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.