JSA: All Stars #1 Review

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Reviewer: Chris Delloiacono
Story Title: Legacy

Written by: David Goyer & Geoff Johns
Pencilled by: Sal Velluto
Inked by: Bob Almond
Colored by: John Kalisz
Lettered by: Ken Lopez
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Publisher: DC Comics

Throughout their heyday, the JSA often were placed in situations that would see the entire team assembled in the opening chapter to combat a foe. The central chapters would comprise characters on their own or in pairs, leading to an epic concluding chapter. Obviously the JSA: ALL STARS mini-series isn’t a new format for the Justice Society, but it’s the type of storyline that works well for the group, and shows reverence for their storied past. The only problem I see is that in 1999 a very similar vehicle, ALL STAR COMICS, served to reintroduce the JSA to a contemporary audience.

JSA: ALL STARS centers on the return of the Injustice Society under the direction of a new leader, who remains unseen until the final page. While being transported to Red Bay Penitentiary, the Icicle is freed by Solomon Grundy. The rest of the Injustice Society does battle with the JSA using talismans to render the majority helpless. The JSA learn that they will have to battle their own inner demons if they have any hope of winning the day. I won’t spoil who the threat turns out to be, but will say it’s a completely new menace who defeats a very powerful character with links to the JSA. While it may seem ridiculous to create a new central foe when the JSA has such a rich rogues gallery, a character of this power level really wasn’t available, so the decision makes sense.

Sal Velluto and Bob Almond capture the glory of the JSA, and the utter villainy of the Injustice Society with near perfection! The large imagery serves to exemplify the bigger than life nature of these characters, and even heighten their legacy a bit more. Solomon Grundy was the only character that I didn’t think looked right. Of course each incarnation of Grundy is different from the last, so that can easily be explained away.

Goyer & Johns have been masterful with their work on JSA to date; building the team around the idea of legacy, JSA: ALL STARS is a natural extension. The series is to be comprised of two bookends (this being the first), written by Goyer & Johns, while the middle six chapters will see a variety of “A” list artists joining the pair for sixteen page lead stories spotlighting one character. The middle chapters will also include six page tales of the Golden Age, created by more A-listers. Including: Loeb & Sale, Azarello & Risso, and Howard Chaykin. This series should live up to the name All Stars!