tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65476774755189702272024-02-21T00:23:19.827-05:00justice league of america22,300 Miles Above Earth...rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.comBlogger325125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-57285184980255148112014-11-18T17:35:00.002-05:002014-11-18T17:35:58.725-05:00Justice League of America #1 Ad<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The ad that started it all! What kid could have possibly turned this book down?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-52037466538993480742014-11-15T15:22:00.005-05:002014-11-18T17:34:30.332-05:00Justice League of America #8 Ad<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One of thousands of quarter-page ads DC did in the 1950s and 1960s, where you could just drop two different covers in ad infinitum. I found this in an issue of <i>Wonder Woman</i>--naturally, if you're reading Diana's solo title, maybe you'll like this other book she's in!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-61911033937653680012014-10-14T20:38:00.001-04:002014-11-15T15:20:27.470-05:00Justice League of America #53 Ad<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Very charming and dynamic ad for <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.blogspot.com/2007/12/justice-league-of-america-53-may-1967.html"><i>Justice League of America</i> #53</a>, presumably designed by DC's in-house genius Ira Schnapp. How he managed to get so much info in such a tiny space and yet not make the ad look crowded is still a mystery to me, and I've been looking at these ads since I was a kid.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-2215813966488585792014-09-27T17:03:00.002-04:002014-10-14T20:36:00.089-04:00Justice League of America #71 Ad<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Pretty simple ad for <a href="http://jlasatellite.blogspot.com/2008/01/justice-league-of-america-71-may-1969.html"><i>Justice League of America</i> #71</a>, though I have to admit I'm not sure what, if anything, "point of no return" is referring to. Is it Blanx's attack on Mars? Manhunter's dedication to his home planet, which eventually pulls him out of the JLA? Or is it just about the cover? We'll never know.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Also, I feel like someone at the last minute realized the ad didn't mention when the book went on sale, so they grabbed a pen and squeezed it in.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-6594680394309700102013-09-03T00:00:00.000-04:002014-09-27T16:59:00.802-04:00Justice League of America #4 Ad - 1961<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This is one gorgeous ad for <a href="http://jlasatellite.blogspot.com/2007/11/justice-league-of-america-4-may-1961.html"><i>Justice League of America</i> #4</a>, the induction of the team's first new member. Most likely the work of Ira Schnapp, who could cram a ton of material into a tiny amount of space and still have the final product look clean, elegant, and exciting as all heck!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I like how they took the classic JLA "shield" logo and raised it up a bit so they could fit in the <i>"...as a full-fledged member"</i> line. In the pre-desktop publishing era, that was probably a lot of work!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-8098745506933149602013-09-02T07:10:00.001-04:002013-09-02T22:04:42.266-04:00Action Comics #314 - July 1964<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">What is the story behind this hideous mash-up costume?!?</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">The Story</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: "The Day Superman Became The Flash!" by Edmond Hamilton and Al Plastino.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br />Superman gets an urgent message...from the Justice League of America!</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">Jor-El consults a "computer" built by Zhan-Zar, who says his machine can use probability statistics to peer into the future (and also figure out what baseball players are underrated). By putting into the computer that he will be potentially sending his infant son to various planets, the computer presents several scenarios.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">On the planet Xann, for instance, Kal-El would be miniature compared to that planet's giant inhabitants. Turns out that young Kal, still with Superman-like powers, would again become a costumed superhero, similar to The Atom! Jor-El tries again, seeing what would happen if Kal was sent to the all-water planet known as Valair</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">On the planet Ntann, due to that world's red sun, Kal wouldn't have superpowers, but the computer extrapolates that he would take up archery, turning into him an ersatz Green Arrow. Kal's future on the planet Saruun is a grimmer one, where he is adopted by a widower to teaches his son to take the form of a bat-like creature known as The Diro. Finally, on the planet Gangor, young Kal would gain the power of super-speed, but that doesn't turn out that well either</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Roll Call</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: Superman, Batman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Arrow, Atom</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Notable Moments</span>: What a bizarre story! It has become known over time that during the early 1960s, DC was having a lot of trouble coming up with stories for its big three characters, and this story certainly reads like someone was desperate for inspiration. "Hey, wouldn't it be fun to see Superman act like the other Justice Leaguers?" seems like a fine enough proposition, but the whole "Jor-El peering into the future" conceit is so ridiculous and contrived that (IMO) it clocks an 11 at the Goofy-Meter.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">And while I'm not complaining of course, it feels strange to A)have Aquaman as the spokesman for the League (since when?) and B)have the other JLAers never utter a single word in the story! They show up and then just stand there, as Aquaman drones on and Superman gets all misty-eyed, as he always did when talking about Jor-El and Lara.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">This story marks the JLA's fourth-ever appearance outside their own title; other than helping out Adam Strange in <a href="http://jlasatellite.blogspot.com/2012/01/mystery-in-space-75-may-1961.html"><i>Mystery in Space</i> #75</a>, the team was generally written into members' solo books as a colorful mob who basically just sat around, commenting on the action. At least here some of them got a nice trip to a tropical island!</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">One final thing: I wonder why the cover and title of this story focuses on Superman becoming The Flash only? I'd say "The Day Superman Became The Justice League" has a little more snap to it.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-24115500291579507312013-09-01T13:51:00.003-04:002013-09-02T06:41:25.095-04:00The Fury of Firestorm #4 - Sept. 1982<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Firestorm versus...The Justice League of America?!?</span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">The Story</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: "The Icy Heart of Killer Frost!" by Gerry Conway, Pat Broderick, and Rodin Rodriguez.<br /><br />Over on <i>The Fire and Water Podcast</i>, my co-host The Irredeemable Shag and I have moved on from reviews of the now-cancelled New 52 <i>Firestorm</i> comic to looking back at what we're calling <a href="http://fireandwaterpodcast.blogspot.com/search/label/firestorm%20classic"><i>Fury of Firestorm Classic</i></a>; issue-by-issue recaps of the 1982 series.<i> </i>We just finished looking at <i>Fury of Firestorm</i> #3, the first of a two-part tussle with The Nuclear Man's (IMO) premier villain, Killer Frost.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Some of you might know that the Justice League of America makes a guest appearance in <i>FoF</i> #4. And while we'll be getting to it soon enough on the show, it occurred to me that it's been forever since I updated JLA Satellite, so why not "read ahead" a little and cover it here?</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">At the end of the previous issue, Killer Frost has taken over all of New York, and has forced Firestorm to do the whole kneel-before-Zod bit. Of course, KF doesn't trust Firestorm to willingly be her slave, so she demands he pass a test: in this case, it means flying to California and retrieving Big Time Movie Star Curt Holland. KF has a big crush on Holland and is looking to get her icicles melted, or something.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">Firestorm initially refuses, but when Killer Frost almost kills some innocent civilians with a frozen billboard, he relents and takes to the skies. It's here that The Nuclear Man runs into his new found teammates in the Justice League, and earns his nickname Hot Head: </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">At the JLA Satellite, Firestorm explains everything that's happened, going so far as to reveal his dual secret identity once it's revealed that a detailed knowledge of physics will be needed to deal with this problem.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">With Prof. Stein stuck back at the Satellite, Ronnie needs help finding Curt Holland, so he and Red Tornado teleport to Los Angeles. Holland is not interested in helping out (can't really blame him), angering Ronnie and they head back to space. In the meantime, Prof. Stein has developed a machine that, while cumbersome, has the capacity to freeze Killer Frost!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">A little while later, Firestorm arrives with Curt Holland, and Killer Frost is overjoyed. She plants a frosty kiss on him, but when he doesn't seem affected by it, the jig is up! Killer Frost blasts "Holland", revealing him to actually be Red Tornado!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">Firestorm engages in battle with Killer Frost, keeping her distracted while Red Tornado, who has Prof. Stein's device implanted in his chest, goes into action. It works, sapping Killer Frost's powers long enough for Firestorm to knock her out. But all of New York is still encased in ice!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">Reddy is frozen too, and Firestorm uses his powers to boost Prof. Stein's device and creating a massive heat bubble over the city:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;">I really loved this story; I can remember buying the issue off the newsstands at the time. I think I bought Firestorm intermittently, but when I saw the JLA on the cover it was a Must Purchase.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Roll Call</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: Superman, Wonder Woman, Hawkman, Red Tornado, Zatanna, Firestorm</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Notable Moments</span>: This story </span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">(according to <a href="http://www.dcindexes.com/database/story-details.php?site=&storyid=35611">Mike's Amazing World</a>) </span></span></span>takes place between <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA</span> #205 and another guest appearance in <a href="http://jlasatellite.blogspot.com/2008/06/justice-league-of-america-206-sept-1982.html"><i>Action Comics </i>#535</a>.<br /><br />The scene where Firestorm just loses it and attacks the JLA is quite powerful and well-executed; he uses his powers in nearly lethal ways and it's fun seeing the new kid on the block really put a beat down (albeit temporarily) on the big guns like Superman and Zatanna. It doesn't make a whole lot of sense that the World's Greatest Superheroes would just let NYC stay frozen, handing off the assignment to just Firestorm and Red Tornado, but that's a standard trope of superhero storytelling and it's something you just have to roll with.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span>
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Gerry Conway, writing both books of course, used this guest appearance to actually forward the characters relationship, something pretty rare for guest appearances, which are often as not done as sales drivers. Here the JLA learns Firestorm's real identity (Superman already knew but kept it from everyone; as we all know, <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.blogspot.com/2008/07/justice-league-of-america-220-nov-1983.html">Kal is big on keeping secrets from his JLA teammates</a>), and while it never really came that much into play over in <i>Justice League of America</i>, it's still a nice moment.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">Top it off with learning that Red Tornado is a Steve Martin fan, and you've got one fun issue of <i>The Fury of Firestorm</i>!</span></span></span><br />
<br />rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-50303514575107090602012-02-05T01:18:00.002-05:002013-09-02T15:14:16.815-04:00Justice League of America #10 Ad - Jan. 1962<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">I found this full-page promo in a contemporary issue of <span style="font-style: italic;">Aquaman</span>; I never get tired of finding "new" <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA</span> ads!<br /><br /></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-30175592686886466622012-02-01T00:03:00.000-05:002013-09-01T13:13:50.158-04:00The New Teen Titans #4 - Feb. 1981<div style="text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">The New Teen Titans face off against...The Justice League of America?!?<br /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">The Story</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: "Against All Friends!" by Marv Wolfman, George Perez, and Romeo Tanghal.<br /><br />This issue opens 22,300 miles in geosynchronous orbit above Metropolis, where some members of the Justice League of America are gearing up for trouble:</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">Three magical beings see the JLA approach, and fire a series of blasts at them, knocking them off their feet (metaphorically) for the moment. Some sort of gag appears over Zatanna's mouth, preventing her from casting a spell. Green Lantern attempts a direct assault, but a voice yells out, telling him to stop!<br /><br />It's the voice of Raven, demanding that the JLA let the sorcerers perform their ritual. Green Lantern refuses, and tries to cage Raven, but she escapes. The three sorcerers expel even more energy, knocking the JLA out. Raven then disappears, transporting to another faraway, fantastical world. Waiting for her in one of the grand palaces is Raven's mother, who admonishes her daughter for coming here.<br /><br />Raven's mother tells her she can do nothing to save the Earth, and with a touch sends Raven home, where she awakes:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">Raven seems to remember a battle involving The Fearsome Five that none of her teammates can recall, which distresses her. We then see that this is all being watched by the FF, who are, as usual, squabbling among themselves. We learn this is a plot to destroy the JLA and the Titans--by pitting them against each other!<br /><br />Raven learns that due to the inadvertent efforts of the JLA, the demi-god Trigon will be able to build a bridge to Earth. So Robin declares that the JLA must be stopped--any any cost!<br /><br />Back at the satellite, the members of the JLA know nothing of any of this, so they aren't quite ready when they receive unexpected visitors:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">The Titans watch the JLA disintegrate, but turns out its just an illusion of Raven's, who has put them all in stasis until she can figure all this out. Eventually, the Titans wake up and the JLA rejoins them to fight the three sorcerers. In the melee Trigon is set free, and the whole dimension seems to explode:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><img align="middle" alt="sg" hspace="6" src="http://namtab.com/jla/ntt04pg23.gif" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;">Eventually, a bigger truth emerges: that this new team of teen heroes has been formed partly due to lies and the magical influence of Raven, who has been using her powers for what she calls a greater purpose.<br /><br />The Titans are enraged, and wander off--as does the JLA, leaving Raven alone, screaming to the heavens dire warnings about Triton, who is watching all this with delight. <span style="font-style: italic;">To be continued!</span><br style="font-style: italic;" /></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Roll Call</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">: Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, Atom, Hawkman, Zatanna</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-size: 100%;"><span style="font-family: verdana;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-weight: bold;">Notable Moments</span>: This story takes place between the two stories in <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA</span> #188 (according to <a href="http://www.dcindexes.com/database/story-details.php?site=&storyid=35611">Mike's Amazing World</a>, at least).<br /><br />It's great seeing the JLA (or some of them, at least) drawn by George Perez, and battling some of their former sidekicks, to boot. Batman clocking Robin in the back of the head with his elbow is particularly wince-inducing...unless you've always thought the Boy Wonder deserved a rap in the head; then it's great.<br /><br />Since I've made the decision to update this blog occasionally with original JLA content I want to cover, I thought taking a look at this team-up was long overdue. How I ever resisted that cover the first time around I'll never know!<br /><br /></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-77635078244268813282012-01-01T09:35:00.006-05:002012-01-01T11:26:47.219-05:00Mystery In Space #75 - May 1961<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">A classic tale of the Justice League versus one of its more fearsome foes!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >The Story</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: "The Planet That Came To A Standstill" by Gardner Fox, Carmine Infantino, and Murphy Anderson.<br /><br />Out story opens with honorary JLA member Snapper Carr relaying an adventure that starts in deep space:<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg1.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg2.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg3.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >While Kanjar Ro hatches another plan to defeat the JLA, Adam Strange and Alanna are enjoying themselves on Rann. Soon, though, they find themselves in another scrape, against some invaders atop giant birds!<br /><br />One of them rings some sort of small crystal, which forces Adam and Alanna hurtling into space, where they are soon caught by the planet's orbit. Thanks to Adam's ingenuity, though, they manage to escape and fall over one of Rann's highest peaks, softening their fall.<br /><br />Adam and Alanna re-engage the invaders, and pretend to be held captive so they can find out who is behind them--namely, Kanjar Ro! Thanks to Ro's experiments, he is now more powerful than ever, and tests his powers on some JLA duplicates:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg12.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div 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style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg13.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><div style="text-align: center;"></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg14.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Adam and Alanna escape, and Adam comes up with another plan, but one that involves him making a trip back to Earth. Adam grabs Ro's "Slave Ship of Space" and takes it to Earth, leaving it there before the Zeta Beam takes him back to Rann.<br /><br />The Flash finds the ship, and calls in his JLA pals:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg18.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Adam and Alanna spy Kanjar Ro leaving his lab, so Adam grabs Ro's gong and strikes it so hard he paralyzes everyone on Rann, including Ro! Then another Zeta Beam brings Adam back to Earth, leaving his body back to normal (got all that?):<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg20.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg21.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg22.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Kanjar Ro manages to defeat each of the JLAers, but is stopped by Adam Strange, who strikes Ro with the gong's mallet. Why does this stop him? Because Strange figured out that its made of metal from his home planet, Dhor, and that it would affect him the way Kryptonite does Superman. Flash is so impressed he thinks to himself <span style="font-style: italic;">"Terrific! I'm going to propose Adam Strange for membership in the Justice League at our next meeting!"</span><br /><br />Later, Adam introduces the JLA to Alanna:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75pg25.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;">...The End!</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Roll Call</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter</span></span></span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Notable Moments</span>: This story takes place between <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA</span> #s <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2007/11/justice-league-of-america-3-march-1961.html">3</a> and <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2007/11/justice-league-of-america-4-may-1961.html">4</a>, making it the last appearance of the original seven, in terms of publishing history.<br /><br />This is a very fun story, but complicated as heck! A bunch of characters, with Adam Strange bouncing back and forth between Rann and Earth like a ping-pong ball. There's so much plot in this issue that if they did this story nowadays, it would take up six issues and be given its own trade paperback.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2007/11/justice-league-of-america-3-march-1961.html">It was suggested at the time</a> that JLA Satellite.com cover this issue, since its pretty much a direct sequel to issue #3, but I was just starting out and didn't feel the need to take even a momentary diversion into another title (plus I didn't have a copy of the book!). But now that I've decided to bring back this blog every so often, I thought why not start almost at the very beginning of the JLA's career!<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-31555619801552736672011-12-31T11:27:00.002-05:002011-12-31T11:49:46.534-05:00Mystery in Space #75 Ad<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2007/12/justice-league-of-america-42-feb-1966.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/mis75ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Be here tomorrow for the Justice League and Adam Strange in "The Planet That Came To A Standstill!"<br /><br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-76796041784699326732011-12-03T00:03:00.002-05:002011-12-03T09:28:11.807-05:00Justice League of America #200 30th Birthday!<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Today--December 3--is the 30th birthday of one of my all-time favorite comic books, <span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America</span> #200, <a href="http://www.dcindexes.com/database/comic-details.php?comicid=17941">which hit the stands on December 3, 1981</a>!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Not only is this book one of my all-time favorite comic books, in <span style="font-style: italic;">any</span> genre, but its hands-down my favorite superhero comic, and I put it on my Top 10 list of <a href="http://www.aquamanshrine.com/2011/11/greatest-aquaman-stories-ever-told_29.html">Greatest Aquaman Stories Ever Told</a>, since it features the Sea King drawn by my all-time favorite Aquaman artist, as well as (IMO) one his finest moments as a superhero.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">While I had originally hoped to do an <a href="http://www.aquamanshrine.com/2011/09/happy-70th-birthday-aquaman.html">Aquaman 70th Birthday</a>-styled celebratory post, I just couldn't pull it together in time. So I'm settling for this, a re-run of my original post on the book from back in 2008.<br /><br />At the bottom of the post I added portions of the interviews I did with this book's writer, Gerry Conway, and editor, Len Wein. While talking to Gerry, I tried to remain as professional as possible, but by the end I couldn't help but completely geek out and blabber on about the book, since how many times would I get the chance to talk to the man who wrote it? Also, we have some scans of original <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA</span> #200 art, plus some shots of a very special, one-of-a-kind copy, courtesy of a <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">F.O.A.M.</span> member.<br /><br />So sit back and enjoy:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200pg1.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200pg2.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200pg3.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" ></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">"A League Divided" by Gerry Conway, George Perez, Brett Breeding, Pat Broderick, Terry Austin, Jim Aparo, Dick Giordano, Gil Kane, Carmine Infantino, Frank Giacoia, Brian Bolland, and Joe Kubert.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Welcome to the 200th issue of <span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America</span>!</span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" ><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />This mammoth, 72-page anniversary issue opens, after the wonderful three-page origin prologue, with Firestorm, bored out of his mind while on Monitor Duty.<br /><br />Suddenly, founding member The Martian Manhunter comes smashing through the hull of the satellite!:</span><br /></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200chap1.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Firestorm, not having boned up on JLA history, has no idea who this guy is. At the same time, Manhunter is acting very strangely, even without all the satellite-smashing. He doesn't seem to know that this is the JLA satellite, even though he has been here before.<br /><br />Firestorm manages to fend off Manhunter for a while, until his inexperience gives Manhunter the chance to knock him out and grab what he's there for--a small green meterorite residing in the JLA Trophy Room.<br /><br />Minutes later, Firestorm wakes up amid the wreckage, and, not knowing what is going on, sends out a Triple Priority Signal to all members, past and present!<br /><br />Soon the satellite is filled with JLAers Atom, Hawkman and Hawkgirl, Black Canary, Elongated Man, Red Tornado, Zatanna, and Green Arrow. They inform Firestorm who it was he faced, and alone among them its Green Arrow that seems to know what's going on, and why none of the original members--Superman, Batman, etc.--have answered the distress call!<br /><br />They quickly figure out that all the original JLAers must be after the Appellax Meteors, relics of the JLA's first case.<br /><br />Then another face from the past shows up--Snapper Carr! Green Arrow takes charge, breaks up the heroes into teams, ordering Firestorm to stay behind with Snapper. Pwned!<br /><br />Next we find ourselves at the Indian Ocean:</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200chap2.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200pg16.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200pg17.