Reviewer: Andy Campbell
Story Title: Black Vengeance part 2
Writer: Geoff Johns
Pencils: Leonard Kirk
Inks: Keith Champagne
Color: John Kalisz
Letters: Rob Leigh
Assistant Editor: Harvey Richards
Editor: Peter Tomasi
Publisher: DC Comics
In this second issue of the Black Vengeance storyline, the JSA head to Kahndaq, where they become locked in a ferocious battle with the Spectre!
That pretty much sums up the plot of this book. That’s not to say there aren’t any great character moments or other important plot points going on…there are. They just take place in the larger context of this massive battle with the Spectre. And as far as massive battles go, this one is damn cool. Especially of note is a Power Girl moment that seems to foreshadow her upcoming origin story in JSA: Classified.
The cover says that this book is a Day of Vengeance tie-in, which it certainly is. The problem comes in trying to figure out exactly when, in relation to the events of Day of Vengeance, this is taking place. It’ll probably be more clear in the next issue of Day of Vengeance where the crossover is occurring, but that has been a small problem so far. For instance, Hawkman and Hawkgirl are in this issue, joining the JSA in the fight against the Spectre. However, they’re also off-planet in Rann Thanagar War, so I’m not sure when all of these mini-series take place in relation to each other.
Minor quibble aside, this was an enjoyable book, with the usual great art. And, as much as I usually get angry at “pin-up” covers, if it’s Alex Ross doing JSA profiles, I’ll make an exception.
