Written by Paul Levitz
Art by George Pérez; Rags Morales; Luke Ross; Jerry Ordway; Bob Wiacek; Dave Meikis; Tom Smith; John Kalisz; Rob Schwager; Tanya Horie; Richard Horie; & Rob Leigh
Cover Art by George Pérez
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2006, this 144-page compilation reprints JSA # 82-87 (also from 2006). In a crossover to early events of Infinite Crisis, it’s a dark and stormy night, as Power Girl returns to the JSA brownstone. Consoling a troubled Power Girl, Ma Hunkel ‘translates’ Earth-Two Lois Lane’s shorthand account of the Gentleman Ghost committing a brazen series of heists in late March 1951. These thefts occur the night after the JSA’s abrupt retirement amidst McCarthyism.
Unable to apprehend him, the Ghost’s crimes confound the Golden Age versions of Superman, Batman, & Wonder Woman, along with a newly-retired Jay “Flash” Garrick. Even eluding capture by Wonder Woman’s golden lasso, the Ghost’s weakness is at least hinted.
In the present day, the One Year Later arc depicts a short-handed JSA (Mr. Terrific; Stargirl, who is now taking driver’s education; Jay Garrick’s Flash; Jakeem Thunder; Dr. Mid-Nite III; Wildcat; and a half-blinded Alan Scott/Green Lantern coping with the tragic death of his daughter, Jade). Also present are Ma Hunkel and Jay’s wife, Joan. Confronted by ghosts from their past, the team finds that they’ve been mysteriously targeted by Jim Craddock — The Gentleman Ghost. Among them is a previously undisclosed tragedy re: a civilian colleague that Alan Scott must painfully revisit. Interspersed are scenes revealing the Ghost’s origin centuries before.
Glimpses depict young Jim Craddock’s transition from a harsh English childhood to his foretold destiny as a spectral bandit. In a sequence guest-starring five JSA-related ghosts, an enigmatic clue from the Golden Age Batman infers how the JSA can thwart the Ghost. As Craddock’s army of ghosts invade their brownstone and simultaneously rampage in London, a divided Justice Society needs an unexpected miracle in this showdown.
REVIEW:
Make no mistake: Paul Levitz is a reliable DC Comics scribe who can deliver top-flight entertainment without resorting to sleaze.
Aside from some well-played twists, a new adventure remembering the original Batman-Wonder Woman-Superman trio (along with Lois Lane) after the JSA’s abrupt retirement is welcome fun. Still, it’s peculiar to see Superman prematurely graying in 1951, as he would have been, at most, in his early forties. A later scene depicting Jakeem Thunder’s Thunderbolt’s team-up with the JSA’s ‘ghost squad’ is also wonderfully depicted. The same applies to a poignant sub-plot between Jade’s spirit and her grieving father.
Still, Levitz isn’t immune to stumbling over plot holes (i.e. why doesn’t the JSA consult Hawkgirl for insight battling the Ghost? Though Hawkman is missing-in-action during One Year Later, his eternal partner presumably would know of strategies to utilize against their perpetual foe. Also, it’s muddled if the original JSA members realize who this ghostly Batman once was to them). Another quirk is not bothering to explain why Stargirl’s virginity somehow protects her from Craddock’s ghostly fiends. Perhaps most pertinent is a lack of detail re: who (or what) would grant the Ghost’s ultimate desire, assuming his murderous scheme succeeds.
Levitz’s plotting, despite these contrivances, is inspired enough to overcome even the eye-rolling presence of a Highlander-esque duel in the climax. This last twist, more specifically, coming out of nowhere to satisfy the necessity of ‘noble blood’ to help vanquish the Ghost is dubious at best. Otherwise, the storyline’s entirety effectively navigates the JSA’s past continuity vs. its and present incarnation surprisingly well.
Enhancing Levitz’s script are the art squad’s high-caliber visuals. In particular, the Craddock flashback scenes are exceptionally crafted and, more so, lushly painted. For long-time fans, JSA: Ghost Stories is a terrific homage to pre-Crisis continuity, as Levitz is fully aware that the company’s past is still worth mining for treasure.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
Presented in a gallery format, George Pérez’s terrific covers (reduced to half-page size) are included.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars