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200pg18.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200pg19.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Cut back to the satellite, where Reddy, unconscious, mysteriously appears from out of nowhere! Firestorm wonders aloud, <span style="font-style: italic;">"How did Reddy get up here, anyway?"<br /><br /></span>As the book says, <span style="font-style: italic;">"somewhere, a Stranger is smiling. His job is done."<br /></span><br />Next we go to Paradise Island, where Zatanna is hoping to stop Wonder Woman before she performs her task:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200chap3.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Unfortunately, the Amazing Amazon beat her there, and Zatanna proves to be no match for her. She gets knocked out by Diana using one of Zee's own spells against her, and she wakes up, hours later, with the Amazons using their curative Purple Ray on her.<br /><br />Next, in Zimbabwie, a local General receives a phone call, and is a little shocked to see who made the call:</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200chap4.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Atom finds Green Lantern, digging up one of the Appellax meteors. He momentarily knocks GL on his butt, and tries to reason with him, trying to make him remember who he really is.<br /><br />It seems to be working, except that GL has just been sneaking up on Atom, and traps him with his ring. He grabs the meteor and takes off.<br /><br />The Atom shrinks beneath the atoms of the ground, and slips out of the bubble, and heads back to the satellite. The Atom chalks up all their defeats to the "edge of experience" the others have, but Red Tornado theorizes that its because the original members are facing unknown opponents, while they are fighting <span style="font-style: italic;">friends</span>.<br /><br />Over in Italy, The Elongated Man lays in wait for The Flash:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200chap5.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">He gets the drop on The Flash, and feels sick about attacking his friend, but like Reddy guessed, the Scarlet Speedster has no such compunctions. One good super-speed punch, and The Flash has accomplished his mission.<br /><br />Down at the original JLA Sanctuary, the original members start to talk, and can't figure out when all these changes--Wonder Woman's new uniform, the sancutary in ruins, Mars II--occurred.<br /><br />On the North Carolina coast, Green Arrow joins Black Canary in searching for Batman:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200chap6.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The Batman, of course, gets the drop on both of them, and uses the tight, confined space to his advantage. Green Arrow fires off an arrow, which misses, bounces off a tree, and knocks out Black Canary!<br /><br />As Green Arrow finds himself handcuffed, he yells at a departing Batman: "<span style="font-style: italic;">You can't do this to me!"</span> To which a smart-ass Batman replies: <span style="font-style: italic;">"I already have."<br /><br /></span>Canary then wakes up, and Brian Bolland shows off his mastery of distinct facial expressions:<span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200bolland.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">...I love Canary's annoyed, pursed face in panel four. They move on, thinking they've found Batman, but it turns out to be a decoy--Batman, and the Appellax meteor, are gone.<br /><br />Last is what can only be the result of Hawkman drawing the short straw: he has to take on Superman!:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200chap7.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Hawkman figures Superman can't retrieve the Kryptonite-laden meteor himself, so he isn't surprised when he encounters several Superman robot duplicates instead. But the third one looks a little different--its actually Superman!<br /><br />One punch, and its all over, ending with Hawkman being hit so hard he drifts into outer space. Superman, using a paper-thin lead alloy suit to cover himself, finds the meteor and heads off.<br /><br />Hawkman wanders so far into space he hits an oncoming Zeta Beam, and disappears! He is then found by old JLA friend Adam Strange, who calls the JLA and tells them they plan to beam Hawkman back. The Elongated Man, stretching himself farther than he ever has, shoots himself out of an airlock, and retrieves The Winged Wonder.<br /><br />Meanwhile, at the Secret Sanctuary, the JLAers notice that all the Appellax meteors are glowing, and they eventually explode open, releasing the seven Appellax warriors!<br /><br />This obliterates the JLAers' amnesia, and they are told, years ago, the Appellax meteors put a post-hypnotic suggestion in them, triggered to go off, just as it did.<br /><br />The JLAers attack the Apellax warriors, but they find themselves overwhelmed, one by one, until finally there is only Wonder Woman:<br /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200taka.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">...that panel always felt so <span style="font-style: italic;">harsh</span> to me. Yeah, I know Diana is nearly invulnerable, but taking a bunch of crystals to the face like that? Ow.<br /><br />The Appellax warriors decide to pick up where they left off--that is, to fight one another, to see who will be the leader of their home planet!<br /><br />Next, we see Batman and his fellow JLAers slowly waking up, but surrounded by their fellow heroes. Apologies are made, the heroes collect themselves, and head out to stop the aliens:</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://namtab.com/jla/200spread2.gif"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200spread.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></a></span></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span><span><span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">(click to JLAify!)</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The massive group of heroes split up into teams, classic Gardner Fox style, and Batman, Black Canary, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Superman, Wonder Woman, and Zatanna head to Vermont to battle the Wood King, Crystal Creature, and Mercury Monster.<br /><br />Unlike what defeated them before, the JLAer use teamwork, and after a well-placed Batarang shatters the Crystal Creature, its over.<br /><br />Next, we go to the Irish Coast, where Aquaman, Elongated Man, Flash, and Red Tornado find the Glass Creature and the Fire Monster. The Flash tries a frontal assault, giving Aquaman the chance to sneak up from behind:<br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200betrayed.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">...this is one of my favorite Aquaman sequences of all time. I love the examination of Aquaman's ability to survive in depths that would kill almost anyone else, but holding the Glass Creature by the throat <span style="font-style: italic;">until he shatters into little bits </span>is just hardcore.<br /><br />In the meantime, Flash, Elongated Man, and Red Tornado take out the Fire Monster--mission accomplished.<br /><br />Last, in the heart of New York City, The Atom, Firestorm, Green Lantern, and Martian Manhunter take on The Golden Roc and The Stone Creature.<br /><br />Lantern pummels the latter into chunks of rock, and The Atom is fired directly into the head of the Golden Roc, giving Manhunter the chance to shatter it with a well-aimed punch. It's all over!<br /><br />Back at the satellite, Green Lantern and Red Tornado shoot the aliens' remains into the sun, destroying them forever.<br /><br />Then the three old JLA friends, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter, and Snapper Carr take their leave...well, two of them do:</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200end.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">What to say about this issue? Its one of my all-time favorite comic books ever, and certainly my all-time favorite superhero comic, ever.<br /><br />I love the scope of it, and the fact that Conway took the time to work in as many people from the JLA's past as he could--The Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Snapper Carr, Adam Strange, The Phantom Stranger...<br /><br />Of course, the one glaring exception is Hawkgirl. Apparently over in the solo Hawkman feature in <span style="font-style: italic;">World's Finest</span> running at the time, Hawkgirl was missing or something, hence her not being here.<br /><br />As as kid, I loved internal continuity, and having all the characters work in a definable time line. But--in this instance, I wish Conway and whatever other editors would've made the call had forgotten that for a moment, and put Hawkgirl in here. This is <span style="font-style: italic;">the</span> big JLA story, and Shayera definitely should've been included.<br /><br />The art is of course fantastic--Aparo, Perez, Kubert, Bolland, and lots more, many of them working on their signature characters (Aparo even gets a two-fer). Having Perez do all the linking chapters gives the book a cohesiveness that improbably works, considering all the people involved.<br /><br />(Fun Fact: The Superman/Hawkman chapter was lettered by The Joe Kubert School, the first time I can remember hearing of such a place. Little did I know I would be a student there, a little less than eight years later.)<br /><br />As if all this wasn't enough, Gerry Conway gives us a two-page text piece on the history of the team, which is enormous fun. Click </span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span><span><a target="_blank" href="http://namtab.com/jla/200text.gif">here</a> to read it.</span></span></span></span></span><br /><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">I remember buying this comic at the now forgotten-but-not-gone Voorhees Tobacco and News Shop, which had a huge selection of comics, many more than my local 7-11. To that end, I used to beg my Dad as much as I could to take me there.<br /><br />Like I said, the place is still there:</span></span></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200voorhees.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">The copy I have is the same one I bought in Dec. 1981--its beaten up, has brown pages, the binding is held together with high hopes and a lot of scotch tape. Yet if there was ever a fire in the house and I could only save one comic, this would be it.<br /><br />To me, this book sums up everything that is fun about the world of superhero comics, and what drew me to the Justice League so passionately at such a young age--camaraderie, action, humor, plus a sense of enormous history. Not too long after this, the Crisis would take place, forever putting the DCU I knew and loved into the Past Tense. This book is one glorious 72-page tribute to what made DC so great for so long.<br /><br />In regards to Aquaman, there was some debate on my JLA blog at the time about how it was disappointing that The Phantom Stranger had to "save" Aquaman from being defeated by Red Tornado, since of course us Aqua-Fans didn't believe Aquaman needed any such help.<br /><br />And while I can see that point of view, I've always thought that it was worth it to have Jim Aparo draw both Aquaman and The Phantom Stranger again, after distinguished runs on both characters.<br /><br />Also, Aquaman has, to me, one of his all-time best moments in later in the book, when he grabs the Crystal Apellax alien and crushes him to bits which, thanks to a random series of events, showed up as an example of Aquaman's amazing powers in the book <a href="http://www.aquamanshrine.com/2009/11/physics-of-superheroes-2nd-edition-2009.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">The Physics of Superheroes</span></a>:<br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/physics02.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span style="font-family:verdana;">So, in the end, I thought it was a good trade-off. I would never trade the above moment for anything--in a book full of great moments, Gerry Conway makes this scene unforgettable.<br /><br /><br />Here's some original art from the book. Man, I would kill to own some of these:<br /></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200oaPG22.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200oaPG40.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200oaPG41.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200oaPG65.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200oaPG68.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200oaPG70.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Speaking of art, <span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">F.O.A.M.</span>er <span style="font-weight: bold;">John Trumbull</span>--also a huge fan of this comic--went on a crusade to get as many signatures from <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA </span>#200's creative personnel as possible, and he's amassed quite a collection! John was kind of enough to provide some scans of all the John Hancocks, along with the story of how it all got started:</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200perez.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200broderick.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200giordano.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200kane.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200infantino.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200bolland.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/JLA200kubert.