Broken Frontier

JSA #11

Since the re-launch of Justice Society of America, Alex Ross and DC have been teasing us with cover images of JSA members strikingly similar to those seen in Elseworlds Kingdom Come. This came to a boiling point when, in issue 10, Kingdom Come’s Superman appeared on New Earth. This issue deals with the aftermath of that epic event, which finds Power Girl distraught, Kal-El wondering about his future here, and the rest of the super-community wondering just what in the Multiverse is going on?!

So the Justice Society calls in the Justice League to check out their new Superman’s story, just to verify what he’s saying. The Green Lanterns do a genetic scan to determine if he is Kryptonian, while Wonder Woman uses her magic lasso in order to ensure that this Superman is speaking the truth of his origins. Fortunately for this Kingdom Come Kal, they find no reason to believe he’s lying. The rest of the book follows Kal as he adjusts to his new world, and his new friends. Inspired by the heroics of his contemporaries, as opposed to those he lived with on his Earth, Kal-El is inspired to don the red and blues once more.

Accomplished DC writer Geoff Johns scribes another intriguing story, one which leaves the reader questioning the future of the DCU. He doesn’t mire the entire book in religious intent, although many references were made to a "second coming." He also handles each character with a tenderness and care that only a professional can exhibit. As always, he stays true to the characters, and doesn’t push them to act outside of their typical habits. The only fault I can find is that the Superman of Kingdom Come (or at least one that looked exactly like him) has already visited this Earth in the first issues of Superman/Batman. Why the world’s finest superheroes don’t remember this is something of a mystery to me.

Dale Eaglesham does a fine job penciling in this issue. While his art isn’t necessarily as epic as Alex Ross’ covers, it is pleasant and warm. For a team lead by an odd amount of elderly men, Eaglesham is still able to convey their strength. The heroes of the Golden Age have a friend in Dale Eaglesham - that much is certain.

All in all, Justice Society of America #11 was a fun read, and I highly recommend picking up the issues up to and including this one, whether they are in back issues or trade paperback.