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.

Justice Society of America #37 – Review

by Bill Willingham (writer), Jesus Merino (pencils), Jesse Delperdang (inks), Allen Passalaqua (colors), and Rob Leigh (letters)

The Story: Mr. Terrific tells the story of how the JSA tried to rally against the Fourth Reich while he, and some big name allies, plot a jailbreak.

What’s Good: It’s already pretty clear that Mr. Terrific is probably Willingham’s favourite character on the JSA and so it should be no surprise that Willingham also has the best handle on the character’s voice and how to write him in general.

He continues to be well-written and I really do enjoy having him as the lead character.  Willingham does a great job with Terrific’s dialogue; he’s snarky but genuine and you really do root for him.  Indeed, the fact that he’s a know-it-all and calls it like he sees it only adds to the appeal of the character.  Indeed, Terrific’s dynamic with his “memoir writer” was also quite well-done, achieving a good back and forth with a dash of hopelessness.

I’ve always loved Mr. Terrific and seeing him in more or less solo hero position and in a leader position over Superman and Batman, revealed to be two of his fellow inmates, is all kinds of awesome.  I found these prison scenes to be by far the most engaging and creative parts of the book.  The planned jailbreak had me intrigued, while the dialogue and the means the former superheroes are forced to employ to enact their plans really spelled out the brutality of the Fourth Reich’s world.  These portions said a great deal about the dystopic world Willingham is working with here and the sense of horror and desperation is tangible.