Customer Reviews

Justice Society of America Vol. 1: The Next Age

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Geoff Johns is one of the hardest working writers in the DC Comics universe. Especially now that the universe there contains 52 worlds, some of which have yet to be explored. But he's the guy I'd definitely want taking me on the tour.

Johns has a gift of seeing the iconic heroes, a way of peeling down through decades of stories about them, to strip them to their bare bones. Once he's hit bedrock, he rebuilds them in exactly the way they were originally created and somehow brings them into our world and our NOW in ways we haven't seen before. He can take a hero that's been around for generations and introduce him or her to today's readers in a way that makes those readers think the heroes were just created for them now.

I've followed his runs on the Flash and Hawkman, and now in the pages of Green Lantern. But the greatest achievement Johns has ever done, in my humble opinion, was bringing the Justice Society of America to pre-eminence to comic book fans everywhere.

I loved his run on the previous volume of the book. I have all the copies in monthly magazine format as well as graphic novels. He's lately reintroduced the JSA once again in JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA: THE NEXT AGE.

In this latest series, spinning out of the events of the year-long event known as 52, Johns once more brings his considerable talents to the re-envisioning of the JSA. The first graphic novel of the new series contains the first four issues of the new monthly title. We get to see old favorites (the Alan Scott Green Lantern, Jay Garrick Flash, and Wildcat - who has been one of my personal heroes for a long time) as well as get introduced to new heroes/heroines.

Johns revisits the JSA's history to give us Cyclone, the super-powered granddaughter of Ma Hunkle, the original Red Tornado, a new Wildcat (with surprising twists), and even a new Steel (though we don't get to see the culmination of that origin story in this graphic novel). All of these heroes fit perfectly with the old favorites Johns has lined up.

I've loved the JSA from the first time I saw them crossover from Earth-2 back in the pages of the 1960s Justice League comic book. Not all of those heroes were revamped and reintroduced to the world in what has become known as the Golden Age of comics. Mr. Terrific, Hourman, and Dr. Mid-Nite - as well as others - never found their way to Earth-1 except to visit.

In the early pages of this graphic novel, Batman tells Flash, Green Lantern, and Wildcat that the JLA wants to help the JSA rebuild. As Batman points out, the JLA has always been something of a strike force or weapon, while the JSA has always been about family.

It's wonderful touches like that simple declaration that keep bringing me back to the JSA and to all of Johns's work. I've never read a comic of his that I didn't like. Story and character always work well in his scripts, and no one plays more fairly with the history of even the most long-lived heroes.

The plot in this graphic novels focuses on the rebuilding of the JSA with new blood while at the same time learning of the attacks against the families of heroes. The action is fast, violent, and bloody, with a number of deaths within the architecture of the story. Johns doesn't take any shortcuts, and he makes the violence - so he says - as real as he can because readers want to feel like they're living in hero worlds.

Johns's words and Dale Eaglesham's incredible artwork kept me turning pages, and wanting more when I'd finished. The story switches back and forth among several of the characters, and Johns conveys those different narrators skillfully. But he's definitely aided and abetted by Eaglesham. The panels are beautiful to look at, and they push the story forward with exquisite pacing. With a book dedicated to introducing new characters to readers, there are a lot of dialogue sequences that could have dragged in the hands of a less skilled artist. Johns trusted Eaglesham enough to make it all work, and he does.

I enjoyed this graphic novel a lot, and I can't wait for more. I hope that Johns and Eaglesham have a long stay on the title. I can't wait to see what they do next, because they've opened up a ton of possibilities.

