Written by (See Below)
Art by (See Below)
Cover Art (including the compilation’s cover) by John Cassady; Mark Lewis; David Baron; & Mark Chiarello
SUMMARY:
Released by DC Comics in 2004, this 208-page paperback compilation reprints JSA All Stars # 1-8 from 2003. Re: Issues # 2-7, as repetitively introduced by Hal Jordan’s Spectre, two new short stories are featured – each with its own creative team. The first tale reveals the present-day JSA ‘legacy’ member’s related mission, while the second tale is a glimpse of the original JSA hero.
“Legacy.” Writers: David Goyer & Geoff Johns, with Art by: Sal Velluto; Bob Almond; Ken Lopez; & John Kalisz. (Issue # 1)
Icicle’s brazen escape from a high-security prison transport plane sets up a South Florida showdown pitting the JSA vs. the current Injustice Society. The demonic villain calling himself ‘Legacy’ abducts Alan Scott’s Green Lantern; Wildcat; Jay Garrick’s Flash; and Hawkman. Another potential casualty is Sand, as he is transformed into a glass statue.
Subsequently, Hal Jordan’s Spectre advises the remaining JSA (Mr. Terrific; Star-Spangled Kid/Stargirl; Hourman II; Hector Hall’s Doctor Fate; Dr. Mid-Nite III; & Hawkgirl) to resolve their own personal demons first within the next forty-eight hours before facing Legacy again. Yet, all isn’t what it appears.
“Flying High.” Writers: David Goyer & Geoff Johns, with Art by: Phil Winslade; Ken Lopez; & John Kalisz. (Issue # 2) “The Same Thing Happens Every Night.” Writer: Jeph Loeb, with Art by: Tim Sale; Richard Starkings; & Mark Chiarello.
With her grandfather, Speed Saunders, Hawkgirl/Kendra Saunders defeats a terrorist group in mid-air combat. They proceed to Eugene, Oregon, where Kendra visits for the first time the young daughter she gave up for adoption years before. In Midway City (during the Golden Age), a bank heist keeps a sheepish Hawkman/Carter Hall from getting home in time for a romantic dinner with his simmering wife, Shiera.
“Challenging Fate.” Writers: David Goyer & Geoff Johns, with Art by: Barry Kitson; Patricia Prentice; & John Kalisz. (Issue # 3) “Untitled.” Writer/Artist: Darwin Cooke, with Mark Chiarello & Steve Manale.
In Salem, Massachusetts, Hector Hall faces Nabu (channeled through a local mortal) for answers over drinks at a local pub. Hector is rattled by one potential future impacting Kendra. Decades earlier, as guests aboard on a cruise ship beset by a monstrous presence, Kent Nelson & Inza Cramer need Doctor Fate to intervene.
“A Star is Born.” Writers: David Goyer & Geoff Johns, with Art by: Mike McKone; Wayne Faucher; Kurt Hathaway; & John Kalisz. (Issue # 4) “Starman: FBI Agent.” Writer: James Robinson, with Art by: Tony Harris & Ken Lopez.
Accompanied by S.T.R.I.P.E., Courtney Whitmore confronts her estranged father, who is now a flunky-for-hire with the Royal Flush Gang. In tribute both to the original Star-Spangled Kid and Ted Knight’s Starman, Courtney’s code-name becomes ‘Stargirl.’ During the Golden Age, on a rainy Opal City night, Ted Knight warily accepts an initiation test into the wartime FBI.
“An Hour at a Time.” Writers: David Goyer & Geoff Johns, with Art by: Adam DeKraker; Prentis Rollins; Kurt Hathaway; & John Kalisz. (Issue # 5) “…Conduct Unbecoming …!” Writer/Artist: Howard Chaykin; with Ken Lopez & John Kalisz.
Leaving a lunch date with his mother, Hourman II/Rick Tyler desperately races to thwart a high-rise suicide. Facing a similar depletion of his Miraclo energy boost, the clock turns back to Rex Tyler’s Hourman in October 1940. During military wargames in Texarkana, he attempts to save an U.S. Army Captain from a murderous subordinate.
“Out of the Shadows.” Writers: David Goyer & Geoff Johns, with Art by: Stephen Sadowski; Wade Von Grawbadger; Ken Lopez; & John Kalisz. (Issue # 6) “Blind Spot.” Writer: Brian Azzarello, with Art by: Eduardo Risso; Ken Lopez; & John Kalisz.
In a blacked-out subway crash, in Portsmouth, Washington, Dr. Pieter Cross (aka Dr. Mid-Nite III) must deliver an injured passenger’s baby. During the Golden Age, the original Dr. Mid-Nite (Dr. Charles McNider) listens to a thug’s abused girlfriend re: how to find him.
“Fair Enough.” Writers: David Goyer & Geoff Johns, with Art by: Dave Ross; Aribal Rodriguez; Ken Lopez; & John Kalisz. (Issue # 7) “The Strange Case of Mr. Terrific and Doctor Nil.” Writer: Michael Chabon; with Art by: Michael Lark & John Kalisz. Confronting Bones, Michael Holt’s Mr. Terrific learns a heartbreaking secret re: his own origin. Decades before, Terry Sloane (the Golden Age Mr. Terrific) invites his alcoholic brother to attend his holiday costume party. Parodying his brother’s secret identity, Ned Sloane meets a fellow party guest with his own grudge.
“And Justice For All.” Writers: David Goyer & Geoff Johns, with Art by: Sal Velluto; Bob Almond; Ken Lopez; & John Kalisz. (Issue # 8)
Hal Jordan’s Spectre aids the JSA in battle against Legacy’s wicked true identity. The team’s remaining founders contemplate their role as mentor for the JSA’s current generation.
Note: Sand’s fate isn’t resolved in this volume.
REVIEW:
For JSA fans, there’s a surplus of enjoyable content. The individual stories supply solid reading (i.e. Hawkgirl’s showcase) that add depth to various JSA favorites. The new Golden Age back-up tales are well-produced and fun to read, but there’s no mistaking that they are filler material – especially the Terry Sloane/Ned Sloane tale.
As for the book-end storyline (Issues # 1 and # 8), consider it as standard-issue JSA plotting. That isn’t meant to be derogatory, but this first volume of JSA All Stars wins more on visuals than must-have storytelling.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
After the table-of-contents, there’s a page with paragraph-length bios for Jay Garrick’s Flash; Alan Scott’s Green Lantern; Wildcat; Sand; and the Spectre. Preceding each issue, its cover appears in a full-page format. Accompanying each issue are brief bios summarizing the Golden Age original character and his/her present-day ‘heir.’
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars
