Broken Frontier

The Golden Age was the heyday of the anthology book. Huge books, each one 60+ pages featuring 6 to 8 stories each. All-Star Comics started as a second-tier anthology, a book where fans of Green Lantern from All-American Comics, the Spectre from More Fun Comics and the Flash and Hawkman from Flash Comics could catch more adventures of their favorite characters. Each story in the first two issues was presented without any pomp or circumstance. They just came one after another with nothing tying them together.

But with issue three, the format changed. The creators added a framing sequence that showed all the heroes gathered together in a social setting, sort of like a Kiwanis club for the cape and cowl set. Each story was written into the framing sequence as a hero recounting a recent adventure with his comrades. It was here that the Justice Society of America was born, and comic books would never be the same.

Soon, the framing sequences would tie all the individual stories into one larger story. Then the individual stories eventually disappeared and each issue featured the heroes working in tandem against a common foe. All-Star Comics became the first team book and the Justice Society of America became the first superhero team.

It is impossible to overstate the importance of the JSA in comic history. If it wasn’t for them, we would not have the Justice League of America. If it wasn’t for the JLA, we wouldn’t have the Fantastic Four. If it wasn’t for the FF, we wouldn’t have the X-Men or the Avengers, and the modern comics’ landscape would not be what it is today.

The JSA also served another purpose. The group’s revival in the legendary series of crossovers with the Justice League introduced the Golden Age to a whole new group of readers. It served DC as an example of the company’s own history and legacy. The JSA continued this role in the 70s in the returning-from-hiatus All-Star Comics, in the 80s in the All-Star Squadron and Infinity Inc. series, and in an early 90’s Justice Society of America series.

Throughout the decades, the team acquired fans whose parents weren’t even alive when the first All-Star Comics series was on the stands. It touched a chord in many fans who appreciated the fact that these new adventures continued a saga that began in the early days of comic history.  These fans respected the JSA for their history, their legacy and the impact they had in shaping the medium they loved. Something DC failed to understand when they used the team in the Zero Hour miniseries.

The Justice Society were to be used as fodder for the villain of the series, Extant, to run through. And run through them he did, killing most of the team. Fans to this day still complain about the shoddy treatment the JSA got in Zero Hour. They felt the end the team faced was not dignified, that the JSA deserved more from all their years to the company. DC underestimated the appeal the team still had with audiences. Luckily, they learned from their mistake.

“JSA” came about in 1999 also written by Robinson and Goyer, and took a new look at the Justice Society mythos. The only members of the original team to carry over to the new one were the three that survived the Zero Hour carnage—Flash, Wildcat and Green Lantern/Sentinel. The rest of the team was comprised of heroes inspired by the original JSA, be they their children, sidekicks or complete strangers.

Robinson and Goyer wrote the book with an enormous respect for the group’s legacy. This tact continued when Geoff Johns came on board to replace Robinson and when he eventually became the only writer. Johns added an intricate knowledge of prior continuity to the mix. His work on JSA made him one of the hottest creators in comics and his writing made JSA a favorite with the fans (it won the CBG Fan Award for Favorite Comic Book for four years in a row, from 2001 to 2004).

The title didn’t really need a re-launch, but it got one in the wake of the Infinite Crisis. Johns will be back, but this time he’s joined by Dale Eaglesham on art and Alex Ross on covers and as “creative consultant”. Ross, in addition to being one of the best artists working today, loves the JSA almost as much as Johns does. And his work constructing the Earth X and Justice series means that he will add an air of awe and grandeur to the new title, something that fits the JSA to a “T”.  This series appears to be a great addition to the rich legacy of the Justice Society of America.

For a sneak peek at Justice Society #1, head over  here.

Also out this week:

• newuniversal #1: In 1986, to celebrate their 25th anniversary, Marvel created the New Universe. This was a line which was supposed to represent what would happen if everyday people like you and me received super powers. The concept went over like a lead balloon, and the line barely lasted 3 years.

But this is 2006, and nostalgia rules, even for projects that weren’t that successful the first time around. Therefore, the New Universe gets another shot at the limelight. But things might work out better this time, with the concept in the hands of comic superstars Warren Ellis and Salvador Larroca. Ellis has said that he will be taking a more science-fiction approach to the property. Perhaps this means the second time will be a charm.

• Manhunter #26:  There wasn’t supposed to be a Manhunter #26. The series was going to be cancelled with issue #25. While the title was critically acclaimed, it didn’t sell terribly well. But its fan base, small though they may be, are vocal and persistent. They changed the mind of DC head honcho Dan DiDio and Manhunter received a reprieve.

But the reprieve is only for five issues. If sales do not improve, cancellation might have only been delayed, not averted. I’m sure that if you have not checked out Manhunter prior to this, the book’s legion of fans would like it if you picked up this installment. They hope you will like it as much as they do. With your help, the series might have a life longer than just five more issues.  

• Meltdown #1: The Flare is dying. And like most people facing their own mortality, he is trying to set his life in order. In the process of doing this, he receives one final gift. He gains an understanding of exactly how much he touched the world around him with his heroism. Will this make his passing easier, or harder?

In an era where death in comics is treated as an exclamation point to an action sequence or for cheap shock value, it is refreshing to see a series take such a serious look at the topic. The Death of Captain Marvel graphic novel reached legendary status covering the same ground. Could this series be similarly respected for years to come? Give it a try tomorrow and find out. 

• Spider-Man Reign #1: Kaare Andrews has seen a vision of Spider-Man’s future, and there’s no Spider-Man in it. Peter Parker has long hung up the spandex, and New York City is super-hero free. However, a visitor from Spidey’s past returns and might just have given Peter a reason to don the costume once again.

A writer/artist giving us a glance at the grim future of one of the company’s biggest stars, a hero who has been retired for years? Sounds almost like it should be titled “The Webbed Knight Returns”. While comparisons are bound to be made with DC’s and Frank Miller’s epic story, The Dark Knight Returns, I’m sure Andrews’ version will be quite different from anything that came before. But I’d be wary if we see a one-armed Hawkeye running around and characters named Don and Billy in the story.

• Tony Loco #1: Corruption runs rampant through a small town. Justice is subverted and people live their lives in fear. There is hope. One man can free the town from the grip of tyranny. Unfortunately, that man is Tony Loco and he currently resides in the local mental institution. And the town will not be free from evil until Tony is free from his personal demons and insanity.

Comic books are filled with heroes who could benefit from a little counseling (Hello, Batman, I’m talking about you), but mental illness is a serious subject. If this subject isn’t handled with tact and skill, the creators could face quite the negative backlash. Hopefully, the story is sensitive enough in its portrayal of the main character’s struggle to avoid this. 

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William Gatevackes is a professional writer living in Mamaroneck, NY with his wife Jennifer. Bill also writes periodic comic reviews for PopMatters and writes title descriptions for Human Computing’s Comicbase collection management software.