All I can say is...WOW. These are the greatest JSA stories I have read since the All Star Squadron in the eighties, and it's WAY better than any superhero fare out there at the moment. Johns and artist Dale Eaglesham have captured the spark of the JSA that made it such an appealing title ever since it debuted in the 1940's and was revitalized years later. It requires no backtracking or Wikipedia searches if you are a newcomer to the Justice Society (unless you become a fanatic like me), and old-time fans will find familiar characters as well as new ones here to enjoy along with numerous villains from the team's past. In this slim but excellent hardcover collection the team's roster includes classic characters such as Hawkman (my favorite!), Wildcat (my second favorite), Green Lantern (Alan Scott), the original Flash (Jay Garrick), Dr. Mid-Night, Hourman, and Power Girl (arguably not a brand new character, but she wasn't around in the forties). The new members are Damage (related to the original Atom, but with actual explosive powers), Stargirl, Mr. Terrific, Cyclone, and a host of others that have been hinted at but have yet to make appearances. Even though it only includes four issues of the series every issue gave me more than my money's worth, as the creators use congested storytelling and tight panels with a lot of narrative info and the occasional large spread to highlight a particularly gruesome action scene. The central story revolves around the murders of JSA family members and the overall plot against the society itself, initiated by one of their most feared enemies (a bad guy who can literally 'stand the test of time', hint, hint). Along the way various side stories blossom from the main storyline when Wildcat makes a startling personal discovery that affects him profoundly, while crippled sportstar Nathan Heywood (spoiler coming - watch it!) develops 'nerves of steel,' so to speak. In conclusion I would have to say that every page surprised me with something shocking or revelatory, and isn't that what everyone wants when reading a comic book? Rest assured that this hardcover has it all - epic battles, dramatic revelations, tear-jerking moments as well as truly EXPLOSIVE scenes. Buy it - nuff said.

After the cataclysmic events of Infinite Crisis, the Justice Society of America (AKA the world's first superhero team) disbanded. Now, after taking on former member gone rogue Black Adam in World War III, the JSA is back together again. Original Flash Jay Garrick, original Green Lantern Alan Scott, Wildcat, Hawkman, Mr. Terrific, Power Girl, Hourman, Liberty Belle, Dr. Mid-Nite, Sandman, Stargirl, Damage, Cyclone, Starman, and Obsidian make up the new lineup of heroes, who unite just in time as someone is hunting down blood descendants of former and current members (not to mention paying intelligent homage to Mark Waid and JSA cover artist Alex Ross' Kingdom Come). Superhero writer extraordinaire Geoff Johns (Infinite Crisis, Green Lantern, Flash) is back at the helm of JSA, and be glad he is. Johns weaves a nice, twisty plot while he re-invigorates some old heroes and villains for a new DC universe, which only furthers the notion that he's one of the best mainstream superhero writers, well, maybe ever. Dale Eaglesham's art is plenty solid as well, but what really hurts Justice Society of America: The Next Age is that it's way too short. This hardcover collection only features the first four issues of the relaunched series, and by the time it ends, you'll be drooling for more. That aside, the JSA is back and better than ever, and with Johns at the helm, the possibilities are endless.

Geoff Johns gets it. He just does.

There's really nothing else to say, but since this would be a weak review without more exposition, I'll keep going.

In my mind, there's no truer paradigm of the mainstream superhero than Johns'. If you want proof, read his entire run of The Flash; or, read his work on JSA; OR, simply read his JSA reboot, Justice Society of America: The Next Age.

The Next Age picks up right where JSA left off. Most of the fan favorites are still around, as well as some inspired choices for new teammates. Furthermore, Johns has found a new mission statement for the Justice Society of America, one that is trying to teach the new generation of heroes how to be just that.

Johns understands the superhero team dynamic. He understands the archetypes necessary for such a team to be charismatic. Johns realizes how to make us care about his characters, how to present edgy--but not gratuitous--stories, and, best of all, Johns comprehends how to manipulate pace, deliver great dialogue, and present captivating foreshadowing.

In The Next Age, the Justice Society of America round up some young heroes who may need some positive role models and training, deal with a mysterious entity killing off the bloodlines of other heroes, and are introduced to an element that forces Wildcat to get out of the ring and into the human race. Since monthly comic books are by nature serialized, it also sets up oodles of possibilities for the months to come.

