Post by Who's Who on Nov 21, 2015 9:37:51 GMT -5
Justice Society: A Celebration of 75 Years had to be the biggest disappointment of the year for me. It failed to live up to its title.
I knew the Golden Age pickings would be difficult as there were many factors to consider. Before the All-Star Archives came along, only a few issues were reprinted. Not a lot of issues have exposure. Some were too long – and occasionally – too boring. Still, this is to be the best of the best, and many of the iconic issues are overlooked.
All-Star Comics #3 is missing. I can understand that as it’s just a framing sequence for an anthology of stories, but it’s the FIRST appearance! If the story or page count that’s the problem, why not reprint a house ad for All-Star #3? Or even that iconic cover!
All-Star Comics #4 is included, but I’d rather have seen #7 as it features all the honorary members at the time and a lot of the supporting cast. I can see wanting to include an early adventure but why not #11 when Wonder Woman joins? Or #13’s "Shanghaied into Space"? Or one of the Brainwave issues? On the one hand, #4 does feature the original roll call, but my main beef is we have Roy Thomas’ retelling in the same tome!
All-Star Comics #37’s "The Injustice Society of the World" is welcomed, but I don’t think it’s as strong as the JSA v. Solomon Grundy in All-Star #33. And #36’s meeting of DC’s big three – Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman should have been considered.
[img src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hshensley/supermanbatman.jpg" alt="![]()
When All-Star’s page count was reduced forcing the characters to actually team up, I felt like the book improved, or was, at least, more fun. Though it’s been reprinted several times, #41’s "The Case of the Patriotic Crimes” is a romp.
The Silver and Bronze age stories are equally disappointing. Again, I understand page count causes problem and not every teamup was an epic crisis, but the choices are poor and iconic issues are few. Flash #123, the issue to start it all is missing. It’s the issue that invents the parallel world where the JSA members not only lived, but grew older. It’s not a true JSA issue but like All-Star #3, it sets the foundation. Same can be said for Flash #137 which reintroduces the JSA even if it’s just a cameo.
As we get into the JSA’s teamups with the JLA, fortunately, the first crossover from JLA #21-22 is included in its entirety. The remainder teamups are lackluster parts to 2-part stories. I’d rather have seen JLA #100-102, probably the best of the JSA’s teamups. It was not only the JLA’s anniversary, but featured the return of the Seven Soldiers of Victory. While JLA #195-197 deserves honorable mention, I hate to slight Dick Dillin.
None of the revived All-Star Comics is represented. I’m fine with that, and appreciate Adventure Comics #466’s last case of the JSA, but how can the greatest JSA story of all-time – its origin from DC Special #29 – be left out?
All-Star Squadron’s preview is reprinted along with book’s last issue (mentioned above). All-Star Squadron Annual #3 would have been a better substitute.
I don’t really have a problem with the modern story choices. Two of my favorites didn’t make it though – JSA #55 and JSA Secret Files #1.
I’ve always been one of these greatest hits guys. I lost everything in a fire once, so I’ve always liked an ultimate edition of things. Unfortunately, this isn’t the greatest JSA stories ever told. At least in my opinion. It’s not even a good selection. It feels like a dish of leftovers.
Now that you know what I wanted to see, what about the rest of you?
I knew the Golden Age pickings would be difficult as there were many factors to consider. Before the All-Star Archives came along, only a few issues were reprinted. Not a lot of issues have exposure. Some were too long – and occasionally – too boring. Still, this is to be the best of the best, and many of the iconic issues are overlooked.
All-Star Comics #3 is missing. I can understand that as it’s just a framing sequence for an anthology of stories, but it’s the FIRST appearance! If the story or page count that’s the problem, why not reprint a house ad for All-Star #3? Or even that iconic cover!
All-Star Comics #4 is included, but I’d rather have seen #7 as it features all the honorary members at the time and a lot of the supporting cast. I can see wanting to include an early adventure but why not #11 when Wonder Woman joins? Or #13’s "Shanghaied into Space"? Or one of the Brainwave issues? On the one hand, #4 does feature the original roll call, but my main beef is we have Roy Thomas’ retelling in the same tome!
All-Star Comics #37’s "The Injustice Society of the World" is welcomed, but I don’t think it’s as strong as the JSA v. Solomon Grundy in All-Star #33. And #36’s meeting of DC’s big three – Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman should have been considered.
[img src="http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c329/hshensley/supermanbatman.jpg" alt="
When All-Star’s page count was reduced forcing the characters to actually team up, I felt like the book improved, or was, at least, more fun. Though it’s been reprinted several times, #41’s "The Case of the Patriotic Crimes” is a romp.
The Silver and Bronze age stories are equally disappointing. Again, I understand page count causes problem and not every teamup was an epic crisis, but the choices are poor and iconic issues are few. Flash #123, the issue to start it all is missing. It’s the issue that invents the parallel world where the JSA members not only lived, but grew older. It’s not a true JSA issue but like All-Star #3, it sets the foundation. Same can be said for Flash #137 which reintroduces the JSA even if it’s just a cameo.
As we get into the JSA’s teamups with the JLA, fortunately, the first crossover from JLA #21-22 is included in its entirety. The remainder teamups are lackluster parts to 2-part stories. I’d rather have seen JLA #100-102, probably the best of the JSA’s teamups. It was not only the JLA’s anniversary, but featured the return of the Seven Soldiers of Victory. While JLA #195-197 deserves honorable mention, I hate to slight Dick Dillin.
None of the revived All-Star Comics is represented. I’m fine with that, and appreciate Adventure Comics #466’s last case of the JSA, but how can the greatest JSA story of all-time – its origin from DC Special #29 – be left out?
All-Star Squadron’s preview is reprinted along with book’s last issue (mentioned above). All-Star Squadron Annual #3 would have been a better substitute.
I don’t really have a problem with the modern story choices. Two of my favorites didn’t make it though – JSA #55 and JSA Secret Files #1.
I’ve always been one of these greatest hits guys. I lost everything in a fire once, so I’ve always liked an ultimate edition of things. Unfortunately, this isn’t the greatest JSA stories ever told. At least in my opinion. It’s not even a good selection. It feels like a dish of leftovers.
Now that you know what I wanted to see, what about the rest of you?
