World Famous Comics: JSA: Princes of Darkness (Book 7)
JSA: Princes of Darkness (Book 7)
By: Geoff Johns, David S. Goyer Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 256 Publication Date: March 01, 2005 Reading Level: Young Adult Release Date: March 01, 2005
Product Description: The original superhero team-up, Justice Society of America is Earth's mightiest squad of defenders whose dynamic ranks include Powergirl, Dr. Mid-Nite, Mr. Terrific, Dr. Fate and star of TV's Justice League - Hawkgirl! When Obsidian, the darkness-controlling son of Green Lantern, teams up with the mind-twisting Eclipso and hyper-powerful wizard Mordru, the Justice Society face their greatest threat to date...as the villains' combined power forces the moon from its orbit, plunging Earth into a permanent total eclipse! Now, with Earth's citizens rapidly being converted into cannon fodder for the villains' armies, it will take an incredible array of superheroes to stop them...if they can!
"No one is strong enough to stop us. We are going to be gods." See, this is why I love comic books. Superheroes as rendered in grandiose storytelling and fantastic art. JSA: PRINCES OF DARKNESS (Book 7) collects issues #46-55 of the JSA monthly series and, in the Princes of Darkness arc, this TPB showcases one hell of an epic adventure, one which pushes our heroes to the very brink. Hollywood screen writer David S. Goyer (the BLADE films) and indispensable continuity troubleshooter Geoff Johns keep on chugging along with their very good storytelling. In preparation for the series's 50th issue, they've come up with a doozy of a plot. The Justice Society of America is the supergroup which started it all and the team which is venerated even by the Justice League. PRINCES OF DARKNESS shows why.
Plot SPOILERS now.
"No one is strong enough to stop us. We are going to be gods." So proclaims Eclipso, after having just tattooed Dr. Mid-Nite and Dove to the floor. And, going by the JSA's most formidable alliance of foes yet, it's hard to gainsay Eclipso's statement. Three magical, villainous superheavies - Obsidian, Eclipso, and Mordru - have teamed up in a bid for that same-old, same-old, global dominion. They've wrested the moon from its orbit, causing a permanent eclipse on earth and wreaking untold devastation to the planet.
The JSA, even with the help of their reserves and other superhero groups, are hard pressed to hold the fort against the all-out assaults of Obsidian's shadow soldiers and Eclipso's possessed hordes. Even the terrorist Kobra, believing that the end of the world is nigh, has sent out his minions. As far as situations go, for the good guys, it doesn't get much more sucky than this.
Pivotal subplots surface as the JSA frantically scurry about, seeking resolutions. Captain Marvel and the Star-Spangled Kid are sucked into the Shadowlands, where they try to find the dying Sentinel. This is my favorite segment, specifically because of Billy and Courtney's interactions. Hector Hall, the current Dr. Fate and still tortured over the loss of his wife, goes thru a metaphysical journey and meets unexpected old friends and acquaintances. Dr. Mid-Nite and Mr. Terrific operate on a bleeding Jakeem Thunder, whose vocal cords were severely damaged by Mordru. And Power Girl, Hawkgirl, and Dove are transported to the Gemworld on a key mission. Amazingly, despite the plot clutter, everything ties cohesively. Somehow, the good guys come out on top. But not without a heavy loss.
To round out this volume, issues #52-53 guest stars the new Crimson Avenger, whose mystical guns are now targeting Wildcat for his past sin committed. Issue #54 is lighthearted and fun as it tells of yet another traditional crossover between the JSA and the JLA. This time the occasion is Thanksgiving, and most everyone is in a festive mood, except for Dr. Mid-Nite (for personal reasons) and Batman. Based on past JLA/JSA get togethers, Batman is positive that some kind of disaster will crop up. Mr. Terrific advices him to "try and think optimistically." But that doesn't really sound like Bats. The culminating issue (#55) is a touching Christmas tale featuring the return of the original Red Tornado to the fold (sort of).
