| Hey
Kids! Comics!
JSA: All-Stars
#8
writer: Geoff Johns
artists: Sal Velluto and Bob Almond
It's
a mixed blessing that JSA has been both popular and
well-done. Much like JLA, its success means that in
addition to a regular monthly, fans get subjected to extra
mini-series that run hot and cold, feeding a demand that they
themselves create.
Much
of this mini-series, however, has been, if not hot, at least
entertaining. Set against a villain calling himself Legacy
who kidnapped the surviving original members, the younger
set of heroes have to face their own fears and character flaws.
Not a bad macguffin in order to explore characters with little
life outside the team, but one that led to wildly uneven stories.
While Hawkgirl's personality really developed, for example,
stories about the new Hourman and Mr. Terrific felt rushed,
and Dr. Mid-Nite's spotlight just kept repeating the same
information over and over.
Saving
the books, however, were back-up stories featuring the Golden
Age heroes in their youth. A wide range of talent came onboard
to present tales that exposed the strengths, charms, and in
some cases weaknesses of the original comics. One standout
was Pulitzer Prize winner Michael Chabon's take on Mr. Terrific,
likely the best story ever actually done about the hero who
believed in "Fair Play."
With
this issue, the division of chores is over, and even writer
Geoff Johns is on his own. Previous issues had David S. Goyer
co-writing, but presumably he got too busy finishing up the
scripts for Batman: Intimidation Game and Blade
3. It seems that Johns got too busy, too, for this story
rushes along and flails wildly looking for a moral.
If you've
paid attention to the whole mini-series, you might also note
that the "surprise revelation" of the villain's identity invalidates
the framing sequences of the solo issues. It's just sloppy
plotting, and surprising from a writer of Johns' quality.
In the end, the story didn't really move anything along -
even a crystallized Sand gets restored with a minimum of trauma.
However,
Velluto and Almond make a good team. I think Velluto worked
on the misbegotten Justice League Task Force, and his
art then was the main reason to buy the book. It still makes
a strong case, as does a really clever cover concept.
When
it comes time for the trade paperback, there are some gems
here, but overall this series feels like just a grab for extra
money from fans. And that's a pretty crappy legacy.
Rating:
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