Justice Society of America #39 – Review

by Bill Willingham (writer), Jesus Merino (art)

The Story: Mr. Terrific and his band of imprisoned heroes make a daring attempt to stop the Darkness Engine…

What’s Good: Of all the JSA characters, Willingham has by far the best handle of Mr. Terrific.  Thus, the fact that this issue is heavily narrated by him is definitely a strength.  Hearing Mr. Terrific outline his tactics, strategy, and team composition is pretty cool and adds a sense of desperation.

Also, I’m really glad that most of this issue was spent in action sequences, what with the entire book’s focusing on the execution of the heroes’ big escape plan.  It makes the book feel a lot more fluid and organic, steering clear of the stilted dialogue and empty depression that this arc has often been rife with.  The action keeps the book rolling and makes it far more palatable, if only because it’s a breezier read.  Essentially, it’s harder to screw up.  That said, there is fun to be had here:  Green Arrow’s last stand, Slade Wilson’s heroic self-sacrifice, Superman’s commandeering a battle suit are all fairly cool highlights.

Justice Society of America #38 – Review

By: Bill Willingham (writer), Jesus Merino (artist), Jesse Delperdang (inker), Allen Passalaqua (colorist)

The Story: The Fatherland, Part 3: Willingham peels back more of how the American Reich happened via the Darkness Engine that has depowered America’s heroes and villains. In the meantime, Willingham is pursuing his caper plot, with the surviving, depowered heroes getting ready to make their move. Their plan is going to cost a lot of lives, though.

What’s Good: I love stories of heroes having to fix a world gone crazy. A classic of this genre is The Days of Future Past. This story feels a lot like that (concentration camps, high-tech weaponry, persecution, etc). The heaviest hitters in the DCU can’t hit anymore or are dead. It is cool to watch others up step to the plate. Mr. Terrific’s central role in this thread is an awesome example of stepping up. Willingham also has a narrative style that is very forgiving to the new reader, so even though this is part 3 of the arc, the story is very accessible. And he keeps the tension up, with things getting worse and worse for the heroes. And because this is a caper plot, you know that, no matter what, this plan isn’t going to survive contact with the enemy.