Hawkman joins the JLA!The story: "Riddle of the Runaway Room!" by Gardner Fox, Mike Sekowsky, and Bernard Sachs. Two-bit crook Joe Parry finds a device that came from outer space which pretty much creates anything one asks of it. He tries to commit crimes with it which gets the JLA involved. Luckily new member Hawkman saves the day!
Roll Call: Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Aquaman, Flash, Green Lantern, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Atom, and new member Hawkman!
Notable Moments: The JLA has already decided to induct Hawkman by the time the issue opens, so we are spared Flash's tiresome proposal of Adam Strange as the new member.
There's a charming-in-its-out-of-date-ness scene where the Atom has to carefully explain to Hawkgirl why Hawkman is being invited to join, but not her. She cheerfully says its ok because, since Hawkman is the leader of their team, it counts as a honor for both of them. Now go home and bake some cookies, Shayera! You know what they say--tie a woman to the bed with just enough room to get to the Absorbascon.
I would argue that with this issue, the JLA really was the cream of the crop of the DCU--each member had his own book(s) or strip, and each of them were iconic in their own way. The membership at this point would stay consistent for the next forty issues or so.
Nothing against future members Black Canary, Elongated Man, Red Tornado, Hawkgirl, Zatanna, and Firestorm, but I think by the time the JLA got to them, the JLA itself was legendary in the DCU, and by adding a new member, the team bestowed prestige upon the newly-chosen hero, not the other way around.
All right, now we're cooking. Both my guys in the JLA, life is good.
ReplyDeleteI would have liked to see Adam Strange in there though.
Rob, I see you never featured the JLA vs Kanjar Ro story where they MET Adam Strange. Mystery in Space something or other, wasn't it? Not an actual issue of the JLA, but the only issue where they guest-starred in somebody else's title, IIRC. By the way, this was the issue that was on sale the week I was born, so I always kind of liked it, even thought I thought Sekowsky's version of Hawkman left something to be desired...!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great cover! Only slightly marred by Flash's miscolored yellow glove. Stuff like that always bugged me.
ReplyDeleteSekowsky's Hawkman was...unique. Esp. when Sid Greene started inking the title. Their Hawkman always had a "deer-in-headlights" look to him.
Chris
Man, that's the kind of threat that makes you miss Kanjar Ro. Anyway, at least Hawkman's in the clubhouse now....poor Hawkgirl. This one has a cool cover, though.
ReplyDeleterussell-
ReplyDeleteyeah, that issue is Mystery in Space #75. i thought about getting it for the blog, but i couldnt find a copy for less than $20 and that seemed a little steep just to do a post on it($15 woulda done it...)