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div></div><div style="text-align: left; font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Wow--Perez, Broderick, Giordano, Kane, Infantino, Bolland, and Kubert! How'd you do it, John?:</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />"A little history of how I got started on this project: My original copy of JLA #200 went missing sometime back in the late 80s (I subsequently found it, so I have two copies now). Since, like you, this is one of my favorite comics of all time, I knew I had to get a replacement copy. I managed to pick one up at The Great Escape in Nashville, TN for $1.50. When I got it home & cracked it open, I discovered that the very first page was signed by none other than George Pérez! I'm sure the dealer hadn't noticed, or I would've paid a LOT more than $1.50 for that copy. I wondered for years if it was really a George Pérez signature, since it looked a bit different from how he traditionally signed his artwork. Thanks to Facebook, I was finally able to reach out to George personally in 2010 and verify that it was an authentic signature. Here's my correspondence with him:</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />'November 28, 2010</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;" >George Pérez</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />John: My autograph has mutated quite a bit over the many years and many times I've had to sign it. That is most definitely my signature-- before I developed a style wherein I seldom pick up my pen between signing my first and last names.</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />Take care,</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;" >GPz'</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />Needless to say, I was ecstastic to get this response. It was a thrill to correspond, even briefly, with one of my artistic idols, as well as get the answer to a question I'd had for nearly 25 years!</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />So the Pérez signature planted the seed in my mind that I should try and get the various artists who worked on JLA #200 to sign my copy as well. Dick Giordano, Gil Kane and Brian Bolland were all guests at the Atlanta Dragon Con in 1990, so I got all three in one fell swoop. I got Joe Kubert to sign it when I attended a weekend workshop the Kubert School did in Nashville in 1992, prior to my attending the school from '94-'97. I had a friend get the Carmine Infantino signature for me at a New York con in the early 2000s. I think I must've had my friend get the Pat Broderick signature for me at the same con, as I don't recall ever meeting him myself.</span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />Sadly, I never had the chance to meet with Frank Giacoia, Jim Aparo or Adrienne Roy before they each passed away, which is too bad, because I was a big fan of all of their work. I'm still hoping to someday get signatures from writer Gerry Conway, editor Len Wein, inkers Brett Breeding & Terry Austin, letterer John Costanza and colorists Carl Gafford & Tatjana Wood to add to the book! I think it's safe to say that if this book hadn't engaged my imagination at age 9 the way it did, that I may not have grown up to be a cartoonist. So thanks, one & all who where involved with such a great comic book!"</span><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br />Now we hear directly from two of the people involved in the making of this awesome comic. From my interview with Len Wein on <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2008/06/jla-satellite-interview-with-len-wein.html">6/16/2008</a>:<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">As editor </span><span>[of JLA]</span><span style="font-style: italic;">, you presided over my--and a lot of people's--favorite era of JLA, roughly issues 185-220, including the blockbuster 200th issue. Whose idea was it to have such a massive 200th issue, with so many characters and artists?<br /><br /></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Len Wein:</span> Oh, mine. After all, I had to come up with some way to top what I'd done with issue #100. As an editor, I'm incredibly proud of that issue. We had an amazing array of artists and Gerry Conway's script weren't exactly chopped liver neither.</span><br /><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />Finally, from my interview with Gerry Conway on <a href="http://www.blogger.com/www.jlasatellite.com/2008/07/jla-satellite-interview-with-gerry.html">7/23/2008</a>:<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">I've mentioned here before, and on your blog, that--and I am <span style="font-weight: bold;">barely</span> kidding when I say--that I think that JLA #200 is the single greatest piece of literature ever produced by Western Civilization.<br /></span></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/200.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">Gerry Conway:</span> [<span style="font-style: italic;">laughs</span>] Oh, wow. How old were you when that book came along?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Let's see...1981, so I would've been ten years old.<br /></span></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">GC:</span> I figured it would've been around that time.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">This probably won't make the interview, but I have to mention this--years ago, I had a girlfriend who also read comics.<br /><br />Now that's rare enough, but she didn't like superhero comics. I guess if you don't first find them as a kid, they don't resonate with you, so she couldn't understand why I liked them so much.<br /><br />So one day we decide to exchange comics we each liked, and she asked me for one comic that summed up what I liked about superhero comics. So I bought her a copy of JLA #200.<br /></span></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">GC:</span> Wow.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">So anyway, I give it to her, its in a bag and board, and she puts it off to side.<br /><br />She lived in another part of the country, so we only saw each other every few months. I go back, a month or two later, and there's the book, in the same spot it was when I left, completely untouched.<br /><br />And I thought to myself "This relationship's doomed! She can't find the time to read one measly 72-page superhero comic!"<br /><br />And you know what? I was right! We eventually broke up.<br /></span></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">GC:</span> [<span style="font-style: italic;">big laughs</span>].</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">I thought "How can you not read this?" Its so much fun, it moves so fast, the artwork is so nice..."<br /><br />Really, I'm like, "If Gerry Conway only wrote one comic book in his life, this would be enough." This thing was the most tremendous comic ever.<br /></span></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">GC:</span> [<span style="font-style: italic;">laughs</span>]<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">I'm going to leave it at that. I cannot express how much it means to me to get to talk to you. I appreciate all the work you did, its so beloved to me, I really appreciate you taking the time to talk to me for the blog.<br /></span></span> <span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">GC:</span> Oh, it's been a pleasure. Thanks so much for remembering.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/aquablog/randompanel200jla200.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-size:100%;"><span><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div> </div></div>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-46034584640358492252011-08-27T19:50:00.002-04:002011-08-27T19:53:51.784-04:00Justice League of America #42 Ad - 1966<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2007/12/justice-league-of-america-42-feb-1966.html"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/42ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">I missed this ad during the blog's original run, and its too spiffy not to post--<span style="font-style: italic;">"Metamorpho Says No!"</span>
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<br />DC letterer/designer Ira Schnapp (who most likely designed this ad) was a genius at cramming in <span style="font-style: italic;">a ton</span> of text in a small space, yet making everything look clean and readable. An amazing talent!
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<br /></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-81451556188298633642011-08-13T00:03:00.000-04:002011-08-13T00:03:07.821-04:00DC Retroactive: 1980s Justice League of America<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro80s.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">The return of "Justice League Detroit"!
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<br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >The Story</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: "Siege" by Gerry Conway and Ron Randall.
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<br />Deep inside the new HQ of the Justice League of America, we see our heroes and some civilians clearly the worse for wear:
<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://namtab.com/jla/retro80spg2big.gif"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro80spg2.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></a></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Aquaman informs us this the work of the original JLA's old foe, Felix Faust. Aquaman, the team's new leader, tries to give his teammates an inspiring speech, intended to rally the troops, but it falls on deaf ears when Steel is openly contemptuous of it and, seemingly, Aquaman himself.
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<br />When Aquaman refuses to back down, Steel loses it and goes after the Sea King!
<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro80spg6.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >A loud "whomp" from outside the chamber focuses everyone's attention. As Aquaman formulates a plan, we flash back to ten hours earlier, as the JLA is giving a tour of their new HQ to local schoolchildren, as part of a plan to be part of the community.
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<br />Everyone seems up for the meet-and-greet, except Martian Manhunter, who feels a sense of unease. Good reason, since Felix Faust is nearby, watching his old foes. Using some sort of magical tablet (no, not an iPad), he calls forth massive black clouds which descend upon Detroit!
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<br />Meanwhile, Aquaman is defending the new JLA from one particularly snotty kid, who insists the team is now a bunch of nobodies. Another kid, in a Superman t-shirt, pipes up and defends the new group, much to the JLA's admiration. But just Zatanna is about to entertain the kids with some magic, there's an explosion, and the cause of it reveals himself:
<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro80spg16.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The JLA fans out, taking on Faust's demonic creations. After Manhunter and Aquaman are knocked out, the team regroups in the medical lab, which is hermetically sealed behind them.
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<br />As Faust's minions pound their way in, the JLA forms a plan and, for once, acts as a team:
<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro80spg22.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >...except for Gypsy, who ignores Aquaman's order to help Elongated Man and Dale Gunn get the kids to safety. While Faust was distracted, she sneaks by and grabs the mystical tablet, breaking it in two over Faust's head!
<br />
<br />As the demons fade into oblivion, Aquaman decides what to do about Gypsy's disobedience:</span>
<br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro80spg24.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >...the end!
<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Roll Call</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, Elongated Man, Zatanna, Vixen, Steel, Vibe, Gypsy</span></span></span></span>
<br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">
<br /></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Notable Moments</span>: Like the <span style="font-style: italic;">Retroactive 1970s</span> book, this story feels like a bit of a missed opportunity: this is the first time the JLD has been seen in years (and probably will be the last time, with the new DCU just around the corner)</span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">, so I wonder why the story is so focused on the internal monologues of the characters, in that I mean we get a lot of dialogue with the JLAers (Steel mostly) yelling at each other, which was one of the things I think that sunk the team in the first place.
<br />
<br />Also like the 1970s one-shot, its up to another character (in that book Adam Strange, in this one the young superhero fan named...Geoff) to sort of spur the plot and get the JLA moving. Since when can't the <span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America</span> carry their own story?
<br />
<br />All that said, of course its great to see the JLA--even this version--back again one more time. I still think the JLD could have worked, if given enough time, but editorial meddling kept that from ever really happening, so the team remains a mostly sad footnote to the legendary team's history.
<br />
<br />
<br />Not to be too picky about this, but I'm not exactly sure <span style="font-style: italic;">when</span> this story takes place. The story mentions (repeatedly) that the "Big Guns" are decidedly no longer part of the team, which places it after the events of <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA</span> #239 (see below). But by JLA #241, Aquaman was already off searching for Mera, never to return. So I guess we'd have to say this is what the JLD was doing while the book was doing a sort of <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2008/07/justice-league-of-america-240-july-1985.html">special "DC Retroactive" of its own</a>.
<br />
<br />This issue also features a reprint of <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2008/07/justice-league-of-america-239-june-1985.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America</span> #239</a>, also by Gerry Conway.
