Written by Gerry Conway
Art by Don Heck; Romeo Tanghal; Ben Oda; & Carl Gafford
Cover Art by George Pérez & Dick Giordano
SUMMARY:
Entitled “Shuffle and Deal … With Death!,” DC Comics released this issue for June 1982. Off the San Diego coast, Aquaman takes a cocky Firestorm out to practice some at-sea training maneuvers. Yet, they are overpowered by unknown adversaries later revealed as members of The Royal Flush Gang. Found comatose and effectively neutralized, the two hospitalized Leaguers may require specialized medical assistance to ensure their survival.
Sent by Elongated Man to investigate, Wonder Woman is similarly ambushed and then shockingly left for dead. Utilizing a formidable new weapon, the Royal Flushes aren’t even bothering to capture the League. They already consider their long-time adversaries as good as gone.
With this new deck stacked against them, the JLA appears to be rapidly falling one by one. Still, another stunning twist is afoot within the resurgent and deadlier-than-ever Royal Flush Gang.
Note: Despite his appearance on the cover, Superman doesn’t appear in this issue.
REVIEW:
Bolstered by likable artwork, writer Gerry Conway’s plotting delivers a fun opener where the Royal Flush Gang, despite their past failures, easily wins the opening round. Even if this storyline is ordinary enough, it’s still solid DC entertainment.
ADDITIONAL CONTENT:
There’s a single-page “JLA Mail Room” column.
BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 6 Stars
