Comic Book Review: JSA #54
by R.J. Carter
Published: November 9, 2003
Title |
Story |
Creative Team |
Publisher |
Price |
Grade |
JSA #54 |
"Virtue, Vice & Pumpkin Pie |
Geoff Johns
Don Kramer
Keith Champagne |
DC |
$2.50 US
$3.85 CAN |
B+ |
For more information: DC Comics link |
|
JSA #54 is a nice, safe, stand-alone comic. No subplots are hanging. No new plots are begun. Just a Thanksgiving get-together between the Justice Society of America and the Justice League of America.
But these meetings never go without incident, as a paranoid Batman constantly reminds an overly optimistic Mr. Terrific.
Storywise, there's not much to spoil here, because, storywise, there just isn't much story. This is a concatenation of moments based around a theme. Wonder Woman waxes preachy about the plight of the original inhabitants of the new world. Star bemoans being seated at the "kids' table." Hourman displays his cooking prowess, and Green Arrow and Hawkman appear to be at each other's throats again. Oh, and did I mention that Batman is paranoid?
The cover is brilliant. Iconic, even. It should be extended to show more cast and turned into a poster (the fact that it shows Kyle Rayner and Wally West, while the Green Lantern inside is John Stewart and Wally West is also absent, notwithstanding.) If only the interior art were this beautiful. Not that it isn't extremely well rendered, but aside from Black Canary, Don Kramer's female figures seem to lack a certain beauty. And his Batman could use a shave (or does Batman's paranoia extend to razors as well these days?)
Impulse fans who want to catch a last glimpse of Bart Allen in his original duds will want to take a peek here (and since Johns is writing both JSA and Teen Titans, we can assume the current Titans tale is occurring after Thanksgiving.)
 And by the way--the meeting of the two teams does not go without incident, as two cosmically powered sorcerors arrive unexpectedly to do battle:
Kulak: At last... I will have my revenge upon the Justice Society! You thought Kulak the Sorceror forever imprisoned! But with the help of the Warlock of Ys, I have escaped and this world will be ours!
Warlock of Ys: Together we will crush the Justice league! My sworn enemies!
Which proves the old adage: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.
A fun bit of fluff and filler, but perhaps a good way to pique the interest of potential new JSA readers.
In stores Wednesday, November 12, 2003.
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