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /><span style="font-style: italic;">We hope you JLA fans enjoyed this look back, both in the comics and on this blog! I know I did!</span>
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<br />
<br /></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-48365445933577036012011-07-30T00:03:00.000-04:002011-07-30T00:03:00.837-04:00DC Retroactive: 1970s Justice League of America<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro70s.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">The original Justice League of America returns!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >The Story</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: "Enter Justice League Prime" by Cary Bates, Gordon Purcell, Jose Marzan Jr., and Andy Smith.<br /><br />In Creedvue Mental Hospital, two doctors are talking to a patient. This patient insists he is an interplanetary traveler, regularly visiting the planet Rann. Getting frustrated, the patient demands to talk to the Justice League of America.<br /><br />One of the doctors is familiar with the Justice League, but not in the form the patient is:<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro70spg2.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Of course, the patient is Adam Strange--how did he end up here?<br /><br />Six hours earlier, aboard the JLA Satellite, 22,300 miles above Earth, six members of the Justice League pick up a Zeta Beam headed their way. They figure its their old friend Adam Strange, and it is--locked in hand-to-hand combat with their mutual foe Kanjar Ro!<br /><br />Suddenly the Zeta Beam splits into two, causing the JLA to go into action. Flash determines one of the beams went to Earth-Prime, "our" Earth, where superheroes only exist in comic books (and TV shows, and multi-million-dollar film franchises). The JLA splits up into two teams:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro70spg8.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >On Earth-Prime, Flash, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, and Zatanna attempt to rescue Adam Strange, except now Strange doesn't remember them either!<br /><br />Turns out Strange has been receiving electro-shock therapy, which has screwed up his short-term memory. To help recover it, they turn to this world's foremost Adam Strange authority: DC Comics editor Julius Schwartz!<br /><br />Meanwhile, on Earth-One, Green Lantern and Hawkman track down Kanjar Ro, who is more powerful than they remember:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro70spg15.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Back on Earth-Prime, Schwartz jogs Strange's memory by showing him his comic book adventures as told in issues of <span style="font-style: italic;">Mystery in Space</span>. This sets him straight, and they make their way back to the JLA Satellite.<br /><br />As Kanjar Ro is making quick work of Hawkman, the other JLAers arrive, while Green Lantern and Zatanna execute another part of their plan--deflecting the Zeta Beam energy from hitting Earth, thereby depriving Kanjar Ro of his enhanced powers. With a well-placed punch by Adam Strange, Ro is defeated.<br /><br />Wonder Woman decides this was a moment worth preserving. With the help of a camera inside her robot plane, the JLA snaps a picture and sends it to the person who will appreciate it the most:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/retro70spg26.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >...the end!<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Roll Call</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: Wonder Woman, Flash, Green Lantern, Green Arrow, Hawkman, Red Tornado, Zatanna.</span></span></span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Notable Moments</span>: When I ended the <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2008/08/justice-league-of-america-258-kubert.html">JLA Satellite blog back in August 2008</a>, I truly never had any intention of bringing it back, even for a day. I liked ending with the conclusion to the original JLA book, I thought it gave the blog a nice, clean end.<br /><br />But when DC announced their line of <span style="font-style: italic;">DC Retroactive</span> one-shots, I immediately thought maybe, just maybe, it would be worth dusting off this old blog and giving it another spin--after all, this wasn't just a book starring the original JLA, it was being written by one of the classic JLA writers, Cary Bates! So here we are.<br /><br /><br />Overall, I have to say I was a tad disappointed with this issue's story--its mostly about Adam Strange, not the JLA. Add the fact that only a handful of members appear (don't even get me started on who I missed the most...), and how it becomes, IMO, a bit too in-jokey when they end up hanging with Julius Schwartz.<br /><br />The plot is fine, very classic JLA, but there's almost no tension or menace. Also, there are little in-jokes to later stories, which to me broke the spell of this adventure's (heck, the whole <span style="font-style: italic;">DC Retroactive</span> line) conceit that its set in the past--we're referencing <span style="font-style: italic;">Identity Crisis</span>, wink wink</span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">. Which makes this a missed opporunity: as any die-hard JLA fan knows, Cary Bates could write a Justice League story with the <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2008/03/justice-league-of-america-120-july-1975.html">best </a><a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2008/04/justice-league-of-america-138-jan-1977.html">of</a> <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2008/03/justice-league-of-america-116-march.html">'em</a>.</span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br />It's also too bad the whole JLA couldn't have appeared here--if you're going to bother doing this book, why feature just a handful of members and give Adam Strange so much to do? Even with all that said, it was great to see the classic JLA one more time!<br /><br /><br />Judging by Zatanna's costume and Green Arrow's presence, this story takes place somewhere between <span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America</span> #s 161 and 180.<br /><br />This issue also features a reprint of <a href="http://www.jlasatellite.com/2008/03/justice-league-of-america-123-oct-1975_22.html"><span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America</span> #123</a>, also by Cary Bates, and also "stars" Julius Schwartz.<br /><br /><br />One final thing--yes, JLASatellite.com will be back once more to recap <span style="font-style: italic;">DC Retroactive: 1980s Justice League of America</span>!<br /><br /><br /></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-9651391090014277432008-08-30T00:08:00.001-04:002008-08-30T00:09:36.318-04:00Justice League of America #258: Kubert School Edition<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubert.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">"Ok, what the hell is this?"</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> I can sense you wondering.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">Well, back in 1987, I was busy preparing as much portfolio-level art material as I could, since late in 1988 I would be showing my book to *the* Joe Kubert, and see if I could get into the Joe Kubert School of Cartoon and Graphic Art.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So while I had lots and lots of single-page illustrations that I deemed worthy of inclusion, I wanted something special...something </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">impressive.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So I decided I would draw my own version of a comic book--the entire book--and ink it, color it, and bind it, virtually guaranteeing my admission. </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">No way</span><span style="font-family: verdana;"> would Joe Kubert be able to turn someone one down who had this much passion for the art of comic book storytelling!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">So let's take a look at few pages of this masterpiece:</span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubertpg1.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubertpg5.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubertpg9.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubertpg11.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubertpg14.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubertpg18.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubertpg19.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubertpg20.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/258kubertpg22.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;">...how Joe, upon seeing this, didn't call DC and tell them he was sending this prodigy over right then and there, I don't know.<br /><br />Many of you must be wondering, how the hell did I get into the Kubert School with this level of work in my portfolio? Well, first off, there was a sharp improvement between the material I was putting together in 1987/1988 and when I finally arrived at the school, in September 1989.<br /><br />Also, the rumor about the school was they would take nearly anyone, as long they seemed to have the passion to do the work, since the workload would be so heavy. So while I didn't have very much natural drawing ability (I still don't), I certainly did have the passion.<br /><br />(Its kind of funny, considering how much I loved the JLA, that I chose this issue to draw, not one featuring Superman, Batman, and of course Aquaman--I'm guessing it was because it was easier to draw this story, which centers around a tiny group of people. I was no Dick Dillin.)<br /><br />Clearly, I couldn't do a better job than original artist Luke McDonnell, but I thought maybe I could find a way to tell the story in a different way. Looking over it, there are a couple of sequences that I think are well laid out. Designing has always been my main artistic passion, much more so than drawing. It was like that in 1988, its like that now.<br /><br />So while I can goof on this book all I want, it <span style="font-style: italic;">did</span> get me into the school, so I guess it wasn't a wasted effort.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><br /></span></div></div><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ok, so after ten months, around 300 posts, a few fascinating talks with JLA writers and artists, and <span style="font-style: italic;">a lot</span> of fun, JLA Satellite has come to end.<br /><br />When I first came up with the idea for this blog, I rejected it because I knew the blog would have to come to an end--this wasn't <span style="font-style: italic;">Action Comics: The Blog</span>, or anything, so why start a blog that I knew would end less than a year later?<br /><br />But over time, the thing I thought was the blog's main weakness started looking like a strength to me--I wouldn't have to desperately contrive material to have something to post, it would focus solely on the book--it would be a "limited series" blog. I liked that idea--let's do 'er!<br /><br />I deeply appreciate all of you who stuck with me during this blog's run, especially during its rough first month or two, where my general lack of passion for those early issues I think came through in the summaries. I think it wasn't until we hit one of my favorites eras of the book--the mid-1960s--that I think the blog really took off.<br /><br />If I was to participate in a little armchair psychology, I would say, as a kid, I was attracted to comics--and specifically superhero comics--because of the adolescent power fantasies contained therein, like most little boys who discover comics, I'm sure.<br /><br />But it was the Justice League of America--the concept and the book--that really became the center of my comic book world, because it seemed like a group of people I would want to hang out with--brave and courageous, but also a nice, friendly group of people. <span style="font-style: italic;">And they get to hang out in outer space! </span>What's not to love?<br /><br />I hope that anyone in the future who wants to find out more about the original JLA can use my blog, and it will certainly stay here on the internets in perpetuity. I wanted to pay tribute to my childhood heroes, and I like to think I did a pretty good job.<br /><br />Thanks, everyone!<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/jlalogo.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div></div></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-49975404017702965312008-08-29T00:07:00.004-04:002008-08-29T03:18:48.231-04:00Your Favorite Issues<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Over the course of this blog, we've covered what were my favorite issues, so now let's talk about yours! After all, this blog wouldn't have amounted to much if so many of you didn't feel about the JLA the way I do.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Here are some of the answers I received from you JLA fans:</span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFrandy.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Randy M</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >"</span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >My #1 pick would have to go to JLA 100-102. It's where the JLA and the JSA team up to rescue the Seven Soldiers of Victory. The digest that reprinted it was the very first comic book ever bought with my own money. I was ten years old, and my life-long obsession with the JLA and the JSA <span style="font-weight: bold;">and</span> the Law's Legionnaires was born from this.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Next, would have to be JLA #200. The two-month long quest I went on to find this sucker and to have the good pay-off that it WAS totally worth the wait, makes this one a no-brainer.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Next is going to be another JLA/JSA crossover. This one involves the All-Star Squadron. Both books were my favorite reads way back when. So to see a story that involved all three teams <span style="font-weight: bold;">and</span> time travel, to boot? Another no-brainer."<br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFbutch.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Butch R</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"</span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >The Manhunters issues</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">--Dick Dillin at the top of his game, galactic scale, good storyline and we see some DC History revealed (always wondered what the GL writer at the time thought of this, I'm guessing it was ran by the GL Editor(s) at the least).</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br />JLA Origin Minus 1</span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >--The fact the actual publishing date was considered the heroes debut was interesting and we got to see so many "forgotten" heroes. It really did feel like a "secret" we were seeing.