By: Paul Levitz Publisher: DC Comics Average Rating: Binding: Paperback Label: DC Comics Number of Items: 1 Number of Pages: 144 Publication Date: January 03, 2007 Reading Level: Young Adult Release Date: January 03, 2007
Product Description: During World War II, a group of costumed mystery men formed the first super-team. Today, the Justice Society of America lives again, as the surviving original members fight alongside a new generation of heroes.
Near the end of INFINITE CRISIS, Power Girl learns of a Golden Age adventure in which Batman and Superman battled the Gentleman Ghost. One year later, the members of the JSA are haunted by ghosts of their departed loved ones. As it becomes clear the two incidents are connected, the JSA becomes the target of the Gentleman Ghost and his undead army. How will the JSA end this supernatural slaughter, when the only being who knows how to stop it is the ghost of Batman?
pallid purloining phantom provides posthumous paranormal peril - a pretty passable page-turner I still don't see a good enough justification for why JSA was cancelled, only so that it could be relaunched shortly after as JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA. However, exactly because it was relaunched shortly after, the aggravation factor remains a minor one. It's all good in the 'hood as long as there's a JSA safeguarding the world and being an inspiration for the younger generations of heroes. JSA Vol. 12: GHOST STORIES collects #82-87, the final issues of this very popular JSA incarnation. Here, veteran Paul Levitz takes over writing duties from Geoff Johns (only to have Johns later return to the helm for the new JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA series). All six issues in this trade form one extended arc, making it a solid read in terms of continuity.
Levitz crafts an interesting story, featuring formerly notorious British highwayman Jim Craddock, two hundred years dead and gone all spooky as the Golden Age supervillain, the Gentleman Ghost. One gripe I have with this arc is that the origin of the Gentleman Ghost is altered so soon after the version chronicled fairly recently in Hawkman's comic book. And, now, according to Levitz, it seems that Craddock's fate is no longer bound with Hawkman and Hawkgirl's. I realize that revisions and re-dos in comic books are common occurences, but, for some reason, this one cheeses me off. To me, DC (or just Levitz?) then comes off as pretty dismissive of the Gentleman Ghost. It's odd that I feel like this, because Jim Craddock to me isn't at all an intriguing character. I'm not even sure I'm explaining myself right. But the Ghost is pretty low in the totem pole in terms of significance, and I guess I feel for him as an underdog.
A gypsy's prophesy, the sagacity of a long deceased legendary hero, virgins, and a JSA member rumored to be with noble blood. These are key elements which play a part in Jim Craddock's killing quest against the Justice Society. Believing that he can live again if only the ones he hates most in the world should perish, the Gentleman Ghost begins to target the JSA.
Backtracking a bit, issue #82 presents a neat little flashback story (and sort of an INFINITE CRISIS tie-in), narrated thru the shorthand notes scribbled by Earth 2's Lois Lane. Back in 1951, Earth-2's JSA had chosen to disband rather than disclose their secret identities to Congress. In the aftermath, Superman and Batman learn that the Gentleman Ghost had rifled thru the JSA's secret files, and the World's Finest end up tangling with the intangible. This sets the stage for the story proper.
Comic book fans know that, in the wake of INFINITE CRISIS, DC titles had a narrative jump of one year ahead, with the series 52 filling in the missing gap of time. So, in this one year's lapse, the JSA apparently hadn't nearly been as active and only Mr. Terrific and Dr. Mid-Nite get together regularly and then only to play Scrabble. The main story arc begins around this time, as the spirits of dead loved ones begin to manifest themselves to JSA members, and then, of course, Craddock gets his own haunting on. These ghostly goings-on provide the impetus to formally assemble the Justice Society.
I have such a fondness for the JSA. I dig its longevity and that sense of family and of legacy being passed on to the next generation. GHOST STORIES does a good job of showcasing the more venerable - although, probably, "classic" sounds better than "venerable" - JSAers, specifically Jay Garrick (the Flash) and Alan Scott (Green Lantern). I have no problems at all that they garner so much attention here, specially since Jay Garrick is one of my favorite JSA superhero. Courtney, Jakeem and, surprisingly, Ma Hunkel also get their share of the spotlight. By the way, Levitz provides a humorous subplot with Courtney (the Star-Spangled Kid) facing off against the dreaded driving lessons.
