The new secret origin of the Justice Society of America continues and guess what? It gets really rather good. So far I’ve been a little underwhelmed by the constant short scenes of paired characters all getting little bits of the storyline. This time, things come together and we get some super team magic.
Before that, though, we join two heroes who don’t make it to the big fight later in the issue. While Dr Fate Kent Nelson is fit for duty, Jim Corrigan is terrified to let the Spectre out to play.
Over at a private airship outside Gotham City, meanwhile, new pals Atom Al Pratt and Wonder Woman Hippolyta have tracked down the villainous Sportsmaster – early adopter of the Puffa jacket – and Satanna, who are knee deep in a scheme involving animal transportation. With henchmen heading for the hanger with crates, they spring at the bad guys, as the only heroes on the scene.
Well, that’s what they thought. Hawkman Carter Hall and Hawkgirl Shiera Sanders are on the attack, and would surely be grateful for a hand. Especially when Satanna appears with another bad guy, Cyclotron.
Sir, that is uncalled for.
Back in the city, Green Lantern is uncostumed as Alan Scott, questioning the boss of tunnel building firm Starco about the death of his architect pal.
As for Flash Jay Garrick and Johnny Thunder, in the Gotham Subway, a reluctant Jay, worn down by the kid’s keenness for a team-up, says Johnny and his magic Thunderbolt can join him at the airstrip if they can keep up. Actually they can, as Johnny commands his pink pal to take them all there. An instant later…
The final two mystery men we’ve been following over the last few issues, Sandman Wesley Dodds and Hourman Rex Tyler, are below Starco, where they’ve came across a shiny stranger, chained to a wall.
Rather than tell the heroes to get on with helping him get free, Will tells the heroes how he got there…
… and wouldn’t you know it, it’s the origin of Amazing Man, and it’s not dissimilar to the Bronze Age original. So that’s a point for writer Jeff Lemire, who finally gets enough wheels spinning to have me smiling, As does this line from Hippolyta after Hawkman again insults Atom.
Ouch. Still, I wish we’d simply got to see scrapper Al punch that smug smile off Hawkman’s beak.
The issue ends with the reveal of the mystery bad guy overseeing the lesser villains. It’s pretty obvious to veteran readers but it’s not disappointing, as it’s a blackguard I always enjoy. Let’s see what skulduggery they’re up to.
The dialogue really seems to have taken a pep pill this issue, the book feels lighter, breezier, despite definite dark doings. Big points for a gag Lemire puts in for the Legion fans.
Characterisations may feel a little off compared to the familiar versions, such as Jay’s reluctance to give Johnny a shot, and Carter’s boorishness, but the heroes are very young here, perhaps a little unsure of themselves as they meet other mystery men for the first time; maybe we aren’t seeing them at their best, and they’ll relax as time goes on. We shall see.
Illustrator Gavin Guidry seems to be more enthused about this issue’s script than he was with the previous instalment, giving us confident storytelling with plenty of moments that pop off the page. The action scenes are terrific, the interactions convince, heck, even Johnny Thunder looks cool.
As does his Thunderbolt pal, who looks glorious as coloured by Luis Guerrero. I also enjoyed the sky hues, although the blinds in the Starco office really need lowering. The tones are attractive throughout, and the lettering by Steve Wands is zesty.
All in all, this is the best issue since the new origin sequence began. Let’s hope next issue keep going in a positive direction.
Too Dangerous For a Girl 2 
I’m still waiting for the arc to end before reading. But I appreciate your take on it. I just wonder why so many Golden Age characters have already appeared this early in 1940? That is really hard to fathom. Along with the fact that knowing so much about these characters seems to take away from being excited about this series, because Lemire gets so much wrong…oh, changes things that never needed changing.
-Matthew Lloyd
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I think you answered your own question – characters that didn’t appear before whatever date here arrive earlier because it’s just change ie Lemire wants to write them. But Earth Correct is out that somewhere, with everyone knowing their place!
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It is the best issue so far of the arc. One I accepted it was time to move past Levitz’s decades old origin, it all started working for me. I’m cool with Corrigan horrified by his role as the Spectre’s vessel but could have done without him writing Carter like his successor’s more prevalent characterization but oh well. I could use some explanation for Polly being there though and I hope she and Wildcat knock boots this time too.
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It’s good to hear you’re enjoying the book now, and I’m with you on wanting to know more about Hippolyte’s journey to the US – does the Byrne version hold? And the Spectre line is certainly new, but come in Jim, embrace that ectoplasm!
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just a little disappointed in the villain reveal. Seems like it is a little too close to another storyline. administration I would’ve liked to have seen a few more golden age villains used as puppets in this plan
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That would be rather nice. I really don’t understand why we have Sportsmaster but not the proper Tigress/Huntress.
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i haven’t been able to get to the comic shop for a couple weeks so I had both Issue 15 and 16 waiting for me. I’m quite enjoying the way this story is shaking up. Some of the characterizations are a little cranky but it’s early days. I’m loving the various pairings of the heroes and I’m thrilled to see them all coming together. Some of the groupings are a little too same/same in terms of tone (are there really that many mystery people that want to be grumpy loners??), but then you have characters like Polly and Atom working together and it’s so much fun. And you have Fate working to support and help the Spectre. 🙂
I’d rather see Jay be a little more charitable towards Johnny, but I feel like in the 40s, Johnny was supposed to be one of those characters that people couldn’t help but be annoyed with so I guess it makes sense.
And now we have the villain reveal. I didn’t see it coming, but I was totally down with it!
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I hate to wait, but more than one issue at a time has to be the way to read this series.
I get sad at how so many people (I don’t mean you!) take a shot at Johnny, even if he’s not a typical mystery man genius, he’s well meaning, always trying to do the right thing. Don’t be mean, Jay, I say. And while Black Canary nicked his strip, that was when most people were losing their strips…surely, for a few years, he had a decent fanbase.
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Oh agreed (with regards to Johnny Thunder)! Jay should be better than that. I can see other golden age heroes maybe being annoyed by Johnny, but that doesn’t seem to be in Jay’s character.
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