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >JLA/JSA/Legion of SuperHeroes team-up</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >--Probably my favorite "big" team up, and part of why I liked Pre-Crisis DC so much. How many corners of the DCU did this touch? And again, Dillin art still looking good.</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" ><br /><br />The Ultraa storyline--Being born in 1969, I was too late for the Earth-2 to Earth-1 change over and there weren't too many new heroes being created. I felt like I was there when Earth Prime's Superman was "born". Even though the later introduced an Earth Prime Superman, we were there for the first "native" hero.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >JLA/JSA team up against Jonah Hex & Co.</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >--I never cared for Elongated Man but this story told me anyone could be a hero, even people/characters you didn't think could."</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFvince1.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Vince Bartilucci</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"</span></span></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >You knew you’d be hearing from me, didn’t you?<br /><br />Here are my favorite issues of the Justice League of America. I made it an even (?) 5.<br /><br />5. #193. As a kid, I always had a soft spot in my heart for Red Tornado, a fondness that I couldn't explain then and can't really explain now. Perhaps there was a part of me that related to his feelings of inferiority. Regardless, I love this issue featuring Reddy's untold origin.<br /><br />There is something strangely satisfying about the new recruit, Firestorm, being the only person privy to the whole story. Again, I can't really explain it but it just felt right that Ronnie should be the one to know Reddy's secret.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/193aquaman.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >And I can't mention this issue without bringing up the remarkable opening sequence. Aquaman attacking T.O. Morrow in his lair is capital "C" cool! The George Perez artwork depicting Aquaman smashing through that window is absolutely stunning.<br /><br />4. #142. Unlike most team books, the classic satellite-era JLA almost never ran stories spotlighting individual members. This issue, focusing on three of the more under-used Leaguers, was about as close as the book got.<br /><br />Arthur and Ralph counseling the engaged Ray to be open and honest with his wife-to-be Jean Loring, Ray's insecurity about his effectiveness in the League, and his subsequent defeat of the Construct are all handled wonderfully.<br /><br />Plus we get one of my top 10 favorite Aqua-moments when Ralph momentarily considers assisting the Sea King with a pack of robot henchmen (henchrobots?) then decides, nah, he's Aquaman. His muscles are designed to survive the ocean's depths. He can handle it. Damn right, he can handle it!<br /><br />3. #200. A great, action-packed story harkening back to the League's origin coupled with fantastic art by some of the best artists to ever work in comics. This issue is so very nearly perfect. It could have been honest-to-gosh, no qualifiers perfect, too. But, unfortunately, "get over it" is simply not an option when you're talking about a slight, unintentionally or not, to my boy, Aquaman!<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFvince2.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >2. #144. I wasn't born when <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Brave and the Bold</span> #28 hit the stands. Ditto for <span style="font-weight: bold;">JLA</span> #1. And <span style="font-weight: bold;">JLA</span> #21? That celebrated first JLA/JSA meeting was pre-Vinnie, too.<br /><br />But I was around for this issue with the untold "real" origin of the JLA and, being ten years old at the time, it seemed incredibly historic to me. Sure, I had missed those other seminal League events but now those older JLA readers had nothing on me! I was in on the secret, too!<br /><br />Little did I know that this tale within a tale would never be referred to again. Oh well, it was still cool seeing all those characters that I had never been exposed to before like the Blackhawks and Rex the Wonder Dog and Congorilla. How awesome was Congorilla?!?! Plus, I can"t possibly express how much I love Green Arrow's reaction to discovering this untold tale in the JLA log books. It's so out of proportion, so over the top. It's like he just found out Hal was sleeping with his mom. Jeez Ollie, try decaf!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >1. #139. The JLA's first double-size issue and the issue that started my unbroken run on the title. In later years, I tracked down back issues and completed a JLA run that reached back to #98, the first ish of the League that I ever bought.<br /><br />But there's something special about those collections that grow month after month, issue by issue, you know what I mean? That's why this will always remain my favorite single issue of JLA. With a fantastic cover by Neal Adams cover and Dick Dillin at the top of his game on the interior art, how can you go wrong?<br /><br />And the lead story? This is exactly the kind of tale that illustrates the difference between the DC and Marvel comics of my youth. Marvel stories were basically soap operas with slugfests while DC stories always seemed to feature some sort of weird obstacle or condition that the hero had to overcome in place of, or sometimes in addition to, the villain of the piece.<br /><br />Sure, you can argue whether or not Marvel heroes battled more powerful menaces than their DC counterparts. But there is no doubt that DC heroes faced more interesting predicaments. Marvel heroes worried about the rent when they weren't worried about being killed by Dr. Doom or Kraven the Hunter. DC heroes worried about being turned into puppets, or infants, or, as in this case, Zeta-beam phantoms."</span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFrussell1.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Russell Burbage</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"Okay, I've been thinking about it, and I'm not sure if I should</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">list "issues" or stories, so I'm going with stories. In no particular </span><span style="font-style: italic;">order:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA 13 "Riddle of the Robot Justice League"</span><span style="font-style: italic;">--Gardner Fox tried <span style="font-weight: bold;">very</span> hard to show that every member was useful, and in</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> this one he proved that "they also serve who also stand and wait."</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Besides, Aquaman saves the galaxy. Awesome.<br /><br /></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">JLA 103 "A Stranger Walks Amongst Us"</span><span style="font-style: italic;">--Is he or isn't he? <a href="http://iamthephantomstranger.blogspot.com">Phantom Stranger</a>, Felix Faust, and sorcery in JLA were</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> never used better.</span></span></span> <span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"> <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA 111 "Balance of Power" and JLA 112, "War With the One Man Justice</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">League"</span><span style="font-style: italic;">--First appearance of Injustice Gang, beautiful Dillin-Giordano art,</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> re-appearance of Amazo, all members featured. What's not to like??? </span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFrussell2.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >JLA 139 "The Ice Age Cometh" --All the JLAers (huge plus) actually doing things, cool villains, great personalities. Probably my all-time favorite JLA story. Either that or...<br /><br />JLA 146--The Return of the Red Tornado and the Induction of Hawkgirl/Woman. The JLAers' personalities ring through, and the two most maligned members both get their moments to shine. If every JLAer had been present, this would be my number one.<br /><br />How's that??? :-)"<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span></span></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;">One of the more unusual lists came from </span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Chunky B:</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" > "</span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Okay I'm going to attack this assignment in a different manor then probably the rest of your readership, so sit down as you learn the truth of having never read an issue of JLA! Bum, bum, buuuumm!<br /><br />That's right I've never read an of the classic run of JLA, sure I've picked up a few of the modern versions of the team, but none of the classics. (I think I asked you at one time if they made compilation reprints). So how am I going to pick my top ten must read/have/favorites? Like any kid would, the cover. I'm going to pick them like they were all on the news stand.<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" ></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFchunky1.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" ></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >1) Brave and the Bold #28 - there's a reason why this is such an iconic image, earth's mightiest heroes doing battle against an overwhelming beast, Starro!<br />2) JLA #7 - This one is just an eye catcher, cosmic fun house, what has happened to the Flash!<br />3) JLA #14 - Why are our heroes watching as that tiny man in the bubble is suffering?<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFchunky2.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >4) JLA #25 - Has Superman turned evil, is he training the league, has the comic world turned upside down?<br />5) JLA #81 - I know, I know it's crazy, but aren't you just a little curious as to what happened to them?<br />6) JLA #87 - Batman has always been king of the world, right? Plus look at that cool kryptonite looking robot!<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFchunky3.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >7) JLA # 94 - It looks like Aquaman is done for, it can't be...even Superman looks worried, here's my quarter, let's see what happens!<br />8) JLA #110 - I'm a sucker for Christmas super hero stories, and I can't believe Santa is dead! Lucky the League is on the case and Batman can put those detective skills to good use!<br />9) JLA #136 - Okay maybe my adult mind is having an influence on this one, but the white space of this cover is so appealing, I think younger Charles would appreciate, plus he likes Batman and the Joker!<br />10) JLA #217 - Just because it's got a lot of heroes on it! Seriously though it doesn't speak of any event, they just look iconic running at you!"<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFtrumbull1.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">John Trumbull</span>: <span style="font-style: italic;">"Here you are, Rob, my favorite JLA issues!<br /><br />Justice League of America #140--March 1977--Steve Englehart's first full issue as JLA writer, and what an issue it was! Englehart's clever story ties together Jack Kirby's Manhunters with the Green Lantern mythos.<br /><br />Englehart also includes some refreshing characterizations among the team. I love the easy camaraderie the JLAers have here --it reminds you that they're not just teammates --they're <span style="font-weight: bold;">friends</span>! Too many writers these days forget that. This storyline is so good it served as the basis for the first regular episode of the Justice League cartoon.<br /><br />Justice League of America #192--July 1981--A wonderfully atmospheric opening, a look at a "typical" meeting of the JLA, 6 of the 7 original members (plus "new kid" Firestorm), tremendous artwork and the beginning of new revelations about the Red Tornado's origins. All wrapped up with one of George Perez's strongest covers. What more could you ask for?<br /><br />Justice League of America #195--October 1981--This was the very first issue of my subscription to JLA in 1981. My very first exposure to the concept of "Earth-2." My very first exposure to the Justice Society of America. AND my very first exposure to George Perez, still one of my artistic faves. And that <span style="font-weight: bold;">gorgeous</span> JLA/JSA pinup in the center of the book!<br /></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/YFtrumbull2.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span><br /></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America #200--March 1982--Like you, Rob, I think this issue is just about the greatest thing since the invention of the Gutenberg press. This is the very first place I ever learned the origin of the JLA. A great story filled with wonderful moments throughout.<br /><br />The collection of amazing artists in this issue still gives me tingles when I think about it: George Perez, Brett Breeding, Pat Broderick, Terry Austin, Jim Aparo, Dick Giordano, Gil Kane, Carmine Infantino, Frank Giacoia, Brian Bolland and Joe Kubert! I'm proud to say that over the years I've gotten 6 of the 11 artists to sign my copy.<br /><br />Honorable mentions go to The Seven Soldiers of Victory story from #100-102, The Freedom Fighters story from #107-108, "Takeover of the Earth-Masters" from #118-119, the Atom's wedding from #157, the Fourth World story from #183-185, the Starro story from #189-190 and the Paragon story from #224."<br /><br /></span><span><br />Thanks to everybody who sent in their lists--and some interesting choices too!<br /><br />Notice how all but one of you picked at least one story from Steve Englehart's run--a damn good batting average for a guy who only wrote the book for a year.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tomorrow: One Last Thing.</span><br /><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-15747699438300955062008-08-28T00:06:00.000-04:002008-08-28T00:07:23.083-04:00JLA Mail Room: 1960 - 1987<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">One of the things that inadvertently became a running theme with this blog was the evolution of the JLA Mail Room header. I guess it was neat to ponder because, at any given moment, it gave you in one shot who was in, who was out.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Of course, after the League grew to thirteen members, someone at DC realized it was getting so crowded it went to the generic Satellite shot, which I never thought was as fun--I was glad to see it make a belated return with the JLA Detroit era.