Consequently, let's not forget about artist Dale Eaglesham. I love comic books equally not just for their stories, but also for their art. It's a visual medium, and Eaglesham renders heroic looking, but not hyperbolic, figures. He chooses gripping angles within his panels, and, like Johns, he seems to have an innate sense of what makes a superhero comic both tense and fun. The hardcover edition of The Next Age even offers some breathtaking pencil sketches from Eaglesham during the design process.

We can debate all day as to whether or not Johns is the best writer in the comic book industry, but as far as pure super heroics and team dynamic go, there is no one better, and Justice Society of America: The Next Age is proof positive of that.

~Scott William Foley, author of Dr. Nekros: The Tragedian (Volume I, Episode I)

I've always been a big Justice Society fan. There's just something mythical about the team. They are the first, and arguably, truest team of superheroes. They are dedicated to the ideals of heroism and have been relatively uncorrupted by the kind of cynicism we've seen in so many other superhero titles in the past decade. One wonder's why DC allowed the team to linger almost unnoticed for so long throughout the 1960's through the 1990's. There were multiple guest appearances, limited series, and off-shoot titles like All-Star Squadron and Young All-Stars, but finally the team received its due when getting its own title in the late 90's and they have enjoyed enormous popularity since.

This hardcover collects the first four issues of the brand new JSA series launched in December 2006. Now I'm not crazy about the constant restarts in comics these days but I'll take what I can get when it comes to the JSA. The story really mirrors the events in the new Justice League series as the veteran members, in this case The Flash, Green Lantern, and Wildcat begin to evaluate and choose new team members. The new team will include other recent members such as the Doctor Mid-nite, Mr. Terrific, Power Girl, Star Girl, and Hourman, along with new members such as Cyclone, the granddaughter of Ma Hunkel, the original Red Tornado, Damage, and the new Starman. The new Starman is the Thom Kallor incarnation who suffers from a mental disorder which makes him ramble incoherently, and yet displays an innate brilliance when he solves a complicated mathematical equation that Mr. Terrific was working on. We will also learn that Wildcat, Ted Grant, has a grown up son that he didn't know about. His son will reveal that he has a startling secret of his own!

The search for new team members is framed around a story of someone engineering the assassinations of former JSA members...but they are not just killing the heroes, they are killing their families as well. They want to completely eradicate the JSA heritage and destroy their lineage forever. This makes a powerful statement about the JSA and why I said the JSA are the truest team of superheroes. While the Marvel Universe fights amongst itself and the JLA undergoes it's umpteenth crisis, it is the JSA who is perceived to be the real threat to the villain orchestrating the murders.

The villainous muscle is provided by the Fourth Reich, a group of German supervillains led by the old Captain Marvel foe, Captain Nazi. They mercilessly attack and kill the members of Commander Steel's family at a family reunion, leaving only one survivor. Meanwhile, Wildcat is knocked cold and left to fend for himself against the JSA's greatest foe, the immortal Vandal Savage!

This story is great for its pure simplicity. Hero vs. villain...good vs. evil...there are no shades of gray here. Is it manipulative? Well hell yeah! But only because the superhero landscape has been so muddled in recent years that we've been conditioned to accept pessimism and suspicion as normal. This is why Geoff Johns is one of the best writers of superhero stories around today and the JSA could be in no better hands than his. This new team is a dynamic group consisting of veteran leaders, and fresh, enigmatic faces. The new Starman and Sandman have secrets left to reveal as does the new Wildcat. Complementing the fantastic art of Eaglesham and Thibert are the brilliant covers of Alex Ross who brings a flair for the dramatic in everything he does. Great book...and great new series!

REVIEWED BY TIM JANSON

Seriously, the story reads so smoothly you'll zip right through it, even though plenty of ground is covered. I picked up my copy and headed for the Porcelain Reading room as soon as I saw an episode of "According to Jim" flatulate it way across my TV screen. I emerged from the john triply satisfied, by missing Belushi's joke of a show, from attending to the actual "business at hand", and from reading this great story. Total reading time= 27 minutes.

