Customer Reviews

Justice Society, Vol. 2

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A follow up to the Justice Society TP Vol. 1, this compilation completes the run of the reprinted All-Star Comics reboot of the 70's. Wisely marketed by DC to cash in on their Infinite Crisis mini-series (and by association, Earth-2) Justice Society: Volume 2 includes editor's notes that originally referered readers to companion series of the time which featured Powergirl and company, but have been updated to refer readers to recently released companion TP compilations. Though possibly considered above average artwork and writing for DC Comics of that bygone era, the page/panel compositions at times seem crowded and character anatomies seem contorted into awkward poses. The scripts, especially the captions, seem dated. Still, this book, along with Justice Society: Volume 1, The Huntress and Powergirl TPs, are pure nostalgia and must-haves for any Earth-2 completist's collection. Included are the final story arcs which originally appeared in Adventure Comics #s 461 to 466 after All-Star Comics was cancelled and feature the first appearance of the Huntress, the death of Bruce Wayne and the Gotham Twin Towers nearly tumbled by a super villain!

The second volume of JUSTICE SOCIETY OF AMERICA reprints the JSA's last few adventures in ALL-STAR COMICS (67-74) and their brief run in the pages of ADVENTURE COMICS (461-466). These stories of heroism, tragedy, and the family dynamic inherent in a multi-generational superhero team are still very readable and thoughtful, with excellent dialogue and wonderful art by Joe Staton, the "Earth-Two" artist for DC in the late 70s. Of particular interest is the JSA vs. JSA story from #69, which introduced the Huntress, and the story from ADVENTURE #462, which features the death of the Golden Age Batman. Highly recommended for everyone, but particularly those fans who have rediscovered the JSA in the pages of the current comics.

THE JUSTIC SOCIETY VOLUME 2 collects more of the adventures of the original Earth-2 super-team. These are DC's Golden Age heroes and villains, written as if they had aged somewhat consistently into the `70s. Clark Kent is now editor of the Daily Star, Bruce Wayne is police commissioner of Gotham City, and new heroes such as Power Girl and the Huntress join other still-active members of the Justice Society. These fun stories are written by Paul Levitz, with art by Joe Staton. Unfortunately, there are no inks from Wally Wood this time around. Rest in peace, Wally.

Collected here are All-Star Comics #68 - 74 and Adventure Comics #461 - 466, featuring battles with the classic villains Psycho-Pirate, Thorn, the first Huntress, Sportsmaster, Fredric Vaux, and others. Also featured is the death of the Earth-2 Bruce Wayne. Now don't yell at me for ruining the surprise - it's actually essential that you know this ahead of time. The reason is that the stories are not printed in narrative order, so there are a couple of stories where the Huntress is mourning Wayne, her father, even though he was just fine in the previous story. His death is not featured until much later. Did it ruin the book for me? Nah, but it would have kept me from constantly going back to see if I'd missed something. Anyway, this is a great book to have if you are curious about the DC Universe before the Crisis on Infinite Earths. I must admit, it was a fun place!

It was a lot of to read stories that ushered in the first 'personality' conflicts in the JSA...I still miss Earth II..I grew up on those guys...(of course some people say I still haven't grown up) It started up some great story lines...(Robin and Huntresses relationship, coming out of retirement, Star Sangled Kid confusion over finding 'his place', etc..)
Great memories...Wish they'd print more Comic Calvalcade..and a complete World's Finest in the archive form

Not to long ago Geoff Johns wrote the majority of the first of two Justice Society series for DC Comics (he's writing the second one as you read this...) but this book and the first one are the genesis of the modern day series. These books are hard to come by, if not impossible due to limited print runs on the series, if you do find them you're probably paying an arm and a leg for them. If you're a fan of the Justice Society of America I strongly urge you to get not only this book, but the first volume and it's companion Huntress: Daughter of the Dark Knight as you're missing out on a true treat and some classic comics.