DCU Comic Book Reviews

JSA #56

Black Reign, Part 1

early March 2004

Written by Geoff Johns

Pencils by Don Kramer

Inks by Keith Champagne

Cover by John Watson

Synopsis

In Khandaq, Black Adam has put together other super powered individuals to help him in his quest to remove Asim Muhunnad from power.  Ten miles outside of the capital city of Shiruta, Northwind, Nemesis, Brainwave, and Alexander Montez take down soldiers protecting a factory.  Meanwhile, Black Adam and Atom Smasher break into the factory to free the children that have been imprisoned and forced to work.  Once they accomplish their goal, the team marches into Shiruta and kill Asim Muhunnad.  Black Adam then claims Khandaq for himself.  [story continues in Hawkman #23]

Review

There really is not that much to this issue other than to introduce the various members of Black Adam’s team, a type of role call of characters to inform the reader who they are, what they can do, and why they are willing to align with Black Adam.  Despite the nature of this issue, it is done well enough with some good art (including the two page splash of the team standing over the dictator) that it was quite enjoyable.  As the beginning to this storyline, I think the issue served its purpose well and I look forward to the next part. 

The key to the story is providing the reasons why each of the team members follow Black Adam with his mission to free Khandaq.  We know Black Adam’s reasons; it is (literally) his country, since he was once the ruler and the capital city is named after his wife, after all.  The rest, however, we are not so certain about, so the exposition of this issue helps to define these characters much better.  Since we know these characters will eventually come face-to-face with the JSA, we get a fuller picture of their abilities and a showcase of their strengths in battle.  When the two groups collide, it will be an interesting fight. 

Ultimately, however, this story is essentially a retread of the age-old argument regarding the use of deadly force when fighting crime.  What Johns is able to do that puts a different spin on it, is to present Black Adam’s side, not only trying to justify his actions, but also criticizing the methods used by the JSA or all of the other heroes.  It is hard (at least for me) to not agree with a lot of what Black Adam says.  Why bother using water to put out fires when you can just take away the wood?  I guess it goes back to the age-old question: if you could kill Hitler when he was a baby, would you do it.  Obviously, Black Adam would answer yes, especially if his beloved Khandaq would suffer if it was not done.  -- Review by MRB

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