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">So here's a quick rundown of the JLA Mail Room headers through the ages:</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/06loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/09loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/15loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/32loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/72loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/79loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/84loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/108loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/111loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/117loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/129loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/150loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/233loc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Usually, DC was on top of changing these the minute someone came or went; except for this last one, which hung around long after Aquaman had quit the team. Maybe by then the writing was on the wall, and no one really wanted to bother.<br /><br />I miss DC's letter pages; I understand with the internets the notion of waiting two or three months to comment on an issue seems like something from the Paleozoic Era, but I think they were a vital part of comic books, and I think DC's books are missing something from their absence.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">Tomorrow: Your favorite issues!</span><br /><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-30414138358595088052008-08-27T00:05:00.001-04:002008-08-27T00:05:54.836-04:00Hey Kids, JLA!<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">Early on in the blog's run, I would devote a whole day's post to any and all house ads DC ran for </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Justice Leagu</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">e, since I have a love for those old ads that </span><a style="font-family: verdana;" href="http://comingsuperattractions.blogspot.com/">knows no bounds</a><span style="font-family:verdana;">.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Over time, I didn't like how the ads "broke" the momentum of the blog as it went from issue to issue, so eventually I downgraded them to being at the end of a regular post.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But I still love them, so here are all the ones I collected since last November, including a few I found since:</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/adbb28.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/10ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/39ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/48ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/49ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/57ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/58ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/66ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/67ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/76ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/78ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/84ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/85ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/92ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/109ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/139ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/144ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/146ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/161ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: left;font-family:verdana;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/166ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/172ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/176ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/182ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/bestofdc31ad.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: verdana;">...it was a fun ride, wasn't it?</span><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-31569616485453546152008-08-26T00:19:00.001-04:002008-08-26T00:19:40.139-04:00JLA Who's Who Entries - 1986/1987<span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana;">The Classic JLA got two listings over the first two volumes of </span><span style="font-style: italic; font-family: verdana;">Who's Who</span><span style="font-family: verdana;">, a series I never missed.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;">The first appeared in the Feb. 1986 issue, drawn by then-penciler Luke McDonnell:</span><br /></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/whoswhofeb86.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >...a nice shot.<br /><br />The Classic JLA got one last bite at that <span style="font-style: italic;">Who's Who</span> apple, in Oct. 1987, drawn by then-<span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League</span> penciler Kevin Maguire:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/whoswhooct87.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >...I love how he got everybody's personality in this crowded shot. Arrow and Canary's PDA, Vibe's attitude, Superman's pride, the Hawks' quiet dignity.<br /><br />And even though by this time the original JLA--team and book--were gone, they all got lumped together in this "class photo." The next JLA listing in <span style="font-style: italic;">WW</span> would concentrate solely on the JL team, and its then-current membership, which was a totally different animal.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-63336671379122408742008-08-25T00:02:00.001-04:002008-08-25T00:02:54.467-04:00Secret Origins #32 - Dec. 1988<img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/secretorigins32.gif" align="left" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">The secret origin of the JLA!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >The Story</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: "All Together Now" by Keith Giffen, Peter David, Gardner Fox, and Eric Shanower. On the distant planet Appellax, we see seven would-be leaders--all of whom claim to have assassinated the previous leader--being sent off to Earth to fight to the death.<br /><br />Whoever is the winner of this battle royale will return to Appellax and claim the throne. Simple, no?<br /><br />One of them has the temerity to ask, but what if they are overcome by someone, say, from Earth?<br /><br />The judge says this is absurd: <span style="font-style: italic;">"You are the best Appellax has to offer. If they defeated all seven of you, we'd never go near Earth again."</span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">And so it begins</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">:</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/secretorigins32splash.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The first hero who will meet these would-be Appellax conquerors is the Martian Manhunter:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/secretorigins32mm.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >He faces the giant stone creature, but in the melee his power of invisibility turns off, revealing him to the local citizens. They think he's a special effect from a movie.<br /><br />Next up is the King of the Seven Seas:<span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/secretorigins32am.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >...he encounters the Mercury creature, and with the help of his finny friends, keeps it from turning him permanently into a blob of mercury.<br /><br />He then hears of a strange meteor that landed in the Florida Everglades, and heads there. Once he arrives, he sees someone else...<br /><br />But before we find out who, we see the next hero up to bat is Black Canary:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/secretorigins32bc.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >She takes on the Glass Creature, and a well-place Sonic Cry reduces him to bits.<br /><br />She also hears the story about Florida, and heads there, too. She meets others who have arrived there ahead of her.<br /><br />Next up is Green Lantern:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/secretorigins32gl.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >He takes on the Golden Roc (<span style="font-style: italic;">of course</span> its yellow!), and then heads to Florida. He gets too close before he can be told he stay away, so...<br /><br />Last is The Flash:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/secretorigins32flash.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >He fights the Fire Creature, defeats him, and likewise heads to Florida.<br /><br />He is the last to arrive, and suffers the same fate as the other heroes:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/secretorigins32sap.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >...of course, you all know the story form here...sort of. The heroes use teamwork to defeat the Wood Creature, and the head for Antarctica, where there were reports of one last meteor.<br /><br />Except when they get there, Superman is already mopping up. He takes no notice of the star-struck heroes, and flies off.<br /><br />Flash liked how they worked together, and proposes forming a club, or a society? Howabout calling it The Avengers, after that TV show?<br /><br />No, wait, howabout The Justice League:</span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/secretorigins32end.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >...not the end!<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Roll Call</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Black Canary<br /><br /></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Notable Moments</span>: There were a couple of reasons not to include this book on the blog: one, it was published outside of the run of the original JLA book, and two, it features the dreaded ret-conning, where classic stories are rewritten to match current storyline concerns.<br /><br />Normally that stuff make me roll my eyes, since I think a lot of damage can be done to great, classic concepts for the sake of momentary necessity.<br /><br />This is such a case--the JLA was and is the big seven of the DCU circa 1960, and suggesting the Big Three weren't part of that seems so silly.<br /><br />Complicating that even further, was replacing Wonder Woman with a later member, Black Canary, which disrupts even more classic JLA stories--every one for the first eight years, actually. I understand the need to have at least five members, <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> one of them be a woman, <span style="font-style: italic;">and</span> DC had a real lack of heroines from this era--who else was available--Miss America? Firebrand? Phantom Lady? But having Black Canary in here just seems...wrong.<br /><br />All that said, I included this because this retelling--changes and all--is so darn fun. Its got a good sense of humor, the heroes are real people, and Giffen and David wisely don't mess with the basics of Gardner Fox's immortal story. Plus, the art is gorgeous--Eric Shanower wasn't someone who you saw do a lot of superhero work, so his take on the World's Greatest Superheroes is a real treat.<br /><br /></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-45278403929455584712008-08-24T00:02:00.000-04:002008-08-24T00:03:37.574-04:00JLA Satellite Interview with J.M. DeMatteis<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/jmdematteis.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></div><span style="font-family:verdana;">I couldn't let this blog wrap-up without a talk from the man who, after 261 issues and 27 years of continuous publication, wrote the final chapters in the story of the original Justice League of America, J.M. DeMatteis:<br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">How did you end up writing JLA?</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);"><br /><br />J.M. DeMatteis:</span> DC editor Andy Helfer, one of the best editors I've ever worked with, said, <span style="font-style: italic;">"Hey, Gerry Conway just left Justice League and I need a writer. Want to help me out?"</span> As I recall, I'd just left Marvel after being under contract there for a number of years and was happy to have the work.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">When you took over the book, did DC already have its cancellation scheduled, and it was just a matter of getting to that point?<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JMD:</span> I believe the cancellation was already in the works. My job was to finish up the Conway story that was in progress, then go in and write the final storyline.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">To me, one of the hallmarks of your writing is an inherent gentleness, even when there's lots of super hero fisticuffs going on (there have been some exceptions of course, like the "Kraven's Last Hunt" storyline). Was it difficult writing stories that were so grim and violent, like when Vibe and Steel were murdered?</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JMD:</span> Violence in super hero comics has always been a problem for me. I love the characters, I love the genre, I love the metaphorical power of the super hero; but there are times I've been incredibly uncomfortable with the <span style="font-style: italic;">"smash and punch and kill"</span> aspects of the genre. (In fact I've got a new series coming out next year from IDW, <span style="font-style: italic;">The Life and Times of Savior 28</span>, that faces the Super Hero Violence issue head on. It's a piece of work I'm very proud of.)<br /><br />As for JLA: I suspect, although, honestly, I don't remember, that the discomfort was a little less so with that final storyline because I had very little connection to those characters. I never quite made an emotional link with Vibe and Steel. As I recall, the characters I was emotionally hooked into were J'onn (this was my first time writing him and he immediately became an all-time favorite) and Gypsy (primarily because of J'onn's emotional connection to her). Happily, they both came out alive.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">:</span> <span style="font-style: italic;">Was it your choice as to which of the new characters got bumped off, or did DC say "Save Vixen and Gypsy, kill off the other two"?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JMD:</span> </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">My memory is that I was told which characters had to go and which would stay.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">:</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Was it difficult writing a book that featured mostly new characters, none that you created, that didn't have a lot of history behind them?</span><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JMD:</span> I suspect that, if I'd had more time to get to know the characters, I could have found the emotional hooks I was talking about earlier; but jumping in just to wrap things up made it much harder for me. So, yes, it was difficult.<br /><br />That story was much more about my technical skill than emotional investment. Not my favorite way to write. That said, I tried my best to put as much genuine emotion into the story as I could.