Most Helpful Customer Reviews
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Absolutely stunning!, October 7, 2005
This review is from: JSA: Black Reign (Book 8) (Paperback)
After following the TPB series since the beginning, I found my interest lagging somewhat by volume 5 or so. JSA was still one of the better books out there, but some newer, more provocative titles came along that demanded my limited budget, so I stopped at vol. 6. After reading the enthusiastic reviews here at amazon.com, I picked things back up with vol. 8, JSA: Black Reign. Let me tell you that the reviews are true, and this is the strongest, most powerful JSA collection in the series.
Geoff Johns really pulls out all the stops here. Black Reign is a much deeper thinking, and ultimately more emotionally hard-hitting than what has come before. Tackling similar themes as Moore in The Watchmen, and Gruenwald in Squadron Supreme, Johns goes right to the heart of what motivates a hero and how far he or she is willing to go to satisfy these motives. Although all of these characters can be considered heroic, the questions of who will be saved and who needs saving, along with how far do you go to "save" people, goes through the minds of each of our colorful cast of characters with varying results. While similar in many ways, Hawkman and Black Adam are on opposite sides of the issue here, with everyone else somewhere in between. Johns is absolutely masterful in telling this tale. The pacing is perfect, with great, epic battles, and moving personal interaction. The gamut of emotions are presented to great effect, from anger and outrage to despair and grief. The ultimate success of this story lies with the blurring of certain boundaries. The issues are no longer just black and white, good vs. evil. The shades of grey, which naturally temper the real world, are introduced here and utilized throughout to great impact from start to finish.
JSA: Black Reign is about as good as superhero stories get. Geoff Johns, as well as the brilliant cast of artists (sorry about not mentioning the art sooner, as it is even better than fans of the JSA TPB's have become accustomed to), have put together one of the most powerful, adrenaline inducing, yet thought provoking tales in recent memory, and should be part of your collection, if it isn't already.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An excellent story for a low price., June 20, 2005
This review is from: JSA: Black Reign (Book 8) (Paperback)
While most trade paperbacks are comic book collections, this one nearly qualifies as a stand-alone graphic novel, easily accessible with strong character arcs.
This is Al Rothstein's (Atom Smasher) story. It's the story of his fall from grace and the beginning of his redemption. Though this series crosses over with Hawkman, he serves more as a catalyst, and for the first time, friendships as old as the Golden Age of comics are strained.
In many ways, this book marks a bittersweet return of Infinity, Inc., the sons and daughters of the JSA. They play the part of villains (more precisely antagonists), but when Hector Hall as Doctor Fate and a surprise return of a certain Infinitor, the tables are turned.
This book succeeds as a war story. Every character is altered by the events of this book and it leaves the reader with more questions than answers. Geoff Johns rocks!
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This book dwarfs the previous volumes..., May 16, 2009
This review is from: JSA: Black Reign (Book 8) (Paperback)
This is great stuff. Perhaps with the exit of David Goyer, Mr. Johns was able to write the book he always meant to. Everything about the writing improves here: the depth of the characterizations, the meaningful nature of the conflicts (both personal, political, and super-powered), the pacing of the plot, and the intensity of the action.
Most satisfying is the denoumont of the Black Adam storyline, and the resolution of the Atom Smasher/Black Adam relationship. The stories of Hawkman/Hawkgirl, and Hourman, are also accelerated.
Less satisfying is the confusing resolution of the Dr. Fate/Nabu/Lyta Hall story. The nature of these mystical relationships has always seemed a bit muddy. And the trite and thoroughly over-used minds-within-a-mind device is handled no more effectively here than it ever has been anywhere (and it was done to death in the last volume, Princes of Darkness): totally unconvincing and destined to confuse anyone who tries to sort out the internal logic behind it all.
Even the artwork in this volume seems much more effective. One of this series' major problems has always been the uninspired, workman-like art. Artists rotated so frequently, as well, that it seemed like individual issues sometimes had multiple artists! In Black Reign, from the pencils of Morales and Kramer, to the moody approach of the inkers and colorists, a face lift has certainly taken place. This art is much more consistent, creative, and emotional than the work featured in previous volumes. That being said, it is still on the highly conservative side, which I suppose befits the nature of this venerable team, but in my opinion, is still very boring in comparison with work to be found in the The Avengers (whose "Disassembled" story is contemporary with this book), for example.
I will say that, unfortunately, if you are considering buying this book, it is actually an awful place for a new reader to enter in. The story and characters are so entrenched in prior developments, that it would be utterly confusing for a new reader. Sadly, new readers may have to go back to the beginning of JSA with volume one and slog their way through more mediocre stories, in order to fully appreciate the final evolution of this title into a truly great super-hero comic.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
|
