Revolutionary War Supersoldiers #1 – Review

by Rob Williams (Writer), Brent Anderson, Tom Palmer (Artists), Ruth Redmond (Colorist)

The Story: I suppose an invasion by demons sent by Mys-Tech might make the wait just a bit longer for the Super Soldiers movie.

The Review: It can be easy to fall into hype mode when reading about future projects and potential revivals. Publishers are, after all, business that do have to present with a sort of hyperbole their products to the market, to make sure people buy them. It’s common knowledge, of course, but it’s not so easy to be completely objective when certain factors are in play.

I really liked Captain Britain and MI:13, a fun super heroic book presenting one of my favourite character along other British heroes fighting weird threats, while I also loved Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning on many cosmic titles. Pushing ahead a whole mini-series of one-shots intended to revitalize the UK corner of the Marvel universe with Andy Lanning as one of the main driving force seemed like a dream come true, yet reality can be a harsh mistress. With some being quite decent while others not so much, we’ve had quite a fluctuation of quality, with this week’s offering being just another example of trying very hard, yet achieving little in general.

Rob Williams, the writer of this story trying to bring back the Super Soldiers, tries quite a lot in many ways to make this count, as if this was but the first chapter of a new ongoing. Presenting us his characters in a semi-satirical manner as well as throughout action, there are a number of ways where there is a genuine affection for the character permeating the issue, yet there is a multitude of elements going against the book.

Justice Society of America #21 – Review

By Geoff Johns and Alex Ross (writers), Dale Eaglesham and Nathan Massengill (art).

The Story: The hammer that has been on its way down for the last few issues of JSA finally drops as Gog reveals himself to be the evil false deity that the elder members of the JSA suspected all along.  After Gog’s nefarious intentions are publicized, infighting amongst the JSA ensues while Gog tries to convince his devotees about his purity of purpose. However, when his followers eventually fall out of line Gog metes out vengeance in proportion to what he once gave.

What’s Good: It’s good to see the JSA wipe that creepy, crazed smile off of Gog’s face. There are some very sly homages to the Kingdom Come universe as a couple of JSA members take on the appearance of their Kingdom Come counterparts.  Additionally, Johns and Ross do a great job of producing and working with new religious themes, rather than just copying the same ones that drove the Kingdom Come story.

The art team does a fine job of dealing with a crowded environment, while retaining character integrity and group dynamics.  The action scenes are detailed and clear.

What’s Not So Good: This story suffers from the fact that the creators have made Gog so powerful that it seems ridiculous for the JSA to decide the way to deal with him is to “destroy his body.” Gog has turned people into trees, filled-in an earthquake he created, and sent people to other dimensions with a mere gesture, so it’s hard to believe that Star Girl and Hour Man punching him in his foot will have great effect.

Also, everything that happens in this issue has been predictable for the past several issues of this series. The fact that we arrive at this junction after the useless Power Girl detour and the decent, but mostly unnecessary, one-shots is a little frustrating.

Conclusion: This is a one of the better chapters in the “One World, Under Gog” arc. It resolves many plot lines while developing interesting new ones, especially regarding some of the newer members to the JSA. I look forward to the next issue and I’m very curious to know what impact, if any, this arc will have on the greater DCU.

Grade: B

-Rob G.