</span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JLA Satellite</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">:</span> </span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-style: italic;">As a writer, did writing the final issue of JLA have any impact on you (in terms of making comic book history--"Wow, I'm writing the very last issue of Justice League!") or were you mostly concerned with just getting to the end so the new book could be started?</span></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><span style="font-weight: bold; color: rgb(255, 102, 0);">JMD:</span> I never thought of it as the "final issue" because, by then, I knew the relaunch was in the pipeline. What I didn't know was that I'd be an integral part of that relaunch and that it would be the beginning of a partnership with the great Keith Giffen that would still be going strong more than twenty years later. If there's one great thing that came out of the JLA assignment for me, it's</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"> </span><span style="font-family:verdana;">that.</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">As a teenager, buying the final issues of my all-time favorite comic, I wondered just what the behind-the-scenes stuff was, so I'm jazzed that I got to finally find out from the man who was at the helm for the final case of the Justice League of America.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Of course, J.M. DeMatteis would go on to make an even greater contribution to the history of the team, but that's for another day and another blog. </span><span style="font-style: italic;font-family:verdana;" >Thanks J.M.!</span><br /><br /></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-87587836414624250352008-08-23T00:05:00.001-04:002008-08-23T00:13:09.485-04:00Justice League of America #261 - April 1987<img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/261.gif" align="left" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">It all ends here--the final issue of the <span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America.</span><br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >The Story</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: "Last Stand" by J.M. DeMatteis, Luke McDonnell, and Bob Lewis. We open on Professor Ivo, laying on his side in an insane asylum.<br /><br />Even here, in a straightjacket, he has dealt a blow to the JLA that all its other foes could only dream of--killing two of its members.<br /><br />He ruminates on his history with the League, and is conflicted by the impulses in his mind. He wants revenge, but murder is wrong. But Martian Manhunter killed one of his "sons." But...<br /></span><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Ivo blows up his last therapist, still unable to deal with the conflicting thoughts on his mind.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Vixen--to hell with the Presidential order--is on the hunt</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">:</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/261vixen.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >In Detroit, Manhunter is having a drink with Hank Heywood and Dale Gunn, but he is so racked with anger that he swears Steel will be avenged.<br /><br />Dale warns him that that's revenge, not justice:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/261noticed.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Vixen uses her animal powers to sniff out Ivo, and she finds him waiting for her, with dinner, no less! But Ivo is also in a mental institution, so...<br /><br />Vixen goes along with this fake civility for a few moments, and then attacks Ivo. Ivo in turn calls out a mob of his androids, who attack Vixen. She's able to fight most of them off, but there are too many of them!<br /><br />Then Martian Manhunter bursts in, and starts busting more android head. He then grabs Ivo, ready to kill him, but finds he can't.<br /><br />Vixen is not so squeamish, but:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/261snap.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >They find the real Ivo, locked up. Turns out Ivo escaped Arkham Asylum, built the androids, who in turn committed Ivo, realizing their creator was insane. But since they were built from his mind, he could still control them from afar, and his madness led to all this.<br /><br />Manhunter and Vixen talk at the Secret Sanctuary. Manhunter says that for their deaths to have any meaning, the League must continue in some form, Presidential orders be damned.<br /><br />Vixen agrees, but says she can't continue with him. This road is too violent, too bloody, and she just doesn't want to keep going. They say goodbye:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/261end.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >...and that is the end of the Justice League of America.<br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Roll Call</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: Martian Manhunter, Vixen</span></span></span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Notable Moments</span>: Well, this is it--the last issue of <span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America.</span><br /><br />While I understand the business end of this--that this book had to be cleared out to make room for the all-new (and immediately big-selling) <span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League</span> book, I wish that <span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America</span>--one of DC's flagship books--had been given more of a royal send off.<br /><br />The cover is fine, except as the last <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA</span> cover ever, and I still--all these years later--hate the fact that the book ends 27 years of JLA adventures with essentially a plug for another book. Jeez, DC, the corpse isn't even cold yet! Would it have killed you to coral George Perez to do a "classic JLA" pin-up or something?<br /><br />But I got to give them credit--this was a ballsy, gripping way to end the series. Ivo's revenge plan is sinister to the nth degree, and I bet to this day he still brags to other villains that he killed not one, but two members of the JLA. Luthor's been trying to kill one hero for like 20 years.<br /><br />Goodbye, <span style="font-style: italic;">Justice League of America.</span><br /><br /><br />So now what? Is this blog over?<br /><br />Well, not quite--as I've mentioned a few times before, I've got about a week's worth of fun posts to come. A few sort of "greatest hits" style ones, an interview or two, another special JLA comic that falls outside my timeline but I felt had to be included, all concluding with a final post that <span style="font-style: italic;">I guarantee</span> none of you will expect.<br /><br />But before we get to all that, be here tomorrow for a chat with the fine writer who brought the original JLA to a close--J.M. DeMatteis!<br /><br /></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com34tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-87425940020276334872008-08-22T00:13:00.000-04:002008-08-22T00:14:29.772-04:00Justice League of America #260 - March 1987<img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/260.gif" align="left" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Professor Ivo's plan of revenge continues!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >The Story</span><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;">: "Flesh!" by J.M. DeMatteis, Luke McDonnell, and Steve Montano. Ivo's android--the one that save Gypsy-- reverts to its original programming when confronted by an angry Martian Manhunter, and a battle ensues.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">Manhunter tries to see inside the mind of the android, but is repulsed by all the contradictory impulses he finds there.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">The battle continues, with neither side giving in, until Manhunter gets so mad he ends up ripping the android's arms off, and then punching its head off!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:verdana;">But he's not done--enraged over Vibe's death, he pounds the still-talking android head into little bits, smashing it into the ground:</span><br /></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/260smash.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family:verdana;">Meanwhile, Vixen and Steel are at her apartment. Steel is infuriated he can't go hunt for Vibe's killer, but Vixen admonishes him to listen to Manhunter--the two of them need to lay low for a while.<br /><br />Steel won't listen, so he suits up and heads out, daring Vixen to stop him. Guess which hero went on to a further career in the DCU?<br /><br />While Ivo struggles with this sanity, Steel draws attention being out on the streets in his costume. He sees one of the police officers surrounding him is, in fact, one of Ivo's androids!<br /><br />Meanwhile, Gypsy learns from Manhunter that Vibe is dead. She, too, wants revenge, but he tells her to stay with her family, and go back to the normal life she deserves. She tearfully agrees, and they part.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-family:verdana;">Back with Steel, we see him threatening the android cop. Not knowing the truth, the local citizenry start taunting Steel, demanding him to let the cop go.<br /><br />Realizing this was a trap, he drags the cop off to a secluded spot--big mistake. Its here that the android lets loose on Steel, blasting away parts of his skin until a lot of Steel's internal robotic systems are showing through.<br /><br />Steel staggers to the main drag, followed by the android. No longer caring about the illusion, he blasts Steel unmercifully, until he is almost dead</span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/260steel.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >Manhunter arrives to see his friend in agony, and carries him off to his grandfather's headquarters, the original home to JLA Detroit.<br /><br />Hank Heywood Senior says there's nothing he can do, and takes Steel off of life support. The machine beeps a few times, until it stops. Steel is dead.<br /><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br />Meanwhile, Professor Ivo sits in a padded room, muttering <span style="font-style: italic;">"I'm sorry."</span><br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">To be concluded!</span><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Roll Call</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: Martian Manhunter, Vixen, Steel, Gypsy</span></span></span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Notable Moments</span>: Another nasty end to a JLA member--he should have listened to the Martian Manhunter.<br /><br />JLA Mail Room editor Greg Weisman reveals that, yes, the next issue of <span style="font-style: italic;">JLA</span> will be the last.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">*sniff*<br /><br /></span></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6547677475518970227.post-10337411032676700862008-08-21T00:07:00.000-04:002008-08-21T00:08:06.194-04:00Justice League of America #259 - Feb. 1987<img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/259.gif" align="left" hspace="6" vspace="2" /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >Professor Ivo continues his revenge on the Justice League!<br /><br /></span><span style="font-weight: bold; font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >The Story</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >: "Homecoming!" by J.M. DeMatteis, Luke McDonnell, and Bill Wray. We open on the lifeless face of Vibe, after he was murdered by one of Professor Ivo's androids.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >The body is found by Manhunter, Vixen, and Steel, who are so enraged that Vixen threatens the life of a bystander who she thinks is involved.<br /><br />Given the current feeling about superheroes, Steel convinces her to calm down, while Manhunter tells them--Vibe is dead.<br /><br />He touches the weird mask on Vibe's face, lifts it off, and stares at it for a moment, thinking</span><span style="font-family: verdana;font-family:verdana;" >:</span><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/259ivo.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The police arrive, but the heroes pay them no heed, and carry Vibe off.<br /><br />They don't realize Ivo is watching them, and he moves to phase 2 of his plan--kill Gypsy. He has realized the best revenge is to kill these innocent heroes, make them pay for the crimes of the original League, hurting them in a way that just killing them never could.<br /><br />But he is conflicted over Gypsy, because even to him, she seems so young and innocent. He consults another android therapist, but gets mad when it agrees with him. He quickly changes course and orders the hit on Gypsy.<br /><br />Gypsy decides to head home--to her real home--and hitchhikes a ride with a creepy, dead-eyed guy.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Vixen and Steel want to know who this "Ivo" character is Manhunter keeps muttering about, and he tells them about his and the League's history. He figures out Ivo's sick plan and heads out to search for him.<br /><br />Meanwhile, Ivo's android reveals himself and attacks Gypsy, who manages to defend herself for a little while. Finally, though, the android delivers the "killing" blow, leaving Ivo racked with guilt.<br /><br />But all is not what it seems:<br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><img alt="sg" src="http://namtab.com/jla/259gypsy.gif" align="middle" hspace="6" vspace="2" /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" >The android explains he and his brothers were made from Ivo's brainwaves...his thoughts and feelings. Ivo's doubts about murdering Gypsy simply manifested themselves in this android, who realized it was wrong to kill. He drives Gypsy home, who has a tearful reunion with her parents.<br /><br />As he watches the scene from outside, a hand grabs his shoulder--a hand belonging to the very mad Martian Manhunter.<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">To be continued!</span><br /></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"></span></span></span><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Roll Call</span><span style="font-family:verdana;">: Martian Manhunter, Vixen, Steel, Gypsy</span></span></span></span><br /><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style=";font-family:verdana;font-size:100%;" ><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-family:verdana;"><span style="font-weight: bold;font-family:verdana;" >Notable Moments</span>: ...and then there were four.<br /><br />I'm glad whoever at DC decided who would live and die chose to spare Gypsy. As Ivo said, she was so sweet that killing her would've been so grim it might've been unbearable.<br /><br />The deck was stacked with Vibe--he was written by several writers as a jerk, so he was first on the chopping block. But Gypsy, thankfully, was spared.<br /><br />JLA Mail Room editor Greg Weisman hints at the identity of #255's co-writer Michael Ellis, but doesn't say who he is exactly.<br /><br /></span></span></span>rob!http://www.blogger.com/profile/17556471244882205031noreply@blogger.com3