Customer Reviews

Crisis on Multiple Earths (Volume 2)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In the 1930s and 40s, superheroes were in their "Golden Age," back when Superman had more human proportions and the Justice Society of America had its birth. In the 1950s, the Silver Age of comic book heroes dawned, and a new batch of heroes was born, along with the Justice League of America. In 1961, in FLASH #123, the Silver Age Flash (Barry Allen) met the Golden Age Flash (Jay Garrick), and everyone learned that there were two Earths: Earth-One containing the Justice League of America, and Earth-Two containing the Justice Society of America. But, there was no way that the paths of these two bands of heroes would not cross - again and again!

This book contains four different story arcs, in which the heroes of the two Earths mix. Overall, I found this to be a great book, with some really interesting storylines. If you are a fan of super-heroes, then this is a book that you simply MUST get! I give this book my highest recommendations!

Here are the story arcs:
The Super-Crisis that Struck Earth-Two! (Justice League of America #55, 8/67) and The Negative-Crisis of Earths One-Two! (Justice League of America #56, 9/67): When a series of black spheres arrive on both Earth-One and Earth-Two, they transform four normal people into super-villains too tough even for the JLA and JSA to handle. Who will save the day? You might be surprised!

The Stormy Return of the Red Tornado (Justice League of America #64, 8/68) and T.O. Morrow Kills the Justice League - Today! (Justice League of America #65, 9/68): The Red Tornado, one of the original members of the JSA is back...except that this cannot possibly be the same Red Tornado! A rogue scientist named Thomas Oscar Morrow is out to conquer both Earths, and he has a fiendishly cunning plan.

Star Light, Star Bright - Death Star I See Tonight! (Justice League of America #73, 8/69) and Where Death Fears to Tread! (Justice League of America #74, 9/69): When a creature of seemingly limitless power comes to Earth-Two it looks like doomsday! The JSA calls on the JLA for help, but when the creature plants a hypnotic command on the JSA, it's a battle-royal with the JSA vs. the JLA!

Peril of the Paired Planets (Justice League of America #82, 8/70) and Where Valor Fails...Will Magic Triumph? (Justice League of America #83, 9/70): An evil intergalactic scientist is planning on destroying both Earths by bringing them together explosively. Can the heroes of both worlds save the day, or are they now facing a foe to powerful for them all?

More generic and campy tales from the silver age of DC comics. It does manage to have a few memorable moments.

The Super-Crisis That Struck Earth Two/The Negative Crisis on Earths One-Two
Features the debut of a grown up Robin in the Justice Society, taking the place of a retired Batman. Four humans are imbued by small black spheres to have tremendous power, and also turns them evil. When the Justice Society rallies to stop the super powered villains, they get trampled every time. Even Johnny's Thunderbolt is unable to stop them. When the Society calls upon the league for aide, they find the Justice League is in the same predicament. After exposure to the radiation left behind by the orbs causes several heroes to turn against their allies, it is accidentally discovered that laughter drives the black spheres out of their hosts and frees them from their influence. Yeah, I know.

The Stormy Return of the Red Tornado/T.O. Morrow Kills the Justice League - Today
Not really the return of the golden age Red Tornado, but rather the debut of the character who has remained with the DC universe to this day. If you like the Red Tornado, you'll love this story of his origin and how he joined the heroes. In his usual bungling fashion the Red Tornado accidently defeats both the Justice League and the Justice Society when he tries to aid them in battle. However, in the end the Tornado defeats his maniacal creator and saves both the league and the society.

Star Light, Star Bright - Death Star I See Tonight/Where Death Fears to Tread
When a living Star is stripped of his power and banished, he finds his way to Earth Two where he defeats Starman and takes his Star Rod. He then goes on to defeat the rest of the Justice Society including the Golden Age Superman. With their world destroyed The Society calls upon the League for help, but when the defenders of Earth One arrive, the living star known as Aquarius uses his powers to control the society and pit them against the league. It marks the first time the Superman of Earth One (the Silver Age) meets the Superman of Earth Two (The Golden Age). Naturally, they fight to a standstill. When an attack launched by Aquarius for the Green Lantern Hal Jordan misses and instead is headed for an immobilized Black Canary, her husband Larry Lance breaks the hypnotic control and sacrifices himself to save Canary. In the end the two Green Lanterns (sharing a cool moment where they recharge their rings together) force Aquarius into the Anit-Matter universe, where his positive matter essence is destroyed by the negative matter. Actually a good book with plenty of good action and story. It marks the first meeting of the Supermen, the death of Canary's husband and her defection to the Justice League and earth Two, and the two Lanterns fighting together.

