers now just tuning in.
Still, the scripting benefits from this art squad’s dynamite visuals, including the Alex Ross cover image. Though it isn’t necessarily a must-have, Justice Society of America # 4 is a first-class ride from DC Comics.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
The last page is a “DC Nation” column, which includes cover glimpses for The Atom # 9, 52 # 44, and Jonah Hex # 17.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8 Stars
