DC Universe Legacies #2 – Review

Len Wein (writer), Scott Kolins (artist), Andy Kubert (penciler), Joe Kubert (inker)

The history of the DCU continues to unfold as the story of Legacies proceeds forward.  Our Justice Society of America is called before Congress, specifically the Un-American Activities Committee is, to answer for their vigilante behavior, but face a difficult decision when demanded to unmask themselves in order to be cleared by the Congressional committee.

DC Universe Legacies is taking on a huge challenge in highlighting the important historical background of the DCU in only ten issues.  Issue number 2 has seemingly gotten past its Watchmen overtones and is breaking out into its own storyline.  In this particular issue, we start getting a more focused story about one man, Lincoln—-, and how the Justice Society of America was important to him in his own upbringing.  He is our narrator throughout the story thus far, though it’s hard to say if he’s talking to us, the reader, or a character who might be interviewing him.  Either way, that’s hardly a point of contention.

What I am enjoying about this story is that Len Wein has found a touching way to bring the history of the DCU to the masses, by making it one person’s fond recollection of the events of the Golden Age of superheroes.  Though there will be more significant moments in history yet to come, issues one and two of this ten-parter bring us through the introduction and end of our Golden Age heroes; The Atom (Al Pratt), Black Canary (Dinah Drake Lance), Green Lantern (Alan Scott), Hawkman (Carter Hall), Flash (Jay Garrick) and Doctor Mid-Nite (Charles McNider).  When called upon to share their real identities during a time of national crisis, these six “mystery men” have a deeper understanding for the need of their personal privacy and opt to simply go away and not bother anyone ever again.