If I'd have taken the proper amount of time that I should have to absorb the artwork I could have spent closer to an hour on this book. Dale Eaglesham does top notch work. Figures are rendered heroically yet realistically and he gives plenty of attention to detail. There are several 2nd and 3rd generation Society Members whose costumes are unique and original looking but also are evocative of the original members whose name they carry. I especially like Sandman's new design, which coupled with his prophetic dreams make him a more mysterious and interesting character.

The book starts out with two storylines which eventually dovetail nicely. The Society is reforming after the events of the latest Crisis-du-jour. Their mission is to help up and coming superheroes not only learn to use their powers, but to also develop a moral compass. As Superman puts it, "We need better good guys."

No sooner have they started orientation for the new membership than the body of the mystery man known as Mr. America crashes through a skylight and onto the JSA conference table. Quickly we learn that someone is murdering not only all the patriot-themed heroes in the DCU, but all their families as well. Someone is systematically wiping out the heroes' bloodlines!

At the same time Wildcat is learning that he has a son he never knew existed. It's a good story, which serves not only a counterpoint to all the action and mayhem in the first storyline, but also underscores the theme of family which runs through the book. And as I've said, both storylines do eventually merge quite neatly.

It's exciting, intense, fast-paced and also has just the right amount of heart. Geoff Johns is writing at the top of his game. His characterizations are strong yet succinct and the new additions to the team are interesting and show plenty of potential.

It all winds up with a proper cliff-hanger.

The Next Age might just be the start of the Next golden Age for the Justice Society of America.

This really is a great book. Johns knows what Earth-2 junkies like myself want out of a comic book. But the paper quality in this is just awful for a hardcover collection. It's glossy, yes, but it's really thin. I don't know why DC does this and the paper quality selection seems to be completely random from book to book. It's the one thing that Marvel gets right over DC almost every time.

The new character lineup, the legacy tie-in, the writing and the art are ALL top notch. So why did I only give four stars? It felt truncated - like there should have been more story for a book. The artwork and covers at the end are nice, but another issue or two of story included in the collection would have been nicer. I suppose it is the dividing line between story arcs that caused the split.

I haven't read much of JSA before this book. I met some of the characters on the different Crisis and it seemed a pretty cool group of old mens fighting with way more maturity that the JLA.

This book is after Infinite Crisis and they are rebuilding the group using some of the sons and grandsons of old heroes.

What really love about the book is the importance they give to the JSA. They are here to give the world "Better Heroes". Sounds cool to me. Is well written, doesn't have hoodles of action, but is pretty much a nice re-introduction.

Worth the money.

"The Next Age" serves as the start of a relaunch for the Justice Society of America. While not as well known as the Justice League or as star studded, the JSA possesses a venerable heritage and a wonderful history. As Batman admits in "The Next Age", the JLA is a strike force, the JSA has other ties that bind its members together. This proves true in this work as the DC team of writers and artists present an intriguing plot with wonderful characters. There is a good deal of action in this work and it often proves to be violent, often crossing the line into being gruesome. The reader can not help be drawn into the story since the JSA consists of well defined characters: an overly talkative theater major who gets on peoples' nerves; a rugged loner connecting with his son; a brash young man haunted by mental and physical scars; a brilliant schizophrenic; a marriage of opposite personalities and the imperfect ties that bind them; a depressed former college athlete trying to find meaning in his life while trying to preserve what's left of his family. Most superhero teams with a lot of members have a few characters who seem to only take up space; one of the more impressive parts of "Next Age" is how the authors are able to pull the strings on so many puppets without making them mere background characters. The JSA is a collection of imperfect heroes who do their best to rise above their various flaws. They may be superhuman but, more importantly, they are human. With its intriguing plot and terrific cast of characters, "The Next Age" is one of the finest collection of comics that I have ever come across.