JSA

JLA #8-10/JSA #5-6: The Lightning Saga

John • August 15th, 2007 • JLA, JSA

This team-up between the new JLA and JSA series actually involves the Legion. There are 3 teams, for a total of… a lot of characters.

The plot is actually simple, this is a time travel story that has one important result and some other important subplots that will be explored in future stories.

Beyond this main story, there are many other character moments, especially different characters teaming up. I felt slightly confused as usual, but I still enjoyed this story.

This is a crossover alternating between two different titles, each with their own creative team. The difference in art style between Benes and Eaglesham is very noticeable, so at first whenever I switched to the other title it felt a little bit jarring. I enjoy both styles, but it just felt weird switching back and forth between them.

I liked the ending of the story, even though not everything was explained, or maybe I just didn’t get everything I was supposed to. These two titles are definitely at the center of the DC universe, which is what they’re supposed to be.



Justice Society of America: The Next Age

John • August 10th, 2007 • JSA

After reading the first volume of the new JLA series, I had to read the sister series JSA. Both series pay homage to the huge history of the DC universe, and I had a few problems with the JLA book.

JSA is even more tied to the past, given that every new incarnation has familiar ties with old members. So in this roster there are both founding members of the group, but also descendants of old heroes.

Ironically though, I had less problems understanding this series than the JLA. Maybe Johns was more willing to introduce characters to new readers (whereas Meltzer didn’t do that), or maybe this story just didn’t require any previous knowledge. The fact is that I was less confused while reading JSA than JLA, which is surprising to me.

The resolution of the story was a little bit disappointing. It started as this big mystery and very sad consequences, but once the mastermind behind it is revealed, it seemed to end too easily. However I did like the moral of the story, which ties into the nature of the JSA.

The art by Dale Eaglesham is excellent. It is not a flash style, but the outline and the simple lines are very attractive to me. His style is both an old type and a new style. It suits this series perfectly.

The next arc is the crossover with the JLA, so I will be reading that one next.



JLA/JSA: Virtue and Vice

John • August 28th, 2006 • JLA, JSA

This is a very typical superhero story, joining two superhero teams together against two or more supervillains. And it is a good story for what it sets out to do, a fun action adventure. Unfortunately it is not my favorite story, at least not anymore. It just feels like any other anonymous superhero team story. Again, well crafted but unappealing to me.

The art on the other hand is great. Carlos Pacheco has always been a favorite of mine, and he delivers very clear and captivating art here. All heroes drawn by him look great, and the action flows rapidly.

If you are a fan of mindless escapism, this is for you.