Peril of the Paired Planets/Where Valor Fails, Will Magic Truimph
Earths One and Two are being pulled together for collision yet again, this time due to the mechanical workings of an alien who wishes to harness the energy unleashed by the two planets upon their demise to create an entirely new world. They use the Red Tornado to initiate the process, but with the combined efforts of the Thunderbolt, Dr. Fate, and the Spectre, disaster is once again averted. A largely forgettable story.

I just received the 2nd volumbe of the 'Crisis' books that cover the JLA/JSA crossovers. The quality of stories has been expounded elsewhere and I agree with these being classice comics to own, read and re-read. Let me share some 'nuts-and-bolts' about this book.
The stories reprinted range from JLA #55 (the last one drawn by Mike Sekowsky) to JLA #82 (the start of the Dick Dillin era). So a 3rd trade paperback would be needed to carry through to the end of the Silver Age/beginning of the Bronze Age. A blurb on the back cover stating this is the 2nd of 8 Silver Age Crisis Crossover adventures. Does this mean more JLA or will there be trades of the Atom, Flash and Green Lantern? Prior to each story is a page reprinting the cover (something missing from 'Batman In The 50s'). Martin 'Pesky' Pasko wrote an introduction to this volume. There is a 2-page pinup of the JSA by Murphy Anderson from a 70s 100 Page Spectacular.
A terrific extra is the last two pages being a selection from letter columns from then-fans, now-professionals on the JLA/JSA stories. This is a spectacular idea and should be used in the Archives books as well.
These stories will eventually covered in the Archive editions, but this is a smaller and less-expensive alternative. You also get stories that won't be reprinted for a while but you can enjoy these beautiful reproductions now.
Worth the effort and expense? Slam Dunk!

This second installment of 'Crisis on Multiple Earths' is much more effective as a back story to 'Crisis on Infinite Earths'. You will see the original appearance of the Red Tornado (II), who plays pivotal roles in these pages, as well as later in the Crisis, and more recently as a mentor to 'Young Justice'. You will also see what appears to be the first encounter between the alternate versions of Superman. And you will see fun cosmic connections occur between other less obvious parallel characters.

You will also experience a universe shaking battle with a stellar superbeing. The 'awsome' factor of this particular battle is lessened by the silliness of the villain, but overall it's still a good multiverse in peril tale, and a fun read.

The overall quality of the writing and art was more conducive to easy reading than the previous volume of 'Crisis on Multiple Earths'; and the fun factor just felt higher overall.

Although I grew up with the "Bronze Age" DC Universe, these 1960's team-ups are great, cheesy fun. You can really sense the changes coming when Denny O'Neil took over the writing, he brought the characters into the "relevence" of the late 60's/early 70's but still maintained respect for the older Golden Age JSA. Good stuff & recommended.

If you're a DC superheros fan then you need to get this book. It is the ultimate in crossover tales.

This, and all the crisis series, were written (and drawn) many, many years ago. Compared to what we read these days it's a completely different story.
Not just some characters are not with us anymore, but the way comics were viewed was a lot different as well. Basically a lot more writing and a lot less put into the drawing quality.
I do enjoy both, a good story and the way comics are drawn today. While it's hard to get a good story these days,
pictures are getting better and better, and if you are selective
you will find some really good pieces of art/work around.
About this one in particular... If you want to have a piece of
history, and enjoy a good story too, don't mind average drawing quality, then this is the comic for you.

What has not been said about the the three volumes of the Crisis on Multiple Earths books is that they are a collection of JLA story arcs that first introduced the concept of the multi-universe. These stories help you understand why DC needed the Crisis on Infinte Earth story. The first volume covers events on Earth-1, Earth-2, Earth-3, and Earth-A. If you want to understand what the heck that means you'll have to read the books.