Justice Society of America #15

With the explosive ending of last month's "Justice Society of America" I was looking forward to what writer Geoff Johns hand in store. Many on the web have lamented the addition of so many members new members to the roster, while I have taken a bit of a wait and see approach. Johns has worked his magic on several titles and I have faith in him. Johns had no problem making a story about a plethora of ring toting good guys and bad guys a great story over in "Green Lantern". While the added characters haven't really lit me up, they do add some depth to the team making it almost a current day "Legion of Super-Heroes".

Art Rating: 4 out of 4
Story Rating: 3.5 out of 4
Overall Rating: 4 out of 4

While Johns' writing continues to drive this book, I amazed at the effort put forth by penciller Dale Eaglesham and inker Prentis Rollins. Assisted by the outstanding colors of Alex Sinclair, the art team brings a depth to the proceedings that is missing in some of DC's other high profile books. You can feel the weight of each character on every page. Johns sends up a very good action packed story, bringing along quite a few character bits as well. The final introduction of Gog is also not to be missed. My only complaint about the issue is that the promise of the Kingdom Come looking Green Lantern really isn't met in this issue. Alan Scott and son join the fight, but by no means do the win the day. I love the KC GL design and hope to see more of it.

Month-to-month Johns puts out a good story. Even if you are not steeped in JSA lore, you can connect with this book and enjoy its variety of characters. If you haven't checked it out you should.

Justice Society of America #14

The ball gets rolling this issue. While writer Geoff Johns has taken several issues to build the intrigue and amp up the suspense, he lets it all flood out this issue. For those of you wanting to see the JSA finally meet up with Gog, you get it in spades here. Johns paces this issue well with great dialogue across the board. He also presents a nice little tie in with Jim Starlin's "The Death of the New Gods" as well as presenting a threat that could trim down the over bloated JSA membership. For fans of "Kingdom Come", the last page will get you excited for things to come. Dale Eaglesham continues to provide excellent art for this series. He has a knack for crowded scenes - much like George Perez but with a Golden Age flare.

"Justice Society of America" is one of DC's best monthlies and I highly recommend jumping on for the ride.

Project Superpowers #1 (and #0)

Based on word-of-mouth I picked up Dynamite's "Project Superpowers". Another reason for taking a peek is that this series has Alex Ross and Jim Krueger behind it - the team behind DC's awesome "Justice" series. I picked up issue #0 a few weeks ago and waited until I got issue #1 to read them both. So, there they both sat until I worked up the urge to read them. If you come into this and read just issue #1 you may be a bit lost. Issue #0 is provides the background and launching point for the series. Issue #1 kicks in a bit more action along with the story and character development. Most of the characters in the book are reclaimed out-of-print heroes whose adventures were published in the 1940s. This doesn't mean we have a bunch of old guys running around in the present. Fighting Yank is the main protagonist of the story and he is the old dude. In what is eerily similar to Marvel's "The Twelve" many of the long lost heroes have been locked away for safe keeping since the 40s. While "The Twelve" takes the approach of reintroducing the characters to the changes over the last 60+ years, "Project Superpowers" skips that and gets cracking with the action. Krueger seems to be having fun with the characters and interior artist Carlos Paul does a fantastic job with the art. Krueger does have some clunky lines in the script but considering the genesis of these characters I'm willing to forgive that.

If you are going to jump into this series, I strongly suggest you read issue #0. I trust Ross & Krueger and will be hanging around for the entire miniseries. I dig Golden Age heroes and think this series looks fun.

Justice Society of America #13

One of the biggest critiques of Geoff Johns' "Justice Society of America" is that it has too many characters. Johns' actually addresses this topic in this issue with Jakeen Thunder exclaiming "...Enough is enough. This team is too damn big!" The first few pages of this issue deal with all of the new members moving into the brownstone and provided some good comic relief. The rest of the issue covers the "Thy Kingdom Come" story arc and is very good. Johns folds elements from Superman as Gog is killing off supposed false gods and the JSA is searching for answers. The poignant return of KC Superman to Metropolis is handled well - as is the meeting between Superman and KC Superman. The fight between both men of steel and Hercules is great showing off the awesome power of KC Superman. The art in this issue his handled by a fill in team of penciller Fernando Pasarin and inker Richard Friend. While I'm not a big fan of fill in artist, the team keeps the look and feel of Dale Eaglesham and Ruy Jose's art. I think they did an excellent job here.

While the "Thy Kingdom Come" story has meandered a bit in the last few issues, Johns propels the story forward here and provides a good cliffhanger for the next issue. I like how Johns and Ross are playing this story out and look forward to an interesting ending to the arc.

