JSA #23 review

Our story opens in 1951, when the Justice Society of America disbands rather than reveal their civilian identities during the ‘Unamerican Activities’ hoohah.

Ten years later, a shady figure individually approaches three former members, all of whom are bored as full-time civilians. There’s Ted Grant.

Rex Tyler, Hourman.

And, Dr Charles McNider, the former Dr Mid-Nite.

So, the spook has two out of three of his targets, and shortly afterwards Rex and Ted are waiting for him at Gotham Harbor before flying across the Atlantic. He explains their assignment.

Dr Mid-nite has relented having realised he was likely approached because the agent will need medical help. Soon, they’re in the air, wondering why they’ve not been told their target’s name.

After parachuting into Russia, they find the unknown operative and yes. Yes they do know him.

Well, this is a change of pace. I’m not sure it’s a change of pace I want, given this seems to be the penultimate issue of the current run, but here it is. When writer Jeff Lemire said a couple of years ago that he was planning to punctuate big storylines with Starman-style Times Past stories I was all for it, but it turns out this will be the one and only, as Lemire has moved on.

Mind, if others would have been as dull as this one it’s no great loss. Pages and pages are spent showing us post-JSA lives of boredom, such as Ted Grant getting out of bed, feeding the cat, walking down the street. A page of Rex Tyler silently clockwatching follows one that established perfectly well that life had lost its spice. The pace is beyond leisurely.

And quibble wise, how is Charles McNider seeing patients… literally, seeing patients in broad daylight? The man can see only in darkness.

Plus, given the good guys are told ‘No one can ever know we sent masked men into enemy territory’, why do they change into costume the minute they’re behind enemy lines?

This issue is a bit of a sausage fest, I realise Hippolyte would be back on Paradise Island by 1961, but couldn’t Black Canary have been tapped up for the mission?

There is a nice gag about Tyler Chemical’s latest product.

The art by Teddy Kristiansen has a quirky appeal, though the quality is inconsistent. The set-up pages are much duller than the later scenes, as if even the artist is a bit bored. Compare the shot of heroes jumping out of a plane to Rex Tyler sitting in his office looking like a ten-year-old child. Kristiansen does draw some nice period buildings, though, and his use of colour is lovely at times.

Steve Wands give us nice calm letters, as ever, and regular series artist Diego Olortegui’s cover is rather winning.

So, not the most exciting of issues, it reads like an exercise in ensuring we don’t miss the series too much when it’s gone. The art adds interest but I can see it putting off some readers. I fear this JSA run is going out with a whimper.