Teaser: Also, throughout these pages, Black Adam goes about his recruitment of superpowered folks. Wanna know why? Check out the next JSA volume JSA: Black Reign (Book 8).
Plot SPOILERS end.
I used to devour all the All-Star Squadron, Infinity, Inc., and Young All-Stars stories back in the day, so this JSA title is absolutely right up my alley. The JSA is the granddaddy of 'em all, and, to me, is just as much a family team as the Fantastic Four or Marv Wolfman's Teen Titans. The JSA's most resonant theme centers on the generational gap and how the the older, more savvy heroes try to pass on their wisdom to the new blood. In return, the younger capes strive to honor and emulate their predecessors. If you're an avid old school comic book buff like me or someone channeling, say, Roy Thomas, then this title's gotta be sheer heaven. Again, Geoff Johns and David S. Goyer manage to tell an intricately-detailed story, complete with all the sensibilities that best define the JSA, and they somehow still have it all make sense. Now it's true, it's best if you have some knowledge of these characters before you crack open this volume. There's a lot going on, and newbies might become a bit confused, what with all the massive subtext and personal histories floating around here. But, let's face it, the JSA, being a group title, always did spread out the spotlight. It stars a cast of many, whose pasts go back quite a ways. It's a good thing then that this volume inserts mini-bios for all parties involved.
Now, it's a no-duh that the comic book is overwhelmingly a visual medium. The story then, no matter how compelling, loses much of its power if the illustrators don't pull their weight. Thankfully, Sal Velluto (in his one issue) and Leonard Kirk's artwork prove to be dynamic stuff. There is some very good pencils and inks found in the 5-part Princes of Darkness saga and the coda. On the other hand, Don Kramer's weak illustrations don't do it for me and, in my opinion, don't do justice to the two part Crimson Avenger story, as well as the JLA/JSA crossover issue. You win some, you lose some.
PRINCES OF DARKNESS has got it: A saga with staggering stakes, cataclysmic events, explosive tussles, guest stars galore, monumental mega-villains, and a huge cast of undeterred superheroes. What's more, Johns and Goyer invest their characters with real emotions and relationships, so, yes, there's an added layer of depth there. As ever, for me, the standout in these JSA chronicles, is Jay Garrick, who is my favorite speedster. As old-school crimefighter and as mentor, I count him the best.
Here are 256 pages of the good stuff. Read them.
Epic..all there is to say, oh and it;s great. johns, can he ever do wrong? here we have so many characters, enemies, and yet he juggles it along with goyer like it was nothign at all, each character stands out, you get caught up in their struggles.
the story is this, in JSA 45-51 you get the darkness story, the terrorist cobra is on trial but a breakout happens, his people are on the move, the methods needed to stop him spktis up the team, just then the son of green lantern alan scott shows up, he has went insane, and teamed with the evil wizard mordru, they cast the world into darkness, this allows eclipso free run, they are now the prince's of darkness, a battle with be waged, father against son, team mate against team mate, chaos against order.
johns tells that very well, but we get more issues 52,53 tell the story of the new crimson avenger, a woman who has guns who control her, those with sins must die, and the JSA wildcat is the next victim, what can one ever do to find forgivness? how far is too far? johns explores all of this and really makes you wish you could see more of this new crimson avenger.
54 is a holiday special, in the first we see a nice low key issue the JLA and JSA meeting for thanksgiving dinner, see hawkman and green arrow fight over a turkey leg, see batman almost go nuts due to lack of action, it's all heartwarming, fun and funny.
then 55 is a christmas special, a very special one, the old guys go see a long forgotten member, it's a tale of christmas cheer and what a real hero is, what a real hero does to save those they care about.
if you like this then picks up the rest, they are all as good JSA : Returns (mini series) JSA: All-Stars (a mini series) JSA vol 1: justice be done JSA vol 2: darkness falls JSA vol 3: Hawkman returns JSA vol 4: Fair Play JSA vol 5: Stealing thunder JSA vol 6: Savage time
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
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