Reviewer: Mathan Erhardt
Story Title: N/A
Written by: Keith Giffen & J.M. DeMatteis
Penciled by: Kevin Maguire
Inked by: Jo Rubinstein
Lettered by: Bob Lappan
Colored by: Lee Loughridge
Editor: Mike Carlin
Publisher: DC Comics
Let me clarify why this is such a great cover; look at all of those villains. This may go down with Crisis #5 as one of my favorite covers of all time.
Let’s jump right in. Our heroes are held captive by JSA foe Roulette. Fire escapes (wanna know how, read the book.). She rescues Blue & Gold and Ralph. But how can she prevent Mary Marvel (how is related to Captain Marvel, whom quite a few of you readers believe can beat Superman) from killing Captain Atom, especially hindered by lackluster teammates?
(Now I wonder why Roulette would allow Mary to battle Cap in such a manner. Yeesh, didn’t she read “Kingdom Come?â€) Fire does ok, but Mary triumphs. Booster saves the day, and the team ends up back at HQ, only to confront the menace of Manga Khan?!. Oy vey.
Giffen and DeMatteis are firing on all cylinders. Sure the book is filled with banter, but it’s also full of character, and characters that I fondly remember. And lest you believe that this issue is devoid of development, their explanation for Fire’s escape makes perfect sense.
Maguire and Rubinstein are the definition of teamwork. My favorite part of this book was the background with all the villains. All those villains we haven’t seen in years. Pre Crisis villains; Master Jailer, Knodar, Wraith. Post Crisis villains; Ratcatcher, Overthrow,Muse. Villains who are supposed to be dead; Bug Eyed Bandit, KGBeast, Bloodsport. Great facial expressions? Check. Excellent subtle action conveyed through sequential panels? Check. Forget Hush, this is the best-looking story on the racks. And that name Loughridge seems to be turning up more and more in books that are wonderfully colored.
I love this book. I can’t wait for the sequel.