No complaints about the artwork, except perhaps the lack of visual continuity, which isn't a big deal to me this time when the artists assembled happen to be George Perez (issue #82), Rags Morales (#83-85) and Jerry Ordway (#86-87), with Luke Ross handling artwork for the Gentleman Ghost flashbacks. It's too bad that these flashbacks still don't make me care about Jim Craddock.
By no means is GHOST STORIES the best story to come out of this series, I think mostly because the Gentleman Ghost, that despicable apparition, doesn't quite strike crippling fear into the hearts of anyone. I mean, dude's got a monocle! As such, I didn't think the threat level was all that imposing. Paul Levitz just isn't able to inject enough creepiness into the phantoms. Also, the big showdown at the end comes off as a bit weak. I was expecting more from the JSAer with noble blood than a ho-hum fighty fight. Still, the story is fast-paced enough and action-packed enough, with some neat moments (the Earth-2 Superman & Batman teaming up one more time or when Jakeem, hounded by specters, gets the Thunderbolt to summon help - and look who show up). And, again, it prominently showcases some of my more favorite folks. So, for all that, I think JSA: GHOST STORIES deserves 3.5 out of 5 stars.
JSA: Ghost Stories In the final JSA storyline (issues 82-87) prior to its latest rebirth in the post-'Infinite Crisis' DC Universe, "Ghost Stories," is an excellent storyline designed to remind long-time comic buffs like myself that old Justice Society members from another time are still viable today. I want to congratulate writer Paul Levitz for his pretty solid plotting and dialogue, and I believe Rags Morales, George Perez, & Jerry Ordway should be commended for providing Levitz with top-notch artwork (particularly, in the flashback sequences) to make the project an inexpensive and worthwhile investment for consumers.
First, it was a real treat to see the Golden Age versions of Superman, Lois Lane, Batman, and Wonder Woman (if only in flashback) back in action in the same story after a 20+ year hiatus. Their solo encounters with the 'Gentleman' Jim Craddock (alias the "Gentleman Ghost") is a fun throwback to old-school DC Comics storytelling, as Craddock manages to elude each of these legendary characters. Unfortunately, their presence in this story can only be explained to newcomers if they have already read "Infinite Crisis," which is, unfortunately, too often a convoluted mess.
At any rate, the second chapter quickly leaps forward to the present day, where Jay 'Flash' Garrick's elderly wife is confronted by the ghost of her deceased father. This sequence is followed by several members of the JSA confronting painful ghostly memories apparently summoned by Craddock, who has seized the opportunity to settle some old scores with the original Flash, 'Green Lantern' Alan Scott, & Wildcat. He also takes great joy in eluding two of the JSA's younger members, the frustrated Power Girl and Stargirl, despite their best efforts to apprehend him.
Interspersed with the storyline is Craddock's 18th Century backstory (the art here is fantastic), which explains how he grew up from an orphaned thief to a notorious highwayman whose fate is later sealed at the gallows. His evil master plan comes to fruition in the final chapter when one JSA member is improbably the team's last hope of defeating Craddock and his ghostly army. Suffice to say, the far too convenient ancestry linking this hero to the 'Gentleman Ghost' is really one plot twist too many supplied by writer Paul Levitz.
Going back a few chapters, however, my favorite sequence occurs at its mid-point when Jakeem Thunder summons some otherwordly assistance in the form of the Golden Age Sandman, the Golden Age Batman, the Golden Age Mr. Terrific, and Jade to combat some ghostly hooligans in a barroom brawl. While Jade's depiction here doesn't seem to jive with her feisty persona last seen in Judd Winick's "Outsiders" series prior to her demise, her heartfelt relationship with her ailing father, 'Green Lantern' Alan Scott, is no doubt the most touching element of this storyline.
I will give writer Paul Levitz some credit for not overplaying his hand in attempting to explain the presence of classic (and sorely missed) Golden Age characters that DC Comics removed from its new continuity back in 1985. Levitz simply has the genie-like Thunderbolt say, "It's complicated," and leaves it at that.
Overall, "Ghost Stories," in my opinion, rates at least 8.5 on a scale of 1 to 10. At various junctures, it provides a long-awaited, nostalgic wink back at the classic (albeit convoluted) DC Universe that DC Comics conveniently chose to forget.