Justice Society of America #12

The "Thy Kingdom Come" story takes a backseat this month as the Justice Society of America is looking to expand its ranks. I get what writer Geoff Johns is going for here. The JSA serves as a family to train up and coming heroes. The current roster of heroes is pretty much up-to-speed on their duties and the old crew (Green Lantern, Wildcat, Flash, and Hawkman) are looking at taking on some inexperienced heroes to train. I just hope Johns isn't bringing these guys and gals on as cannon fodder for the Kingdom Come story. The new Mr. America is on the trail of a hero killer and we see by the end that this investigation will impact the "Thy Kingdom Come" story. The art in this issue was outstanding. Dale Ealglesham can flat out draw the JSA - especially the old guys. His detailed art really makes this book shine and adds to Johns' story.

For those of you tracking the "Thy Kingdom Come" story, this issue really isn't pivotal. However, it is another example of what a great writer Johns is. He writes a great group book and allows all of the characters to breath. If you haven't jumped on JSA, this would be a good point as each character gets some time in the spotlight.

Comic Adventurer 2007 Year End Review: The Good

DC put a decent amount of good comics out in 2007. Brad Meltzer and Ed Benes produced some excellent “Justice League of America” issues. However, seeing Meltzer leave this book with so many plot threads not addressed left me disappointed in not seeing him complete what he started. Dwayne McDuffie came on with his Injustice League arc and while it was a fun read it wasn’t as powerful as some of the stuff that Meltzer put out.

I jumped onto Grant Morrison’s “All Star Superman” with the excellent Hardcover collection and then put it on my pull list for a monthly read. Morrison Superman world is interesting and provides a throwback (almost Silver age) look at Superman.

The Superman books - Kurt Busiek’s “Superman” and Johns’ (Action Comics) - had excellent arcs this year. The only complaint here is the timing of the issues and the many fill in issues needed. Overall both of these comics have provide good reading.

Geoff Johns’ “Justice Society of America” always sits on the top of my first read list when it shows up. The Alex Ross covers have been excellent and Johns’ characterization top notch. I like where Johns’ is taking this book.

Finally, I was impressed with “Blue Beetle”, “Suicide Squad”, and “Green Arrow & Black Canary” (shock of shocks a Winick book listed here). These have been fun reads.

2008 looks bright for all of these titles. However, the impact of Final Crisis has not been determined. I hope that Dwayne McDuffie can settle into "Justice League of America" for a long run. I never watched his animated series so most of his stuff seems either fresh or an homage to the Silver Age JLA. Geoff Johns' continues to put out great work and I hope DC keeps him happy and producing.

Justice Society of America #11

Alex Ross produces another excellent cover for "Justice Society of America" which I hope is compelling new readers to pick up this title. Geoff Johns keeps peeling the onion revealing the new multiverse to the JSA. Wally and Jay on the cosmic treadmill in the opening sequence was a big throwback to the old JSA/JLA crisis crossovers of the 70s & 80s. Dale Eaglesham's art truly captures the mood set by Johns. Eaglesham's KC Superman shows the wear and tear of his life. I like the "one Superman damns us, the other blesses us" thread here.

When it was first solicited that KC Superman was going to be part of this arc, I figured he would hang around for a little while and then head home. Now I think it would be cool if Johns and company figured out a way to keep him around as part of the team. He fits in well here and would be an excellent permanent addition to the team.

Justice Society of America #10

With a beautiful cover by Alex Ross, "Justice Society of America" #10 kicks off the "Thy Kingdom Come" story line. Billed as a true sequel to "Kingdom Come", this story line has been greatly anticipated in my household. Writer Geoff Johns is in true form again spinning a personal story for Kingdom Come Superman with excellent interactions between JSA members and KC Superman. It was nice to see Obsidian show up after a long absence. His conversation with KC Superman is very telling. The art by penciller Dale Eaglesham is excellent. He really captures the despair of KC Superman. I also enjoyed Ross' painted pages for the Kingdom Come flashbacks. This was a great kickoff to what looks to be an interesting story line and I look forward to watching it play out.

Justice Society of America #9

The prelude issue to "Thy Kingdome Come" is a good read. Writer Geoff Johns provides a well written jumping on point for new readers. I love the cover art by Alex Ross. He keeps banging out great covers for this title. Dale Eaglesham's interior art is excellent. However, his rendeiton of both Green Latern and the Flash are little old. His center splash page as the heroes go into action is excellent and captures the personalities of the differing characters. The dialogue and flow of the book is excellent all the way until the final reveal of Kingdom Come Superman stepping out of Starman's black hole.

I'm really looking forward to the "Thy Kingdom Come" story. It looks to be very exciting.