Customer Reviews

JSA: Stealing Thunder (Book 5)

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

 

 

Give an evil genius a genie and watch out! That's the storyline in this JSA collection. The Ultra-Humanite steals the body of Johnny Thunder and then steals the Thunderbolt from its current master, Jakeem. He then proceeds to remake the world in his own warped image. Only a few remaining heroes (and one villain) are still free to stop him. The Johns/Goyer team does a nice job of bringing back Hourman II, who finally outgrows his father's shadow and leads the team into action. The focus on Wildcat is a nice touch as well, as he personifies the "tough guy" superhero, but most welcome of all is the opportunity to see Jakeem be more than "the angry kid" character and become a hero. This story really solidifies this version of the JSA as worthy successor to the original.

JSA: Stealing Thunder is the fifth trade paperback in the JSA series and collects issues 32-38. This book tells the story of the Ultra Humanite's taking control of the Thunderbolt, a genie of immense power, and using it to take control of the world's most powerful heroes and villains. Now, it's up to the remaining members of the JSA (and some interesting new "recruits") to stop him.

This an entertaining read full of action and drama, but what makes this book really stand out is its outstanding characterization. Sure, they're superheroes with powers, but they all have very real wants, desires, and problems which makes this comic great read.

With Stealing Thunder, Geoff Johns shows once more how he worked true magic on JSA. It begins with former member Johnny Thunder showing up, apparantly cured of his long time mental problems. He manages to get Jakeem to give him the magical pen containing the all-power Thunderbolt genie. It's only then that the truth is discovered: The body may be Johnny Thunder's but the brain inside belongs to the JSA's old enemy, the Ultra-Humanite, who promptly uses the Thunderbolt to remake the entire world in his image. Six months later, a rag-tag resistance of JSA members, including Power Girl, Captain Marvel and Rick "Hourman" Tyler (coming back after a long absence from the scene) have to try and stop him.

Right off, the story has a great idea in that the bad guy has already won. It's chilling watching various super-heroes, from the JSA to the Justice League, as the Ultra-Humanite's mind-controlled slaves, a force that seems impossible for our heroes to defeat. The odds against them are harrowing and that adds to the thrills as they take on the villian. Also in the mix are Wildcat and Dr. Fate, held captive for regular beatings.

A brilliant touch is in the JSA's unlikely ally: Cameron Mekhnat, aka the Icicle. The JSA has always been about a new generation of heroes but the Icicle is a second-generation villian who's forced to work with them. (When they ask why they should let him, he just observes "in this world, Superman's one of the BAD guys.") His sardonic nature is a great bit ("I can imagine my dad looking up at me and laughing his roasted butt off") and adds to the fun of the tale.

It all comes to a fantastic final battle that also adds a great bit involving Hourman that would come to play later in the book's run. Any JSA book is good but this is a true highlight that shows how amazing the series is.

I've been a fan of Justice Society since the mid-1970s when All-Star Comics 3 was re-released.

They've been updated and brought into modern times. But it's still a talented group of writers and artists that are doing today's stories.

Great series!

The Thunderbolt is a very powerful entity. When the Ultra-Humanite (or any other bad man) gets control of such a thing then it is Not Good At All. In big capital letters. He quickly takes over everything, and some desperate action is required by the few still free and fighting superhumans and any allies that they can round up.

Another good, solid, JSA storyline, and again worth reading.

This comic and Geoff Johns continue to deliver the goods when it comes to spinning a great yarn. This isn't a post modern take or a reinvention of the superhero genre. It's just, heres a can of good old fashion comics that isn't stale, period. Eat it up!