Better than Mixed Signal but lots of room for improvement Ghost Stories starts off well with a nice retro story from the 1950's featuring Superman and Batman taking on The Gentleman Ghost. I loved how relaxed the story was compared to the heavy action that the JSA has been dealing with lately lately. It seems as if the Society is being asked to rescue the universe every single book. In the last book they managed to save both our universe AND the fifth dimension. Whew. Fast forwarding to the present finds the Gentleman Ghost using the spirits of deceased with some tangential relationship to members of the JSA. For instance Mr. Terrific sees the spirit of his dead wife (which makes me why she would bother helping the Gentleman Ghost). Interspersed in the story is the origin story of the Gentleman Ghost when he was still among the living.
I liked the concept of using a third tier and fairly obscure villain as the protagonist, not that I care about the Gentleman Ghost, but it was a refreshing change of pace. My first problem was with Paul Levitz scripting particularly in the flashbacks scenes. The olde English dialogue seemed really hokey plus the origin story was kind of unsatisfying. Apparently when the Gentleman Ghost was alive as a young lad named Jim Craddock an old gypsy woman told him he would become the greatest of all highwaymen (roadside bandit) but would die from hanging. Only the death of his greatest foes would bring him back to life so he sets out to kill the JSA. It's kind of odd considering he's been around since the 40's and never once mentioned this prediction. Also, he was generally considered a Hawkman or Batman villain and the Earth 2 Batman is already dead. Yet here he is obsessing over Stargirl and Jakeem Thunder who he probably never even met before. The ending was jarringly abrupt and unfortunately involved my LEAST favorite JSA member, Wildcat.
I have to give Paul Levitz credit for toning down the story although it did get a little wild at the end with dozens and dozens of ghosts battling it out. The art was good but the concept of the story was more intriguing than its actual execution. At least I found it an improvement over Mixed Signals so there's hope. Despite being an improvement it still isn't four star fare so I'm giving it the same score.
Who Doesn't Love Perez and Ordway? What can I say? I love the characters utilized in JSA. Sure, Ghost Stories isn't as great as some of the other collected editions of this series, but it's a nice read and it's fun to have Paul Levitz writing the final arc before Geoff Johns restarts the title as Justice Society of America. Best of all, we get to see the classic artwork of George Perez and Jerry Ordway, as well as fan-favorite Rags Morales.
This edition gives us a bit of an insight in the Gentleman Ghost, and while I'd never really felt the urge to learn more about this villain, I didn't mind it. There was some confusion as this arc takes place during DC's One Year Later event, so we don't know some of what they're referring to. Such things are being revealed in the 52 storyline taking place even as I type.
Anyway, I read comics for enjoyment and so I'm willing to set little frustrations like that aside and simply take pleasure in Ghost Stories for what it is. It's always pleasurable to see art by Perez as well as Ordway.
~Scott William Foley, author of Souls Triumphant
A GHOSTLY THREAT FROM THE PAST The latest JSA trade paperback collects issues 82 - 87 as the JSA is literally haunted by a threat from their long past. The Gentleman Ghost made his first appearance in Flash Comics #88 in 1947 and was primarily a foe of Hawkman. Originally he was a mere criminal who used various tricks to make himself appear to be a ghost but his origin was later changed to make him a true ghost. James Craddock was an English highwayman who preyed on nobles in the 1800's.
Ghost Stories begins in the early 1950's after the JSA has disbanded and the Gentleman Ghost is on a crime spree, stealing famous jewels and outmaneuvering Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman. Cut to the present day as the various members of the new JSA all start experiencing hauntings from deceased friends and family members. The Gentleman Ghost has a legion of ghosts to hinder the JSA leaving them to call on their own other-worldly assistance, and I'm not referring to the Spectre, you'll just have to be surprised like I was.
It seems that the Ghost can only be truly defeated by one who is an heir to the throne of England, but who could that possibly be??? The story cuts back and forth from the present to the 1800's as we see just how the young boy James Craddock grew into a highwayman and was cursed to live as a spirit. It may have been a bit too much time to spend on what is a fairly minor character, but it was done well.
Paul Levitz wrote the story and I am always appreciative of writers who can take characters who have been around for a long time and make them interesting and fresh. DC has eight decades worth of characters just lying around waiting to be explored. Why create new villains when a good writer can breathe new life into an old one. And it sure was good to see good ol' Ma Hunkel again...
George Pereze handles the art on the first chapter while Rags Morales and Jerry Ordway finish up on the remaining issues. Obviously, anything that Perez does will be first-rate but Morales and Ordway finish the book seamlessly.
Anything Goes Trivia
Megaton Man
Trevor
